Want to save more while shopping in Japan? Read on for our guide on 10 brands that are cheaper in Japan than in Singapore to get the best bang for your buck in this expensive country!
Almost everyone loves visiting Japan, and understandably so. Japan has a unique culture of ancient traditions and modern technologies. It’s also home to some great sceneries such as the grand snow-capped mountains of Mt Fuji, tranquil bamboo forests in Kyoto, and bustling cities like Tokyo. And of course, we can’t forget the amazing food and wonderful shopping opportunities.
Home to many unique and interesting products that you can’t find anywhere else in the world, the “Made in Japan” label is also synonymous with quality products and excellent customer service. With that being said, here’s a guide to saving big on your next shopping trip in Japan, with brands that are cheaper in Japan than in Singapore!
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Prices are subject to change over time as these prices are rough estimates and may vary depending on store locations, sales promotions, exchange rates, taxes, etc. It’s also worth noting that certain products may have different packaging or variations specific to each market.
Apart from official brand websites, Local prices are taken from a variety of platforms like supermarkets, Shopee or Lazada while Japanese prices are taken from platforms like Rakuten, tokiwa portal, Donki and Yahoo shopping.
Please note that the following information is based on general observations at the time of writing. To get the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to check local retailers or online stores in both Japan and Singapore.
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💄 Makeup & Skincare
1. Hada Labo
Image credits: mylucidintervals
If you’re searching for an effective and affordable skincare brand, Hada Labo is one you can rely on. A Japanese skincare brand that focuses on simplicity and hydration; Hada Labo is known for its hyaluronic acid-based products.
The brand’s most popular product is the Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion which is a highly-raved cult favourite. Their effectiveness and accessible price point make them attractive to many. Offering a range of cleansers, toners, and moisturizers, Hada Labo provides affordable yet potent skincare options that deliver exceptional results. Best part? Prices are even cheaper in Japan!
| Item | Price in Singapore | Price in Japan |
| Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Lotion (Gokujyun) 170ml | S$15 to S$20 | ¥1,268 (~S$12.50) |
| Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cream 50g | S$20 to S$30 | ¥1,000 – ¥1,500 (~S$9.86 – S$14.79) |
| Hada Labo Goku-jyun Foaming Face Wash 160ml | S$10 to S$15 | ¥744 (~S$7.34) |
❗ Tip: Get up to 2.1% cashback via YouTrip Perks if you’re doing your shopping on Watsons!
YouTrip’s Ultimate Saving Guide: Unveiling Brands That Are Cheaper In Japan Than Back Home: Find out more here
2. Shiseido
Image credits: WWD
Shiseido, a name synonymous with elegance and excellence, has graced the world of beauty for over 140 years. As a pioneering Japanese brand, Shiseido has established itself as a global leader in skincare, makeup, and fragrance. Many users love Shiseido’s philosophy of tapping into Asian wisdom while incorporating innovation.
With a plethora of well-loved products, you’ll definitely find yourself stocking up on Shiseido essentials as soon as you step foot inside the store!
| Item | Price in Singapore | Price in Japan |
| Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate (50ml) | S$175 | ¥11,400 (~S$112.43) |
| Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream | S$125 | ¥10,450 (~S$103.06) |
| Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Foundation (30ml) | S$68 | ¥5,500 (~S$54.24) |
❗ Tip: If you’re doing your shopping on Sephora, stand to get up to 7% cashback via YouTrip Perks!
YouTrip’s Ultimate Saving Guide: Unveiling Brands That Are Cheaper In Japan Than Back Home: Find out more here
3. SK-II
Image credits: Lifestyle Asia
SK-II is a popular Japanese skincare brand. An epitome of luxury skincare, it has redefined the pursuit of radiant and youthful-looking skin. With a heritage rooted in Japanese beauty traditions and cutting-edge research, SK-II has become a global leader in premium skincare. The brand is known for its iconic ingredient, Pitera, a nutrient-rich liquid derived from fermented yeast, which forms the foundation of its transformative products. Everybody knows someone that swears by SK-II, and what better place to purchase the product from than in Japan?
| Item | Price in Singapore | Price in Japan |
| SK-II Facial Treatment Essence (Pitera Essence) | S$132 | ¥9,447 (~S$93.16) |
| SK-II R.N.A. Power Radical New Age Cream | S$220 | ¥15,000 (~S$147.93) |
| Whitening Source Derm-Revival Mask (10pcs) | S$95 | ¥7,500 (~S$73.96) |
❗ Tip: Get 20% off when you shop at Zalora via YouTrip Perks!
