Anyone from Japan here?

Anybody who lives in Japan and know cool places to buy models, please write back.....

Hi,

I just got back from a recent trip to Tokyo and visited a store called Mr. Craft in Ebisu. I would say that this was automotive meca for anyone interested in Formula One and Modelling. 6 floors of formula 1 memorabilia/models die-cast and plastic/magazines and books (albeit in Japanese) and just loads and loads of things that would be interesting to any scale automotive enthusiast.

Although I must admit the floors are relatively limited in actual floor space there is more stuff packed in that store that has convinced me to go back to Japan-Tokyo A.S.A.P.!

Also visited some other stores around Tokyo - best one other than Mr. Craft was Sakuraya Hobby Khan, relatively tricky to find in Shinjuku, well worth it for its range as-well...www.mrcraft.co.jp

My biggest regret (although not strictly a plastic model) was a 1/18 scale Minichamps Porsche 956 (1983 LM winner) complete with Rothmans Markings (9800 yen) ...thought that because minichamps is a euro/american company?? that i'd wait till i got back to Australia to buy it - they dont know of the car - and were fairly adament that even if they eventually get it here theres no way it will have Tobaccy sponsorship - NNOOOOOO!!!!!

vladruz - no matter where you go in japan - if you see something you like BUY IT!!! ----> or you'll regret it for the rest of your life....or a few hours...depends on how much is going on in your life i suppose ;P

....hope my waffling has been helpful. :)

Me.

PS - Mr Craft is not a cheap shop - acctually didnt think that any of the shops were that cheap in Tokyo (but im not a local - so i probably missed the good ones) BUT - you do get to see S27 Etched parts and resin kits on the shelves - and stacks and stacks of aftermarket decals, etc etc....its the range and new stock that blew me away...

Hey thanks for reply...
Sakuraya Hobby Kan is the place i often go. I never heard of Mr. Craft, but I will try to find time to go there. In Japan there are more Gundam and Anime modeling stores rather than car modeling.
Anyway thanks againg for reply...
So no more people from Japan that hang-out here?

No worries vladaruz, sorry i couldnt be of more help - I hope this thread gets filled with all the Japanese local shopping secrets too - i'd love to know where the best deals are to be found.

If you do make it to Ebisu - the map i used to find mr. craft was this one http://www.mrcraft.co.jp/map.htm - it is relatively easy to find as far as shops in Tokyo go - good luck and happy model hunting.

Me.

PS - I agree too much Gundam and not enuff automotive models...It may be easier to stop being a car nut and start being a gundam nut (Bandai do make some amazing Gundam Models)!! :aus:

I spent 7 months in Okinawa, Japan. It was pretty much the same way except for one hoby shop had mainly cars and military stuff. That hobby shop is right off of the 58 by MCAS Futenma. I doubt this helps but if you ever go to Okinawa check it out.

Where exactly do you live?

Anyway, you can take almost a straight path from Sakuraya Hobby Kan to get to Yellow Submarine in Shinjuku. It's about 5 min walk. Yellow Submarine sell the first batch of new kits at 20% off.

Also, try Bic Camera in either Yurakucho, Ikebukuro or Tachikawa. They have car kits at 30% off. Yurakucho and Tachikawa stores have more kits than the Ikebukuro one.

Laox Hobby branch in Akihabara should have a good deal but I don't remember the discount rate off hand.

And of course, you shouldn't miss Mr. Craft in Ebisu. It's a dream place for all car modelers.

I live in Itabashi-ku. Its about 15 min by train to Ikebukuro and 30 min to Shinjuku. I never went to Yellow Submarine, cuz people say its not good. But I will go to Bic camera and Mr. Craft. Thanks for your recommendations.