I spent too long trying to get a figure out of a grabber in the Giga in Akihariba and then went to the little figure shop around the back (opposite KFC) and found the figure for sale - it was about ¥2,600 so with the money I spent on the machine it still ended up way cheaper than I would have been to get it on import back here. My GF wanted the little figure you caught on camera at 12:39 the Relax Time girl, but we saw it in DenDen and thought oh it'll be there when we go back and when we did it was gone, we never saw it in Tokyo - I literally rewound to check when I saw it here!! I do think you need to go to Korea next year! 😁
When I first went to Japan, I was so surprised how cheap some figures are compared to how much they're sold for abroad! I usually buy them because I have no skills at claw machines!
I love Nakano Broadway so much!! It was one of our first stops on my trip this past May. We went there mainly for Mandarake but finding the Haruya book store was so amazing!! Those little vintage goods shops and miscellaneous anime shops were also super fun to browse. Since most of it's indoors it's a great rainy day place. One of the floors has some really interesting gallery-style shops as well, so it's a good idea to walk around every corner and really investigate the entire building when possible! I can't wait to go back!
Outstanding Video you've made! Of all the UA-cam videos about Nakano Broadway, yours is the best because not only you have showed the several collectible stores inside but you also showed the outside. I have always wanted to know the different stores around Nakano Broadway from restaurants to merchandise stores. With your video I now know where to go eat good food and desserts! Thanks!
Aww that's very kind of you, thank you! There's so much at Nakano Broadway - it's always fun to explore and see what you find. Glad you won't miss all the food options in the basement level!
The alley on the East side of Sun Mall are packed full of amazing restaurants. Last time we were in Japan, we stayed in a Nakano airbnb because we like the neighborhood and food so much. The food inside of Nakano Broadway is great for grocery shopping, but the food outside in the alley is much better. Also, there are coin lockers in the East alley that do not fill up, unlike the station lockers that fill up quickly. Great for storing luggage and things you buy.
On my first trip to Japan, my fiancé and I visited briefly one night and didn't get to see much of the mall but we loved it so much we shifted around our plans for a later day to get to see the whole mall in detail. We got some amazing stuff there and it was one of our favorite places we visited during the trip! We're now planning our second trip as the honeymoon and will definitely hit up Nakano Broadway again. Thanks for the video Amy!
@@cakeswithfaces this time we're not 100% sure yet. We're gonna spend some time in Tokyo again. We got your guide book for last trip and got the Kickstarter cards for this one. We also want to spend some time in a more chill town in a nice ryokan but have no idea where yet.
@@cla57887 Thanks so much! I'd highly recommend Kinosaki Onsen: ua-cam.com/video/Idz3Pc_BorI/v-deo.html You can get to it on a direct train from Kyoto/Osaka. If you're not going to that region, Shibu Onsen seems like a similar set-up with several bath houses to visit, or Kusatsu is grorgeous too!
The first time I ever saw a video of Nakano Broadway I had the strongest sense of deja vu. Maybe it reminded me of the smaller, older malls that were around when I was younger? Anyway I think the fact that it's a bit dark and shabby gives it its charm. It's high on my list to visit when I finally make it to Japan!
That's interesting! It does have a slightly dated feel, but you're right, that is it's charm! It'll be interesting to see how you feel when you go there in real life.
I absolutely got the bug o after travelling couple of times to japan exploring the wonderful culture and delights of japan cant wait to return for a month long tour!😍
@@cakeswithfaces i hired a car last time really enjoyed the wonderful scenery as i drove down to mount fuji area! so I do plan on hiring a car for a couple of weeks and driving to more remote locations driving from Narita to Osaka one way then flying to okinawa for the last part of the holiday!
The WATCH SHOPS! I couldn't believe how many were there. I didn't really like Nakano Broadway but I'm beginning to think we went on a day when everything was closed.
Loved Nakano Broadway when I went to Japan for the first time last year. Will be visiting again next year so splurged on your cards and book on Kickstarter
Most of the trip is vaguely planned. Did most of the big touristy things last time. Doing a bit more wandering and exploring this time so hopefully we'll find some things that we didn't know our hadn't thought of
@@cakeswithfaces Agreed! We do rent an apartment, although not through Airbnb. It’s directly through the rental company’s website. Although I do believe they may be on Airbnb. The Kera shop in LaForet did have some old Kera magazines for sale when I was there earlier this month. I bought 3 to add to my collection. I’m not sure if you saw it, but there is a Gothic Lolita dictionary that just came out. It was sold out at the Kera shop and all the bookstores I checked.
