Off to Japan (I could have sworn I saw a thread about this)

[requiemau88]

I'm sure I've seen a thread around here with a list of shops to hit up while in Japan but can't find it (unless its staring me in the face).

So ... I'm off to Kyoto, day trip to Hiroshima, hitting up Yamagata (actually have to go past Fukashima) and then back to Tokyo for the last trip. Staying in Shinjuku, so as always ... where do I hit up and most importantly, where has decent prices?

Cheers

[TAAUBlaster]

Mandarake in Akihabara, or Nakano Broadway sometimes have good older TF toys. Although they are a little expensive.
If you're looking for some newer stuff, there is a toy store called "Kiddyland" in Harajuku. Its only a 10 minute walk from Harajuku station. They don't have a *big* section for TF, but they do sometimes have a little bit of older stock (such as a previous wave of figures.)

My other adivce would be to try and hit up some "Recycle shops" which are 2nd hand shops. A quick googlemaps search near the paces your are staying can sometimes be handy before you go. Try to find ones that deal in more than clothes or household appliances/furniture. I've only been to one shop before called "Kanteidan" and they had some old G1 figures (and a complete boxed Brave Max! - But it was owned by the store owner, and only out for display. :p )

Good luck!

[GoktimusPrime]

heroic decepticon's thread (http://www.otca.com.au/boards/showthread.php?t=11556) covers a lot of stores in Osaka and Tokyo (and Singapore). Not sure about Kyoto or Hiroshima (aside from just regular department, camera and toy stores, which are often a good source for current stuff :)). I've never been to Yamagata, but considering its rural location I would be surprised if they had specialist collectable stores. But I'm sure they would still have regular department stores where you'll be able to find regular TF toys. I used to live in Saitama-ken, which is pretty rural and I was easily able to get to normal department stores like Daimaru, Itoyokado etc., and even some convenience stores and supermarkets will stock Transformers merchandise like the Kabaya confectionery model kits, PVCs etc. (if you're into that).

Tokyo's probably you're best bet. Shinjuku is a good central location, so you'll be able to get to places like Akihabara easily enough by train. And also, Tokyo people speak the standard Japanese dialect (Hyoujungo), whereas folks in Kyoto, Hiroshima and Yamagata speak their own regional dialects... although everyone in Japan can speak Hyoujungo (as it's taught in schools), you'll likely hear their local dialects being spoken locally and people may speak it to you. Especially in Kyoto because they're kinda snooty^proud of their "Imperial" dialect. ;) I once had a lady at a souvenir shop correct my daughter's (who was 2 years old at the time) Japanese from Hyoujungo to Kyotoben! :eek: My daughter, who had plucked up the courage to speak to the store attendant, quickly ran and hid behind my leg. :p Most of the Yamagataben that I know comes from the current HSC Japanese Extension prescribed text (as it's predominantly set in Yamagata). ;)

[Shirokaze]

As well as the 3 Tokyo branches of Mandarake noted by HD, I have a few recommendations.

Akiba Zone - A newer building located in Akihabara, about a block away from Mandarake in the back streets. It's full of rental cubes and there's a number of transformers pretty much all the time. A tad pricey on some items though so shop around!

Yodobashi Camera - Also in Akihabara, the toy section towards the top of this place is pretty amazing. They also have some of the most reasonable prices I could find on current stocks.

Radio Kaikan 1 - Two shops stock current transformers. 1 has great prices, 1 is average.

BIC Camera - Most of these stores have a toy section, the range of which varies, though the prices are good.

Nakano Broadway - When you go to Mandarake here, be sure to check out the other stores in the building too as there are others with Transformers.

Hope that helps :)

[Bidoofdude]

Going to Japan (almost definitely) next year. Hoping to pick up something good from Mandarake (probably Nakano). Hopefully I can find a decently priced D-62 Galvatron. Saw a few in a pic from last year for about $70. Hopefully I can get one.

[Ode to a Grasshopper]

Yeah, try Heroic Decepticon's toy shop maps. They're a little dated but still pretty damn good.
My other adivce would be to try and hit up some "Recycle shops" which are 2nd hand shops. A quick googlemaps search near the paces your are staying can sometimes be handy before you go. Try to find ones that deal in more than clothes or household appliances/furniture.Hobby Off and/or Hard Off may be worth a try.
The latter is usually less fun than it sounds.
And also, Tokyo people speak the standard Japanese dialect (Hyoujungo), whereas folks in Kyoto, Hiroshima and Yamagata speak their own regional dialects... although everyone in Japan can speak Hyoujungo (as it's taught in schools), you'll likely hear their local dialects being spoken locally and people may speak it to you.Hyoujungo...pffft.:p

[requiemau88]

So just let me start off saying this: I've been in Japan almost a week (arrived in Tokyo a few hours ago) and so far I have found out that outside of Tokyo its quite hard to get transformers. Was in Kyoto and had no luck whatso ever, was in Hiroshima for half a day and had a few hours to kill so went to the toys r us which had some TFS (including g2 sideswipe for only 6000 yen) but nothing really special, thought I had struck gold in Yamagata but it ended up being a hobby shop that had gundams but hardly anything else. The next 5 days I'll be in Tokyo and the real hunt will begin ... Wish me luck.

