Mandarake: Browsing Manga and Collectibles in Tokyo

Mandarake is Japan's best-known used manga and collectibles chain, with shops in Nakano, Akihabara, Shibuya and Ikebukuro that reward patient, curious browsing.

Published October 22, 2026 at 2:01 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Mandarake is a Japanese chain that buys and sells used manga, anime goods, toys, figures and other collectibles. It began around 1980 as a tiny manga shop in Nakano Broadway, Tokyo, and now has several stores across the city, including a large eight-story branch in Akihabara. Each store tends to focus on different types of items, so choose by interest.

For anyone who loves manga, anime or vintage toys, Mandarake is often the first shop name that comes up. It is less a single store than a family of specialist shops, and each location has its own personality. Newcomers sometimes feel unsure where to start, especially because the shelves are packed and the tags are in Japanese. This guide explains what Mandarake is, where its Tokyo shops are, what each tends to sell and how to browse and buy comfortably.

What Mandarake Is

Mandarake is a retail company that deals in secondhand and collectible pop culture goods, with manga at its heart. Its shops stock books, figures, toys, music and video related to anime and games, as well as trading goods, costumes and fan-made magazines called doujinshi. Many items are used, and many are rare, so a visit feels closer to exploring an archive than a conventional store.

The company was founded by a manga artist named Masuzo Furukawa, who opened a small secondhand manga shop in Nakano Broadway in Tokyo. Sources give the starting year as about 1980, and the company was incorporated as a business in 1987. Over time it grew from a single small space into one of the most recognized names in Japanese fandom.

One reason for the chain's influence is that it helped organize how used manga is priced. Instead of treating old comics as worthless paperbacks, its shops set values according to rarity and condition, which gave collectors a shared reference point. That approach helped turn manga collecting into a serious hobby with its own market.

The Nakano Broadway Home Base

Nakano Broadway is the original home of Mandarake and still the best place to see the chain at full scale. The complex opened in 1966 as a shopping and residential building, and it has ten floors above ground and three basement levels. Hundreds of small shops fill it, and the second to fourth floors are famous for otaku goods, meaning items for dedicated fans of anime, manga and games.

Mandarake runs a cluster of separate shops inside the building, each concentrating on a different category. The company's own offices are also located there. Because each shop has a distinct focus, such as art-related items, older toys or specific genres of collectibles, you can spend a whole afternoon without leaving the building.

Nakano Station is on the JR Chuo lines and the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, and a covered shopping arcade called Sun Mall leads from the station to the building. Many visitors find Nakano calmer than Akihabara, with more of a neighborhood feel and fewer tourist crowds. It is a good choice for people who prefer to browse slowly.

Mandarake Complex in Akihabara

The Akihabara store, called Mandarake Complex, is the most convenient branch for visitors who are already in the Electric Town. It opened in April 2008 as an eight-story building and carries a wide mix of used manga, figures, toys, music and other collectibles. Floors are arranged by category, so it is easy to head straight to the area that interests you.

Travel guides list the shop's hours as around noon to eight in the evening, which is later than some neighboring stores open. Hours can change, so check the official Mandarake site before you set out. Because the store is large, plan on at least an hour if you want to look through several floors.

Mandarake also operates a specialty store for soft vinyl figures, known as sofubi, in a complex built under the elevated rail tracks in Akihabara, which opened in 2019. Soft vinyl figures are a long-running Japanese toy tradition, and the specialty shop is a good stop for people who enjoy monsters, heroes and retro designs in this material. Store formats do change over time, so verify current locations on the official store list.

Other Tokyo Shops: Shibuya and Ikebukuro

Beyond Nakano and Akihabara, Mandarake has shops in other parts of Tokyo. The Shibuya store opened in 1994 and was the company's first branch outside Nakano, which makes it historically important. It carries a mix of goods and is a convenient addition to a day of shopping in the Shibuya area.

In Ikebukuro, the Mandarake shop on Otome Road is aimed particularly at women, with items related to series and genres popular with female fans. Otome Road is a street of shops and cafes with a loyal following, and the Mandarake store there reflects that audience. A toy-focused Mandarake shop opened in a department store in Ikebukuro in 2019, with an emphasis on robots and action figures.

