š Our Story ā From Tech to TokuDeals
What if your side project became your true calling?
Hi, Iām Lara! I used to work full-time as an IT professional here in Japan. But deep down, I always had the heart of an entrepreneurāand a love for sharing Japanās most exciting and meaningful finds with people around the world.
š” The Sandbox That Sparked a Dream
TokuDeals started in 2017 as a personal sandbox projectāa way for me to learn how to build an online business in Japan. I began with dropshipping, then moved on to selling authentic products made in Japan. But everything changed in 2019, when I posted a photo of a Sanrio Characters Hide and Seek gachapon. That one post caught the attention of the Hello Kitty collectors community āand it lit a spark I couldnāt ignore. That was the bridge that connected me with the community.Ā
In 2020, during the pandemic, I started live selling Hello Kitty items from homeāsometimes with my kids helping behind the scenes. A few months later, I took a big step and did my very first live shopping event inside a Sanrio Gift Gate store.
Thatās when I truly felt it: this was more than just a business. It was a community in the making.
What began as a hobby soon became a growing community, and in 2022, I took the leap and became a full-time entrepreneur.
šļø More Than a ShopāItās a Community
TokuDeals is more than just kawaii items or exclusive merch. Itās a community built on trust, shared interests, and the fun of shopping together. Whether itās Sanrio plushies, Japanese snacks, beauty products, anime merch, or something unique you found onlineāweāre here to help you get it from Japan, packed with love and shipped with care.
Every order we prepare is for someone we consider a friend. Every live show we host is a way to hang out with people who love the same things. Weāre proud of the family thatās grown around this brandāand we hope you feel it too.