September 25, 2007

• TRAVEL / JAPAN

  MINICAR SHOPS
  IN
  JAPAN

  Here is a list of the shops I visited during my 2007 trip to Japan.
  (updated on December 31 2008 – with shop closures or new location)

  I have included:
  The name of each shop, with a link to their website.
  The shop’s address, phone and fax numbers (the number is written as it would be dialed while in Japan), and hours ~ all provided in English and Japanese.
   A photo of the shop or store front.
  A brief summary or description of the shop.
  A map to help locate the shop.
  Access directions from local train or subway stations.
  A store rating system.

  If you plan on traveling to Japan, and it is your first time, make sure to read my guide to addresses at the end of this entry.

  * * *

   TOKYO

  ART MINICAR GINZA

  MOVED!
  And Name Changed

  ART MINICAR

  3-11-8 Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
  Phone: 03-3541-0203
  FAX: 03-3541-0330

  NEW Address:

  IIDA Building 1F 1-28 Kandasuda-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0041 
  Phone: 03-3253-3121
  FAX number: 03-3253-3122

  Hours:
  weekdays 12:00-20:00 (12PM – 8PM)
  weekends 12:00-18:00 (12PM – 6PM)
  closed Dec 31 – Jan 3 and some summer days

  SUMMARY
  This is a nice shop with a good assortment. Lot’s of current 1:43 scale and larger models. They offer a discount for cash sales. I recommend this shop if you are looking to save a little money when making purchases.

  Note – the last time I visited this shop was in 2007. Since then they moved to a new location and I have not yet had the opportunity to visit. My review is based on my visit to the old location.

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, ART MINICAR rates:
   Appearance: Good
  Selection: Good
  Pricing: Good
  Overall: GOOD

  New storefront (as of late 2008)
  

  New map (as of late 2008)
  

  * * *

  EURO SPORTS

  1F MEGA WEB
  Aomi 1-Chome (Pallet Town), Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064
  Phone/FAX: 03-3599-0550

  Hours: 11:00 – 21:00 (11AM – 9PM)

  SUMMARY
  A good shop with a wide variety of items. They have a lot of Formula 1 and motor sports merchandise. Minicars range from Tomica and Choro-Q to Ebbro and Minichamps, with a lot in-between to choose from.

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, EURO SPORTS rates:
   Appearance: Good
  Selection: Good
  Pricing: Average
  Overall: GOOD

  

  EURO SPORTS MEGAWEB店………..TEL／FAX 03-3599-0550
  　〒135-0064東京都江東区青海1丁目パレットタウン　メガウェブトヨタシティショーケース1Ｆ
  　・営業時間 / 11:00～21:00
  　・定休日 / 年中無休（休館日を除く）
  　※サッカーグッズの取り扱いはございません。

  

  EURO SPORTS is located in MEGA WEB on the first floor (lower level)

  MEGA WEB is located at Aomi 1-Chome (Pallet Town), Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064

  MEGA WEB Hours: 11:00 – 21:00 (11AM to 9PM)

  ACCESS
  Aomi Station
  Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station

  Take the New Transit Yurikamome and get off at Aomi Station which is directly connected to Palette town. Or get off at Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station (a 7 minute walk).

   

  * * *

  GREASE

  HISTORY GARAGE
  Aomi 1-Chome (Pallet Town), Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064
  Phone: 03-3599-0601
  FAX: 03-3599-0610

  Hours: 11:00 – 21:00 (11AM – 9PM)
  
  

  SUMMARY
  Very well stocked pair of shops. Prices are usual retail prices for minicars. Full selection of Tomica, Coro-Q, Ebbro, Kyosho, Minichamps, Autoart, and much more! Large selection of automobile and motor sports books. I definately recommend visiting Grease, even if you don’t plan on buying anything!

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, GREASE rates:
   Appearance: Excellent
  Selection: Excellent
  Pricing: Average
  Overall: EXCELLENT

   
  

     
  

  〒135-0064
  東京都江東区青海1丁目パレットタウン メガウェブ
  ヒストーリーガレージ
  Phone:03-3599-0601
  Fax:03-3599-0610

  ●営業時間／AM11:00～PM 9:00（平日・日曜日）
  ※毎週土曜日・休前日は夜10時まで営業
  ● 年中無休（※ヒストリーガレージ休館日はお休み。）
  ※2月の休館日（お休み）は26・27日になります。

  

  Grease is located in the HISTORY GARAGE which is a part of the MEGA WEB complex.

  HISTORY GARAGE is located near MEGA WEB, Aomi 1-Chome (Pallet Town),  Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-0064

  History Garage Hours: 11:00-21:00 including weekends,
  national holidays and the day before holidays.