@@cakeswithfaces we’re leaving on March 10 and coming back home on March 26… it would be nice if they’re blooming early. Either way, I’ll be excited just to head back to Japan.
Amy. You found a classic figure like Martel from 'Galaxy 🌌 Express 999'. One of these days including Princess Aurora from 'StarZinger'. I will visit very soon.
Hi Amy, I had never heard of Nakano Broadway before, and even though I am not really into shopping, this looks like a really cool place. So thanks a lot for sharing, this is another great video ! One question though: I have a phobia of escalators. I know, sounds idiotic, but thats the way it is. I assume that there are also "normal stairs" and/or elevators at Nakano Broadway ?
Yes, there are stair and elevators. The stairs are actually the best way to see everything, because not every lift/escalator stops at all floors. It's definitely different from a regular shopping mall! :-)
Thanks a lot for your answer. My time in Tokyo on our next trip to Japan is limited to 3 days, and I have ideas for about 10 days ;-). Luxury problem of course. Just out of curiousity, if you had to choose from the below mentionned places (in random order), which ones would you choose ? - Harry Potter Studios - TeamLab Borderless - TeamLab Planets (if the new attractions are there) - having lunch in a Ninja restaurant - the biggest Gachapon store of the world in Sunshine City - Nakano Boulevard - day trip to Yokohama, to visit the ramen museum and Chinatown - the food market & food bath near Toyosu fish market
@@swissfoodie3542 It depends what you're interested in, but personally I'd pick TeamLab Planets - the expansion's due to open "early 2025". If the expansion's not open, TeamLab Borderless. You'll probably see gachapon around anyway, in arcades, etc, and especially if you go to Harajuku. Toyosu is only a stop away on the train, so you could easily pop to that too - I'd really only go there for the free footbath as you can find excellent food everywhere! It's open late and the view's lovely in the evening.
I never really considered Nakano but it looks like such a lovely vibe, especially in the side streets at the end of the video and that cake looked delicious! You might not know and it might not be your area of expertise so apologies for asking if so, but since it looks kind of an old-japan area and I saw a few clothes shops around there, I’m hoping to buy either jinbei pajamas or samue for house clothes, but been struggling to find suggestions online aside from Asakusa which I’d prefer not to visit again (of all the places we went in Tokyo it seemed, at least to me, the most overwhelming touristy area). Any thoughts?
Asakusa's very crowded around Senso-ji so that's understandable! I don't know much about jinbei and samue, but it seems like you could get them here - they have a specialty shop for them in Ueno: fujikiyakimono.com/jinbei-samue/
really like the place. Akiba is great but its alot of walking to visit all the places. you can easily lose time Nakano and still see all the shops and get a feel for them. hoping to visit again and also Iikebukuro mega anime store next visit. that arcade really is a TARDIS. it looks like a tiny one with 2-3 entrances but it runs the length of the complex and plenty of games there. feels like you are entering a secret arcade when there. funny enough here in pointe-claire montreal there is a small strip mall 1 level near highway 20 that feels so very much like Nakano broadway. not many pop culture places in it but the vibes are nakano. one of the weirdest bars??? i found was Error 404 in Saga prefecture near Ogi station. no online presence or website. seems more scare than spiders bar.
There are so many places for anime fans to visit in Tokyo now, with Akiba, Nakano and so many new places in Ikebukuro! You don't get bored in Tokyo..! I love all the quirky little bars in Japan, especially when the owners go all-out, decorating them in really niche ways!
@@cakeswithfacesheck yeah, it does get tedious and boring after some time in Akiba to find all the interesting places. Nakano just serves it up in one convenient place for ya. funny enough, just did a google search, Error 404 is a night club. a bar wasnt too far off description.
My favorite spot in there - one of the Mandarake branches that sells vintage Japanese movie posters. Spent so much money there 😂
You must have made some great finds there!
Been there three times now and always finding something I missed. Also in the basement is a shop selling used kimonos! good quality and good prices!
