It took me a while to get the lay of the game-shop-land in Tokyo, so I’ve put together a list of shops and some notes about them. Many larger cities in Japan have game shops, but I’m only really familiar with those in Tokyo. If you have recommendations or feedback for other shops, please leave a comment and let me know. Additionally, if you’re traveling in Japan and need help finding a shop, drop me a line and I’ll see if there are any shops near you.
Hobby Shop Arrows
Miniature shop with play space and paint area. I finally made it here the other night to pick up some paint. Staff were very nice and the shop was spacious.
Play space is 1,000 yen for the day or 500 yen after 4pm. They also offer a free introduction to miniature gaming, in which case the event space fee does not apply.
| Hobby Shop Arrows | |
| Station | Akihabara, Suehirocho |
|---|---|
| Hours | Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 15:00-20:00 |
| Sat, Sun, and holidays 12:00-20:00 | |
| Closed Tuesdays | |
| Address | 〒101-0021東京都千代田区外神田6-5-11 長谷川ビル2階 Map The entrance is on the side street, not the main street. |
Giant Hobby
An independent miniature gaming shop that also publishes the game Dorasure, they have a great selection of paints and miniatures on the first floor. The second floor has a dedicated painting space as well game tables with awesome terrain. The staff was really friendly and very helpful helping me select paints and supplies. They host war gaming events regularly and also have introduction classes for both games and painting.
The painting space is ¥500 per visit, but it includes paints and supplies. Table prices vary by size.
Both the play and painting spaces are restricted to games and miniature makers supported by the shop: GIANT HOBBY, Games Workshop, OSPLEY GAMES, Mantic Games, and Steamforged Games.
| Giant Hobby | |
| Station | Kouenji |
|---|---|
| Hours | 12：00 – 21：00 |
| Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays | |
| Address | 〒166-0003東京都杉並区高円寺南４丁目７－１３ 第二久万乃ビル２Ｆ Map |
Hobby Paradise
Mostly a plastic character models and trading cards, but the fourth floor has paints, brushes, and related supplies that can be used with game miniatures.
| Hobby Paradise | |
|---|---|
| Station | Akihabara |
| Hours | Weekdays 11：00 – 19：00 |
| Weekends and Holidays 10：00 – 19：00 | |
| Address | 〒101-0021東京都千代田区外神田1-15-4 Map |
Role & Roll Station
Role & Roll is a analog game publisher that also has a retail shop in Akihabara with a friendly staff and a great selection of new Japanese RPGs and board games. Many games have open samples and descriptions of their play written by the staff. They have a point card that gives 3% points that will be used on the next purchase.
Has gaming room with six tables and hosts the D&D Adventurers League events.
| Role & Roll Station (ロールアンドロールステーション) | |
|---|---|
| Station | Akihabara |
| Hours | Weekdays 12:00 – 21:00 |
| Weekends and Holidays 11:00 – 20:00 | |
| Address | 〒101-0021東京都千代田区外神田3-14-9 第26東ビル６Ｆ Map |
| Play Room | 6 tables; weekdays ¥300/person, weekends ¥3,000/table |
| Notes | Their website has nice step-by-step directions with photos on how to get to the shop. |
Shosen Grande
A large multi-story bookstore with a huge selection of analog games, both domestic and import. Import RPG games tend to be expensive, but the selection is amazing.
| Shosen Grande (書泉グランデ) | |
|---|---|
| Station | Jinbocho |
| Hours | Weekdays 10：00 – 21：00 |
| Weekends and Holidays 10：00 – 20：00 | |
| Address | 〒101-0051東京都千代田区神田神保町1-3-2 Map |
| Play room | No |
Sugorokuya
This shop has been on my radar for a while now, but I haven’t made it out to it yet. They have a nice website, online store, and blog, as well as listing their inventory. If you’re over in Kouenji, check them out and let me know how it is.
| Sugorokuya (すごろくや) | |
|---|---|
| Station | Akihabara |
| Hours | 11：00 – 20：00 |
| Closed Wednesdays and end of year | |
| Address | 〒166-0002東京都杉並区高円寺北2-3-8日光ビル2F Map |
| Play room | No, but space available nearby at Su-bako (す箱) |
Suruga-ya
Part of a national chain of hobby shops, the one near Role & Roll specializes in board and RPG games with a large selection of new and used board, card, and RPG games on the second floor. The board game section recently moved (2017-08-25) to another building.
| Suruga-ya (駿河屋秋葉原) | |
|---|---|
| Hours | 1F 9:00 – 23:00, 2F 9:00 – 5:00 AM |
| Address | 〒101-0021東京都千代田区外神田3-15-4 1F～2F Map |
| Play room | No |
Trader 3
Mainly trading cards and video games, but a small selection of board games in the corner on the second floor.
| Trader 3 | |
|---|---|
| Station | Akihabara |
| Hours | Mon-Thurs 11：00 – 21：00 |
| Fri, Sat, Holidays 10：00 – 21：00 | |
| Address | 東京都千代田区外神田4-2-1 トレーダー3号店ビル Map |
| Play room | Yes (TCG) |
Yellow Submarine
A chain of gaming stores with [multiple locations throughout Japan](http://www.yellowsubmarine.co.jp/shop/shop.htm). The emphasis can vary by location (more TCG, more RPG, etc), so it’s good to check the notes listed on the above shop page. Has point card system to receive discounts. The following are notes for the shops I’ve been to.
