Japan's beloved discount store chain, Don Quijote (affectionately known as "Donki"), has become a must-visit for many tourists in Japan, even with several branches now open in other countries. Its 24-hour convenience and "anything-you-can-imagine" inventory make it a favorite spot to get lost in.
And now, Donki has finally achieved a major milestone! On February 18, the chain officially landed in Kochi Prefecture, completing its mission to open a store in every single prefecture across Japan! This marks the "first-ever" Don Quijote in Kochi, and the grand opening drew over a thousand people, creating massive queues that quickly became a trending topic on X.
The newly opened "Don Quijote Kochi Store" is located along the tram line in Shinonome-cho, Kochi City. Since its very first store opened in Fuchu City, Tokyo, in 1989, Don Quijote has rapidly expanded across 46 prefectures. However, Kochi remained the final frontier. With the Kochi store now open, Don Quijote has officially achieved nationwide domination!
As the last prefecture to welcome a Donki, the opening day was a huge event, attracting not only locals but also dedicated fans who traveled to witness the historic moment and snag some exclusive Kochi-only merchandise. Known for its residents' love of alcohol, the Kochi store boasts an incredible 1,500 different types of liquor (200 more than typical stores of similar size), instantly making it a "booze paradise" for local enthusiasts!
The scene was absolutely packed, with wait times of over two hours just to get inside. But that didn't deter the eager shoppers from joining the pilgrimage.
The sheer volume of people caught the attention of netizens, with many comparing the queues to the legendary lines at Comiket or the crowds entering Tokyo Dome. It felt more like a theme park opening, and honestly, given that Kochi finally got its own Donki, the massive turnout isn't all that surprising!
The opening day frenzy was so intense that the official account even issued a traffic congestion warning for the surrounding area.
Indeed, having a store in every single prefecture solidifies Don Quijote's status as an iconic Japanese retailer. We're sure many of you will still make a point to pop in and grab some goodies whenever you're in Japan.
And those queues? They look just as wild as the ones for Donki's openings in other countries. Guess people everywhere are seriously dedicated to their discount shopping!
via： togetter