Nakano Broadway
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47)
Fri 2006/05/19 22:48
Been living in Tokyo for many years and only recently learnt that Nakano Broadway was another Otaku heaven. Heard much about the place so thought I would go along to see what the fuss was all about.
This is the shopping arcade leading up to the huge Nakano Broadway shopping mall - its just outside Nakano stations North exit (JR Soubu line). Unless you have two red hot steel rods stuck in your eyes, you cant miss it.
Nakano Broadway has 4 floors where the second and third are filled with Audio, darts, adult dvd, army wear, idol posters, figurines and a ton of other otaku gear. Its more likely that you'll find some of that rare stuff that you're looking for here rather than Akihabara.
This is the shopping arcade leading up to the huge Nakano Broadway shopping mall - its just outside Nakano stations North exit (JR Soubu line). Unless you have two red hot steel rods stuck in your eyes, you cant miss it.
Nakano Broadway has 4 floors where the second and third are filled with Audio, darts, adult dvd, army wear, idol posters, figurines and a ton of other otaku gear. Its more likely that you'll find some of that rare stuff that you're looking for here rather than Akihabara.
One thing you'll find a lot of is cosplay stuff - here are some Kasumi, Aries and Escalayer goodies. The Kasumi costumes cost 23,400 yen.
MANDARAKE is a chain of stores which sell tons of Manga and Figures. MAN is from MANGA (漫画(まんが)) and DARAKE (だらけ) means "lots of" or "all over the gaff".
Many of the MANDARAKE stores sell second hand figures - some of them being very rare indeed. You will find many MANDARAKE stores in Nakano Broadway - each store catering for different areas like robot figures, manga only and what have you.
This is the second floor map and this is the third - notice all the shops with the word "Toy" or "おもちゃ" (toy) in them.
Many of the MANDARAKE stores sell second hand figures - some of them being very rare indeed. You will find many MANDARAKE stores in Nakano Broadway - each store catering for different areas like robot figures, manga only and what have you.
This is the second floor map and this is the third - notice all the shops with the word "Toy" or "おもちゃ" (toy) in them.
Another MANDARAKE full of toys n stuff.
I forgot who this robot is (its on the tip of my tongue) but it had a "NO PHOTOS" label on its chest so I couldn't resist. There was also a "DO NOT TOUCH" label too but was surprised that they didnt have a "DO NOT EAT" label too.
This is a shop with rental cabinets. What you do is rent a shelf in one of these cabinets and pay the shop owner rental fee of X yen per week/month. You then fill it with whatever you want to flog. Each item has a label on it so that people who want to buy your stuff can go to the shop owner and say "I want E-39" which is item 39 in space "E" (just an example). The shop keeper then informs you that you have made a sale and you go and pickup the money at your leisure. Goes without saying that if you dont sell anything, you still have to pay for the cabinet rental space.
Depending on where you go, you will see these filled with Idol, hentai or other rare figures and stuff that people will pay a bomb for.
Depending on where you go, you will see these filled with Idol, hentai or other rare figures and stuff that people will pay a bomb for.
Another shop full of figures. Prices vary so make sure you do a round of all the shops before you decide to buy. I did see some rare figures that you wouldn't have a hope in hell finding at Akihabara.
Another MANDARAKE. Looks big on the outside but the shop is about a meter wide on the inside!
Very common to see these collection figures sold as a set for a tad more than you would usually pay.
More figures...
If you're an old timer like myself, you would remember these from the good ol days - Nintendo first generation games.
More cosplay costumes at MANDARAKE.
More...
More costumes with the "NO PHOTOS" label...
As soon as I took this, a lady came up to me screaming - "Oi! No photos. Can you please erase that ?" I was like "Eh? Er yeah right."
I'm still trying to figure out why the folks in Japan (in general) are so stuck up when it comes to taking photos.
As soon as I took this, a lady came up to me screaming - "Oi! No photos. Can you please erase that ?" I was like "Eh? Er yeah right."
I'm still trying to figure out why the folks in Japan (in general) are so stuck up when it comes to taking photos.