  ACCESS
  Take the New Transit Yurikamome and get off at Aomi Station which is directly connected to Palette town. Or get off at Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station (a 7 minute walk).

  Head over to VENUS FORT, a shopping mall located directly opposite MEGA WEB. Once inside of Venus Fort, find the information counter and ask the staff for directions to History Garage, or grab a map.

  

  * * *

  II ADO

  14-4 Ginza 4 Chome Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
  Phone: 03-5148-1582
  FAX: 03-3546-3450

  Hours:
  Tue-Sat = 12-19:30 (12PM – 7:30PM)
  Sun & holiday = 11-19 (11AM – 7PM)
  closed on Monday (except national holiday)

  SUMMARY
  Good shop with current and vintage minicars. Mostly 1:43 scale and larger. I recommend this shop if you are looking for something vintage – they don’t have a lot, but they do have an interesting assortment.

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, II ADO rates:
   Appearance: Good
  Selection: Good
  Pricing: Good
  Overall: GOOD

  

  【銀座本店】
  〒１０４-００６１ 東京都中央区銀座４丁目１４-４
  ファミールグラン銀座４丁目１Ｆ
  ＴＥＬ．０３-５１４８-１５８２ ＦＡＸ．０３-３５４６-３４５０
  地下鉄日比谷線東銀座駅５番出口から徒歩1分
  ＪＲ有楽町駅より徒歩１０分
  ファミールグラン銀座４丁目１Ｆ

  * * *

  ACCESS
  Ginza Station & Higashi Ginza Station (subway)
  Yuraku-Cho Station (JR Line)

  From subway Hibiya line East Ginza station take Exit # 5 - walking 1 minute.
  From JR Yuraku-Cho station – walking 10 minute.

  II ADO is about 2 blocks from the Kabuki-Za Theater on Harumi Dori and is located on a side street (running parallel to the Metropolitan Expressway)

  

  * * *

  MR. CRAFT

  CLOSED!
  BANKRUPT!

  1-7-4 Shibuya-ku Ebisunishi, Tokyo 150-0021
  Phone: 03-3461-2689
  FAX: 03-3463-8593

  Hours: 12:00 to 22:00 (12PM – 10PM)
  
  SUMMARY
  Excellent selection. Seperate areas for motorsports, F1 cars, and road cars. All major brands of minicar. There is a floor devoted to consignment cases where you can spend hours looking for that missing car. This place is a must visit, and I highly recommend visiting it, especially the consignment floor.

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, MR. CRAFT rates:
   Appearance: Good
  Selection: Excellent
  Pricing: Average to Good
  Overall: EXCELLENT

  

  CLOSED!! – NO LONGER IN BUSINESS!!

  

   

  株式会社 ミスタークラフト
  〒150-0021
  東京都渋谷区恵比寿西1-7-4

  通信販売部 TEL 03（3461）2689 12:00～18:00
   FAX 03（3463）8593 24時間
  店舗 TEL 03（3461）2665 平日　　12:00～22:00
     土日祝 11:00～22:00

  

  ACCESS
  Ebisu Station

  Take the JR Line, get off at Ebisu station and take the West exit; look for the Soft Bank cellular phone shop located on the corner of Komazawa-dori and a side street. Cross Komazawa-dori at the Soft Bank shop and watch for Mr. Craft on the left side of the side street. See the photo for reference.

  

  Good-bye Mr. Craft!

  * * *

  SHU-STOCK

  Goto House 2F
  5-5-9 Minamiazabu Minato-ku,Tokyo 106-0047
  Phone: 03-3440-6035
  FAX: 03-3440-4085

  Hours:
  Mon – Sun 13:00 – 20:00 (1PM – 8PM)
  holiday: Dec 31 – Jan 3

  SUMMARY
  Highly Recommend!
  This was by far my favorite shop during this visit. They have lots of vintage diecast – Diapet, Tomy, Dandy, Corgi, Dinky and so much more! The day I was there they were having a 20% discount sale. If you are looking to fill out your Tomica collection, this is the place to visit!

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, SHU STOCK rates:
   Appearance: Good
  Selection: Excellent
  Pricing: Good
  Overall: EXCELLENT

  

  〒106-0047 東京都港区南麻布5-5-9 ゴトウハウス2F
  営業時間 ： 13:00～20:00
  定休日 ： 年中無休（年末年始以外）
  通信販売 ： 可

  

  ACCESS
  Hiroo Station (subway)

  Take the Tokyo metro Hibiya line and exit at Hiroo Station. With the help of a map, find your way to Arisugawa Koen (park) and then head towards the Aiiku Hospital. Shu-Stock is across the street from Aiiku Hospital. The is a Koban station located at the corner of the intersection across from Shu-Stock. Shu-Stock is located on the second floor of the Goto House building.

