Don Quijote (often called just “Donki”) is a major discount chain store in Japan which is famous for crowding its stores floor-to-ceiling with an incredible variety of merchandise. The goods stocked at Don Quijote commonly include daily groceries, snacks and sweets, alcohol and soft drinks, beauty and health products, watches and accessories, electrical goods, DIY products, toys, cosplay costumes, sports gear, and clothing. The colorful Asakusa branch has all this, plus restaurants, karaoke facilities and a live music theater too, all spread out across 7 floors.
The entrance to Don Quijote Asakusa
Don Quijote Asakusa is very popular with tourists because they can bulk buy on cheap goods and souvenirs and then have their purchases sent directly to the airport. On top of this overseas visitors are entitled to a tax-refund on their purchases and some foreign currencies are also accepted in the store. For added convenience, free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the store too. Below are some details about these services.
Don Quijote has a large liquor section
Shopping with Foreign Currency
Don Quijote is unusual because you don’t need to change your money to Japanese yen if you want to shop there. Seven currencies are covered by this service: the Euro, the US dollar, the Chinese yuan, the Hong Kong dollar, the Taiwan dollar, the Korean won, and the Thai baht. To use the service, look for the special foreign currency registers. Your change will be given in Japanese yen. The exchange rate at Don Quijote will change daily, so you should check that the rate is acceptable before you make your purchase.
Tax-free goods at Don Quijote
Tax-Free Shopping
Overseas visitors who are carrying their passports can get a tax-refund on the goods they buy at Don Quijote. This refund on the 8% consumption tax is available if you spend over 5,000 yen. However, if the products you buy are consumable goods, (such as food, drink, medicine, and cosmetics), then these goods will be packed up in a special bag that you must not open before leaving Japan. If you do open this bag before you leave Japan, then you could be charged the 8% tax at the airport.
Don Quijote Asakusa Restaurants
The restaurants at Don Quijote serve simple dishes at low prices. On the 1st floor there is a cheap curry shop called Kare-ha-Nomimono (literally “Curry is a Drink”) and another shop called Marujyu where you can get barbecued skewers of Kobe beef.
There are two restaurants on the 5th floor. Stamina Taro Next is an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant which includes sushi, grilled beef, salads, noodles, rice, desserts, and soft drinks. Saizeriya is a famously cheap Italian restaurant with a variety of pasta and pizza dishes, super cheap alcoholic beverages, and refillable soft drinks.
If you would like to sing while you eat, then Karaoke Rainbow on the 6th floor also has a food menu which includes pizza, fried chicken, noodle and rice dishes, and a variety of snacks and drinks.
The performers at Amuse Café & Theater
Amuse Café & Theater
On the 7th floor is a café and theater where you can watch a song and dance revue of classic pop hits. Shows typically cost 5,400 yen for adults and last around 90 minutes including the intermission. The performers will serve food and drink before and after the show. You can check the show schedule on the official website.
Don Quijote Asakusa is easy to find
Don Quijote Asakusa Location Map
Asakusa Don Quijote is a 2 minute walk from TX Asakusa Station on the Tsukuba Express Line. From the Tobu, Toei, or Tokyo Metro Asakusa stations it should take 10 minutes.
A side view of the store
Opening Hours
The Asakusa store is open 24 hours a day 365 days of the year, so you can shop for a bargain any time you please.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
