Thanks for visiting my humble blog. This is my 9D8N second trip to Tokyo. It was enjoyable and not as rush as the first which I only stayed for 3D2N which resulted in impulsive buy at Tomica shop Tokyo Station. I will explain why and walk through with all mini cars collectors and hunters below.
My primary purpose for this trip is sightseeing. I only focus on diecast hunting on the last 2 days of my trip in Tokyo with my remaining yen to the places with information I get from internet and fellow collectors. I'm not looking for current release diecast just some old castings to fulfil my long wishlist. Of course during sightseeing on other days I encounter a few shops and make some mini cars browsing as well.
I try to keep the information as simple and clear below with numerous amateur photos for fellow collectors to hunt for their coming Tokyo Trip. Enjoy :)
Akihabara
Actually Akiba is not a very good place to hunt for diecast. There are thousands of rental lockers here to browse and 85% of them are action figures and manga characters. The diecast in my opinion are generally expensive but nevertheless if you are lucky you can find gems hidden in the wild.
Yodobashi
The second best place to look for the latest and current release diecast in my opinion. However that is not my focus hence just a quick stop.
Radio Kaikan a.k.a Yellow Submarine
There were hundreds of rental lockers in this 8 level building mostly on L2 L3 L4. But only 10% of the lockers have diecast in high prices hence just focus on buying non diecast toys.
Tam Tam Hobby Shop L4, L5
This is the best place in Akiba to buy your current and latest release diecast in my opinion. There is a wide variety of diecast brand at competitive prices located on L5. It is a good place to shop for your hobby tools and books as well.
RAI's in various scales
Past and current Tomica Limited Vintage including 1:43 its a pity I can't find my Tomicarama parking lot diorama set.
Premium Prices Ignition Models...
Plenty of Greenlight, M2 and Auto World on peg with the exception of Hot Wheels.
Very happy to score a Green Machine Chase in Tokyo! :)
Animate L3, L4
If you are a manga fan great! But if you are looking for just diecast I will recommend you take a lift straight to L4 to hunt for the 850 rental lockers. There are actually just 15 odd lockers with mostly Aoshima and Kyoshos model cars. I never buy anything here as prices are high.
Mandarake L7, L8
This is a 9 storeys building but actually only 2 levels to hunt for toys at L7 and L8. There are a number of diecast rental lockers located at L7. I can't say prices are good but I did buy some at so so prices.
Very tempted to purchase this Diapet with Marlboro Logo Livery at 10,000 yen (USD 90)
Score some gems in the bargain crate before another active hunter arrives :)
Liberty Shop Number 8
One of the many Liberty shops scattered around Akiba. This No.8 shops mainly sells Railways and model cars on L1 , L2 and L3. Proceed straight to L3 to look for diecast cars.
I started digging mini cars from 100 yen (USD 0.90) and above.
I'm not very familiar with Kyosho but surprised to see a 20,000 yen (USD 180) blind box Kuji Enzo in a rental locker
Another 1st Gen Series Tomica. I believe this was a lucky draw version to club members priced at 18,000 yen (USD 160)
Many or in fact all of these shops had a to buy back list prices for walk in potential sellers.
Yoshinobu Tanaka shop
Located just close to Mandrake. Its an outlet with various diecast brands. Got myself 2 pieces of Tomica here at good prices.
Kotobukiya
This was the least expected place to hunt diecast while I was looking for hobby tools. So many Exclusive version Tomica Premium tanks at only 900 yen (USD 8) each. But these were not for sale. You need to make some online purchase or sort to get it at this price.
Volks Store
8 levels of toys, Manga DVDs, Comics and rental lockers at L1 with full of hunters and tourist except diecast. I just move on...
Tomica Shop Tokyo Station
Always remember that the Tomica Shop outlet is not the best places to buy Tomica cars. I learn this from my expensive lesson back in 2014 during my first trip with the assumption that the prices were cheapest and I was terribly wrong.
The prices here are more expensive than Tam Tam and Yodobashi. Just get the Tomica factory and Tomcia Shop exclusive cars for your collection. If you are a seller than bring a football team with you as these exclusive is available only maximum 3 pieces to the same customer. Or you can opt to come here everyday :)
2016 April latest release. Never get any. Just a couple of Tomica shop exclusives for own collection and gifts to collector friends back home.
II ADO Company (Ginza)
I went to Ginza with 2 purposes. One to visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Museum and the other IIADO diecast shop nearby. I was disappointed that the Museum is close till 29th April but I was happy to pick up a few diecast in the shop.