  

  * * *

  TOMICA SHOP TOKYO

  Yaesu-Chikagai, Tokyo Station Ichiban gai B1F
  Phone: 03-5220-1351

  Hours:
  10:00 to 20:30 (10AM – 8:30PM)
  Holiday: January 1
  

  SUMMARY
  The TOMICA SHOPS are the place to go for all your current TOMICA needs. They carry a full range of current Tomica, Tomica Limited, Vintage & Neo, as well as all the other Tomica accessories you might ever want! And don’t forget the Tomica Construction Factory where they will assemble a car before your eyes!

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, TOMICA SHOP TOKYO rates:
   Appearance: Excellent
  Selection: Good
  Pricing: Average
  Overall: GOOD

  

  八重洲地下街　東京駅一番街　地下1階　
  電話：03-5220-1351
  営業時間：10時～20時半
  定休日：元旦のみ

  

  ACCESS
  Tokyo Station

  Tomica Shop Tokyo is located at Tokyo Station. Once you are at Tokyo Station, find your way to the underground shopping distrcit called Yaesu Chikagai. Head towards First Avenue Tokyo Station, near Yaesu North exit (underground). The Tomica Shop will be near the Yaesu North exit (underground), level B1F; it is located between Caracarappa ‘street’ and Stylish ‘street’. It is easy to get lost here, so don’t be affraid to ask for help! Other shops in the area include Nippon Animation Co., JOCX TV Store, NHK Character Workshop, Lego Store, Acorn Republic, Snoopy Town, the TBS Store, and Ultraman World M78.

  There Tomica Shop has an entrance at both the front & back of the store.

  
  
  

  * * *

  YOKOHAMA

  LUCKY BAYFORT

  4F #10 Yoshida Kosan Building
  9-175 Choja-machi Naka-ku,Yokohama Kanagawa 231-0033
  Phone 045-252-2557
  FAX: 045-252-0404

  Hours:
  weekdays: 12:00 – 20:00 (12PM -  8PM)
  weekend: 10:00 – 20:00 (10AM – 8PM)
  Closed New Years day

  SUMMARY
  Excellent shop. This is what a good hobby shop should look like! A wide range of diecast in 1:43 scale, as well as Tomica & Choro-Q. Plenty of plastic model kits to choose from also. They also have a fine selection of books and magazines to sort through. If you are in Yokohama, I definately recommed a visit here!

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, LUCKY BAYFORT rates:
   Appearance: Excellent
  Selection: Excellent
  Pricing: Average
  Overall: EXCELLENT

  

  

  

  

  ACCESS
  Hinode-cho Station (Keikyu line)
  Sakuragi-cho or Kannai Station (both are JR line)

  Left Map. get off @ Hinode-cho station (Keikyu line) then walk as if heading towards Isezaki-mall for 2 minites, once you cross the Chouja bashi bridge stop, and then you can see the AM/PM Market on the 1st floor of the building on the corner to the right.

  Right Map: from Kannai Station, go to the Isezaki mall and head to Yokohama Negishi dori and make a right turn, walk about 5 minutes and when you get to Chouja bashi bridge, stop and look for the  AM/PM Market on the 1st floor of the building on the corner to the left.

  Lucky Bayfort is located on the 4th floor of the Yoshida Kosan building. See the building photo (above) for reference.

  

  * * *

  SUNSET ANTIQUE TOYS

  1-54 Motomachi, Naka-Ku, Yokohama, 231-0861
  Phone: 045-641-9444
  FAX: 045-681-0190

  Hours:
  14:00 to 19:00 (2PM – 7PM)
  closed Mondays

  SUMMARY
  I would have given this shop a higher rating, except it is so small and so hard to browse through, that I had to take away points. I would even go so far as to say this place is a hole-in-the-wall. The interior is full of minicars, but there is little room for more than 2 or 3 customers. I’ve been here several times and have yet to buy anything, the cars I did see & want were way beyond my wallet - however the store does have a good selection of vintage Tomica and other small scale brands to choose from. Visit here if you are looking for something old, rare & expensive!

