Home Centers & DIY Stores in Tokyo
Everything you need for setting up your apartment — from furniture to cleaning supplies.
What is a Home Center?
Japan's answer to Home Depot — massive stores with everything for your home.
What You'll Find
- Furniture (shelves, desks, storage)
- Tools and hardware for DIY repairs
- Cleaning supplies and household goods
- Garden and outdoor supplies
- Moving supplies (boxes, tape, rope)
- Lighting fixtures and electrical items
When You'll Need One
- Right after moving in (curtains, lights, cleaning supplies)
- DIY repairs your landlord won't cover
- Seasonal preparation (fans, heaters, dehumidifiers)
- Earthquake preparedness (furniture straps, emergency kits)
- Before moving out (wall repair putty, cleaning tools)
Major Home & Furniture Stores
From budget-friendly 100-yen shops to full furniture showrooms.
Nitori
Japan's IKEA equivalent. Affordable furniture, bedding, curtains, kitchen items, and storage. Multiple locations across Tokyo. Online store with delivery available.
IKEA
The Swedish furniture giant. Harajuku city-center store for smaller items; Tachikawa and Funabashi for the full showroom experience. Assembly service available.
Cainz
Large home center chain with excellent private-brand products at low prices. Great for tools, gardening, cleaning supplies, and DIY materials. Mostly suburban locations.
Viva Home
Urban-accessible home center with good selection. Toyosu and Adachi locations are reachable by train. Carries tools, paint, lumber, and household goods.
Tokyu Hands (Hands)
Creative DIY and lifestyle store. Perfect for unique home goods, craft supplies, stationery, and kitchen gadgets. City-center locations make it easy to visit.
Shimachu
Combined furniture store and home center. Good for one-stop shopping when you need both furniture and tools/supplies. Nakano and Adachi are convenient locations.
Daiso / Seria / Can Do
100-yen shops (¥110 with tax). Surprisingly good quality kitchen tools, storage containers, cleaning supplies, and small home items. Found everywhere in Tokyo.
Loft
Lifestyle and stationery store. Great for home decor, organization tools, kitchen gadgets, and gifts. Urban locations in major shopping districts.
Move-In Shopping Checklist
What to buy and where to get it for your new apartment.
| Item | Best Store | Budget Option | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curtains | Nitori, IKEA | Secondhand | ¥2,000–¥8,000 |
| Lighting | Nitori, electronics stores | 100-yen shop (LED bulbs) | ¥1,500–¥5,000 |
| Storage / Shelves | Nitori, IKEA | 100-yen shop, Cainz | ¥500–¥10,000 |
| Cleaning supplies | Any drugstore | 100-yen shop (Daiso) | ¥500–¥2,000 |
| Kitchen essentials | Nitori, Hands | 100-yen shop | ¥1,000–¥5,000 |
| Tools (assembly) | Cainz, Viva Home | 100-yen shop | ¥300–¥3,000 |
| Earthquake prep | Home center, Hands | 100-yen shop (basics) | ¥2,000–¥10,000 |
Pro Tip: Check Secondhand First
Before buying new, check secondhand shops and Sayonara Sales for furniture, appliances, and household items. You can save 50–90% and get everything you need for your first apartment.
Delivery & Large Item Tips
Store Delivery
- Nitori, IKEA, and home centers offer delivery for large items (¥1,000–¥4,000)
- Delivery slots can be booked for specific dates and time windows
- Some stores offer assembly services for additional fees
- Ask about free delivery thresholds (often ¥10,000–¥30,000+)
DIY Transport
- Rent a kei truck from home centers (about ¥1,500/90 min) — no special license needed
- Car sharing (Times Car) for larger items — see our rental car guide
- Kuroneko Yamato and Sagawa Express handle large parcels
- Ask the store — many can arrange next-day delivery cheaply