What to Buy at Muji in Japan

Muji is a popular variety store in Japan offering a wide selection of high quality and stylish products at reasonable prices such as stationery, household goods, furniture, clothes, cosmetics, food, and many other useful items. 

It has quickly become one of my favorite stores here in Japan and I never miss an opportunity to go in and browse whenever I pass one.  For me, it’s much like Target in the U.S. where I go in just to look, or to buy one small item, and then I leave with way more than I need.  But, lucky for me right now, Muji products in Japan are significantly less expensive than the same product elsewhere. And, while Muji sells furniture, bedding, and more, my go-tos are usually stationery or beauty products at just a few hundred yen each so I can always find a way to justify it.  

Today I’d like to introduce the best items to buy at Muji stores in Japan. As I said, Muji offers a wide variety of household and consumer goods that are high quality and have a minimalist Japanese-nordic design (You’ll definitely get IKEA vibes from some of the furniture. I picked the most useful Muji products based on my personal experience. This list will help you make your shopping list for your visit to Muji in Japan, but I’ve also linked some of the products so you can order them right now if you need to.

At the end of the article, I also share with you some of my favorite snacks and sweets at Muji stores in Japan. So let’s get started. Here’s what to buy from Muji. 

THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. PLEASE READ THE DISCLAIMER FOR MORE INFO

Stationery

What most people think of when they hear Muji is stationery. It was so hard to narrow down the best Muji products, stationery or otherwise because there are so many great options for planners, pens, sticky notes, and more, but here are my Muji essentials for stationery. 

Read Also: Must Have Stationery from Muji

Notebooks

The paper is extremely fountain pen-friendly and smooth. If you use a very wet pen such as a Ballpoint pen, highlighter, the ink never bleeds through. There’s so many varieties of notebooks but my favorites are the Double-Wire plain notebooks in A6.  I also have the Pocketnote in A6 and Plain Notebook. But all are a great options depending on your preferences. This might be one of the best gifts from Muji you could bring home as a souvenir because they’re inexpensive and everyone can use a notebook at one time or another.  

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Pens

Muji pens are absolutely everywhere. From study vloggers to instagrammers, everyone loves the simple clear tube and various colors of the Muji pens.  I first tried them to see if they really lived up to the hype and they have since become one of my favorite pens.  It also helps that they are so inexpensive at 90 Yen each ($0.70USD) which is outrageous.  I pick up a new pen every time I step in the store simply because of this.  You can also get ink refills for 70 Yen to cut down on waste and cost. I personally think the best Muji pens are the black in .38.

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Word Cards

Other stationery must-haves:

• Free Planner Book 
• Muji Erasable Pen
• 0.5mm Mechanical Pencil
• Paperclips
• Semi-bleached Sticky Notes
• Plastic Erasers
• Pen Case

Read Also: Guide to Hobonichi Planners

Travel

Polyester Hanging Case

This is a popular item among travel items of Muji. The material is light but strong enough to keep its shape. And there are many pockets. You can put bottles at the bottom of the pouch, so it is very convenient to carry bulky cosmetics. Just hooking in the bathroom of the destination, will save your time in the morning. They are available in 3 colors: Black, Grey and Navy.

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Toothbrush Wipes

This is a useful item that can be used to polish your teeth wherever you are without using water such as on an airplane or outdoors. Because it is a sheet-type toothbrush without using water, recently many people stock them for emergency use.

Other Travel Items:

• Make up palette
• Side Mesh Toothbrush Pouch
• PP Connectable Pill Case

Skincare/Makeup

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Jojoba Oil

This is a JOJOBA oil which is really famous on social media. The oil was squeezed from jojoba seeds was purified for cosmetics. This is good to use because the texture isn’t so heavy like normal oil. Good to use after bathing for your skin and your hair before drying hair to prevent overdrying. There are 3 sizes of bottles. As you see, you can use this oil for the whole body so I recommend you to choose big bottle.

