New discount store brings Japan to Johnson County. Another is on the way
It’s been a few days since Daiso has opened in Olathe, but that hasn’t slowed curious customers down.
Some come to the Japanese discount superstore looking for specific items that aren’t easily found in the U.S. Others have seen the hubbub on TikTok and wanted to be in-the-know.
Carly Bowden saw a social media post and came in looking for Hello Kitty-themed items for her sister-in-law’s birthday. (There’s no shortage of Kitty, and other Sanrio characters, at Daiso.)
She lives near the new store at 14673 W. 119th St.
“Opening day the line was really long, so I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, what is this?’” Bowden said. “I have traveled a lot, and I just love the fact that it’s things from the other side of the world.”
The brand originated in Japan in 1977 but has held a presence in the United States for close to two decades. It’s in other other countries, too: Thailand, China, Canada, South Korea and more.
Daiso has more than 200 stores in the U.S., with many in Texas and California, but it’s looking to expand its Midwest presence.
“There’s an opening every week,” said Divya Chainni, a store manager from Houston who came to help with the Olathe location’s grand opening.
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The brand also recently entered the St. Louis market.
Soon, it’ll open its second Kansas location in Shawnee in the 10 Quivira Plaza shopping center at Shawnee Mission Parkway and Quivira Road. (An exact address has not been assigned.) That store’s opening date is mid-September.
The shop carries a wide range of products: home goods, makeup, Japanese snacks, stationery, fashion accessories and more.
A few examples: Hello Kitty ramen, a large selection of chopsticks, Disney character-themed dishware, animal plush pillows and face masks.
Chainni said the store’s breads and snack cakes are especially popular.
“It sells out as soon as we get it,” she said.
If an item isn’t marked with a price tag, like about 80% of the store, it’s $2.25. The rest are listed in yen (Japanese currency), but price conversion signs on each aisle list prices in U.S. dollars.
Area manager Doug Talley said that, while the items are fairly cheap, customers don’t have to feel like they’re compromising.
“I think you’ll find that the quality of our products is all very strong,” he said. “It’s probably the most popular convenience store in Japan, so we’re just getting started in the United States.”
This story was originally published June 3, 2025 at 3:44 PM.