Don Quijote shopping notes from 2024: products in the original list

A Don Quijote stop had become part of many Japan itineraries by the time of this account. Often shortened to Donki, the discount chain offered an unusual range of groceries, cosmetics, clothing, electronics, toys, and novelty items, including products hard to find elsewhere. Shopping for different things in one place was convenient, and prices could be competitive with other retailers. The original described most stores as open 24 hours year-round and visitor-heavy locations as offering tax-free shopping. Those historical generalizations do not establish an individual store’s current hours or tax-free service.

 

 

The earlier 2023 shopping list appeared in a related post.

 

Original related post: a Hokkaido winter shopping list, requested gifts for South Korea, and coupon information

An excerpt from the older related post: “We returned to Hokkaido this winter. Japan travel was expensive that year, and many people seemed to be postponing to the next year; even low-cost flights from South Korea to Hokkaido exceeded KRW 700,000…” The original preview ends there.

errdaytrip.com

 

The following products were selected for the original 2024 Japan shopping list.

 

Bofutsushosan (防風通聖散錠満量a)

 

The original describes this medicine as aimed at abdominal fat and obesity-related constipation. It claims effects on belly fat and other obesity-associated symptoms, including high blood pressure, swelling, and shoulder stiffness, and says it may help constipation and general condition. These are unverified health claims in the archived shopping copy, not medical guidance from this English edition. The writer’s personal aside was that taking it occasionally after overeating eased guilt; that feeling does not establish effectiveness or safety.

V Rohto Premium (Vロートプレミアム)

 

The original describes Rohto’s V Rohto Premium eye drops as containing twelve active ingredients for tired or red eyes and difficulty focusing. It claims suitability for frequent digital-device use and relief of stiffness, dryness, and blue-light damage. It presents the ingredient mix as supporting eye health and suggests trying it for fatigue, while joking that the premium label may bring a placebo effect. These are the original promotional/personal claims; this edition has not verified indications, efficacy, or safety.

V Rohto Active Premium (Vロートアクティブプレミアム)

 

The source describes a product developed for age-related tired or blurred eyes, including trouble seeing small print and focusing. It says ingredients support recovery of visibility affected by fatigue and recommends it as a gift for older parents. Those are the archived writer’s health and gift recommendations, not a newly verified treatment recommendation.

V Rohto Contact Premium (Vロートコンタクトプレミアム)

 

The original describes six active ingredients intended to relieve eye fatigue and discomfort while wearing contact lenses. It says the drops can also be used after lens removal or before putting lenses in, supplying moisture and nutrients to ease dryness and discomfort. It suggests this contact-specific product over the preceding drops for lens wearers, but states it cannot be used with colored contacts and points to Lycee below. These source use/compatibility claims require checking against the actual product label; they are not newly verified instructions.

Rohto Lycee b (ロートリセb) / Lycee Contact w (ロートリセコンタクトw)

 

The source describes rose-scented Lycee b as moisturizing, addressing redness, and sometimes nicknamed beauty eye drops in Japan. It says pink vitamins act on focusing muscles, help tired eyes, soothe inflammation attributed to ultraviolet exposure, and make the whites appear clearer. For colored-contact users, it favors Lycee Contact w, saying it moisturizes and nourishes eyes with ordinary or colored lenses, eases dryness, and can be used after removing lenses or as a lens-wetting solution on insertion. These cosmetic, health, and compatibility descriptions are the archived source’s claims, not medical advice or independently verified suitability.

Mentholatum AD Cream m (メンソレータム ADクリームm)

 

The source identifies the nurse illustration on Mentholatum AD Cream m and describes a nonsteroid cream with three anti-itch ingredients and moisturizing glycerin. It claims reliable itch suppression, softer rough skin, easy spreading, and a nonsticky finish. The writer personally related to frequent unexplained itching and suggested trying it. That historical personal recommendation is not adopted here as advice for an unexplained symptom; product indications, ingredients, and suitability have not been verified for this edition.

Gaspitan (ガスピタン)

 

The original says dimethylpolysiloxane breaks up gas and supports its absorption/release, while digestive enzymes and lactic-acid bacteria help beneficial intestinal bacteria and the intestinal environment. It describes a yogurt-flavored chewable taken without water. These are archived product/use claims, not freshly verified medical instructions.

Stoppa (ストッパ)

 

The source describes a water-free, quick-dissolving product for sudden stomach pain, without an unpleasant smell or drowsiness. It claims relief of diarrhea- or indigestion-related abdominal pain and says carrying it felt reassuring on long buses or trains. These are historical health/safety claims and the writer’s impression, not a treatment or travel-use recommendation from this edition.