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Booster Essence Lotion

It’s more absorbent if you apply this booster essence lotion before you apply toner. As a natural moisture ingredient, 5 kinds of plant extracts such as camellia seed extract and apricot juice are blended. This is Alcohol-free and paraben-free so you can use it safely.

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Peelable Cotton Pads

This is a cotton pad that can be split into 4 layers. They can be used as facial mask with a toner. I think that there is a usability preference, but I prefer to use cotton pads with plenty of lotion rather than thin facial sheet masks.You can also use them like cotton buds to remove make up or apply toner.

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Face Lotion Sheets

These are amazing little things. They are compressed face sheets that let you make your own sheet masks. You can soak them in whatever product you want and let them expand. Then you sit back and relax with your face mask. 

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More Skincare:

• Sunscreen wipes
• High Moisture Toning Water
• Hand Cream for Sensitive Skin

Home Goods

So if you’re just visiting Japan for a short time and want to prioritize other souvenirs, buying homeware might not be the thing you want to do. However, I love Muji homeware and if you don’t have a Muji near where you live and you love their aesthetic (who doesn’t), I would recommend some of these items on your visit.

House Shoes

Again, if you’ve been in Japan for any amount of time you know how important house slippers are. You get them in hotels, Airbnbs, and sometimes even restaurants if it’s a traditional place that requires you to remove your shoes.  One of my favorite places to look for house slippers is at Muji.  They’re inexpensive but are comfortable and come in a variety of styles and fabrics.  

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Contianers/Organizers

Step aside Container Store because Muji has what you need for storage. Just kidding, the Container Store is still amazing, but Muji has everything you could want for organization like stackable PP Boxes, baskets, wooden boxes, file boxes, drawer organizers, and more.  Plus they’re all in the perfect Muji aesthetic I know you’re into.  

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Lint Roller

If you’ve spent any time in Japan (or watched Japanese home vloggers) you’ve seen these large lint rollers.  They can pick up lint from your furniture, or even your floors if you buy a long-handled one. It’s perfect for getting pet hair from couches, throw pillows, and curtains.  The great thing about these lint rollers are that they come with a slid-on cover so you can store it upright to save space and keep the sticky paper from sticking to everything.  

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Towels

These organic cotton towels are available in various sizes and colors and are a staple with Japanese customers.  They’re highly absorbent and durable at a really great price.  

Clothes

Muji has a wide selection of Japanese clothing in mostly cotton. They are great staples in basic colors. Every item I’ve tried has been comfortable and casually stylish. If you’re a high-fasion trend-setter this probably isn’t your thing, but if you like comfort and easy style don’t overlook this. Especially grab some of their pajamas, they’re so cozy.

Bag Organizer

This is a controversial (can a bag be controversial?) item.  It’s basically a bag within a bag.  If you’ve ever been to Japan or know anything about Japanese organization you know these are pretty essential.  It’s a mesh bag that you can put in your bag (there are various sizes) that help you to organize your things.  This one is 1290 yen and has helped me to organize my laptop bag so my notebooks, pens, sticky notes, and power cords aren’t just floating around in the bottom. 

More Home Goods:

• Countertop Dust Pan
• Duvet Cover
• Heat Proof Glass Teapot
• Ultrasonic Aroma Diffuser

Read Also: English Bookstores in Tokyo

Snacks

I can’t forget all of the great food options that are at Muji. From baked goods and sauces to drinks and candies they have something for anything that you’re feeling. It’s rare that I leave Muji without grabbing a baumkucken and an iced tea or coffee. The curry sauces are great too and I usually have one of their hard candies in my bags. Here are some of my favorites I recommend you try.

• Apple and Cinnamon Cake
• Black Tea Baumkuchen
• Butter Chicken Curry
• Matcha Chocolate Coated Strawberry
• White Chocolate Infused Strawberry
• Squid Carpaccio
• Fried Broad Bean Japanese Plum Taste
• Baked Cheese with Dry Fish
• Yuzu Candies
• Soup Mix

Tips for Shopping at Muji

Where is Muji? 

