I’m going to be in Japan for 2 weeks for vacation, and I’m wondering if anybody knows of any good hobby/cards to check out in Tokyo?
Mandarake.
3 Likes
Pokemon Center for sure:)
1 Like
I just came back from there. @kthxbai sent me to some wonderful shops. Nakano train station. West exit. Go straight ahead until you reach Nakano broadway. Mandarake on multiple floors. Second floor is the card shop. I just posted some pics on my collection thread.
4 Likes
I would take the train to Akihabara station and just wander around. There are card shops in almost every building there.
2 Likes
Hope you enjoy Japan! 
It’s fun. But still tough to find deals.
Some other stores for new items:
Hobbystation
Yellow submarine
Mandarake
These are the three main stores in akhihabara
1 Like
Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ll try to check them out if I am near those areas
It’s actually pretty hard to find a lot of pre XY or later singles in shops. Most shops only carry the current sets, so XY and SM. They cater to players and not collectors as they work on turnover. Mandarake is probably your best option to find older cards.
Also, in Japan stores don’t care about warped cards. You will see tons of $50 SR or UR cards that are really warped. You would figure they could topload one copy and binder the rest of expensive cards since cards warp easily in Japan due to the climate. Also, SM cards seem to warp a lot easier then XY cards.
2 Likes
Liking this thread! Hopefully will be in Japan later this year so good to know some spots to check out
Before you go to Japan, be sure to
1)rob plenty of banks
2)get a 56’ shipping container to return what was bought.
3 Likes
This is the main shop I go to as I live a 5 minute walk from it xD .
There are some MUCH better shops in Akihabara that haven’t been mentioned yet, but they also don’t have names so not easy to direct. 1 of them specialises in tournament promos and other high priced cards (no rarity holos, fan club, etc). Average card price around 10k-300k yen. But the condition is generally not gem mint, and their prices are more similar to UK market prices rather than y!j. But still fun to look around.
EDIT: If people want, I can gopro around all the shops I know about at some point when I get a chance?
8 Likes
Yes that be splendid
Please do! I would love to see the shops you are describing!
YES PLEASE! 
Here is some photos from March 2014
www.pokebeach.com/forums/threads/drohns-pok%C3%A9mon-centre-closed.118407/
Are there other good shops in osaka, kyoto as well? I’m heading to Japan in November 
Osaka has mandarake and check out den den town
Kyoto has the Pokemon Center
1 Like
The no rarity Hitmonchan I picked up in a small shop in Akihabara got a PSA 10! No rarity Charizard from Mandarakd Nakano got a 5. There are gems to be found if you search long enough.
2 Likes
Hopefully I can find some 
only 7 weeks till I go! Excited level over 9000 
1 Like