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If you are shopping in Japan and looking for something that you haven’t been able to find anywhere else, you can probably find it at Don Quijote.
Commonly called “Donki,” Don Quijote is a Japanese discount chain store that simply has it all and is a favorite for foreigners living in Japan.
Donki tends to keep very late hours at its 160 locations throughout Japan, with some not closing till the wee hours of the morning or simply staying open 24 hours a day. When you walk into a Donki (or Mega Donki, which are even bigger) you’ll probably be overwhelmed at first. They pack their merchandise from floor to ceiling in a distinct merchandising strategy.
I go to the Mega Donki in Machida, and I am always amazed how much stuff they cram into this store. This place is a maze of all mazes. They sell car stuff, dog and cat clothes, makeup, shoes, socks, toothpaste, hairspray, TVs, radios , BBQ grills, chips, soda, beer, vegetables and so much more. And if you are looking for Halloween costumes or maybe an electric skateboard, they have those items, too!
If you can’t find something, which is common unless you’re willing to spend hours looking, don’t be afraid to ask the many employees for help. If things are getting lost in translation, find a picture of what you are looking for on your smartphone and show it to an employee.
The franchise, which is named after 17th century literary character Don Quixote, has a very catchy theme song that plays in its stores. Called "Miracle Shopping," this song will leave some folks whistling or humming along to it, but I sure wouldn’t want to listen to it all day.
So, if you are looking to do some shopping or just spend some time at a store like no other, head to the nearest Donki.