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, SUNSET ANTIQUE TOYS rates:
   Appearance: Poor
  Selection: Good
  Pricing: Average
  Overall: AVERAGE

  

  

  

  ACCESS
  Minato-Mirai Subway Line at Motomachi-Chukagai Station, No.5 Exit

  The shop is somewhat difficult to find. If you plan on visiting, try to find the Koban Station at the corner entrance to Motomachi and ask for directions or try and follow my simple instructions:
  1) go to Motomachi Shopping Street and find the GAP at the northern end of Motomachi (near Minato-Mirai Subway Line, Motomachi-Chukagai Station, No.5 Exit ).
  2) when you find the intersection where the GAP is located, follow the side street (East, towards the Cemetary)
  3) after a short distance you’ll come to an intersection at the corner of the cemetary, stay to the right – on your left will be the cemetary and about 50 feet to the right you will see the red sign for SUNSET ANTIQUE TOYS.
  Look at the pictures above for reference.

  

  * * *

  TOYS CLUB

  Yamatecho 239 Naka-ku Yokohama,231-0862
  Phone: 045-621-8710

  HOURS:
  Mon to Fri open 9:30-1800 (9:30AM – 6PM)
  Sat & Sun till 19:00 (7PM)

  SUMMARY
  Not really much to choose from if you are looking for minicars, but they do carry current Toys Club Tomica Limited Vintage sets, as well as a few other oddities. They have an assortment of tin toys and old fashion robots. So, while shopping choices are limited, I still recommend visiting for the museum collection. The museum has a nice selection of vintage tin toys, including many Toyota vehicles, that you would die for! Be aware that there is a small fee to enter the museum which is directly adjacent to the actual store. The design and layout of the museum is rather old & outdated (it’s kind of dark) and could use a remodeling, but the content is fantastic.

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, TOYS CLUB rates:
   Appearance: Good
  Selection: Poor
  Pricing: Average
  Overall, Shop: AVERAGE
  Museum Content: GOOD
   Museum layout & design: FAIR

  During the time I was in Japan, Toys Club was operating a shop at the Landmark Plaza in Yokohama, called TOYS SUPER STORE “Z” – the store was temporary and is now closed. It was more of a toy store than the Toys Club Shop, and had a better selection (Fair).

  After I returned home, I found out that Toys Club operates another shop called GARAGE DAIBA  ~ that explains the name on some Toys Club Tomica Limited Vintage that I have!  ~ Garage Daiba is located in Tokyo.

  

  ACCESS
  Ishikawa-cho station on the JR Yokohama Line or Minato-Mirai Subway Line at Motomachi-Chukagai Station, No.5 Exit

  TOYS CLUB is located in the Yamate neighborhood (also known as Yokohama Bluff) and can be reached by walking uphill from Ishikawa-cho station on the JR Yokohama Line or from the Motomachi-Chukagai Subway Station. Once you are at the top of the bluff, where the Yokohama Foreign General Cemetary (Gaijin Graveyard) is located, all you need to do is watch for the numerous signs pointing you to TOYS CLUB.

  

  * * *

  NAGOYA

  TAM MUSEUM SHOP

  Toyota Automobile Museum
  41-100 Nagakuteyokomichi, Nagakute-cho, Aichi-gun, Aichi Pref.

  Museum Phone: 0561-63-5151
  Museum Shop Phone and FAX: 0561-63-5161

  Hours: 9:30 – 17:00 (9:30AM – 5PM)

  SUMMARY
  The Museum Shop at the Toyota Automobile Museum is definately worth visiting. They have lots of unique items, and a number of car models that I have not seen elsewhere. You can find a wide variety of automobile related merchandise, especially Toyota related items ~ everything from pens, pins, tie clips, stationary, games, toys, art, food… the list goes on and on. They also have a nice assortment of books.

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, TAM MUSEUM SHOP rates:
   Appearance: Excellent
  Selection: Excellent
  Pricing: Average
  Overall: EXCELLENT

  

  

  

  ACCESS
  Geidai Dori Station

  From Nagoya Station take the Higashiyama Line subway to Fujigaoka Station, then take the Linimo to Geidai Dori Station. From Geidai Dori Station it is a 5 minute walk to the Toyota Automobile Museum. The TAM Museum Shop is located in the Annex building.

  

  

  * * *

  TOMICA SHOP

  Oasis 21 B1F Higashi Sakura 1-11-1 Higashi-ku Nagoya
  phone: 052-955-3381

  Hours: 10:00 – 21:00 (10AM – 9PM)
  Closed on Jan 1st and the third Monday in February and the second Monday in September

  SUMMARY
  The TOMICA SHOPS are the place to go for all your current TOMICA needs. They carry a full range of current Tomica, Tomica Limited, Vintage & Neo, as well as all the other Tomica accessories you might ever want! And don’t forget the Tomica Construction Factory where they will assemble a car before your eyes!