Akihabara
There are multiple locations in Akihabara, with each having a particular emphasis. The RPG shop on the 8th floor has a great selection of new and used RPGs and board games. Both Japanese and English used games are sold. Game samples are in a case and some games have notes describing the game. Some showcased books have a sample, but the vast majority are shrink-wrapped. Bones miniatures, as well as some older metal figures are stocked, but the inventory, particularly player character figures quickly shrinks. They also have Citadel paints and a selection of 40k figures, as well as a _lot_ of dice.
There is also a large gaming space with multiple tables and a drink vending machine. They have games that can be borrowed and played in the shop.
There is also the TCG shop in the same building on the 7th floor. The flagship shop has a few board and RPG games, but mostly TCG and hobby supplies, so if you’re looking for board and RPG games, it’s best to check out the specialty shop.
| Yellow Submarine Akihabara RPG (イエローサブマリン秋葉原RPG店) | |
|---|---|
| Station | Akihabara |
| Hours | Weekdays 12：00 – 21：00 |
| Sat, Sun, and Holidays 11：00 – 20：00 | |
| Address | 〒101-0021 東京都千代田区外神田1-11-5 秋葉原スーパービル8F Map |
| Play Space | Yes |
| Notes | Eighth floor is the RPG shop, Seventh is TCG |
Ikebukuro
Mainly trading card games with a small selection of RPGs last time I went, but they recently expanded and opened a board game and RPG shop on the 6th floor.
| Yellow Submarine Ikebukuro (イエローサブマリン池袋店) | |
|---|---|
| Station | Ikebukuro |
| Hours | Mon – Sat 12：00 – 21：00 |
| Sunday and Holidays 11：00 – 20：00 | |
| Address | 〒170-0013東京都豊島区東池袋1-15-1 真下ビル2F Map |
| Play room | Yes |
| Notes | |
Shinjuku
Smaller than the Akihabara shop, the Shinjuku shop has a great new and used RPG selection and board games. I’ve noticed that used book prices can sometimes be slightly more expensive than the Akihabara RPG shop, but they’re generally the same. Also stocks Bones miniatures and some Aurora figures. The latter are in a glass case near the door. The Bones inventory seems to last longer than the Akihabara shop.
| Shinjuku (イエローサブマリン新宿店) | |
|---|---|
| Station | Shinjuku |
| Hours | Mon – Sat 12:00 – 21:00 |
| Sundays and Holidays 11:00 – 20:00 | |
| Address | 〒160-0023 東京都新宿区西新宿1-16-10 浅川ビルB1F、2F、3F Map |
| Play Space | No |
| Notes | Second floor is the RPG and board game floor. |
Warhammer
Harajuku
An official GamesWorkshop Warhammer store. According to a GamesWorkshop representative I talked to, there is a native English speaker employee at this shop.
| Warhammer Harajuku (ウォーハンマー原宿) | |
|---|---|
| Station | Harajuku, Meijijingu-mae |
| Hours | Mon – Fri 13:00 – 20:00 |
| Sat 11:00 – 20:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00 | |
| Address |
|
| Play Space | Yes |
| Notes | |
Ikebukuro
An official GamesWorkshop Warhammer store.
| Warhammer Ikebukuro (ウォーハンマー池袋) | |
|---|---|
| Station | Ikebukuro |
| Hours | Mon – Fri 12:00 – 20:00 |
| Sat – Sun 11:00 – 19:00 | |
| Address |
|
| Play Space | Yes |
| Notes | On the second floor. |
Jinbocho
An official GamesWorkshop Warhammer store in Jinbocho near Shosen Grande. The staff were very friendly when I stopped by.
| Warhammer Jinbocho (ウォーハンマー神保町) | |
|---|---|
| Station | Jinbocho |
| Hours | Mon – Sat 13:30 – 20:30 |
| Sunday 12:00 – 18:00 | |
| Address | 〒101-0051千代田区神田神保町１－１ Map |
| Play Space | Yes |
| Notes | |
Takadanobaba
An official GamesWorkshop Warhammer store.
| Warhammer Takadanobaba (ウォーハンマー高田馬場) | |
|---|---|
| Station | Takadanobaba |
| Hours | Mon, Tues 11:00 – 19:00, Closed Wed, Thur 11:00 – 19:00 |
| Fri 11:00 – 20:00, Sat 11:00 – 19:00, Sun 11:00 – 18:00 | |
| Address | 〒169-0075東京都新宿区高田馬場1-29-6 Map |
| Play Space | Yes |
| Notes | |