One the way home taken at Shinjuku station - cutie Kaho.
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Sun 03/19 00:34 comments (10)
eddie in Tokyo
To be honest, there's something I don't like about this place when compared with Akiba. True, some of the things are more rare here... but I don't think I will visit again. Dunno what my problems is, though...
(ID #37133) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Leo in San Francisco
Sweet, another place to plan a visit. Maybe I can find some Patlabor figures. Those are some really great pictures for a camera phone. Didn't that one just come out?
(ID #37134) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
berNERD in Philippines
that robot, that was on the tip of your tongue... is it Gigantor?
(ID #37135) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Shadow figure tat lurks in Asia
hey that blue robot is Tetsujin 28 (鉄人28号) ~!
(ID #37138) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Wildarmsheero in USA
I read about this in Patrick Macias' "Cruising the Otaku City." I'll be sure to stop by when I inevitibly visit Japan.
(ID #37141) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Huk in SG
For me, I like your reports on Japan and its events, culture and so on as these are harder to find over the net. Maybe one day I shld spend more time browsing ard the gaijin sites you posted earlier on.
(ID #37143) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Chopper Dave in Medford, Oregon
What about Gundam stuff? Does this place have any more then Akihabara does? If so then that makes 2 places to go to when I visit Japan...at some unknown point in my life T.T ^_^
(ID #37144) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Matfei in Australia
Hehe, same Chopper Dave; must keep this place in mind for when i get around to goin over there... someday :P Ive never heard of more than one store in a chain in a single shopping complex... Looks like theyve got too much merch to just have a single store, huh? :) Cheers for sharin Danny!
(ID #37145) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Yokoshima in SF Bay Area
Went there once, never again. I spent way too much money than I should have.
(ID #37148) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Andy H in Birmingham, UK
Excellent post! Brings back those memories! I didnt know about Nakano broadway until halfway through our stay when my mate mentioned it. We went on a whim, and was pretty shocked at how damn big it was! It was bizzare to find lots of old fashioned shops selling trinkets, clothes and herbal remedies, and seeing a cosplay shop right next to it! Spent lots of money on figures that day. Pity you couldnt take any pics of the inside of the mandarake classic store - its like a museum in there! You did well to take the pics that you did though - every shop had no photo signs.... More!
(ID #37149) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
SbebiWan in Paris, France
I note the adress for my next trip in Japan :D
(ID #37151) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Sector 6 Slum in Midgar
man, i wish i was living in japan! but i'll probably go broke in the first week there!
(ID #37153) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Eldon in America
Awesome pics Danny. I wish I could see it in person. Maybe someday :(
(ID #37155) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Ray in in a box
whoah, i first read it as naked broadway then only did i realize it's nakano... ah, a taste of japan.. *bliss* wierd: photo taking ban... hmm
(ID #37156) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Eric Houn in California
hahaha what a coincidence! when i was in japan last summer i visited that place. your pictures bring back good memories :)
(ID #37160) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
KayJay at toybot studios in SF, CA
Danny, another cool post giving us poor state-side folks the experience of shopping in a Japanese toy mall! man, got to get back over there...soon!!
(ID #37161) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
TIE_Defender2nd in Vancouver, Canada
wow... this is some sweet place to visit indeed :D lol the coplay costume of rei ayanami in the 12th pic looks too inaccurate XP, but other stuffs are really kool.
(ID #37162) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Chaos Incarnate in Pasco, WA, USA
Dude, that place looks like way too much fun.
(ID #37164) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Soul3ss in San Francisco, CA
I definitely have to put this on my 'places to go before I die' list. Though I may have to sell an arm and a leg just to have extra money to spend there, lol.
(ID #37174) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Don of NYC in UK
More likly these costumes is against the Copyright or something. But still they should be happy, because Danny advertise their's products for free!
(ID #37178) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Marcus in Long Beach, California
This place looks like a dream i had one night.... i think i'll go back to sleep =P
(ID #37183) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
luperry in Toronto
this is somewhere I'm definitely gonna go when I go to Japan... along with Akihabara...
(ID #37215) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Phil Lee in Chapel Hill, NC
As mentioned, several of the Mandarake shops in Nakano Broadway are practically museums unto themselves. The retro figure shops are astonishing, but my personal favorite was the store dedicated to old manga magazines. The main area of the store had complete runs of magazines avaialble - ranging from early-70s shounen manga mags to the very first issues of Newtype - but the real draw was a small room off to the side that displayed items going back to the very first post-war manga. Astonishing. I was also very pleased to find a small music shop that sold vinyl and had a good selection of anime 7" singles. Okay, so they're not the most practical items in the world, but if I ever own a jukebox the Macross TV end theme is ready to go at a moment's notice. If you're going otaku shopping in Tokyo, consider Nakano Broadway a crucial stop.
(ID #37220) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Rich in San Francisco
I wonder, is there a 360 yen store out there? lol as i have been taught that 360 yen is approximate to a dollar...
(ID #37362) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
toyotageek in internet
I just got back from Japan. Visited Nakano Broadway and was amazed at all the stuff ... it was overload. I recommend it to anyone visiting the region! I scored a nice purchase at one of the Mandarake shops. You've got a great site - keep up the good work!
(ID #37697) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Gordon Pekeur in south africa -cape town-
wow, that place looks great!! I love rare figures (but who doesnt) those costumes look cool to, My GF will love the Chun Li one!! I hope I can go there one day .... with GF supervision of course, so I dont end up spending all our travelling money!! hehehe...... =)
(ID #40597) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
Jollyaard in Norway
I was in Tokyo earlier this year for 2 weeks, and in that time ended up in that place 4 times!!!!! When you're there it's like a maze - you need to approach every shop from every angle to spot all the interesting stuff. Going back again next year, and I bet i'll be in there just as much again -_^
(ID #42034) Posted on 2007/01/02 02:35
deypherus
YES I SWEAR THAT NO PHOTO TAKING RULES OF JAPANESE IS IRKSOME FREAK. _|_ to that. when i went to ghibli window the stupid bitches there refused to let me take pictures of the beautiful stained glass. she said no taking of pictures inside. you can take outside, so i went to one of the windows, tried to take a picture of the interior and she came out to TRY to scold me. then i just said you said i can't take pictures inside but you didn't say i can't take pictures outside really fast in english. and shes like you can't take pictures from the outside of the interior. so i was super pissed. and she tried getting me to delete that REALLY blur picture of the inside taken from the stained glass window outside and im like WHATEVER. ignored her. I was pissed off for the rest of the day _|_ those stupid no photo taking rules but i still took most of the windows (sneakily) except those at the entrance where there were many people stationed there. urgh when i went to akiha i saw a lovely haruhi volks doll in bunny suit and wanted to take a picture but they didn't allow me. i pretended not to understand japanese, accidentally spoke in english and they replied using their typical japanese english that i tried to pretend that i couldn't understand. but she used her hands to do a cross sign to show the no sign -_-;;; should have spoken in chinese !!
(ID #47105) Posted on 2007/04/27 17:21
eddie in Tokyo
To be honest, there's something I don't like about this place when compared with Akiba. True, some of the things are more rare here... but I don't think I will visit again. Dunno what my problems is, though...
(ID #79137) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Leo in San Francisco
Sweet, another place to plan a visit. Maybe I can find some Patlabor figures. Those are some really great pictures for a camera phone. Didn't that one just come out?
(ID #79138) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
berNERD in Philippines
that robot, that was on the tip of your tongue... is it Gigantor?
(ID #79139) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Shadow figure tat lurks in Asia
hey that blue robot is Tetsujin 28 (鉄人28号) ~!
(ID #79142) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Wildarmsheero in USA
I read about this in Patrick Macias' "Cruising the Otaku City." I'll be sure to stop by when I inevitibly visit Japan.
(ID #79145) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Huk in SG
For me, I like your reports on Japan and its events, culture and so on as these are harder to find over the net. Maybe one day I shld spend more time browsing ard the gaijin sites you posted earlier on.
(ID #79147) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Chopper Dave in Medford, Oregon
What about Gundam stuff? Does this place have any more then Akihabara does? If so then that makes 2 places to go to when I visit Japan...at some unknown point in my life T.T ^_^
(ID #79148) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Matfei in Australia
Hehe, same Chopper Dave; must keep this place in mind for when i get around to goin over there... someday :P Ive never heard of more than one store in a chain in a single shopping complex... Looks like theyve got too much merch to just have a single store, huh? :) Cheers for sharin Danny!
(ID #79149) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Yokoshima in SF Bay Area
Went there once, never again. I spent way too much money than I should have.
(ID #79152) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Andy H in Birmingham, UK
Excellent post! Brings back those memories! I didnt know about Nakano broadway until halfway through our stay when my mate mentioned it. We went on a whim, and was pretty shocked at how damn big it was! It was bizzare to find lots of old fashioned shops selling trinkets, clothes and herbal remedies, and seeing a cosplay shop right next to it! Spent lots of money on figures that day. Pity you couldnt take any pics of the inside of the mandarake classic store - its like a museum in there! You did well to take the pics that you did though - every shop had no photo signs.... More!
(ID #79153) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
SbebiWan in Paris, France
I note the adress for my next trip in Japan :D
(ID #79155) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Sector 6 Slum in Midgar
man, i wish i was living in japan! but i'll probably go broke in the first week there!
(ID #79157) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Eldon in America
Awesome pics Danny. I wish I could see it in person. Maybe someday :(
(ID #79159) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Ray in in a box
whoah, i first read it as naked broadway then only did i realize it's nakano... ah, a taste of japan.. *bliss* wierd: photo taking ban... hmm
(ID #79160) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Eric Houn in California
hahaha what a coincidence! when i was in japan last summer i visited that place. your pictures bring back good memories :)
(ID #79164) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
KayJay at toybot studios in SF, CA
Danny, another cool post giving us poor state-side folks the experience of shopping in a Japanese toy mall! man, got to get back over there...soon!!
(ID #79165) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
TIE_Defender2nd in Vancouver, Canada
wow... this is some sweet place to visit indeed :D lol the coplay costume of rei ayanami in the 12th pic looks too inaccurate XP, but other stuffs are really kool.
(ID #79166) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Chaos Incarnate in Pasco, WA, USA
Dude, that place looks like way too much fun.
(ID #79168) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Soul3ss in San Francisco, CA
I definitely have to put this on my 'places to go before I die' list. Though I may have to sell an arm and a leg just to have extra money to spend there, lol.
(ID #79178) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Don of NYC in UK
More likly these costumes is against the Copyright or something. But still they should be happy, because Danny advertise their's products for free!
(ID #79182) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Marcus in Long Beach, California
This place looks like a dream i had one night.... i think i'll go back to sleep =P
(ID #79187) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
luperry in Toronto
this is somewhere I'm definitely gonna go when I go to Japan... along with Akihabara...
(ID #79219) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Phil Lee in Chapel Hill, NC
As mentioned, several of the Mandarake shops in Nakano Broadway are practically museums unto themselves. The retro figure shops are astonishing, but my personal favorite was the store dedicated to old manga magazines. The main area of the store had complete runs of magazines avaialble - ranging from early-70s shounen manga mags to the very first issues of Newtype - but the real draw was a small room off to the side that displayed items going back to the very first post-war manga. Astonishing. I was also very pleased to find a small music shop that sold vinyl and had a good selection of anime 7" singles. Okay, so they're not the most practical items in the world, but if I ever own a jukebox the Macross TV end theme is ready to go at a moment's notice. If you're going otaku shopping in Tokyo, consider Nakano Broadway a crucial stop.
(ID #79224) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Rich in San Francisco
I wonder, is there a 360 yen store out there? lol as i have been taught that 360 yen is approximate to a dollar...
(ID #79366) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
toyotageek in internet
I just got back from Japan. Visited Nakano Broadway and was amazed at all the stuff ... it was overload. I recommend it to anyone visiting the region! I scored a nice purchase at one of the Mandarake shops. You've got a great site - keep up the good work!
(ID #79701) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Gordon Pekeur in south africa -cape town-
wow, that place looks great!! I love rare figures (but who doesnt) those costumes look cool to, My GF will love the Chun Li one!! I hope I can go there one day .... with GF supervision of course, so I dont end up spending all our travelling money!! hehehe...... =)
(ID #82601) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Jollyaard in Norway
I was in Tokyo earlier this year for 2 weeks, and in that time ended up in that place 4 times!!!!! When you're there it's like a maze - you need to approach every shop from every angle to spot all the interesting stuff. Going back again next year, and I bet i'll be in there just as much again -_^
(ID #84038) Posted on 1999/11/30 15:24
Necropost, but I just had to say that it took me like 30 minutes of walking all over Nakano to find the broadway. I had to ask like 3 people. Maybe there's something I was supposed to be looking for, but as far as I could tell I had to turn down a narrow alley to find the entrance.
(ID #171253) Posted on 2008/04/16 12:45
At first I thought there was some crazy otaku place on Broadway (in New York). As for "no pictures," it may have to do with some sort of copy right thing. Like they think if you take pics of their costumes you will use them as reference to make your own and therefore take business away. Maybe. That seems logical though. Also, I don't think I would want someone's used hentai.....
(ID #218515) Posted on 2008/06/21 13:26
Oh my god it's heaven!
(ID #218586) Posted on 2008/06/21 14:56
Student // Collector // Gaijin
Oh cool! I didn't know abotu this place...definately will go next time I'm in Tokyo.
(ID #218616) Posted on 2008/06/21 15:45
They way things are set up remind me of Chinatown...but still, awesome place to check out!
(ID #218630) Posted on 2008/06/21 16:20
Internets conquerereerererrere
Whenever I goto Japan I love hitting up Nakano broadway. You can find some great deals and prices there. It's mostly mandarake stores which I find is a good thing. I was a bit disappointed in tokyo's new Mandarake store.
(ID #218680) Posted on 2008/06/21 18:23
Awesome, definite must visit when I got back next year!
(ID #218702) Posted on 2008/06/21 18:50
Dyslexic Social Studies student, struggling gundam modeler and gamer
WEEAh! Heaven on Earth!
(ID #218809) Posted on 2008/06/21 23:36
why so many cosplay stuff in there ,are there many people buy it,i seldom see this in my country
(ID #218876) Posted on 2008/06/22 02:07
shi° i'0ve never been in this placE! Next time i'll come to tokyo i've to go to nakano broadway!
(ID #218901) Posted on 2008/06/22 03:16
Part trooper, part -timer, 100% loser...
LOL hot steel rods stuck to the eyes... I soooo need to go here If I ever visit Japan...
(ID #218943) Posted on 2008/06/22 05:01
nice.....need to buy one of these cosplay for my girlfriend :D need to buy now :D ty for the post
(ID #219011) Posted on 2008/06/22 08:05
だいがくせい
think ive been there dont remember
(ID #219143) Posted on 2008/06/22 14:31
high school student
so this is the 2nd akiba
(ID #501079) Posted on 2009/02/25 05:16
hola como estan animeboy y animegears lastima que soy colombiano por aca no se ve esos trajes japoneses me uviera gustado ganarme un pasaje para japon ese siempre asido mi sueño por eso trabajo en mis dibujos esas fotos tubieron sogoy numca en mi vida vi tantos trajes de diferentes personajes y clases de manga estoy bien agradecido por el creador de esta wed les deseo un prospero ingreso asus stax% de producion perdone por lo del viaje fue que me alegre de encontrar esta pagina siempre me agustado sus crenecias sus religiones las tradiciones de japon perdonen por por escribir tanto es que quiero como espresar como soy no tengo amigos mis amigos son el anime y mis dibujos si me quieren conocer este mi msm (ruben-pallares@hotmail.com) gomeney arigato sayonara...... disculpen como consigo una guia para crear un traje de mis personajes preferidos
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