Shopping

Whether you're looking to furnish an apartment, want to find things to help with homesickness, or anything in between, here are some resources to help you with shopping in Japan.
=== Ishikawa Trash Palace ===
Ishikawa Trash Palace is a Facebook group where anyone in Ishikawa can post anything they have for sale. The most common items posted are furniture, study materials (like Japanese language learning books), electronics, and small household goods. If you're looking to furnish an apartment, keep an eye out on the page from June to the end of July when a lot of JETs end their contracts and are cleaning out their apartments to go home. Ishikawa Trash Palace is online only, though you may have to travel to pick up items if people do not offer delivery.
=== Home Goods + Apartment Care ===
==== Nitori ====
Nitori is a home goods store that sells furniture as well as bedding, towels, kitchen appliances, and so on. There is even an online outlet store where you can buy furniture for a discounted price. Nitori has an online store and many physical locations around Ishikawa.
==== DCM Kahma 21 ====
Kahma is a more rugged version of a home goods store. While it does sell some furniture, it is mostly a good resource for cleaning supplies, appliances, and home maintenance needs. They sell plants and bicycles as well! Kahma has and online store and many physical locations around Ishikawa.
=== Food and Hygiene ===
==== iHerb ====
iHerb is a great online option for snacks, skincare, hygiene items, vitamins, etc. from the US. While they don't have everything (some brands are not available), you can usually find a good substitute for things that may not be available in Japan (i.e. deodorant). Shipping is free after a certain price total, and you can get points for discounts in the future. Many JETs use this online store, so ask around and maybe you can place an order together to save on shipping or give someone free points for using their referral code.
=== Thrift Stores ===
==== Second Street ====
There are many thrift stores in Japan, but one of the most common chains is Second Street. You can find a good selection of clothing, furniture, electronics, and seasonal items, though selection does vary by store. Second Street does offer delivery for large items, but it is expensive. Second Street also buys used items. There is an online store as well as many physical locations in Ishikawa.
==== Hard-Off Group ====
The Hard-Off Group is another chain of thrift stores with many specialty stores including Hard-Off (electronics), Off-House (clothes), Hobby-Off (includes trading cards and figurines, sports-related items, and musical instruments), and Book-Off (books). These stores also buy used items. There is an online store as well as many physical locations in Ishikawa.
=== ¥100 Stores ===
¥100 stores are a great place to find things like plates and cups, craft and school supplies, and even hygiene and cleaning supplies. The items at ¥100 stores in Japan are a much better quality than those sold at stores like The Dollar Tree and other dollar stores in the US.
The most common ¥100 stores are Seria and Daiso. While only Daiso has an online store, both stores have physical locations in Ishikawa (click here for Seria and here for Daiso store locations). There are even some ¥300 stores (like 3Coins) that offer a wider variety of things at a slightly higher price. Daiso recently expanded some of their stores to include a Threeppy section (yes, that is the name) that sells some of these higher priced items. The items at ¥100 stores in Japan are a much better quality than those sold at stores like The Dollar Tree and other dollar stores in the US.
You may find ¥100 stores in your area other than the ones listed above.
=== Outlet Malls ===
While technically in Toyama Prefecture, the Mitsui Outlet Park is just outside of Ishikawa's border and a relatively quick drive away. It has many stores you may recognize from home, including high end fashion stores, a GAP, and a Lego store. There is also a foreign currency exchange machine in this mall.
The Mitsui Outlet Park is about 40 minutes from central Kanazawa and about 55 minutes from Nanao by car.right|300px