YouTrip’s Ultimate Saving Guide: Unveiling Brands That Are Cheaper In Japan Than Back Home: Find out more here
🛍️ Fashion
4. Uniqlo
Image credits: WWD
Uniqlo needs no introduction. This Japanese brand has gained worldwide recognition for its simple yet stylish apparel at affordable prices. Uniqlo offers a vast range of basics, such as T-shirts, jeans, and outerwear, as well as innovative and functional clothing like their famous heat-tech collection. Shopping at Uniqlo in Japan also often means accessing a wider variety of items and exclusive collections, making it a must-visit for fashion enthusiasts.
| Item | Price in Singapore | Price in Japan |
| Uniqlo AIRism cotton oversized T-shirt | S$29.90 | ¥1,990 (~S$19.63) |
| Uniqlo Unisex Sweat Pants (Side Lined) | S$39.90 | ¥2,990 (~S$29.49) |
| Uniqlo Crewneck Sweater | S$39.90 for 11 pieces | ¥2,990 (~S$29.49) |
| Uniqlo HEATTECH Long Sleeve | S$19.90 | From ¥990 (~S$9.76) |
❗ Tip: Check out via your YouTrip Mastercard on YouTrip Perks for 4% cashback!
YouTrip’s Ultimate Saving Guide: Unveiling Brands That Are Cheaper In Japan Than Back Home: Find out more here
5. Issey Miyake
Image credits: Wallpaper Magazine
From the iconic Bao Bao bags, featuring geometric patterns that transform from flat to three-dimensional shapes, to the Pleats Please clothing line, Issey Miyake has captivated fashion enthusiasts globally with its avant-garde concepts and cutting-edge techniques.
If you ever wanted to buy some of these iconic designs at a cheaper price online, it’s highly unlikely that these items will still be available in stock or in your size once the sale event arrives. Which is why for international travellers, the most cost-effective option for purchasing Bao Bao and Pleats Please items is to buy them directly from Issey Miyake’s standalone stores because of the possible extra savings you get from tax exemption and the favourable JPY rates at the moment. Check out the potential savings below!
| Item | Price in Singapore | Price in Japan |
| Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey Eau de Toilette (100ml) | S$182 | ¥12,100 (~S$119.33) |
| Issey Miyake Bao Bao Bag (Classic Tote 10×10) | From S$695 | ¥51,700 (~S$509.86) |
| Issey Miyake Pleats Please Dress | S$295 | ¥23,100 (~S$227.81) |
YouTrip’s Ultimate Saving Guide: Unveiling Brands That Are Cheaper In Japan Than Back Home: Find out more here
🤤 Food
6. Kit Kat
Image credits: Live Japan
Do you remember the catchphrase, “Have a break, have a kit-kat”? Kit Kat is a popular chocolate-covered wafer bar that originated in the UK but has become a global phenomenon. Japan is especially famous for its Kit Kat varieties, which include over 300 flavours that are often limited to specific regions or seasons.
Image credits: tsunagu Japan
Sure you can find these in larger supermarkets or Donki, but the price points would be different. Not to mention, the packaging in Japan is just way cuter! Also, Japan has a much wider range of flavours than Singapore, such as matcha, sake, cheesecake, wasabi, strawberry, melon, caramel pudding, and more.
Some of these flavours are exclusive to Japan and can only be found in certain locations or times of the year. To explore the crazy flavours, you can visit the Kit Kat Chocolatory in Tokyo.
| Item | Price in Singapore | Price in Japan |
| Kit Kat Mini Original (13 pieces) | S$5 | ¥298 (~S$2.94) |
| Kit Kat Mini Dark Chocolate (12 pieces) | S$5.19 | ¥298 (~S$2.94) |
| Kit Kat Mini Dark Matcha | S$5.19 for 11 pieces | ¥298 for 10 pieces (~S$2.94) |
YouTrip’s Ultimate Saving Guide: Unveiling Brands That Are Cheaper In Japan Than Back Home: Find out more here
7. Ichiran
Image credits: Eater NY
Ichiran is a famous ramen chain from Japan that specializes in Tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen. Ichiran is known to be a must-visit for tourists in Japan for its customisable noodles, soup and toppings, as well as its unique dining experience where customers eat in individual booths.
Image credits: JW-Webmagazine
As Ichiran has over 80 outlets in Japan and none in Singapore, you can expect the price of their products to be expensive. Since there’s no restaurant in Singapore, we can only compare the price of their instant noodles.
| Item | Price in Singapore | Price in Japan |
| Ichiran Ramen Hakata Thin Straight Noodles (5 servings) | S$39.90 | ¥2,157 (~S$21.30) |
Their instant noodles have a packet of real broth inside which makes the taste as close to the original as possible. It’s a good souvenir to buy to savour the taste of Japan when those midnight munchies hit.
