Written by Jane Pipkin
Get your shopping bags — or extra suitcases — ready. At 8 a.m. on June 13, 2025, the grand opening of Don Quijote’s newest store will take place.
The new store is just a 2-minute walk from the South East Exit of Shinjuku Station. Situated on a quieter street than the popular Kabukicho location, it offers a more relaxed shopping experience. For now, anyway.
Why is it special?
The new Shinjuku Southeast Exit Annex Donki store (also known as the Tonanguchi Bekkan Store) is the first of its kind. Aimed primarily at inbound tourists, 70% of the store features the most popular products among travelers. From the latest viral cosmetics to exclusive Don Quijote original items, this store is designed for those looking to make the most of tax-free shopping.
You might be wondering — what is it in particular that makes this store special? To begin with, this Shinjuku store has more tax-free counters, in an attempt to make the tax-free shopping experience smoother. There are also more staff members that speak English, Korean, and Chinese.
Another standout feature is the matsuri (festival) theme that runs throughout the store. The cashier area is designed to resemble traditional festival food stalls, while numerous Donpen-inspired paper lanterns hang overhead. All of these elements together are an attempt to bring traditional Japanese culture to shoppers.
The new Donki store has four floors and an easy-to-navigate layout. Unlike the mega stores (like the Shibuya location), the annex stores offer a smaller range of products, which helps shoppers who feel overwhelmed and just want to find items quickly.
What to expect
On the first floor, you’ll find food products such as candies and dry goods. The mini cheesecakes are one of the chain’s best-selling products. There is also a fridge which features Japanese desserts like purin (custard pudding), as well as fresh fruits like strawberries.
The first floor has been designed to resemble a convenience store. Just inside the main entrance is a section stocked with daily essentials, much like what you’d find in a typical konbini. In front of the main cashier, rows of gummies are neatly displayed in true convenience store fashion. Notably, you’ll find Don Quijote-exclusive peach Hi-Chews here.
The second floor is dedicated to cosmetics and skincare, while the third floor is all about character goods and Japanese-themed souvenirs. The fourth floor is full of medicine and health goods, as well as the tax-free counters.
Other things to know
Pro tip: If you visit from June 13 to June 30, you can enjoy some grand opening discounts.
Unlike some of the other Don Qujiote stores, this one won’t be open 24 hours. Instead it will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. — still giving you enough time to shop after your daytime travels.