Lucky for you, Muji stores can be found in almost every shopping mall in Japan.  There are also standalone locations in big cities like Tokyo. The map below shows the locations in just Tokyo, and if you zoom in on the Muji store locator you would find even more locations pop up. So you’ll most likely find one just wandering around or searching for a mall close to you.  

Also, as of May 2022, select Muji items, especially stationery, packed sauces, and baked goods, as well as beauty products and some clothing basics will be available in Lawson convenience stores. As of writing (June 2022) they’re primarily in Tokyo prefecture and the Kanto region but will be in every convenience store in Japan by 2023.

However, some of the best locations are:

1. The 7-story flagship store in Ginza (about 10-15 minute walk from Tokyo station), with a diner in the basement level, bakery, huge book selection, bicycle rentals, kid’s play area, and hotel on the 6^th floor.  If you love Muji this is your dream. 
2. Muji Shibuya. The great thing about the Shibuya location is it’s connected to huge Loft store. So you can get your fix of great Muji Stationery, as well as stationery like Hobonichi and Traveler’s Notebook as well as other home goods.
3. Muji Ariake is location in the Tokyo Bay Area (great if you’re visiting Disney) and is the largest Muji in the Kanto region.  This store has all of your favorite Muji items plus home building (?) bulk food (nuts, rice, pasta, candy), a tea blending service, and bulk cleaning and detergent purchases. 

If you can’t make it to Japan yet, there are locations in North America (New York, Boston, Toronto), as well as Europe, and Asia and Australia. Find a location near you. 

Another thing to note is that many Muji stores, especially smaller ones outside of tourist areas, won’t have “MUJI” written on their storefront. Instead, it will be a deep red sign with “無印良品”This can confuse people at first when they’re unsure what they’re looking for, so just be on the lookout for the image in the photo below. 

Where to buy Muji products

If you’re not near a Muji store you’re not out of luck.  You can find Muji products online on the website, or on Amazon.

Language Help

The great thing about Muji is all of their products have English on the tags so you’ll never be confused about what you’re looking at or what scent, style, flavor, etc. you’re choosing.  

If you visit one of the major stores in Tokyo, especially one of the 3 I mentioned above, you’ll most likely have English speakers help you. However, if you visit smaller towns, you’ll be spoken to in Japanese.  

Some things to know is they’ll always (in my experience) ask 2 questions when you’re checking out. 

1. If you have a point card (ポイントカードはお持ちですか?/ぽいんとかーどはおもちですか?/pointo ka-do wa omochi desu ka?) If you’re just visiting Japan, you’ll most likely not have a point card (if you do want a point card you have to change your app store region Japan) so you can say no or “Nai desu” (ないです).

2. They’ll ask if you want a bag (袋にお入れしますか? / Fukuro ni oireshimasu ka?). You can answer “Hai, onegaishimasu” (はい、おねがいします) for yes, or “Daijobu desu” (大丈夫です), for no. 

If you’re not sure what they said, you can always say “Sumimasen, Nihongo wakarimasen” (すみません、にほんご わかりません.) meaning “sorry I don’t understand Japanese.”

Read Also: Our Basic Guide to Japanese

Bagging Items

In some stores, the workers will take their time and bag your items for you. In others, you’ll be handed a bag.  In this case there is usually a small counter near the checkout with paper to wrap your glass items as well as tape. You can take your items there to bag them yourself. 

This list is by no means exhaustive of the products you could get from Muji japan because there are just so many great things to find.  But you can always come to Japan or search their online catalog yourself to see what sparks joy (yes I did just quote Marie Kondo because Muji just reminds me of her so much.).

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THIS ARTICLE MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. PLEASE READ THE DISCLAIMER FOR MORE INFO

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