It's been two years since my last trip to Japan. All thanks to the pandemic miss a couple of diecast events and miss browsing for the retired Tomica, especially in the Tokyo region. Hence I make a diecast hunting compilation guide for all the collectors. Whether it's your first or consecutive visits to Japan after the pandemic is over. Many venues and top ten recommendation, so be sure to give a LIKE to bookmark this video. Google Map links to these venues and stores are below in my description. Japan is well known for its gachapon machines. If you arrive Japan through Narita Airport, you're in luck there are hundreds of Gachapon machines located in basement one and Minicars gachapon in Japan are rising in popularity. Apart from mini cars theme there's also many souvenirs, and it's Japan exclusive. Although most of these mini cars are in plastic, except for a few selective which are in diecast by Kyosho.
They're all fun to collect. And most importantly, a nice venue to kill your time. If you are waiting for departure, train to Tokyo. Apart from Narita, there's a new gachapon stone located in Sunshine City in Ikebukuro. Which is the largest in the world. So be sure to pay a visit. Next, the very impressive Autoart display located in Tokyo Station.
This is an old pre copy installation. Autoart has updated this display last year. The display are absolutely stunning. I don't really focus on large scale model car like one is 1/18. Which what Autoart is focusing on But been a diecast and model car lover, this is a must visit venue which is really an eye candy and it trigger an impulse to start collecting large scale cars. Even for a non collector, the display is absolutely instagrammable. Hundreds of large scale model cars are being displayed here. They're very impressive. I really like the initial D and Wangan Midnight among these display. And I'll certainly come here to take a look at the updated display when it's safe to travel again. Tomica shop is a must visit for all collectors. Even if you do not collect Tomica, just go for the experience and Tomica shop exclusive is really worth the trip. Apart from the red box Tomica premium and Tomica shop exclusive. The rest of the series, such as TLV, are generally more expensive than other hobby shops located in Tokyo, so be sure to just purchase the exclusive here.
You can look for other series in hobby shops in Tokyo. Which will give some discount. The Tomica shop selection is really insane. They go by seasonal, so it's great to grab a couple of exclusive back for your collectors friend or even for trade. Apart from main line, the selection is really wide But in Tokyo region is very tough to find the First color and I think that's apply to the whole of Japan. That's a better chances of finding First color in other parts of Asia.
And usually for First color ot Tomica shop esclusive, they have a limit of maximum of three pieces to prevent hoarding, so I think that's a very good practice. The TLV also has a very wide selection, but I think the price are on the higher side. I made the mistake in my first visit. I could save a lot more. However, if there's a TLV Takara Tomy Mall release, be sure to get it in Tomica shop. The factory assembly is a must purchase. Castings are seasonal, you can select the Tomica body, interior of your choice and the staff in Tomica shop will assemble right on the spot. It's really a fantastic experience and a perfect gift for your friends. Yodobashi is one of the best venue to get your diecast model cars or hobby kits. It's a Japan tax free shop prices are very attractive. This particular store is located in Akihabara. They have a wide range of diecast including the one from the Diapet.
Diapet are larger scale model cars in various scale I usually will come here to pick one or two of my favorite or getting them for my friends. The prices shown in Yodobashi are usually marked down less than other retail stores, and the great news is you can get a tourist rebate for certain amount spent. Their wide range of diecast. Regardless which category you focusing on bus, lorry, trucks or even patrol car. If you love to assemble model car in 1/24, this is the perfect venue for you. You just have to worry about your luggage space. The selection is very wide from our Aoshima to Hasegawa, Fujimi,, Tamiya and lots more. If you are lucky, you can also find hard to find model car kit such as the one from Western police. That's also a number of high end model car in large scale. Hi-Story is one of them as well as Kyosho, TomyTec, Ignition model and much more. AmiAmi in Akihabara is also one of the good venue to look for markdown prices, model cars and diecast.