This pull back set Matchbox greets me at the entrance too bad its plastic body with metal base hence never get.
Quite a section of older and vintage Tomica plus a couple of Hot Wheels
I finally got to see the Matchbox Horse Box wanted to buy but too bad paint chips on the other side :(
This is interesting! LOL!
Mini Car Shop Global (Toshima)
A short walk from Komagome Station. This is a good place to hunt diecast among the rental lockers. Prices varies among these lockers and I enjoyed myself here :) Strongly recommend to all fellow collectors to visit as well.
I seen expensive Made in Japan Pigs cattle truck but how about a cattle truck with cow for 350,000 yen? (USD 315)
It's interesting to see a Snoopy cattle truck also which command at 8500 yen (USD 76) in not a mint condition.
Gulliver Hobby Shop (Toshima)
Just a 10min leisure walk from Mini Car Global shop is Gulliver located near Sugamo Station as well. They have 2 outlets in the same location with one dedicated to rental lockers.
They explained to me that this is a must visit Toy show in Japan which held at 1 May, 31 July and 18 December 2016 in Yokohama. Perfect for collectors like me and you looking for vintage cars in the meet. Hope I can make it next year! More info: www.sunset.shop-site.jp/
The variety wows me!
Nakano Broadway L2, L3, L4
Well this is a jungle for all toy hunters. Hundreds in fact thousands of rental lockers with numerous variety of action figures, gachapon, mangas, costumes and of course diecast! There are a good spread of diecast rental lockers among the 3 levels with a diecast shop by Mandrake. This is also the place I spent most of my yen LOL.
All the walkway were very cramped with rental lockers.
Most of them are pricey Made in Japan Tomica castings were over priced but you can still hunt some at very good prices.
Stay focus!
The most expensive ChoroQ I came across. A Made in Japan "Marllboro" with double "L" Lancia Stratos at 12,800 yen (115 USD)
Interesting busted cars gachapon!
After all those hunting I proceed to B1 to grab a tasty sundae which was recommended by my friend :) You can easily spent at least half a day at Nakano.
Mandarake Shibuya B2
Similar with other Mandrake outlets in Akiba and Nakano the setting was similar. But there were little or no diecast to be found only antiques toy cars maybe. Hence I just made a quick tour.
Disney Store Shibuya
I went with assumption that I can find Disney Exclusive Tomica in this store but it's not available :( Hence I got some toys for my kiddo.
Cute plush Tsum Tsum to go with my girl Tsum Tsum cars.
LOFT Shibuya
No diecast just gachapon and others small figurines with some exclusive to LOFT.
Toy"R"Us Ikebukuro Sunshine City
On the pegs are leftovers Hot wheels J cases and some old Road Trippin series. They have F&F 1:43 Greenlight as well...
Mandarake Ikebukuro
This store sells 100% merchandise just to the ladies. I was surprised to walk down to see many ladies looking at idol toys and manga.
Girls mostly student going gaga over the popular and trending Matsuno Brothers! LOL
Tomica Shop Skytree Tower
A similar outlet to Tokyo Station hence give a miss.
Saw this construction set at the souvenir shop at level 340 which seemed exclusive only to Skytree Tower
Skytree exclusive buses etc at Tomcia Shop located below. Never get any...
Sunkus Convenience Stores
These stores carry some current diecast such as Aoshima blind boxes, F Toys model cars and Kyosho Mclaren. Not to mention those UCC Mercedes cars without interior free for every 2 cans of UCC coffee purchase. I only get one car for fun as i can't finished those sugarless coffee haha!
FYI
Yes you can hunt those stores up till Ikebukuro in 48 hours but of course you need to be focus just on mini cars. You will not be able to go every places if you mix sightseeing with hunting. Most shops will close at 8pm sharp!
Remember to factor in 8% tax on your purchase. They are not reflected on the price tag.
These rental lockers cars are consignment items and tax free is not available. Most shop like Yodobashi, Tomica shop, Tam Tam etc do not have tax rebates for tourists as well.
Check your item.
If you think you score a good mini car check the item before purchase. I found a small chip at one of the cars before payment luckily. These are mostly near mint or used condition cars for collectors who truly appreciate them.
They will usually wrap them nicely in clear wrapper hence if you need to check feel free to ask for the staff assistance. I purchase a TLV boxset without checking and it came loose after i removed the wrapper:(
Lastly enjoy and once again thanks for visiting!