Hepalyse (ヘパリーゼ)

 

The source presents Hepalyse as nutritional supplementation for low energy, digestive problems, inadequate nutrition, and fatigue. It lists liver hydrolysate, vitamins, and herbal ingredients, claiming support for liver function and metabolism, morning sluggishness, and general fatigue attributed to liver/stomach tiredness. It says the product was popular in Japan because people believed taking it before alcohol reduced next-day hangovers. These are the original unverified efficacy and popularity claims, not confirmation that it prevents hangovers or protects the liver.

Alfort (アルフォート)

 

The original describes a whole-wheat digestive biscuit with a toasted flavor and sailing-ship-shaped chocolate. It says Dominican Republic cacao adds a rich milky flavor and praises the biscuit/chocolate combination as an afternoon snack for chocolate fans.

Meltykiss (メルティキス)

 

The writer likens its luxurious, soft melting texture to snow. Among the varieties, the source says Premium Chocolat uses Dominican Republic cacao for a milky flavor, Fruity Rich Strawberry uses Ecuadorian cacao to highlight sweet-tart strawberry, and Rich Matcha balances Ecuadorian cacao with a mellow, deep tea flavor. These ingredient descriptions are the original list, not a check of current formulations.

Black Thunder (ブラックサンダー)

 

The original highlights its strong crunch and claims a No. 1 sales position in Japan’s competitive chocolate market, without establishing the ranking’s scope. Cocoa cookies and plain biscuits are coated in chocolate. The account says a then-recent reformulation improved the chocolate flavor and jokes that it is dangerously hard to stop eating. The ranking and reformulation remain unverified historical claims.

Pucca (プッカ)

 

Pucca combines crisp, savory pretzel shells with smooth milk chocolate for a light snack. The source likes the contrast between pretzel texture and filling and included it because it felt less widely known.

Pack’n Cho (パックンチョ)

 

The original describes illustrated, cream-filled chocolate biscuits and personally speculates about a resemblance to Korea’s Kancho; it provides no evidence of a design relationship. It suggests sharing with family or friends at home or outside, praising the chocolate/biscuit pairing and relatively clean handling. The source also mentions added calcium as a nutritional positive; that is not an independently assessed health benefit.

Koala’s March (コアラのマーチ)

 

The source describes calcium-containing chocolate snacks with koala illustrations, roughly thirty pieces in a hexagonal box, the koala images printed with caramel, and chocolate inside. It says Lotte Japan launched the product in 1984 and that it became a long seller in more than ten countries. These are retained source claims.

 

Hada Labo red range (肌ラボ 赤)

 

The source describes an anti-aging lotion containing niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, claiming benefits for wrinkles and dark spots. It calls it medicated, fragrance-free, colorant-free, mineral-oil-free, alcohol-free and paraben-free, with mildly acidic pH comparable to healthy skin and a moisturizing finish. The writer recommended it especially to men wanting fewer skincare steps. These are archived formulation/effect claims, not verification of the current product or individual suitability.

Unlabel LAB V Face Wash (アンレーベルラボＶフェイスウォッシュ)

 

The source describes an enzyme cleanser with a vitamin C derivative processed at ultra-high pressure equivalent to 10,000 meters underwater. It claims penetration through the stratum corneum, moisture, smoother-looking pores, and effects on blackheads and spots. The writer personally felt the nose became noticeably smoother, particularly around blackheads. Those manufacturing and efficacy claims are not independently verified in this edition.

Kiss Me mascara remover (キスミーマスカラリムーバー)

 

The writer had not personally used this product but had heard strong recommendations. The source describes removing strong or waterproof mascara quickly without rubbing, with a moisturizing formula designed to avoid getting into the eyes and to be gentle on lashes and eyelids. This is reported word of mouth and product description, not firsthand use or newly verified safety.

Fino

 

The original describes Fino as a hair mask rich in penetrating beauty ingredients and claims it ranked first in the hair-pack/treatment category at Japan’s @cosme. It says the formula reaches damaged ends and fills individual hairs with conditioning ingredients, with a pleasant upscale fragrance. The category ranking, formulation, and effect are archived claims, not a current ranking check.

Kikiyu (きき湯)

 

The source describes a carbonated bath additive modeled on Kyushu’s Nagayu Onsen. It claims dissolving bubbles enhance warming, circulation and metabolism, with hot-spring mineral ingredients suited to each product’s stated symptoms and a relaxing effect. These are original product/health claims and have not been medically verified for this edition.

 

The original closing reflected 2024: it expected Japan to remain popular with Korean travelers amid the weak yen and considered its selection of competitively priced, good-quality goods a shopping opportunity. Those are the writer’s dated price and exchange-rate judgments, not a current forecast or a claim that Japan is always cheaper for US visitors. The original hope was that readers would find worthwhile products at reasonable prices.