JJapan Trips

In Search of Reasonably Priced Game Console Shops in Tokyo

  • February 9, 2023

I’ll be in Japan this summer for about 2 weeks primarily focused around Tokyo but trips to Osaka and Kyoto are not out of the question.

I’m in search of shops that sell used game consoles at reasonable prices. While searching online has revealed some recommended shops:

* Super Potato
* Friends
* RetroGame Camp
* Surugaya Specialty Store
* Mandarake Complex/Mandrake Galaxy
* Trader
* Lanshinbang Audio Visual Shop
* The Dungeon

I worry however that because of the ‘high visibility’ of the above locations, they’re at risk of either getting crushed by tourists and/or resellers or not having good products at “pre-pandemic inflation” pricing.

I’ve seen some posts that places away from Tokyo have better prices like these shops in Kyoto:

* Ojamakan
* Surugaya Specialty Store
* Book Off/Hard Off
* A-Too Media Recycle Shop

If it helps, I’m specifically looking for a PS Vita (and accessories like batteries), a Nintendo 3DS, but am also interested in a Wii U and PS4 if the price is right.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

5 comments

  1. They have several Book-off and Hard-off stores in and around Tokyo. Those are where I saw the most reasonable prices. Also, just look up general pawn shop type places.

  2. I would second /u/Gad_Drummit ‘s hard off/book off advice. However you should probably visit the ones that are a bit away from the usual tourist paths. The Book off right next to Akihabara station or the Hard off one street over may get you a deal if you are lucky, but chances are higher that they have been picked dry by other tourists. The last time I was there (early 2020) I tried the hard off in itabashi. It was pretty small and didn’t have much choice. You could still get your regular snes, gamecube, wii what have you for pretty cheap though.

  3. Akihabara store prices were awful even before 2020. Best course of action is to head out of the city and hit up the Hard Offs in the suburbs.

  4. Yea, as people said. Hop on a train 20-30 mins out side of Tokyo. Look for Book Off’s and Hard Off’s also just google Recycle Shop in whatever area you’re in the private owned ones will have even better deals. If you really wanna get some mega deals and wanna do a bit of searching. I suggest the Ohi Racecourse Flea Market in Shinigawa. Just make sure it’s open before you go. If it’s grey skies or just a tiny bit of rain it won’t open. But happens ever weekend if it’s sunny. In and around shinjuku station is I think 3-4 book offs all with in walking distance that would be the easiest if you don’t want to trek around. Akihabara is definitely one of the most expensive options but you would be able to find everything, even super rare stuff.

    [https://en.japantravel.com/tokyo/oi-keibajo-flea-market/54105](https://en.japantravel.com/tokyo/oi-keibajo-flea-market/54105)

    If you’re doing a day trip to kamakura/enoshima get a day train pass for the route and check out for books offs on any of those stops. Would be worth it I think. Or even in Fujisawa would be a good place.

  5. You may want to visit one of the large Bookoff stores, Bookoff Super Bazaar. Below is a list of stores that are not too far from the city center and can be reached by train.

    BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR Seiyu-Omori Store
    https://www.bookoff.co.jp/inbound/shop20508.html

    BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR Kawasaki-More’s Store
    https://www.bookoff.co.jp/inbound/shop20480.html

    BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR 409gou Kawasaki Minatocho Store
    https://www.bookoff.co.jp/inbound/shop20431.html

    BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR Machida Chuodori Store
    https://www.bookoff.co.jp/inbound/shop20424.html

    BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR Tachikawa-eki-kitaguchi Store
    https://www.bookoff.co.jp/inbound/shop20465.html

    The link below will take you to the stores that sell them even if they are not the Super Bazaar. For reference.
    https://www.bookoff.co.jp/inbound/kanto/

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