[GoktimusPrime]

Have you tried just regular department stores (e.g. Daimaru, Seibu, Tobu, Itoyokado etc.)? Because I lived outside of Tokyo in a relatively rural area, and I got all my Transformers there from local dept stores. They should be stocked up on all the latest stuff. I find that non-metropolitan hobby stores are unlikely to stock Transformers stuff (they focus more on models etc.).

[requiemau88]

Hmm a lot of the places I visited where mainly fashion. I could of walked past them and never have know, Google maps wasn't much of a help ...

[GoktimusPrime]

Not all department stores have a toy section, but most should. Entrances have a store guide, so have a look at that first before bothering to enter the store.

Otherwise you could ask store staff 「すみません、玩具売り場はどこですか。」(Sumimasen, omocha-uriba wa doko desu ka)
("Excuse me, where is the toy section?")

Or you could ask, 「すみません、トランスフォーマーが買いたいんですが・・・」(Sumimasen, toransufoomaa ga kaitain desu ga...)
("Excuse me, I'd like to buy Transformers...")

[griffin]

Or if you don't speak any Japanese, go to an assistant wearing an obvious Transformers T-shirt and just point at it and motion for their help. ;)
(or have with you an image of the current toy items you are after - a printout or on a smart-device)

It helped for me in a couple stores, by just showing toys that I had already bought, I was directed to their TFs toy section.

[Sinnertwin]

Akihabara & Nakano is where i hit gold at the time. TrU at Odaiba was also good for the then current Animated figures

[lobes]

TRU in odaiba had nothing when I went in Feb. Just a lone mp streak was the only thing worth buying.
Ended up grabbing most stuff from the plethora of mandarake stores and hero gangu in Osaka.

[Firestorm]

last time I was there most of my transformers shopping was done in Akihabara in Tokyo and Nipponbashi in Osaka, couldn't really find much anywhere else.
hopefully I can find some more places when I am back there in December :)

[requiemau88]

so found out something funny ... went to bic camera in shinjuku and saw 'transformers' on 5th floor ... turned out to be actual power transformers. went to yobodashi camera in shinjuku but it turns out everything is spread out over a few buildings (fyi, transformers are im the basement 1 of building 6, look for the ps3/4 wii u/ 3ds sign). got samurai team.

[GoktimusPrime]

Bic Camera should have Transformers, but you'll need to look in the toy section. But yeah, Yodobashi Camera should stock similar (if not the same) stock that Bic Camera anyway, so all good. :)

[requiemau88]

Hit up Akihabara yesterday ... god damn. Mandarake was tall yet cramped, and surprisingly they had decent prices. Picked up MP Smokescreen for 5000, found prime rumble and generations Thundercracker. Hit up yobadashi cameras as well, the 6th floor toy store is one of the biggest toy selections I've ever seen. In akiba zone there was a 'collectables store' that had tfs loose but were trying to sell them for twice they're value if they were still sealed.

Hit up shibuya as well but was just there for mandarake and some other shopping. Off to harajuku and Nagano today.

FYI if your looking for rare stuff, Mandarake had the botcon customization figures for 2012 and 2011 but had ??? For prices, I didn't ask but I figured it was high. They also had a few gold tranaformers. Also plenty of older G1 stuff both American and Japanese.

[griffin]

That Mandarake store (http://www.toycollectors.com.au/blog/hkjp7.html) (lot of photos) is indeed packed with TFs toys of all price ranges.

Any chance of some pics of what you saw and what you got?
It's always nice to see the more exotic side of Transformers.

[requiemau88]

I hit up kiddy land, they had a takara rhinox on display but sold out. Will be hitting up Nagano today, will take pics. Also I'll photo my haul in box but to save on weight and size I'll be taking most of them out of packaging.

[requiemau88]

So I managed to get some ... OK photos from Nagano Mandarake, I had to ask permission to take the photos, and it was on my camera phone so apologies for the quality.

