In 2024, Yans and I took a trip to Fukuoka, and of course we stopped by the Don Quijote Tenjin main store, the first place that comes to mind for shopping in Japan.
As the main store, it’s huge with a vast selection, and we filled both our checked and carry-on suitcases.
The Tenjin store has five floors: medicine and the tax-free counter are on the fifth floor, cosmetics on the third, and snacks and alcohol on the first floor and basement. As of 2024, purchases over 5,000 yen qualified for tax-free shopping, so use the tax-free counter and bring your passport.
Here’s my Fukuoka shopping list from Don Quijote. After more than five trips to Japan over two years from 2022, I picked the 10 products I actually keep using.
1. Honeyce Creamy Hair Mask
- Price: 900 yen as of 2024, may vary by store
- Size: 200 g
I found the Honeyce creamy hair mask at Don Quijote in Fukuoka. Its honey-derived ingredients leave hair soft and glossy.
My hair is bleached and Yans has a perm, so we badly needed a hair mask, and this famous product didn’t disappoint.
It repairs and helps prevent damage from UV, hair dryers, coloring and perms.
It was the first thing I tried back home, and my hair felt soft and strong. The sweet, fresh scent of honey with rose, bergamot and milk is lovely, and people around me complimented it.
It’s a rinse-off mask: apply, wait about five minutes, then rinse. From a company that makes salon products, it feels great and smells wonderful, so it also makes a nice gift and earns the top spot on my Fukuoka shopping list.
2. Loretta Base Care Oil
- Price: 2,860 yen as of 2024, may vary by store
- Size: 120 ml
Loretta Base Care Oil was a real find at Don Quijote in Fukuoka.
Traveling abroad with a child means lots of sun, so our hair gets damaged easily and needs care on the road.
This salon oil finishes light and non-sticky, with a lovely natural rose scent.
Hair becomes soft and glossy, silky without feeling oily.
Yans’s permed hair gets frizzy without care, but since using this oil it stays smooth, so we use it every morning.
It’s also great for fine hair or anyone wanting a sleeker look.
It feels oily at first but turns moist and silky after a few minutes, which is why most people repurchase it, and it stays on my Fukuoka shopping list. It leaves a subtle scent, so you don’t need hair perfume.
3. Kenei Pharmaceutical Hirmild Lotion
- Price: 1,550 yen as of 2024
- Size: 60 g
If you have dry skin, this is a must-buy at Don Quijote.
I struggle with dry skin, so I bought Hirmild lotion, a moisturizer with a heparin-like substance that absorbs smoothly and hydrates.
It’s safe for adults and kids, so the whole family can use it. I bought two for Yans’s rough skin, my hands and my husband’s back.
It comes in 120 g and 60 g sizes and suits both dry and sensitive skin.
The texture is a runny cream with no fragrance. My hands are always dry, so I used it steadily back home.
Using it morning and night kept my skin in good condition. It’s also a great gift and always on my Japan shopping list.
4. Kenei Pharmaceutical Magnesium Oxide Laxative
- Price: 1,200 yen as of 2024
- Size: 90 tablets
When I was suddenly constipated during a trip, I found this magnesium oxide laxative at Don Quijote. It comes in 90 and 360 tablet sizes.
It’s non-irritating, so it works gently without cramps. Magnesium oxide draws water into the bowel to ease things naturally.
I was skeptical at first, but it worked comfortably.
It helped with constipation from irregular travel meals, and it’s said not to build tolerance. It’s widely prescribed in Japanese hospitals, which gave me confidence, but always read the instructions first.
5. KitKat Chocolate
Japan has countless KitKat flavors, and I always look for regional limited editions. This time we bought the famous matcha and sake flavors, great gifts to add to any Fukuoka shopping list.
6. Ichiran Ramen Kit
We also bought Fukuoka’s famous Ichiran ramen kit at Don Quijote. It lets you enjoy the rich broth and chewy noodles at home, it’s easy to cook, and it’s reasonably priced, an essential for any Fukuoka shopping list.
7. Ashirira Foot Sheets
Put on Ashirira foot sheets after a long day of walking, and your feet feel lighter the next morning. I’ve tried Kyusoku Jikan too, but these worked better for me. They’re easy to find at Don Quijote and are said to be a flight attendant favorite.
8. Salonpas
No Don Quijote list is complete without Salonpas. Apply it to sore muscles for cooling relief, and note that it comes in white and skin-tone versions.
9. Anpanman Ramen
We bought cute Anpanman ramen for Yans. It’s tasty and features a character kids love, making it a fun light meal or gift. Yans loves it, so we buy it every trip.
10. Kracie Popin’ Cookin’
Popin’ Cookin’ is a popular Japanese DIY candy kit where you mix powders with water, fun to make with kids. As of 2024 it cost about 5,000 to 5,500 won in Korea but half that in Japan, and some kits are only sold in Japan, so they make great gifts for children. Shopping is a must on any Fukuoka trip, and I hope this Fukuoka shopping list helps you fill your suitcase.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in June 2024 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.