YouTrip’s Ultimate Saving Guide: Unveiling Brands That Are Cheaper In Japan Than Back Home: Find out more here
8. Kirin Beer
Image credits: Spirited Singapore
Kirin is a Japanese brewing company that produces a variety of beers, soft drinks, and other beverages. As the second-largest brewery in Japan, their products have been exported to many countries around the world, including Singapore.
Image credits: Okayama Japan
Some well-known alcoholic products by them are Kirin Ichiban and Kirin Lager, both of which are apparently the fourth and fifth most popular beer in Japan. What’s not as well-known is that they also develop non-alcoholic beverages like teas, and they also make some non-Japanese drinks outside of Japan like craft beer in Australia and Bourbon in the States.
In general, Kirin products are cheaper in Japan than in Singapore probably because the cost of production and distribution is lower in Japan as you can see below:
| Item | Price in Singapore | Price in Japan |
| Ichiban Shibori 350ml, 6 Pack | S$23 | ¥1,265 (~S$12.42) |
| Large Bottle 633ml, 24 bottles | from S$70.95 | ¥5,952 (~S$58.50) |
| Kirin Afternoon Straight Tea 500ml | from S$2.53 | ¥114 (~S$1.12) |
YouTrip’s Ultimate Saving Guide: Unveiling Brands That Are Cheaper In Japan Than Back Home: Find out more here
💫 Miscellaneous
9. Muji
Image credits: Design Anthology
MUJI is a Japanese retail company that sells a wide variety of products, including clothing, home goods, stationery, and food based on a philosophy of simple living. The company is well-liked for its Japanese aesthetics of simple, minimalist design, and its focus on functionality.
Many shoppers appreciate MUJI for its wide selection of high-quality products at reasonable prices. From clothing to beauty products, furniture and food items, it’s almost like you can buy every lifestyle possible.
Image credits: Curbed
Not to mention, MUJI stores are often very inviting. They are well decorated with open uncluttered spaces, clean lines, and minimalist and simple furniture with warm wood accents. It’s no wonder people are drawn to them!
Since it is a Japanese brand after all, you can be sure that it is indeed cheaper in Japan than in Singapore.
| Item | Price in Singapore | Price in Japan |
| Clothing: Men’s French Linen Washed Stand Collar Shirt | S$49 | ¥2,990 (~S$29.50) |
| Stationery: Gel Ink Ballpoint Pen Cap Type 0.5 (Pack of 10) | S$14 | ¥690 (~S$6.80) |
| Polypropylene Storage Box Small (W34, D44.5) | S$16 | ¥1,490 (~S$14.70) |
YouTrip’s Ultimate Saving Guide: Unveiling Brands That Are Cheaper In Japan Than Back Home: Find out more here
10. Nintendo
Image credits: Popular Science
Let’s-a-go Mario! Nintendo is a Japanese video game company that produces various gaming consoles and games. In case you didn’t know, Nintendo is famous for its iconic franchises such as Mario, Zelda, Pokemon, and gaming consoles like Game Boy and Switch.
| Item | Price in Singapore | Price in Japan |
| Nintendo Switch OLED Blue & Red | S$379 | ¥32,978 (~S$325.30) |
| The Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom (box edition) | $68 (original price $87.80) | ¥7,900 (~S$77.90) |
| Pokemon Scarlet (box edition) | $67.90 (original price $79.90) | ¥6,578 (~S$64.90) |
We can see here that some items are not necessarily cheaper in Japan when there are sales on local platforms. However, most items like consoles and regular games, not new releases, can be slightly cheaper.
YouTrip’s Ultimate Saving Guide: Unveiling Brands That Are Cheaper In Japan Than Back Home: Find out more here
Splurge Away In The Land Of The Rising Sun!
As demonstrated, Japan is a great destination for shoppers looking for quality products with good service at lower prices than in Singapore. From beauty to food and tech, here are 10 brands we love that are cheaper in Japan than in Singapore. However, the price difference may vary depending on the exchange rate, taxes, discounts and availability of the products. Therefore, it’s advisable to do your due diligence by checking the prices on various platforms before making your purchase to enjoy the best deals and savings when shopping in Japan. And of course, don’t forget to make the best use of your YouTrip card for the best yen rates in town!
So if you’re looking for a go-to travel card, sign up for your complimentary YouTrip card today with promo code <YTBLOG5> and get FREE S$5 in your account!
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Happy shopping!
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