Life on remote islands often conjures images of simplicity and limited resources. However, a recent report from Hachijo-jima is flipping that perception on its head, giving many a fresh look at island living. The buzz started with an X (formerly Twitter) account, "Katteni Hachijo-jima Kanko-kyoku" (Hachijo-jima Unofficial Tourism Bureau), which dropped the bombshell news: Hachijo-jima actually has a 100-yen shop, and the internet quickly took notice.
Hachijo-jima, located about 300 kilometers south of Tokyo, is one of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's remote islands. Due to its isolated geography, commercial facilities and daily life on these islands typically differ from mainland Japan. Many would assume that finding chain stores, especially those symbolizing modern convenience like 100-yen shops, would be a tall order on such a small island. But fear not, Hachijo-jima residents and visitors, because the island is home to a "Can Do" 100-yen store!
According to the "Katteni Hachijo-jima Kanko-kyoku" post, while the store might not be huge, its mere presence is a game-changer for both islanders and tourists. Prices are exactly the same as 100-yen shops on the mainland – everything for just 100 yen! And the selection is surprisingly diverse, offering everything from daily necessities to food items. It's truly astonishing to find such a convenient facility on this small island.
Beyond the 100-yen shop, the "Katteni Hachijo-jima Kanko-kyoku" account has been dishing out other fascinating tidbits about Hachijo-jima. Think questions like: Does the island have a Sushi Zanmai? Can you buy lottery tickets? What about delivery services?
These questions and their answers not only highlight the surprising variety of island life but also remind us that even seemingly secluded places are still very much connected to modern conveniences.