Stores selling Transformers in Japan

[Jetfire]

Hey there,

I just found out today that I'm travelling to Japan next weekend for 2 weeks in Chiyoda for work

Can anyone recommend some TF shops in Tokyo ?

[GoktimusPrime]

I'd personally recommend checking out Ikebukuro. There are two big department stores (Seibu and Tobu) sitting right on top of Ikebukuro station! And if that's not enough there are other stores like Bic Camera which have been known to stock Transformers at fairly cheap prices.

A lot of people who also recommend Akihabara, although personally the only transformer I've ever bought from there was a step-down transformer. I find Akihabara a bit too "touristy" for my taste; although I suppose it is good from a tourist POV as a lot of people who work there can speak foreign languages like English. Don't expect most people in Japan to speak any English btw. A lot of people in Japan would like to _think_ that they can speak English... and they will often _try_ ("try" being the operative word) to speak English with Westerners. But usually they end up butchering the English language and ultimately you don't understand what the <expletive> they're trying to tell you. So I strongly recommend that you learn at least some basic Japanese phrases that will help you get around for shopping, dining etc.; you could probably pick up a phrase book or something. If there's anything you need to know, don't hesitate to ask Tetsuwan Convoy. Or me.

Seriously though, there's a thread for discussion about languages other than English here - please feel free to ask us any questions about Japanese there.

[Jetfire]

I'd personally recommend checking out Ikebukuro. There are two big department stores (Seibu and Tobu) sitting right on top of Ikebukuro station! And if that's not enough there are other stores like Bic Camera which have been known to stock Transformers at fairly cheap prices.

A lot of people who also recommend Akihabara, although personally the only transformer I've ever bought from there was a step-down transformer. I find Akihabara a bit too "touristy" for my taste; although I suppose it is good from a tourist POV as a lot of people who work there can speak foreign languages like English. Don't expect most people in Japan to speak any English btw. A lot of people in Japan would like to _think_ that they can speak English... and they will often _try_ ("try" being the operative word) to speak English with Westerners. But usually they end up butchering the English language and ultimately you don't understand what the <expletive> they're trying to tell you. So I strongly recommend that you learn at least some basic Japanese phrases that will help you get around for shopping, dining etc.; you could probably pick up a phrase book or something. If there's anything you need to know, don't hesitate to ask Tetsuwan Convoy. Or me.

Seriously though, there's a thread for discussion about languages other than English here - please feel free to ask us any questions about Japanese there.

Hey thanks for a great response. I'll check out Ikebukuro.. So far I've just downloaded every free japanese language app for the iPhone to get started. Mushi mush

Cheers,
Jetfire san

[kaiden]

gah im so jealous! i want to go to the sales there ;-;

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Mushi mush

Cheers,
Jetfire san

Err, Mushi means bug. Phone is moshi moshi.

By Far handy words
"Sumimasen" - Excuse me/sorry/thanks.
"arigatou" - Thanks
"doumo" - also thanks.

Bic camera or Yodabashi Camera are regular dept stores that wont lead you astray. They are almost everywhere and as gok said, have cheap prices. Sometimes they have mega=price-offs and you can get stuff t 1/3 original price!! Toys R us in Japan is pretty good too! I found some older stuff there nice and cheap. Although I notice they are shifting away from the action figure sort of market and going for the really young kiddies so they don't have as much cool stuffas they did a few years ago.

If you make it to Harajuku, Kiddie Land is 5 small floors of toy-joy(tm). Its a bit tricky to find in between all the people, but if you head down the main street and see a Condomania shop (I think thats the name, but if it isn't, its a bright coloured place that sells condoms) and have a look around there, as Kiddie Land is in that area.

I was in Japan last month for the tokyo toy fair (which reminds me I wanna share my pics) and most TFs were the occasional Encore, some random Henkei and Movie characters.

P.S If you wann send me a PS3 Slim while yer there, I would love you long time

I am serious about the PS3

[kaiden]

oh! if its time to ask the -insert random guy- going to japan game to buy stuff for us... fill my henkei wants? XD

i'd be happy with the ones that i cant order on robotkingdom ^_^

[Jetfire]

Sorry guys news just in.. I won't be picking up stuff for people on the forums.

Especially something like a PS3 lol.. only my wife is allowed to love me for any length of time.

[blackoptimus]

I'd personally recommend checking out Ikebukuro. There are two big department stores (Seibu and Tobu) sitting right on top of Ikebukuro station! And if that's not enough there are other stores like Bic Camera which have been known to stock Transformers at fairly cheap prices.

A lot of people who also recommend Akihabara, although personally the only transformer I've ever bought from there was a step-down transformer. I find Akihabara a bit too "touristy" for my taste; although I suppose it is good from a tourist POV as a lot of people who work there can speak foreign languages like English. Don't expect most people in Japan to speak any English btw. A lot of people in Japan would like to _think_ that they can speak English... and they will often _try_ ("try" being the operative word) to speak English with Westerners. But usually they end up butchering the English language and ultimately you don't understand what the <expletive> they're trying to tell you. So I strongly recommend that you learn at least some basic Japanese phrases that will help you get around for shopping, dining etc.; you could probably pick up a phrase book or something. If there's anything you need to know, don't hesitate to ask Tetsuwan Convoy. Or me.

Seriously though, there's a thread for discussion about languages other than English here - please feel free to ask us any questions about Japanese there.

What about yougibushicamera?

[Firestorm]

Hey guys, I’m going to Japan with a friend of mine for a holiday at the end of the year, and we wanna know where the best places to go are for sightseeing and for Transformer/ Pop Culture Shopping.
So far we have decided to spend the first few days of our trip in Osaka and see Osaka castle, and do some shopping. And we want to spend the majority of our time in Tokyo (we’ll be staying at a hotel near Akihabara) but we’d like to know where else in Japan is worth going to, for a good place to see while in Japan and also where the best places are for Transformers, Kamen Rider, Super Sentai, Gundam, Anime, etc shopping. oh also my friend is interested in eating challenges, we’ve heard of a few in Japan, does anyone know of any eating challenges for him to enter in Japan?

Any help will be greatly appreciated

[Lord_Zed]

There are so many places to go, really. it's all a matter of what sorta things you want to see, cultural, touristy, shopping, nature etc I'm going back for a holiday too this year going to have a better look. Alas it's late so I'm not awake wnough to write a list of the many things you could see.

The one piece of advice I will tell you now, is that in Osaka you want to go to Den Den Town, its like the Osaka equivalent of Akihabara when it comes to collectibles, but generally speaking Den Den town has cheaper prices, and more discounted items.