# Going to Japan for the first time. Where should I go for tcg? **URL:** \ **Category:** Question\ **Tags:** japan, advice\ **Created:** [September 4, 2024, 9:55pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192 "2024-09-04T21:55:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lazershark2012](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/lazershark2012/32/249409_2.png) [@lazershark2012](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/lazershark2012)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 9:55pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/1 "2024-09-04T21:55:30Z")
What are affordable card shops I should visit? Will be at the Tokyo area. I will appreciate the information. Notice the topic was done 2017. They must have new shops now. If not I apologize for making this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Will](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/will/32/223509_2.png) [@Will](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Will)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/2 "2024-09-04T22:07:44Z")
Not sure if you buy directly from Japan online today, but a note to temper any expectations of finding great deals, especially in Tokyo. With the rise of grading in Japan, and in general how things have been going the past few years, shops look to align their prices with what they could sell for online. Here is a recent example, but you should check out @genchiro’s threads on their recent travels. > [@My Japan trip. Cards I bought and summary](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/my-japan-trip-cards-i-bought-and-summary/50183): > > Good news, everyone! I finally found the time to write my post about the Japan trip, and I’m excited to hear what you all think. As you’ll soon see, I bought a bit fewer cards this time. This is because I realized after the first half of the trip that the prices weren’t as good as they were last year, and it just wasn’t worth visiting so many shops anymore. All in all, I still visited over 150 stores, and the cities I went to were Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe, and Mito. But the best part of the … ---
**Author:** ![lazershark2012](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/lazershark2012/32/249409_2.png) [@lazershark2012](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/lazershark2012)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/3 "2024-09-04T22:26:08Z")
thank you. will read this at the gym why I am on the treadmill ---
**Author:** ![Will](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/will/32/223509_2.png) [@Will](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Will)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 10:45pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/4 "2024-09-04T22:45:31Z")
Good plan, here’s the other most recent > [@Oops, I did it again](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/oops-i-did-it-again/49268): > > Oops, I did it again I played with the cards, got lost in Japan Well, I am back on another trip to Japan. Since this will be the last trip in the foreseeable future I wanted to make the best out of it and enjoy it with you guys. I found around 200 new shops to visit and wanted to share my experience with you. As always. Did you find any bargains I’ve missed? What are the most interesting cards to you? Enjoy slight_smile ---
**Author:** ![lazershark2012](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/lazershark2012/32/249409_2.png) [@lazershark2012](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/lazershark2012)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 10:55pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/5 "2024-09-04T22:55:03Z")
😁🫰 thank you ---
**Author:** ![eeveeteam](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/eeveeteam/32/2219_2.png) [@eeveeteam](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/eeveeteam)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2024, 11:10pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/6 "2024-09-04T23:10:31Z")
Others mentioned the price in shops = price online for Westerners. But, availability might only be in Japan shops. Such as some hard to find Unlimited cards or promos. I’d prioritize trying to find cards you can’t find online ---
**Author:** ![DarthEevee](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/dartheevee/32/219955_2.png) [@DarthEevee](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/DarthEevee)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 1:04am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/7 "2024-09-05T01:04:20Z")
Echoing what others have said here. Actually when I was there last year I was surprised at how UN affordable some shops were. Selection, sure. Found some niche things that are difficult to find online. But don’t expect to find crazy steals. The optimal thing might be if you’re looking for current gen cards, you might find them for better price than online because of shipping. But for anything older, I wouldnt expect a lot. If you’re into things other than cards, you might have a better time with deals. I found a few model kits that were prohibitively expensive stateside for inexpensive. ---
**Author:** ![lazershark2012](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/lazershark2012/32/249409_2.png) [@lazershark2012](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/lazershark2012)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/8 "2024-09-05T01:45:35Z")
I’m looking for modern or anything from 2010-2020 era. because that is the era i stop collecting sadly. missed out on a lot sadly. Grab some promos also. ---
**Author:** ![milhouse](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/milhouse/32/326_2.png) [@milhouse](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/milhouse)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 2:21am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/9 "2024-09-05T02:21:00Z")
Card shops are everywhere at the moment. You can’t shake a california roll without hitting a card shop in the hotspots. Granted, a majority of them are only really peddling the most recent modern (as in SV and whatever else has been reprinted) with some token massively overpriced WOTC era and ex era stuff. The bigger shops with the most turnover are going to be the best bet to actually find things you want, but the price you will need to pay is going to generally be far over what you’d find it for online. Radio Kaikan, despite being the tourist hub that it is, is genuinely still a great place to actually find rare cards. But you have to be willing to crowbar open your wallet if you want to buy them and not just see them. ---