You definitely be able to save a considerable amount of yen while shopping here rather than in Tomica shop. Tomica prize machine is also a very common sight. You can see in arcade centers and also in Tomica shop. This particular one is stacked like Jenga. And if you're lucky, they may collapse my most often they do not. My next recommendation will be at Yamashiroya toy store located in Ueno. This toy store is a blind spot in Ueno. You may just slip off your mind if you're going to the Ueno market, and this is also one of the store that you can find Tomica that have been so out elsewhere in Tokyo. And apart from that, they also has a very wide selection of model car kits ranging from different brands. And even if you never get anything, here is also a very good venue to fit your diecast crave. There's many level in Yamashiroya with various theme. And so this particular level comprises of diecast and model car, which is great.
There's a wide selection of paints and hobby tools which are highly encouraged to get while you're in Japan because it's very cheap. One thing you shouldn't get are the spray cans, because it can't go past the custom, so do not get that, but otherwise things like airbrush bottle paints, brushes, sandpaper are highly recommend to get and to stock them up. That's also a Hobby OFF located in Ueno. Hobby OFF stores are scattered all over Japan. You can find lots of retired Tomica here, although the prices in Tokyo are generally expensive. But if you're lucky, you may be able to find one that's to your liking. You can pick better Tomica selections at Hobby OFF stores that are located outside in other prefectures.
Hakuhinkan Toy Park located in Ginza, is also very good. Venue to look for diecast and model cars. Thay also have a pop-up store located at the Metropolitan building in Shinjuku and while you're in Ginza, you also don't want to miss the Tamiya Plamodel factory. If you love model kits and remote control cars, this is the ideal place for you. Lots of Tamiya model kits, Mini 4WD, RC and also hobby tools including exclusive such as T shirt in this hobby stores up for grab. Even if you don't buy anything, it's also a very nice experience while browsing the stores. One place not to be missed in Ginza is also the Nissan crossing. No model cars here, but a wide selection of 1/1 latest Nissan out on display and you can even go for a static test drive for selected Nissan or GT-R on display.
Nakano Broadway is the number one venue you should come to hunt for diecast. Located just next to Nakano station is very easy to find. A lot of nice food in the shōtengai concept and also many hobby stores and outlets for browsing. Many tourists and locals come here. To hunt for their Diecast majority are prices that are acceptable to tourists and if you know the resale prices well and know what you're looking for. You certainly will find a bargain for retired Tomica. I can easily spend an entire day here, and my advice is to come on weekends where all the stores are open and not on weekdays. The Tomica selection here are madness. There are hundreds of lockers.
Not just diecast. There are many selection here toys, Pokémon cards, collectables. Everything you need is just under one roof. Toys R Us is also very good venue to visit while you're in Japan. This particular store is located at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro. Apart from Tomica a wide range of selections here. They range from MINI GT, Majorette short cards that's in collaboration with Kabaya. Tomica in blister form. There's only exclusive to Japan. Just for your info, you can't find any first color while they are in blister form and apart from just Toys R Us you can even visit the Pokémon stores. or even visit the largest gachapon store in the world, which I haven't been to yet myself. Or if you are in Odaiba with your family or even by yourself looking for the Unicorn Gundam or the massive Gundam store the Toys R Us located here is also very nice venue to try your luck. Hot Wheels has become increasingly popular in Japan. Most of the latest Hot Wheels can now be found here other than the USA. The selections here are taken pre COVID. But now Toys R Us stock the latest Team Transport the Car Culture and the Premium series which are available to many collectors.
Of course, Tomica is the bread and butter across all the stores in Japan and is also the perfect venue for you to buy the Toys R Us exlusive Tomica. if you love Japanese nostalgic car, the Toyota History Garage is a venue not to be missed. Best of all, it's free entry for tourists. Here you can find a wide selection of model cars on display. That's also a hobby shop located inside. Apart from model cars, you can find many 1/1 such as this national treasure in Japan, and that's the iconic Toyota 2000GT. It's a very big venue, so you can easily spend like 2 hours here. Many iconic and unique nostalgic cars on display, so it's definitely a delight. And also a very wonderful memory. Toyota City in Mega Web is just across the Toyota History Garage.