Good tip! I think that must be the something I missed...! 😂
I spent too long trying to get a figure out of a grabber in the Giga in Akihariba and then went to the little figure shop around the back (opposite KFC) and found the figure for sale - it was about ¥2,600 so with the money I spent on the machine it still ended up way cheaper than I would have been to get it on import back here.
My GF wanted the little figure you caught on camera at 12:39 the Relax Time girl, but we saw it in DenDen and thought oh it'll be there when we go back and when we did it was gone, we never saw it in Tokyo - I literally rewound to check when I saw it here!!
I do think you need to go to Korea next year! 😁
When I first went to Japan, I was so surprised how cheap some figures are compared to how much they're sold for abroad! I usually buy them because I have no skills at claw machines!
I love Nakano Broadway so much!! It was one of our first stops on my trip this past May. We went there mainly for Mandarake but finding the Haruya book store was so amazing!! Those little vintage goods shops and miscellaneous anime shops were also super fun to browse. Since most of it's indoors it's a great rainy day place. One of the floors has some really interesting gallery-style shops as well, so it's a good idea to walk around every corner and really investigate the entire building when possible! I can't wait to go back!
Oh yes, Takashi Murakami's gallery and cafe are there - I must have missed them this time. It's a place you can go back to again and again!
Outstanding Video you've made! Of all the UA-cam videos about Nakano Broadway, yours is the best because not only you have showed the several collectible stores inside but you also showed the outside. I have always wanted to know the different stores around Nakano Broadway from restaurants to merchandise stores. With your video I now know where to go eat good food and desserts! Thanks!
Aww that's very kind of you, thank you! There's so much at Nakano Broadway - it's always fun to explore and see what you find. Glad you won't miss all the food options in the basement level!
Nakano again thank you always love seeing it here too and so much fun things to do still too 👏👏👏
There are lots of robot figures there too, that you might like!
Man, I could spend hours in Nakano Broadway. Such a gem that somehow isn't majorly touristy still. Great video!
It's a place you can go back to again and again!
The alley on the East side of Sun Mall are packed full of amazing restaurants. Last time we were in Japan, we stayed in a Nakano airbnb because we like the neighborhood and food so much. The food inside of Nakano Broadway is great for grocery shopping, but the food outside in the alley is much better. Also, there are coin lockers in the East alley that do not fill up, unlike the station lockers that fill up quickly. Great for storing luggage and things you buy.
Good tip! Nakano must have been a great place to stay, as you can get into the city so quickly.
On my first trip to Japan, my fiancé and I visited briefly one night and didn't get to see much of the mall but we loved it so much we shifted around our plans for a later day to get to see the whole mall in detail. We got some amazing stuff there and it was one of our favorite places we visited during the trip! We're now planning our second trip as the honeymoon and will definitely hit up Nakano Broadway again. Thanks for the video Amy!
Ah so glad you had time to give it a proper visit! Japan's a wonderful choice for your honeymoon - where will you be going in Japan this time?
@@cakeswithfaces this time we're not 100% sure yet. We're gonna spend some time in Tokyo again. We got your guide book for last trip and got the Kickstarter cards for this one. We also want to spend some time in a more chill town in a nice ryokan but have no idea where yet.
@@cla57887 Thanks so much! I'd highly recommend Kinosaki Onsen: ua-cam.com/video/Idz3Pc_BorI/v-deo.html You can get to it on a direct train from Kyoto/Osaka. If you're not going to that region, Shibu Onsen seems like a similar set-up with several bath houses to visit, or Kusatsu is grorgeous too!
I love "treasure hunting" in Nakano Broadway!
There is definitely something for Everyone there.
It really does feel like hunting! Lots of treasures to be found!
I will be there next Thursday! Can't wait!
Have a wonderful time!! 😸
The first time I ever saw a video of Nakano Broadway I had the strongest sense of deja vu. Maybe it reminded me of the smaller, older malls that were around when I was younger? Anyway I think the fact that it's a bit dark and shabby gives it its charm. It's high on my list to visit when I finally make it to Japan!
That's interesting! It does have a slightly dated feel, but you're right, that is it's charm! It'll be interesting to see how you feel when you go there in real life.
I absolutely got the bug o after travelling couple of times to japan exploring the wonderful culture and delights of japan cant wait to return for a month long tour!😍
I know that feeling!! A month long trip will be amazing. Where are you thinking of going to?
