Visiting Japan in July. Need some advice.

In Tokyo look out for the stores called Trader. They quite often have good prices.

 

The Rail Lines aren't too complicated, but make sure you have at least a basic understanding of them before you go.

I once had a 16 hour Layover in Tokyo and almost missed my flight because I got confused about the station that boarded to the rail going to Haneda.

Getting a basic grasp on them before you go might save you a bit of confusion.

 

Rather than start a new thread I thought I'd just high jack this one.

Well I'm off to Japan for my honeymoon in 4 weeks or so and will be for 3 weeks visiting Tokyo, Koyto, Osaka, Nagano and Fukuoka. It's my 4th visits to Japan so I'm super excited to be going back again. The last time I was there was in 2012 so it's been 4 years since my last visit and it sounds as though a lot has changed in that time game shopping wise.

Anyways I'm after a little advice really with regard to video game pickups. I'm actually not really after that many retro stuff but if I see any reasonably priced megadrive, famicom, super famicom, PC engine games or hardware then I'll certainly look to purchase some. What I'm really after is filling in a few gaps in my 360 shmups collection, fighting games for PS3 and some 3ds games. I assume getting games from the last few generations will not be an issue?

So the shops in akihabara that seem to be worth paying a visit are super potato, mandarake, trader 1&2 and friends, are there any others? Are there any hard off or book off stores in Tokyo that are worth a visit and where are they located, or are they more out of the city? Is the super potato in ikebukuro worth a visit? I've never been to Nakano Broadway again is this also worth a visit? I remember going into a softmap store when I was last there and they did stock retro games, is this still the case?

How about Koyto, and Fukuoka any places there that are worth a visit? I'm already familiar with Den Den Town, much like Akihabara has this also seen a decline in the last few years?

Sorry if I'm being a little vague but I've not put together a hit list of stuff I'd like. Though I'd like to see if I can get a Core Grafx 1 or 2. PSone with screen, a spice GC, random controllers and accessories etc. A boxed megadrive 1 has also been a goal f mine

Any I appreciate any advice or tips guys

Many thanks in advance

 

I don't live in or any where near any of the Tourist cities so I can't give you a shop guide but I can tell you that you'll be paying premium prices in the typical tourist traps like Super Potato.

Getting 360 shooters shouldn't be a problem. Any good game store would have stock.

For hard off store you can check the official home page. They have a store placement map of the whole of Japan.

 

You post on YouTube under the name retro core right? I also saw another thread that you're from Liverpool/Wirral way am I right ? That's where I'm from you see.

Anyways, I saw the video you shot on Manga Souka - befu Fukuoka, that place look really sweet. Though I'm assuming Fukuoka is a big place but I'm going to be in that region for 5 days. I don't think I'll be able to persuade my new wife to try and find it with me.

 

Yeah, that's me on Retro Core. I'm actually from the boarder of Everton and Anfield in Liverpool but couldn't give a toss about football

The Manga Soko place is near Fukuoka Airport. Say about 15 minutes on foot. Check out their homepage for the address.

Actually that shop is pathetic compared to the one it replaced in Shimosone and it's over two hours from my home. The other was only 40 minutes saying that, if you've never seen the original store you'll love the current one.

Hope you find time to check it out.

 

Hey sonik have a good time I got a bunch of 100 ien DC games when I was there!

 

Just make sure to bring your umbrella, there has been record rainfall events in Kyushu for the past month.

 

So you're the one who took them all!

 

It's been ten years since my last visit, but if you are in the Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto area, Nara is wonderful place to visit.

 

Guys, thanks for all the help.
My trip to Japan was great!
But like I said before, retrogaming in Tokyo is expensive.

Gaius, I planned to visit Nara but didn't get the opportunity to go.

 

I heard this was caused by them selling everything to US collectors, causing a game drain there,

 

Hey Sonik,

Hi I'm currently in the airport waiting to fly out there myself.

If you don't mind me asking did you pick up much stuff, games and or systems?

If you did what sort of prices did you pay. It's been 4 years since I've been so I unsure of the going rate for stuff is these days.

Thanks in advance

 

Store prices are almost the same as ebay.
Since I live in Brazil, it was best to buy in Japan than buy from different sellers in ebay and pay the shipping.

I've bought figures and some games only in Tokyo.
Got some controllers (Saturn, Super Famicom) in Osaka too. It was like half the price them ask for them in Tokyo!

This pictures was in Osaka:
The same games Sonic in Tokyo costs like 5 bucks more each.


And these in Tokyo:
-

If you are into old computers like the MSX, you should check Beep Store in Akiba.

Enjoy your trip there!

 

Hey Sonik,

I arrived yesterday but have not had a chance to go shopping as of yet.

I found a book off in Ueno but they only had current and last gen stuff in stock. I'm tempted to go back there to pick up a limited edition copy of MGS: Guns of the Patriot for 950yen roughly £6.59, that's about half what the same game goes for on eBay.

I also stumbled upon a Tsutaya store in Ueno and they had used games but only as far back as PS2 and PSP.

Both these gave me a indicator of prices anyway.

Wow 1400yen for a pad seems quite expensive. Though the Sonic games done seem too bad, was that in den den town? I'd like to pick up some megastore game but only if the prices are right. I don't want to spend a fortune on them.

If you have any more pics then please feel free to post them?

 

These are the only pictures I have. The stores don't like when we take pictures inside.
I think it's to make difficult to compare prices.

The Osaka store is indeed in Den Den Town. It's called a-too media recycle shop.
I regret not buying more things there. :-/

Found this picture on google: