Tokyu Hands
Tokyu Hands is a blessing from the good lord for residents of Tokyo and visitors alike.
As a visitor to Tokyo when I was still back in ol Blighty, every year I would make sure a trip to Tokyu Hands was on the schedule. You can buy just about everything under the (rising) sun here. Everything from Gundams to bags, to clocks, accessories - anything.
For folks living here, Tokyu Hands is also the place to go for DIY stuff. have a look at this previous article on how I got materials from Tokyu Hands to make shelves for my figures.
I remember there being a few decent DIY stores in the UK - although I've long forgotten the names.
These pics were taken on the 2nd floor at the Shibuya Flagship store - a ton of fasteners needed for my armor.
Flexible metal rods useful for...something.
Ball bearings useful for tripping people up.
Steel rods useful for picking your nose.
Was going to pick up some of these metal plates and use em as a background for figure shoots - the light would shine through or something.
Rubber and plastic blocks of all shapes n sizes - got some to dampen the rattle on my armor.
More rubber stuff.
Use these to hang my Strike from the ceiling.
Polystyrene blocks - more expensive than the real thing ^^;
You can also get wood, fabrics, electronic diodes etc etc. Do drop by if you have the time. Get off at Shibuya station, walk down Center Gai and ask directions from there.
If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.
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Otaku
We used to have this place called Axeman, and they would sell all this kind of stuff, but I don't think they extist anymore. They also sold stuff for popular hobbies, like paints, models (no gundams though), doll stuff.
Student
All I need is rope, an excellent DIY tool I say
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5052/ropefq5.jpg
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
That's really convenient.
Service desk support
http://lookingglass.kokidokom.net
goddammit!!
A shop in japan which has everything I would need for making any model kit (save for paints). Man I wish i had a place like that instead of having to to to 3 different shops for stuff...
Gunpla Enthusiast
looks like the Japanese equivalent of Home Depot to me, DIY stuff rocks
Student
Yep we've got Home Depot and Rona over here in Canada for most of that stuff.
Post-Grad
http://www.ashper.co.uk
In the U.K we have B&Q for DIY stuff..... the big stores are full of everything you could possiblt want for any job around the home.
Still doesn't look as big as one of those stores
Overpaid Computer Nerd
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rboyett/
Tokyu Hands isn't really comparable to Home Depot or Lowes in the US. Yes, they are both DIY type stores but Home Depot and Lowes focus exclusively on home improvement. Tokyu Hands is more like a massive hobby store. A few of the floors focus on home improvement but the other floors focus on other hobbies. In the US we have many other hobby stores to take care of those things.
I guess the biggest difference can be made by the observation that you can walk into a Home Depot and buy EVERYTHING you need to actually build a house with your own hands (you can actually order houses at Lowes) Tokyu hands does not have that. They might have enough to do the trim work.
All that said, Tokyu hands is still one of my MUST VISIT places when I'm in Japan.
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
I need to go different shops to get different things but Tokyu Hands sure is convienient...
Student Of Japanese, in Japan
http://cutetwirler.blogspot.com
I LOVE Tokyu Hands! We have one in Nagoya and I go there often, just to mill about and see what's there. There's so much!!
Dropping computers, starting all over again at Journalism
http://xspblog.com
Yeah... Tokyu Hands. Where half the money I took to Japan stayed. :P
Yes, it has tons and tons of stuff for hobbysts, but it's not only that.
At least Tokyu Hands in Tokyo... I think there are 3 different stores, and I've been in all 3. Shibuya, Ikebukuro and another one.
Anyways, what really caught my attention was the toys/weird stuff session. Being a tourist and all, I wasn't interested in home supply, bags and other stuff... though they had all of it. Books, kitchenware, electronics, gardening supplies, etc etc etc
But I wish so much I had one of those near my place... we don't even have a decent hardware store around here. Nothing to help on DIY tasks.
Student, MSc AI with Robotics Student
I was in Tokyu Hands in Shinjuku, when I was in Tokyo at the end of march for two weeks this year. I was surprised how much stuff they sold!
Student, MSc AI with Robotics Student
Sorry my bad that should have been Shibuya! :X sorry!
Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
http://www.moeside.net/weblog
The real reason for Tokyu Hands
(Pardon the shoddy phone camera quality ^^;)
http://www.moeside.net/downloads/Pictures/tokyu1.jpg
http://www.moeside.net/downloads/Pictures/tokyu2.jpg
http://www.moeside.net/downloads/Pictures/tokyu3.jpg
Web Developer (i.e. Otaku)
http://www.brettb.com/TravelLog.Tokyo.asp
I spent hours in the Shinjuku branch. I bought some lovely wacky birthday cards in there that I've not seen in the UK, although I regret not buying the Yamanote Line alarm clock.
Student
http://www.limnick.com
Anyone in KL knows any shop like that here?
There are some DIY shops i know, but much much smaller than that
Japanese Student
http://japanqna.wordpress.com
Tokyo Hands... I could spend hours just going around and around and around it. So much stuff to see, buy and want. I've been to some branches out of Tokyo, too. It's where you go for anything.
Student, ACG Fans
http://modvisc.blogspot.com
Got, but the one i see not very big.
working to pay for figures etc.
http://spacejunq.deviantart.com/
Yes, Tokyu Hands is a goldmine. However I spent a long time in there looking for sticky parcel tape last time, (seems there are 748 different kinds of sticky tape in Tokyo), then found you can get the same stuff from 100 yen stores for less...I like the woodworking department where you can have wood cut and shaped to order. They used to have a model department but it closed some time ago.
Policy & Research Officer
http://www.alafista.com/
Ah shucks, we dun have a one stop shop for all these stuffs in singapore
Student
http://arudesu.animeblogger.net
OH my god. That place is like heaven for me. Too bad I can't go there =(
McMaster Mechanical Engineering & Management II
http://www.virtualinfusion.net/
I don't recall there being a store entirely themed with the "DIY" moto in mind here. Either way, I still get my hands on cool stuff like this just going to a couple places around me :). Though it'd probably be much more convenient to have it all in one place just like the store featured in this post :p!
Student
Now that really looks like a one stop shop. Sadly there's none of that resort where Iam. I usually have to go to several store to get all that i need. Sometimes not even getting all of it.
Student Engineer
http://www.tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/
Yes there are quite a few in Dutch Country (Pennsylvania). I have a kuzans right off the campus that I can get everything DIY for. They sell all sorts of stuff- wire, wood, crafts, etc. I get my stains for my wood bases from them (cheaper). They are quite convinient and I don't have to be in a crowded Wal*Mart. Power to Mom and Pop stores!!!
Design Consultant
Home Depot, and Lowe's. Maybe you have heard of them? We also have Ace Hardware, and a bunch of mom and pop stores. Since I fix stuff around the house a lot, and do my own electrical and plumbing work, this helps a lot. I think there are 734 DIY shops around my house in a one mile (1.60934 Kilometers) radius around my house. Hmm.. I might be exaggerating a little.
Design Consultant
Danny, the ball bearings are also good for throwing behind you when you are on a motorcycle and making holes in peoples radiators if they are driving waaaaay too close to you. Not a nice thing to do, but neither is letting them run me over. *insert evil laugh here*
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
man I wanna go back to japan again! I love Tokyu hands! :P
When I was staying at Ikebukuro, the tokyo hands had a pet shop type thingie near the top! And there's also a Nekobukuro where U pay to play with cats :P
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
DRAGUN = Modern ninja (using ball bearing isntead of caltrops) with a Halibut on his banner. ;)
Design Consultant
Odd you should mention Halibut. Since they are like Kryptonite to Ninjas. Little known fact there. Share it, spread it around.... its okay, you can have it. Its yours. I dont even want credit.
I guess riding a black motorcycle, with black leathers and a black helmet do make me look ninja-ish. Especially because I always have a katana strapped to my bike. GROWL!
student
http://animesugoi.animeblogger.net/
We have home depot and city mill here that have a ton of diy items, though you can always ask them to do the work for you for a fee.
Marketing Research
If I walk into a Tokyu Hands, before I know it it's dark outside and my wallet is empty...
4th Year Business Economics Student
I have some DIY stores in my city, both big and small stores. Besides that, there are even bigger DIY stores in a nearby city. I myself am not really a DIY guy, so these stores hardly see me. ^^"
Something to do with cars
http://bvc100.blogspot.com/
In Malaysia, these sort of shops/stores are usually referred to hardware shops/stores. There are small ones like only a shoplot big (but sometimes these small shops stocks up stuff that the bigger ones don't have), usually owned by an old guy and his family members. there should be at least one in a given residential area. then there's the bigger store type. ever heard of ACE Hardware anyone?
Animation
http://clockworkmachina.com
i love tokyo hands! you can buy everything under the sun. its much more clean then the cluttered don quixote.
.NET/Web Developer
http://scrumptious.animeblogger.net
We have some around here but they're pretty average. Still missing a few stuff that I'm looking for but I don't do a lot of DIY stuff.
Illustrator & Designer
http://www.knight-edge.com/
I was lucky enough to pop into a Tokyo Hands once when I was in Tokyo and I picked up some zip tones and full background scenes to use for manga making!
Nothing like that here and as someone already mentioned below, all we have is a hardware supplies warehouse chain called Bunnings that mainly aimed at backyard handymen stuff rather than hobbyist in us all.
High School Graduate... Now what?
http://djet0.deviantart.com/
Wow, this is definitely more handier than he OSH down the street. It sure beats having to buy off the net too... Bummer.
CG artist, Sunrise Emotion
http://halcyonrealms.com
There's just so much to see in Hands. I frequent it and Kinokuniya quite often when I am in Shinjuku.
student
http://jk-pictureaweek.blogspot.com/
yea i visited tokyu hands when i was in japan from 23 - 30 nov. was at the takashimaaya at the JR station and one level had tokyu hands and i visited it :D
But danny you openned a shop? I spoted this when i was around the asukusa kanon temple
http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc0271pb9.jpg
Project Manager
in SG you can find similar stores, much smaller in size, Sim Lim Square has got a few...
Sysadmin
http://blogger.xs4all.nl/kajcom
Oh yeah. Tokyu Hands is the shit when it comes to just about anything DIY and then some.
Love to snoop around there, getting ideas for casemods and things around the house.
We have an ample supply of DIY-shops, but those are clearly focused on DIY stuff; building materials, lighting, paint, furniture and so on, but TH has more diversity. Our DIY-shops don't carry electronic parts; just the end product.
anime/cosplay events organizer
http://www.cosplay.ph
we also have some DIY shops here but not as wide ranged as Tokyu Hands.
i've never imagined that kind of shop exists where you can buy almost anything ^^
it's japan's Wal-Mart lolz XD
Student
Dang... I wish there was a shop like that then I wouldn't have to make all the things myself....
Daigakusei [Consular and Diplomatic Affairs]
http://dixinfernal.wordpress.com
oooh~ now that is what i call a man's store^^
Apple Computer Technician
Truly amazing store.. I spent alot of money and time in the Ikebukuro store.
Blue Suit Sapien with White Helmet
http://conrad501.wordpress.com/
Yes "Tokyu Hands"is the mecca of all DIY......i absolutely love that store...
Grocery Store Clerk
Looks great. Like an Ace Hardware.
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
been to the one at Ikebukuro love it! ^o^!
student
http://listlessink.wordpress.com/
Very useful stuff.