@@cakeswithfaces i hired a car last time really enjoyed the wonderful scenery as i drove down to mount fuji area! so I do plan on hiring a car for a couple of weeks and driving to more remote locations driving from Narita to Osaka one way then flying to okinawa for the last part of the holiday!
The WATCH SHOPS! I couldn't believe how many were there.
I didn't really like Nakano Broadway but I'm beginning to think we went on a day when everything was closed.
It's a unique combination - anime merch and watches! 😂
It is quite random having lots of shops closed in the middle of the week.
Nankano Broadway there in Japan 🇯🇵 looks beautiful here! Thanks for sharing, Amy & I'll put this on my to-do list when I visit soon!! ❤
It's always a fun place to spend an afternoon. You never know what you'll find!
Can’t wait to visit it one day 😊❤
Hope you can make it there one day! ✨
I really enjoyed watching your video.
Thanks so much, so glad you liked it!
Nice, thanks for showing this place :)
It's always a fun place to visit - you never know what you'll find!
Loved Nakano Broadway when I went to Japan for the first time last year.
Will be visiting again next year so splurged on your cards and book on Kickstarter
Thanks so much! There's a card for Nakano Broadway for sure. Hope they help with planning your trip!
Most of the trip is vaguely planned. Did most of the big touristy things last time. Doing a bit more wandering and exploring this time so hopefully we'll find some things that we didn't know our hadn't thought of
@@jablesek450 It's always good to try and do new things and explore new places each time.
I love this area, recommend visiting the store Gallery of Hakaba there if you are a big fan of Junji Ito
Thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks Amy!
Hope you enjoyed it!
That place looks amazing 🤩
You never know what you'll find there!
I should be going to Nakano Broadway next week so this video came at the right time 😁
Perfect timing! Have a great time there!
I can't wait to visit this place 😍. Thanks Amy 🫶
There are always lots of treasures to be found! :-)
Loved this area even if I did go on the day lots were closed. Did you see the insect snack vending machine? Lots of interesting options 😂
Haha, when I said there are great food options...! 😂😂
What a timing, we're headed over to that area today. Thank you!
Have a wonderful time! :-)
You are awesome. Great content and very entertaining. Love your videos.
Thanks so much, I spend way too long editing my videos so that means a lot!
Loved it, if you’re in Tokyo and visit Akihabara then you should also visit Nakano 💯
Definitely, they both have their strong points! :-)
We always stay in Nakano. I just love the neighborhood overall! Great video! Also, love the Kera magazine shout out. I so wish it would come back!!
Ah do you stay in an Airbnb there usually? I miss Kera - online fashion pics somehow aren't the same!
@@cakeswithfaces Agreed! We do rent an apartment, although not through Airbnb. It’s directly through the rental company’s website. Although I do believe they may be on Airbnb. The Kera shop in LaForet did have some old Kera magazines for sale when I was there earlier this month. I bought 3 to add to my collection. I’m not sure if you saw it, but there is a Gothic Lolita dictionary that just came out. It was sold out at the Kera shop and all the bookstores I checked.
@@lunastar8433 Ooh I'll look it up! Thanks for the rec!
8:29 Yes, you can spend so long looking at all the gachapon in that shop. I know because I have. Twice.
Hope you found some good gachapon!
Those racks of Persona merch in that Mandarake store, my wallet is preemptively crying more than a week before i fly out 😂
Haha, it's lucky there's a good rate for the yen at the moment!!
13:01 Cardcaptors cross Hello Kitty! That's great!
March 2025 can’t wait to return to Japan!
Exciting! Are you looking to catch the cherry blossoms or going before them?
@@cakeswithfaces we’re leaving on March 10 and coming back home on March 26… it would be nice if they’re blooming early. Either way, I’ll be excited just to head back to Japan.
@@Senor_Senpai You could look up spots for early-blooming sakura. I saw one or two in Shinjuku Park at the start of March.
Well, 8:18 starts the unintentional asmr section of the video
Haha, those crackling book/magazine wrappers outside the bookshop too...! 😂
Amy. You found a classic figure like Martel from 'Galaxy 🌌 Express 999'. One of these days including Princess Aurora from 'StarZinger'. I will visit very soon.