The company also has stores in cities beyond Tokyo, including Osaka, Nagoya and Sapporo. If you are traveling around Japan, you may find a branch near your next stop, though opening hours and product focus differ from place to place. Use the official shop locator to see what is current.

What You Can Find on the Shelves

The range at Mandarake is wide. You can find manga volumes from different decades, art books, music and video related to anime and games, trading goods, toys, soft vinyl figures, scale figures, posters, costumes and doujinshi. Vintage toys and rare items can be expensive, while paperbacks and small goods are often modest in price.

Many items are protected in clear cases or sealed wrappers, and tags usually list condition and price. A glass case does not mean you cannot ask to see something. Staff can open the case, though for rare items they may ask you to wait or to look at the item at the counter.

If you are not hunting for something rare, browse the lower-priced shelves. Used paperbacks, small figures, postcards and sticker sets are easy to carry and make good gifts. For travelers with limited luggage space, flat items such as posters in tubes or art cards may be the easiest choices.

Tips for First-Time Browsers

Take your time, because the best finds are often tucked on a lower shelf or in a corner. Many shops are narrow, so keep your bag in front of you or on one shoulder. Photography is often restricted inside the shops, so ask before taking pictures and respect any posted rules.

Look at the condition notes. Japanese collectors use grading systems that describe the state of the box, the item and its accessories. If a tag is hard to read, you can use a translation app on your phone to check it, or simply ask a staff member to explain.

Payment methods vary, so carry some cash as well as a card. Tax-free shopping for eligible overseas visitors is available at many stores in Japan, and it generally involves showing a passport. Ask at the register about current rules before you pay, and keep any documents the staff give you.

Selling, Shipping and Online Shopping

Mandarake also buys used items, which is part of how its stock keeps changing. Shops that purchase secondhand goods typically ask sellers to show identification, which is standard practice for used goods dealers in Japan. If you plan to sell, check the official site for the buying process and what each branch accepts.

For shopping from abroad, the company runs an online store that sells internationally, which is useful if you want a particular item but do not have time to visit. Shipping costs and available methods differ by item, so read the details before ordering. Large or fragile items may be easier to ship than to carry home.

Some visitors enjoy planning a trip around different stores, starting in Nakano for a deep dive, moving to Akihabara for a wider selection and finishing in Shibuya or Ikebukuro. Whatever your route, give yourself time to wander, because discovery is the point of a Mandarake visit.

A Browsing Mindset That Pays Off

Treat Mandarake like a museum shop where the exhibits can come home with you. Decide in advance whether you are looking for a specific title or just exploring, set a budget and allow time to walk away from items you are unsure about. For many people, the thrill lies in the hunt as much as the purchase.

Because the chain started as a small shop for manga lovers, it carries a sense of passion that comes through on its shelves. Respect that culture by handling items gently, putting them back where you found them and thanking the staff. A friendly attitude makes the whole experience smoother and more enjoyable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mandarake?

Mandarake is a Japanese chain of shops that buy and sell used manga, anime goods, toys, figures and other collectibles. It began around 1980 in Nakano Broadway, Tokyo, and now has stores in several Japanese cities. Each shop focuses on particular types of items, so it helps to choose a branch based on your interests.

Where are Mandarake shops in Tokyo?

The best-known locations are Nakano Broadway, Akihabara, Shibuya and Ikebukuro. Nakano is the original home with several specialist shops, Akihabara has an eight-story store, and Ikebukuro has a shop on Otome Road. Store lists change, so check the official site for current branches and hours.

Can foreign visitors shop at Mandarake?

Yes. Visitors can browse and buy in the shops, and many stores offer tax-free shopping for eligible overseas travelers, usually with a passport. Mandarake also sells internationally through its online store. Ask staff about current tax-free and shipping rules, since they can change.

Further Reading

To explore further, see Mandarake on English Wikipedia and Nakano Broadway on English Wikipedia.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Akihabara: Tokyo's Electric Town of Anime and Gadgets, Anime Figure Shopping in Akihabara and Gashapon: Capsule Toy Machines in Akihabara.