The Japanese version of a U.S. dollar store seems to be everywhere in the Pacific Island nation whether it be the smallest of towns or the big cities of Tokyo or Osaka. Known as 100-yen shops or hyaku-en shops in Japan, all goods sold at these stores cost 100 Japanese yen per item, which translates into roughly 70 cents at the current U.S. exchange rate. The stores are beloved by locals and tourists for the wide variety of household products available ranging from kitchenware to toys to stationary to snacks, most of which is viewed as kawaī, which is the Japanese word for cute or adorable.

“There are dollar stores over in Asia that are really flourishing,” said Jin Park, owner of Hello Tokyo which opened in 2019 in Niles, a suburb of Chicago, 15 miles northeast of downtown. “We wanted to mimic that in the Midwest. We have about ten to twelve thousand products that start at $1.99, and we go up from there. We stock everything from beauty supplies to household goods to snacks and anything Japanese-related.”

When Jin’s store opened in 2019, roughly 600 people waited up to three hours outside for an opportunity to experience his version of a 100-yen shop. Once inside, they discovered the variety, value and kawaī that have made these stores a cornerstone of Japanese life.

“Hello Tokyo for me is really a business that I love and products I love. I love the Japanese culture,” said Jin. “It’s more a passion for doing something that’s not driven by money, but something we love to do. Do what you love and what makes you happy. Every time I come in here, customers and families are coming in and having a great experience, and my staff’s having a great time. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Destiny calls

Jin’s journey into retail started early in his life and has been shaped subsequently by years of hands-on experience and entrepreneurial spirit.

“I’ve always been in retail,” recalled Jin. “I worked at my mom’s gift store when I was 13, and I would hustle and bustle in New York City, buying product and selling products.”

Early exposure to business set a foundation for a career filled with diverse ventures. Jin, who refers to himself as a “serial entrepreneur,” has owned a wide range of ventures over the years, ranging from franchises of national brands to cell phone stores, markets, and restaurants.

Jin said his love of family and Japanese culture served as the inspiration to open Hello Tokyo.

“My wife is Japanese. My children are half Japanese,” Jin explained. “So, a lot of the products we sell, whether it’s Pokémon or Hello Kitty or Puccini, bring me a sense of pride.”

Determined to introduce Japanese culture to a wider audience in Chicagoland, Jin tapped into community ties to find support for his business.

“We want to bring Japanese culture to the general public,” noted Jin. “We’ve worked with the Japanese Culture Center, The Japanese American Society and the Japanese consulate to try and bring Japanese culture and Asian culture to the American public. It’s worked out really great for us.”

More than just shopping

Jin sees Hello Tokyo as a local destination where families create memories.

“We’ve been successful because I think we provide an experience that caters to not just to young people but for all ages. So, grandparents will buy something for the kitchen, and mom will buy laundry supplies or some dishes and snacks,” said Jin. “Then the children will buy some cute toy or plush or figurines.”

From practical household items to playful collectibles, Jin’s goal is to ensure Hello Tokyo offers something for every generation. But shopping is only part of the fun.

“After you go shopping, you can use our photo booth, or go on the claw machine (a crane game),” added Jin with big smile. “It’s really a fun experience.

“We had a child who came in after they returned from Disney World,” laughed Jin. “And said they had more fun shopping here than going to Disney World!

“Always keep your store clean, well-stocked, and above all provide some type of experience when they come in,” emphasized Jin. “Give people something that’s a little more unique than just your average brick-and-mortar.”

A store for everyone

Initially, Hello Tokyo catered largely to a clientele of Asian customers with an emphasis on familiar deliverables for the Japanese who shop at hyaku-en shops: cute, quality products, a clean store, and frequently changing inventory. But over the years, Jin said his customers have become more diverse and that he now regularly sees shoppers of all backgrounds including Mexican, Filipino, and African Americans.

“We’ve had people come from Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, and Wisconsin. I think this is a destination for customers,” Jin stated. They drive here after finding us through various social media channels.”

One of the unique ways Jin keeps people coming back are his playful promotions. One standout is the $20 birthday shopping spree for kids.

“If you have a child between four and twelve, and you come in on their birthday with proof, they get 20 minutes to grab whatever they want, on us,” Park said with enthusiasm. “We give them a cape or tiara, set a big timer, and let them go wild. Afterward, they take photos in our booth, one for us, one for them. It’s become a family ritual.

“For us, providing an experience is a real key factor to being a successful business. Everything in our store is cute,” Park said with pride. “Our store is just bursting with cuteness.”

The store is also bursting with imported inventory, shipped to the United States from Asia – primarily Japan, with some products originating from China and Korea.

“We don’t really have anything from the U.S., which makes all of our products unique,” said Jin. “You’ll find a kitchen sponge shaped like a panda or a rice paddle in the form of a dragon. They are things you’d never see at a conventional store.

“All of our products are really niche,” Park noted. “It’s not something you find at an everyday Walmart or Target.”

Like hyaku-en shops in Japan, the merchandise at Hello Tokyo is also billed as quite durable considering the price point. Jin stressed he imports products built to last even if an item costs a couple of dollars.

“I think the products are popular because our products are actually made to last,” stated Park with confidence in his voice. “I have a nail clipper that I purchased six or seven years ago from this store that still works today.

“We’re a community store. We actually provide a valuable option for customers to shop that isn’t a big box retailer,” stated Jin as he helped to restock shelves with employees. “We have a lot of great products. People that come here say they have a great time. That’s what we’re really all about. We’re family-owned store. We treat it as a family. We treat our employees as family. And we treat our customers as family. I think that’s in the end what makes us successful.”

Keeping the lights on

Running a small business in Illinois comes with a heavy financial burden, according to Jin, who used to be the only store of his kind in this part of Chicagoland. But as Jin has grown, so has his competition. Daiso, a nationally renowned dollar store in Japan, opened a location four miles away from Hello Tokyo in 2025. Jin wants lawmakers in Springfield to know that he feels small retailers in Illinois faced too many taxes.

“Whether it’s Medicare, employer taxes, fees, and permits, Illinois small business owners are really pressed. From payroll increases in payroll taxes, or the cost of goods it all falls on the small business owner.”

Jin said big box retailers have something he does not have at Hello Tokyo. They possess more financial resources and capital that can help them withstand increasing costs. While programs like Small Business Administration (SBA) grants and loans exist, accessing them isn’t always feasible, according to Jin.

“I’ve won no grants. I’ve gotten SBA loans. But even those, you’re paying high interest rates right now,” stated Jin with a serious tone. “Interest rates are like 9% for an SBA loan. With all the taxes, fees, permits, and we’re building out another location and I had to pay seven times the local rate for an electrician for a union job, seven times! So, what should have cost $10,000, cost me almost $70,000. As a small business owner, I really have no choice but to bite the bullet.”

Being unique is key

For anyone dreaming of launching their own brick-and-mortar store, Jin offered up his own hard-earned wisdom.

“Know your market, and you definitely need to have connections abroad. You need to be able to source directly,” advised Jin. “It’s very hard for small business owners to compete against the big box retailers. You have your Walmarts, and Target stores. I think the only way to survive is have something niche.

“We have definitely evolved over the years, and it will continue to evolve next year and the year after,” said Jin smiling with a pride in his voice. “We just signed another five-year lease. So, we’re stuck at this, fighting the good battle.”