For many of us foreigners, it was anime that got us interested in visiting Japan. Here are the best places in Japan to buy anime merchandise!
1. Nakano Broadway
Nakano Broadway may not be the first item you’d expect on this list, but this shopping complex in the Tokyo city of Nakano is a hidden gem of cheap anime merchandise.
While not primarily an “anime shopping district,” Nakano Broadway is home to a plethora of anime and other comic book-related stores, selling first and second-hand goods such as anime figures, accessories, and clothing.
2. Akihabara
Okay, this is the one you probably expected to be number one on the list, the notorious town of anime itself Akihabara. Yes, this is an entire city that is built on geek culture, from anime to video games and comic books, you’ll find all your favorite Japanese pop culture icons here.
The reason I placed Akihabara as second, however, is because I found the anime figures at Nakano Broadway to be significantly cheaper and more varied in their selections. On the other hand, nothing compares to the experience of walking through Akihabara and feeling like you’ve been transported into a fictional world!
3. Mugiwara Store
With locations in both Osaka and Tokyo, the Mugiwara Store (or “Straw Hat Store”) is a merchandise shop completely dedicated to the anime One Piece. Filled with amazing life-sized statues of popular characters as well as endless accessories and figurine items, it truly is a paradise for fans of the series.
I visited the branch in Shibuya on multiple occasions and was astounded by the display of anime figures every time. You have the option of purchasing figures of One Piece characters at a fixed price or trying your hand at the giant claw machines to win them dirt cheap!
4. DiverCity Tokyo Plaza
If Mugiwara Store is a paradise for One Piece fans, then DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is the equivalent for Gundam fans. Entailing giant robots doing battle with each other, Gundam is one of the most iconic anime series of all time and holds one of the largest fan bases of any media.
Notably, Gundam merchandise is known for its robot assembly kits and has very much become a hobby for fans of the show, spending hours meticulously putting together a highly detailed and magnificent figure. More than anime merchandise, this shopping district in Odaiba also features a full-sized Gundam robot that stands guard outside the plaza, bringing the anime to life while drawing fans from across the globe!
5. Den Den Town
Just around the corner from the iconic Namba Yasaka Shrine is Den Den Town, otherwise known as “Electric Town” in Osaka. Named so because of its emphasis on electronics and gadgets, the area offers all kinds of anime and gaming merchandise and almost resembles a mini Akihabara.
Personally, I enjoyed coming here for the arcades, particularly the Namco building which is a rare find in Japan, allowing me to play my favorite game Tekken 7. For those residing in Osaka, hundreds of miles away from Akihabara, Den Den Town is the perfect solution for all your geeky needs.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!