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. )

Good luck!

[GoktimusPrime]

heroic decepticon's thread 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! My daughter, who had plucked up the courage to speak to the store attendant, quickly ran and hid behind my leg. 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.

[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...")