**Author:** ![pfm](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/pfm/32/254328_2.png) [@pfm](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/pfm)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 6:24am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/10 "2024-09-05T06:24:51Z")
IMO every second I spent in a card shop while I was in Japan felt a bit like wasted time. Check out a few but prioritize actually fun things on your trip instead of just making it irl mercari. I recommend this: [84tour](https://what.tokyo/84/84tour/what_is_84/) ---
**Author:** ![koala](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/koala/32/1805_2.png) [@koala](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/koala)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 6:36am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/11 "2024-09-05T06:36:39Z")
okJLUV made several videos of his Japan cardstore journeys over the past year if you want additional perspective. So much of Japan is exposed to the world thanks to social media, and everyone is basically looking for the same (or different) things at the same places [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/hd6SvFU-FDo/maxresdefault.jpg "The Reality of Pokemon Card Stores in Osaka, Japan") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd6SvFU-FDo) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8jXRFuxC6ps/maxresdefault.jpg "The Reality of Japanese Pokemon Card Stores") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jXRFuxC6ps&t=105s) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/AsDYpLJVbzw/maxresdefault.jpg "I Found Japan's BEST Pokemon Card Store") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsDYpLJVbzw) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/NWiBQ60e0wY/maxresdefault.jpg "I found a SECRET Pokemon Card Shop in Japan") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWiBQ60e0wY) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/3IFMcWl6StU/maxresdefault.jpg "The BEST Pokemon Card Store in Kyoto") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IFMcWl6StU) ---
**Author:** ![shamemate](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/shamemate/32/678_2.png) [@shamemate](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/shamemate)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 8:27am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/12 "2024-09-05T08:27:44Z")
I have been in Japan for the lasy 3 weeks, and visited over probably like 50 TCG Stores across Tokyo alone. In my hunts, i have been searching for High End / Vintage. Best Store Locations: - Ikebukuro - Akuhabara The rest of Tokyo locations are limited amounts of stores like Shibuya & Shinjuku. But they have 1 or 2 decent ones worth checking. Cash is a must for a lot of the stores. So make sure to have plenty haha. A lot of the higher end stores only stock PSA10 not 9 or below. Dont only listen to Google or Forums, keep ur eyes open when in Akihabara and Ikebukurom As ive found stores that have 0 mentions online. Edit: I would recommend checking BookOff stores as they are like treasure chests. Some will have some really cool shit, some will have nothing xD (I literally found a Rayqauza Poncho Box in a store)… They can be crazy. ---
**Author:** ![lazershark2012](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/lazershark2012/32/249409_2.png) [@lazershark2012](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/lazershark2012)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 2:34am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/13 "2024-09-06T02:34:32Z")
Just followed them on Instagram. need to pass by. looks really interesting. ---
**Author:** ![lazershark2012](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/lazershark2012/32/249409_2.png) [@lazershark2012](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/lazershark2012)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 2:35am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/14 "2024-09-06T02:35:01Z")
I am a Magmar collector. lmao so i most likely be lucky. lol. ---
**Author:** ![lazershark2012](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/lazershark2012/32/249409_2.png) [@lazershark2012](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/lazershark2012)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 2:35am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/15 "2024-09-06T02:35:31Z")
Thank you soo much. just sub. still watching them. ---
**Author:** ![Pokillionaire](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/pokillionaire/32/221012_2.png) [@Pokillionaire](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Pokillionaire)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2026, 11:56am UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/16 "2026-04-05T11:56:55Z")
> [@koala](#): > > The Reality of Japanese Pokemon Card Stores I love this series! AmirCollects also has a great Japan series on YouTube ([https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgEm25qj2xk&t=1960s](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgEm25qj2xk&t=1960s)) that I would recommend to watch if you want to research shopping for cards in Japan. I used all these videos and resources to create my own 301 shop itinerary during my own Japan trip. It felt amazing to write up my notes and reviews of the best shops into one guide so that my friends don’t have to waste time and money on tourist traps ---
**Author:** ![Parallax](https://efour.b-cdn.net/user_avatar/www.elitefourum.com/parallax/32/197209_2.png) [@Parallax](https://www.elitefourum.com/u/Parallax)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2026, 1:12pm UTC](https://www.elitefourum.com/t/going-to-japan-for-the-first-time-where-should-i-go-for-tcg/50192/17 "2026-04-05T13:12:28Z")
No card packs at all at PokeCentre Tokyo as of yesterday. The worst prices I’ve ever seen at various LCSs these past few weeks. Genuinely cheaper to buy online and eat the import taxes. The dream of finding hidden gems is over. A few photos taken yesterday below for current comedy pricing. The only thing I’ve seen anywhere “sealed” is M4 Ninja Spinner loose packs. I have many more images with current pricing over the past couple of months / years, but didn’t want to spam. If there is an interest, let me know. To be honest, I’m surprised PokeCentre Tokyo was even open, so soon after the murder. ![IMG-20260328-WA0008](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/e/1/7/e17efdf27a2c97f9eb7bdaeed5a11424da697132.jpeg) ![IMG-20260328-WA0011](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/1/d/0/1d005b15879998c52229d46dca4f2e3403ea7c7f.jpeg) ![IMG-20260328-WA0021](https://efour.b-cdn.net/uploads/default/original/4X/8/8/7/887efbfefccb6df5942bfcd99636f66ddae62dfc.jpeg)