All in all Broadway Nagono (not just Mandarake) was the gold mine so far of the trip. The 'main' complex in Akihabara was good, but Nagano and the other stores had a quite a few items that were top notch. If anyone has any questions about the items in the photos dont hesitate to post or msg me, I spent quite a bit of time admiring the display.

Interesting side note, they are quite knowledge of there products, they had a knock off MP 12 Lambor for 5000 yen, but then a real one for 12,000 (with the Amazon exclusives) and they let you which one is which.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/requiemau88/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140427_153157_zpsf7025e81.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/requiemau88/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140427_153202_zps55acc7cb.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/requiemau88/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140427_153213_zpse3ddd739.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/requiemau88/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140427_153220_zps067aa006.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/requiemau88/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140427_153224_zpsbfd1a5c8.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/requiemau88/Mobile%20Uploads/PANO_20140427_153239_zps332074f0.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/requiemau88/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140427_153546_zpsf2b37935.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/requiemau88/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140427_153557_zpse230699d.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/requiemau88/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140427_153608_zpsbd1a87f5.jpg

FYI there was an original Japanese Fort Max (bottom left of the 7th pic I think) going for 250,000,yen ... Enjoy. Again any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Also, I'll wait until I'm done before I show off my haul.

P.S. They have a lot of boxed G1 stuff in that second last photo.

[griffin]

Wow, an original "Diaclone Magnus" (Powered Convoy).
I wouldn't buy it, but it would be impressive to see one in person.

And so many gift set combiners (which shouldn't be KOs in that sort of store), including a Raiden boxset.

Nice pics. (but then, I love those sorts of photos)

http://www.toycollectors.com.au/drool.jpg

[theshape]

wow nice pics! Did you catch the price on the powered convoy? They have a very nice diaclone selection from the looks of things

[Shirokaze]

Good work! Some great pics :)


I snapped a picture of the same cabinet in Nakano back in December. :p


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e373/requiemau88/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140427_153557_zpse230699d.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5221/14044989382_bef3becf25_h.jpg

[Skullcruncher]

Awesome photos! Thanks for sharing. :cool:

[GoktimusPrime]

How much were they charging for United Frumble? I can't make out the first digit after the ￥ sign before the 000, so I can see it's something-thousand Yen. I'm just curious, because I found this set at Hero Gangu in Osaka 2 years ago and they were charging ￥4000 for it - but I was able to haggle the price down to ￥3320. I've already opened mine and I have absolutely no intention of ever selling them -- just being a sticky beak. :p ;)

[Initial_G]

awesome pics, thanks for sharing, I love seeing these and makes me want to start planning my next trip! - my wallet hates you though ;)

[requiemau88]

You can haggle? F#%k ... There were to crumbles, one was 4 opened I think, the other 5,500. Considered getting it but I was worried about room for suitcase. Leaving Japan soon, will post when back in Australia.

[Megatran]

I really enjoy looking (& reading) these sort of threads on this forum. Happy snaps from overseas travel (accompanied with a story), member's TFs collection, new TFs acquisitions and customisation (actually, WIP of the customisation) are what I gravitate towards. Good Great work guys and gals!

[nexusnixx]

totally agree with these shopping stories with photos... feels as if I am there admiring the toys myself....

when will it be my turn/ time to go?...

[GoktimusPrime]

You can haggle? F#%k ...
Only at Hero Gangu in Osaka. They don't advertise that either, I heard via word-of-mouth. But yeah, haggling is generally not socially acceptable in Japan... so don't try it at any other stores. But if you're ever in Osaka and you have the opportunity to check out Hero Gangu, ask to speak to the manager and haggle away. ;) I got 17% off all my purchases. :D

[requiemau88]

Sitting at Marita now, found out that they don't return your tax you have to get that in store ...

[requiemau88]

Morning all, just slept in my own bed for the first time in two weeks ... was asleep for 13 hours ... anyway ... the Haul!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fKQUHjOqwbk/U15OIIPgCCI/AAAAAAAAAkw/r7Q74kLHSZM/w1145-h859-no/IMG_20140428_214827.jpg

AM Jet Vehicon
AM Ironhide
AM Wildrider
AM Rumble
AM Frenzy

All three of GO! Samurai team

MP Streak
MP Smokescreen
TG Grimlock
TG Rhinox (number on my list to find, wwas very happy when I got it)
Generations Thundercracker
RiD Megabolt Megatron
Classics Rodimus

All in haul, happy with the haul, aimed to get Japanese only products but Rodimus was only $20 (because he was opened), Megabolt was $25 (again opened) and TC was $25 (just cause ...)