Here you can find a wide selection of Toyota. 1/1 on display. and also a lot of model cars. The place is massive. Many people here during the pre COVID days especially in summer. There's even a venue for you to test drive the latest Toyota. The Wonderland is one of the event every collectors must visit at least once in your lifetime. This is a huge diecast and model car event held about three times per year during Spring, Summer and Winter.. I will include the link to the website down below in my description. The event hall is massive and hundreds of collectors mostly comprises of local Japanese will come here to hunt for diecast, including sellers. Majority of the retired diecast are Tomica that's made in Japan or made in China.
So if you love Tomica this is the ideal location for you. I can easily spend more than half a day or my entire day here. Just looking for diecast. The selections are really wide, your eyes really need to be sharp. This is a jungle with thousands of diecast and there is many hidden gems that's hidden among these. All these retired diecast come in crates and cartons. So there's many for you to browse through. So there's no card transaction. Just bear in mind you need to bring a lot of yen and this is where you easily fill up your empty luggage. If you come here to look solely Apart from Tomica, there's also a lot of large scale model cars and also model kits that are retired and very hard to find. Just keep looking at the dump bin because this is where you'll find your treasure. I bought quite a lot of TLV from this dump bin alone.
The prices are really attractive and one good thing about shopping in Japan. The boxes are usually pristine. In this venue, I come across many things I never see before in my life. So is really an eye opener. It's very tempting and is very difficult to walk away from here without buying anything. Last year I heard the capacity was about 1/3 during the pandemic and the Wonderland event isa must go venue for me when it's safe to travel again. The Nissan headquarters is also a very nice experience after the Wonderland. This is where the latest 1/1 Nissan are on static display is really a nice experience coming here and also a wide selection of Nissan model cars and diecast available in this speciality shop.
I got one of this Chrome GT-R while I am here which I haven't even opened it up yet for showcase. There's also a wide selection of Nismo model car that is exclusive to Japan in various scales for you to purchase after various recommendation here, my top ten selection while hunting for diecast in Tokyo, number 10 Tomica shop. This is where you come to get your Tomica shop exclusive as well as the factory model. Including the Takara Tomy Mall exclusive for TLV. Number 9 Ken Box located in Shinjuku. This is a very comprehensive model car shop that specialized majority in Tomica. It's a must visit if you are in the Shinjuku area. #8 Toys R Us Odaiba if you love Hot Wheels this is the venue for you. Hot Wheels are now increasingly popular in Japan. So high chances you may find what you want after looking at the Unicorn Gundam. #7 Hakuhinkan Toy Park a wide selection of diecast and model cars here at very affordable prices. #6 Tamt Tam Hobby shop located at the end of Akihabara.
If you are looking for premium model cars at an affordable price. This is the shop that you must visit while you're in Akiba. #5 Mini Car Shop GLOBAL. Although is quite out of the way, this is the store that house many gems. And if you know what you're looking for, you may find something that you really like. #4 II ADO company located in Ginza. The selection are really similar to minicar global mostly comprises of retired Tomica that's made in Japan or made in China. #3 Yamashiroya toy store in Ueno. This is the store that you may find the Tomica or TLV. That is usually sold out in other stores in Tokyo. That's really a wide selection here, and you wouldn't be disappointed.
#2, Yodobashi in Akiba and also other outlets in Japan. The prices are all marked down slightly lower than retail. Selection is wide and it's a Japan tax free shop. Electronic stores are usually the ideal location for me to check out diecast and model cars. And #1 is definitely Nakano Broadway. The feeling you get while browsing at Nakano Broadway is very similar to Wonderland. It's located just beside Nakano station. This is a jungle, hundreds of lockers for you to explore and to hunt. Although majority of the prices may not sit well with the locals. It definitely reasonate with the tourists. The prices are definitely better in eBay and that sums up my ultimate guide for diecast hunting. While you're in Japan. And remember to like the video to bookmark for your reference when we are all safe to travel again. You can find the Google map link to these venues down in my description below. Stay tuned for more features and remember to like share and sub to this channel.
Thanks everyone. Bye!.
