Anime Hunting in Japan

Anime, Manga, Music, Model Kits & Goods

Japan can be quite a headache if you don't speak the language. However, if you want the rare stuff like original LD/DVD release posters, you have to go to Japan. No two ways about it.

Buy this guidebook. I strongly recommend you get a specialised guidebook or something similar. Never mind you can't read the text, at the very minimum you'll know where the shops are and where they aren't. Saves a lot of aimless wandering.

You'll obviously want the latest version (published every year around July I think). Buy the book with the white cover. Another book with a similar drawing but different color cover is a guide for something else. Can't remember what.

* Tokyo Kouryaku Mappu (may not be correct pronounciation). Published by Mediaworks as part of a Dengeki Mook Series. 1000 yen.

I've included maps of the area derived from the guidebook. To avoid copyright issues they are redrawn by me and have the shop names translated into english (poorly). The names might not be of any help if you show it to a local, but at least you can guess what the shop is about. Note that there have been a lot of changes since I was last in Japan so some shops may be non-existent.

I have not been to every one of the shops on the maps so I can't vouch for their content. Some could be adult shops. You have been warned...

Akihabara (I) | Akihabara (II) | Ikebukuro | Shinjuku

As an example of how useful this book is, these are the categories of shops listed, along with their addresses & their locations on the Tokyo map:

• Comic
• Old Comic
• Bishoujo Comic
• Regularly Published Dojinshi (weekly, monthly etc)
• Old Dojinshi
• Other Books
• Anime Goods
• Cosplay
• Music Videos
• TV Games (PSX etc)
• Board Games
• Trading Cards
• Garage Kits
• Capsule Toys
• Old Toys
• Military
• Other Toys
• Others

1. If you followed the guidebook and you're sure you're in the right place, look up. The signboards are sometimes on the 2nd or 3 story and the entrance to the shop is nothing more than a 2m wide staircase.
2. Taxi drivers do get lost in Tokyo. This is normal. Again, having the guidebook helps.
3. If you can't speak Japanese, bring pictures of the stuff you're looking for.
4. Japanese can understand English. Most won't speak it to you though 'cos they feel ashamed of their poor spoken English.
5. Its no use bargaining in most shops. The stuff is fixed price and the shop assistants just work there. (They're not the boss, dealing with Gaijin who don't speak the language is hard enough. Don't make their life difficult ^_^)

• __ Arimasu ka? (Do you have __ ?)
• Nai? (Don't have? To confirm with the assistant)

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Manga no Mori (Chain Store)

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Animate (Chain Store)

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Gamers (Chain Store)

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Animepolis Pero Shinjuku Shop (Toei Cinema Basement)

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Be-J

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Mandarake

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Yellow Submarine (Chain Store)

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Volks (Chain Store)

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Books Kinokuniya

2 more shops worth mentioning Tora no Ana (manga) and Try Soft (Games, CDs).

If you have the time, the Kichichoji area in Musashino-Ku is worth a visit. The concentration and quality of shops there is very good. My friend took me there the last time so I have no idea which trains to take. Its waaay out in suburban Tokyo so a cab is really out of the question.

If you really have the time, check out some of the other places listed in the guide, especially the places that are easy to get to.

The sheer number of shops makes Japan Anime mecca, but its also @$%^& expensive. If you have no ethical issues, go to Hong Kong, buy the ahem... imitation stuff. Its cheaper and gives almost the same buying high.

© 2002 MoriMori