Home / References / Tonshops
Tonami Shops
Apita
Tonami’s most upscale variety store, so it's absolutely packed on weekends. The prices aren’t great but it is nice and convenient. There are also a bunch of restaurants in Apita, including McDonalds, the ubiquitous takoyaki and okonomiyaki booths, ice cream, and omiyage sweets. The “Tome” store on the 1st floor near the cash machines has a nice selection of cute and funky stuff. If you’re looking for kimono-related stuff (thin obis, tabi, etc.) try the shop on the second floor.
Getting there: look for the signature yellow and black sign on the 156.
Book Market
Used books (all Japanese, of course), CDs and video games.
Getting there: Located just down the street from Apita, just off the 156.
Book Off (Taroumaru, Tonami)
Part of the chain, good for used CD's, DVD's, computer games, etc. Not so hot if you don’t like freaky Japanese comics and the smelly old men that read them.
Getting there: On the main strip, off the 156, past APITA.
Daiso (Various)
There are now 2 HUGE Daiso stores in Tonami. Everything here is 100YEN, and you will find everything you could ever need, plus a million things you didn't know you needed, but must have. Great for stuff like glassware, cutlery, batteries, food...literally everything.
Getting there: One store is next to Kahma, near Jusco. The other is behind Yamada Denki. There is also a third one on Route 156 in Toide.
Jack
Sells ‘jeans and casual’ ( t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc). Tonami’s best selection of crazy Engrish!
Getting there: Located next to MOS Burger, near Yamada Denki.
Jun
Tonami’s best selection of Hello Kitty etc., they also sell makeup and handbags. A good place to look for gifts and wedding or birthday cards.
Getting there: Located just off the 156 – look for the neon pink sign.
Jusco
Hours: 9am-11pm
A little more expensive than Shimaya but they do have some interesting grocery items, including English muffins. Home of Tonami’s Mister Donut. There is also a Can-Do store (part of a chain of 100 yen stores) next to Mister Donut (it doesn’t have nearly as much stuff as any of the Daisos though).
Getting there: Located on the road to Oyabe (Tonami’s main street). There are signs from the 156.
Kitamura Camera
Not as much variety as Yamada Denki, but you can find all your camera and album needs there. Probably the only place that has not completely switched all its inventory of cameras to digital.
Getting there: Across the street from Yamada Denki.
Recycle Shop
Getting there: On the 156 past Apita towards Inami and Shogawa.
Second Street (Taroumaru, Tonami)
One stop shop for everything you could possibly need at nice, low prices. Great for clothes, instruments, furniture, robots, etc. They also buy the old crap sold to you by your predecessor ;)
Getting there: From Route 156, head for APITA, go past APITA, through the traffic lights, you will see Kito Kito sushi, UniQlo, etc. Second Street will be on your left, just before the big second-hand book store.
Shimamura
This chain store sells clothes, accessories, pillows and bedding for about half of what you’d pay in Apita or Jusco. It’s not as systematically organized as other Japanese stores, but you can usually find a good deal. A lot of their clientele are Brazilian so larger sizes are available.
Getting There: In Tonami, next to Valore Grocery Store. Take the 156 North, once you cross over the overpass (before you get to Tonami City Hall), turn left. Valore will be on your right and Shimamura just beyond that.
Shimaya Super Center
Definitely the cheapest. You won’t find the normal “Irasshaimase!” and excessive service at Shimaya, but who cares as the prices are really good, especially on fruit and vegetables. They also have great deals on boneless chicken breasts and other meats. A great place to pick up all those household items you need when you first arrive. They also have clothes but whether or not you’ll want to wear them is debatable!
Getting There: Located on route 359 towards Fukuno, past the Hokuriku interchange. Not easy to walk to, but biking is possible from Tonami or Fukuno, though going by car is recommended. Look for the big blue building and the huge parking lot.
UniQlo (Taroumaru, Tonami)
A big standard clothes shop, like every other Uniqlo in existence. Remarkably similar to Old Navy and the Gap. Good for cheap clothes, especially nice warm stuff in the winter.
Getting there: It’s on the main strip, just past APITA on the opposite side from Kito Kito sushi.
Yamada Denki
Electrics shop. Good point card scheme. Often has good special offers, but I recommend checking out any of the 'recycle shops' (Second Street, Hard-Off, etc.) before forking out for new electrical items.
Getting there: Located just off the 156 across from Mos Burger and a short walk from the south side of Tonami station.