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, TOMICA SHOP NAGOYA rates:
   Appearance: Excellent
  Selection: Good
  Pricing: Average
  Overall: GOOD

  

  

  名古屋市東区東桜１－１１－１　オアシス２１　地下1階
  電話：０５２－９５５－３３８１
  営業時間：１０:００－２０:００　（元旦・9月第2月曜・2月第3月曜はお休みです）

  

  ACCESS
  Sakae Station

  Take the Higashiyama subway line or Meijoh subway line and get off at Sakae station. From Sakae Station head over to Oasis 21, and down to level B1F where you will find the Tomica Shop.

  
  

  * * *

  UTSUNOMIYA

  VOLKS MODEL

  La Park Nagasakiya 2F, Baba-dori 2-3-1, Utsunomiya City, Tochigi 320-0026
  Phone: 028-635-0278
  FAX: 028-635-0627

  Hours: 10:00 – 21:00

  SUMMARY
  Good selection of current 1:43 scale models from Ebbro, Kyosho, Minichamps and others. Also carries Tomica and Choro-Q, and he has an assortment of other miscellaneous brands, including many of the lottery or candy box minicars. Also a full line of plastic model kits.

  RATINGS
  On a scale of Excellent, Good, Average, Fair, and Poor, VOLKS MODEL rates:
   Appearance: Good
  Selection: Good
  Pricing: Average
  Overall: GOOD

  

  

  〒３２０－０００２６
  栃木県宇都宮市馬場通り２－３－１２
  ﾗパーク長崎屋2Ｆ
  tel０２８－６３５－０２７８
  fax０２８－６３５－０６２７
  営業時間　１０：００～２１：００

  

  ACCESS
  Utsunomiya Station Tobu Line
  Utsunomiya Station JR Line

  • From Tokyo, via the Tobu Line, exit at Tobu Line Utsunomiya Station walk 5 mints La Park Nagasakiya
  • From Tokyo, via the JR Line, exit at JRLine Utsunomiya Station walk 15 mints La Park Nagasakiya 

  Volks Model is located on the second floor of  La Park Nagasakiya 

  

  * * *

  Quick lesson to the Japanese address system
  or
  How to find that place you’re looking for!

  Now that I’ve introduced you to the various shops that I visited in Japan, you probably want to head right on over there and do some shopping. Well, before you do, there is one thing I’d like to mention ~ the Japanese address system, it is not like our system here in the USA! 
  You have been forewarned! You can’t just walk down a street and look for a particular address, because Japanese addresses don’t usually use a street as a reference, and the addresses on a given block are in no particular order. Rule number one is be prepared before you hit the streets!

  With the exception of major roads, Japanese streets are not named. Instead, cities and towns are subdivided into areas, subareas and blocks – basically a giant grid system. To complicate the matter, houses or buildings within each subarea are usually not numbered in geographical sequence but in the order in which they were constructed. Confused yet? Well, if you can understand that, then lets take a look at an address as it might appear on a business card or online. If addresses are written in Japanese, they start with the postal code, followed by the prefecture, city and subarea(s), and end with the recipient’s or business name. If addresses are written in English, they start with the business or recipient’s name and end with the prefecture and postal code.
  Here is an example of a typical address: 〒104-0061 東京都中央区銀座3-11-8
  And here is the same address in English: 3-11-8 Ginza Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0061

  So, now you see that in Japan the actual address of a place is not of much use (especially to a western tourist). If you have visited enough Japanese websites, or seen a few Japanese business cards, you will have noticed that many businesses have a pictorial map of their location. And now that you now something about the Japanese address system, you will understand the importance & usefullness of the maps. What the map is actually showing is the business’s location in regards to other businesses, buildings and landmarks, major streets, and subway or railway stations. The idea is that you get yourself into the general vicinity, and then use the map to guide you to the business location. Of course, most of these maps will be in Japanese, although for some places like museums, an English version can be found online (usually with access instructions). Now, if you don’t read Japanese or you don’t have any English instructions on how to get somewhere, then you really do need to figure out where you want to visit before you head out – so make sure and print maps out beforehand. If you have a map in hand, you can show it to a taxi driver, Koban officer, convenience store personnel, or even some helpful people on the street. If you are staying at a hotel, it is also a good idea to ask the hotel staff to translate some of the landmarks, including train and subway stations. Once you get the hang of it, it is not really too difficult to get around – the most important thing is that you be prepared ~ just be organized before you hit the streets!

  * * *

  • 12:16 am
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