Hello Tokyo – The First Daiso in the Midwest

Hello everyone! I’m so excited to introduce what I’m officially calling a kawaii-lover’s dream come true — the FIRST Daiso-style store in the Midwest, Hello Tokyo! 🎉 Located right in Chicagoland, Hello Tokyo boasts the largest selection of Japanese Daiso goodies this side of the Mississippi — and yes, most of the items are just $2 (dangerously affordable if you ask my wallet 😅).

I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek before their grand opening, and y’all — it’s everything. I got to chat with the owner, Jin, who gave me the inside scoop on how Hello Tokyo came to life and his big vision for its future. You can really feel the love and care that went into curating this space.

📍Golf Glen Mart – 9038 W Golf Rd, Niles, IL 60714

My personal fave sections? The super clever laundry gadgets (yes, folding socks can be fun), the dreamy stationery aisle (hello washi tape and cute pens), and of course, the kitchen + food area because… snacks are life. 🍙🍜🍡

Oh — and here’s the best part! They just announced on Instagram that they’ll be serving freshly baked Japanese bread, handmade onigiri, and other small bites on the weekends. So now it’s not just a shopping trip — it’s a whole experience!

If you’re in the area or planning a visit to Chicago, definitely add Hello Tokyo to your list. And when you go, tell them April Jay sent you — maybe they’ll hand you an extra pack of Pocky 😉.

– All videos and photos are mine! Please credit if you share 💖