Hope you can find lots of treasures there!
Can you do a Kappabashi video? 😢
Already did! :-) ua-cam.com/video/iuYP_7j2V6w/v-deo.html
Hi Amy, I had never heard of Nakano Broadway before, and even though I am not really into shopping, this looks like a really cool place. So thanks a lot for sharing, this is another great video ! One question though: I have a phobia of escalators. I know, sounds idiotic, but thats the way it is. I assume that there are also "normal stairs" and/or elevators at Nakano Broadway ?
Yes, there are stair and elevators. The stairs are actually the best way to see everything, because not every lift/escalator stops at all floors.
It's definitely different from a regular shopping mall! :-)
Thanks a lot for your answer. My time in Tokyo on our next trip to Japan is limited to 3 days, and I have ideas for about 10 days ;-). Luxury problem of course.
Just out of curiousity, if you had to choose from the below mentionned places (in random order), which ones would you choose ?
- Harry Potter Studios
- TeamLab Borderless
- TeamLab Planets (if the new attractions are there)
- having lunch in a Ninja restaurant
- the biggest Gachapon store of the world in Sunshine City
- Nakano Boulevard
- day trip to Yokohama, to visit the ramen museum and Chinatown
- the food market & food bath near Toyosu fish market
@@swissfoodie3542 It depends what you're interested in, but personally I'd pick TeamLab Planets - the expansion's due to open "early 2025". If the expansion's not open, TeamLab Borderless. You'll probably see gachapon around anyway, in arcades, etc, and especially if you go to Harajuku. Toyosu is only a stop away on the train, so you could easily pop to that too - I'd really only go there for the free footbath as you can find excellent food everywhere! It's open late and the view's lovely in the evening.
I never really considered Nakano but it looks like such a lovely vibe, especially in the side streets at the end of the video and that cake looked delicious! You might not know and it might not be your area of expertise so apologies for asking if so, but since it looks kind of an old-japan area and I saw a few clothes shops around there, I’m hoping to buy either jinbei pajamas or samue for house clothes, but been struggling to find suggestions online aside from Asakusa which I’d prefer not to visit again (of all the places we went in Tokyo it seemed, at least to me, the most overwhelming touristy area). Any thoughts?
Asakusa's very crowded around Senso-ji so that's understandable! I don't know much about jinbei and samue, but it seems like you could get them here - they have a specialty shop for them in Ueno: fujikiyakimono.com/jinbei-samue/
How late are the shops open till ?
Opening hours vary by shop, but most are until about 8pm.
Love Nakano Broadway. Much better prices than Akihabara.
It's fun to visit both, but buy stuff mainly in Nakano if you can! :-)
Where is Kyoko Kuremi detective office ? 😂
😝😝😝
really like the place. Akiba is great but its alot of walking to visit all the places. you can easily lose time Nakano and still see all the shops and get a feel for them. hoping to visit again and also Iikebukuro mega anime store next visit. that arcade really is a TARDIS. it looks like a tiny one with 2-3 entrances but it runs the length of the complex and plenty of games there. feels like you are entering a secret arcade when there. funny enough here in pointe-claire montreal there is a small strip mall 1 level near highway 20 that feels so very much like Nakano broadway. not many pop culture places in it but the vibes are nakano. one of the weirdest bars??? i found was Error 404 in Saga prefecture near Ogi station. no online presence or website. seems more scare than spiders bar.
There are so many places for anime fans to visit in Tokyo now, with Akiba, Nakano and so many new places in Ikebukuro! You don't get bored in Tokyo..!
I love all the quirky little bars in Japan, especially when the owners go all-out, decorating them in really niche ways!
@@cakeswithfacesheck yeah, it does get tedious and boring after some time in Akiba to find all the interesting places. Nakano just serves it up in one convenient place for ya.
funny enough, just did a google search, Error 404 is a night club. a bar wasnt too far off description.
You didn't even mention the small store in the corner that sells Anime Cells.
There's so much there, it's tricky to include everything! :-)
❤❤❤❤❤❤
🙌🙌
Are there any viewers here who went to Nakano Broadway for wristwatches? It is a must for any watch lovers!
It's an interesting combination - nerdy merch and watches! :-)
@@cakeswithfaces Hahaha, absolutely!