Don Kihotei (Don Quixote)

I’ve written about (Tokyu) Hands, Village Vanguard, and Yodobashi Camera, but I haven’t talked about Don Kihotei (the Japanese way of spelling Don Quixote). Don Kihotei, or Donki as the locals call it, is a chain of Japanese discount stores that need to be experienced to be believed. With over 160 locations, they’re not hard to find.

To be completely overwhelmed, go to the Shibuya MEGA Don Kihotei (Open 24 hrs). While there are other MEGA Donki, Shibuya’s is the biggest.

Describing Donki is daunting. Sharing similarities with the aforementioned stores, it also differentiates itself with its vast offerings, necessary and otherwise. You can go to Donki and buy anything you want, and numerous items you can’t believe someone greenlit to be created.

Whoever stocks Donki has a wicked and juvenile sense of humor. Hair products, protein powder, dog outfits, and sex toys all have their place in the store, sometimes right next to each other. You can also buy steak knives, underwear, liquor, cosmetics, kids’ toys, high-end Coach bags, or that well-priced extra suitcase you’ll need for the trip home.

The immense inventory is laid out in a seemingly random fashion, so a visit here becomes a journey into sensory overload. Don’t go when you are tired or hungry (although you can buy some snacks, drinks, candy, and even certain groceries here). You will get lost and confused by the bizarre logic of Donki world. The chaotic arrangement of goods is by design. The founder wanted people to spend as much time as possible in his stores. You could say he’s a crazy genius.

Donki is a blast if you are in the right frame of mind and ready for some adventure. You can find unique souvenirs for your hard-to-shop-for friends back home and those with a good sense of humor. The craziness will entertain you and the prices are very good; cheaper than you will find in tourist areas and at famous attractions.

Farmer’s Markets

I love visiting farmer’s markets, craft markets, antique fairs, and flea markets when I travel. It makes me feel like I live there and am doing something I normally do back home, allowing for natural interactions with locals (which I try to maximize). I often meet interesting people and find cool stuff at these places.

These are some of my favorite farmer’s markets in Tokyo. Please double-check when they are open and their hours and whatnot as things change. They are all great places to go. Fresh food, food trucks, organic food, interesting people, good times.

Farmer’s market @UNU - United Nations Univ. 5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Sat & Sun.

YEBISU Marche - Yebisu Garden Place 1-13-1 Mita, Meguro-ku, Tokyo. 2nd and 4th Sunday.

Ark Hills Marche - Ark Hills, 1-12-32, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo. Saturdays.

There are several more, do a web search to see if there’s one near where you are staying.

Blood Type Personality

Blood type rarely comes up in casual conversation in the USA and when it does people normally don’t know their blood type unless it’s a rarer one or if they needed to know recently for a procedure. 

In Japan, each blood type is associated with different personality traits, similar to how astrology works. The blood type personality theory is called ketsueki-gata. It’s quite prevalent in Japanese society with references to characters’ blood types in anime, manga, and video games being common. It can even play a part in matchmaking and on dating apps.

Most Japanese people know their blood type. 

Don’t be shocked if someone asks your blood type (and they may be surprised that you don’t know yours). This can lead to some entertaining conversation, or not, depending on your view of these things. If you think you’d enjoy this, make sure to learn your blood type before visiting Japan. 

Click here for a deeper explanation including a list of the characteristics of Japanese Personality theory based on the various blood types.