Daiso is a hot Japanese dollar store with plans to slowly spread across the US see what it's like inside its newest store in NYC

Brittany Chang/Insider

• Japanese dollar store Daiso wants to open more than 15 stores in the US annually for the next 10 years.
• The chain carries a wide range of Japanese products, including toys, kitchenware, and snacks.

One of the world's hottest dollar stores with a strong cult following is a brand you may have never heard of: Daiso.

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But in the next few years, you might find yourself perusing its aisles at a new location near you.

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This is Daiso, a Japanese "100-yen store" — which converts to under $1 — with stores around the world and a growing presence in the US.

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The retailer currently operates about 6,000 stores worldwide, including 83 stores in the US.

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And its stateside footprint is growing fast.

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The brand plans to open over 15 stores in the US annually for the next 10 years, Shuhei Geshi, Daiso's store operations manager, told Insider in an email interview.

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And if past grand openings are any indication of what future Daiso openings will look like, you can expect long lines, eager customers, and a flood of Daiso "haul" videos on YouTube.

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Source: Gothamist, YouTube

Given its price point, Daiso is often referred to as a "dollar store" like Dollar Tree or Dollar General …

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… "but once you come to the store, you will know the differences between [Daiso and other dollar stores]," Geshi said.

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The Japanese brand has all the classic goods available at any conventional budget store, including cleaning supplies, small decorations, and stationery.

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But beyond that, it's a wonderland of products that'll probably never be available at a budget store in the US, like sushi rolling mats, popular Asian snacks …

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… sandwich makers in the shape of a panda ...

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… traditional Japanese tableware, and Asian skincare products.

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It also sells plenty of products that you never knew you needed, whether it be laundry bags designed for socks …

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… a two-in-one chopstick and ladle holder …

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… or plastic ear caps.

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Almost all of Daiso's products were created in-house, according to its website.

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Source: Daiso

And it rolls out 800 new products monthly to create an ever-changing inventory that make customers "excited" to visit, Geshi said.

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One of the brand's newest locations is in Brooklyn, New York.

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It's tiny but mighty and a prime example of how diverse Daiso's offerings can be.

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Source: Daiso

The store is tucked away on the second floor of Brooklyn's aptly named "Japan Village."

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The store was small but its aisles were clean and packed with a wide range of products. We're talking everyday and eclectic kitchenware …

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… cute office supplies …

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… children's toys …

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… comforting snacks and meals …

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… and even gardening supplies.

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The products' prices are often printed in yen directly onto the packaging, hence the easily accessible yen to US dollar conversion charts.

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But for the most part, this location's inventory will run you anywhere between about $2 to $15, a price range that's significantly lower compared to other big-box retailers like Target and Walmart.

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And this low price point has caught the eyes of plenty of Brooklynites.

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The second-floor store has only been open for two months, but it's already been a hit with locals.

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I visited on a Monday afternoon, a traditionally quiet time for retailers, but still saw plenty of shoppers perusing the aisles as workers organized the shelves.

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"It has been very busy," Geshi said regarding the new Brooklyn location. "We have more customers than we expected."

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And within the next decade, you too may be able to experience the joys of bargain hunting in a diverse Japanese dollar store.

Brittany Chang/Insider