2025 Gunpla Store Guide — Akihabara, Tokyo
Tokyo is host to an overwhelming range of Gunpla stores — from the cheap and cheerful, to exclusive & highly priced aftermarket boutiques. Whilst there are many up and coming hotspots in town, Akihabara is still 👑 king when it comes to a wide range of stores within a small footprint (Osaka’s Nipponbashi is also incredible, but that’s one for another post).
Here’s a guide to help you plan a fun, and hopefully productive, day of Gunpla shopping in the area!
First up, here’s a map of the stores featured in this guide. Whilst I’ve tried to present them in a neat route, they’re all reasonably close by. So pick whatever works for your interests & schedule. If time is of the essence, I’d recommend Otachu & the Radio Kaikan building. You can access both via the left exit of the Electric Town Gate, and they’re essential picks for first-time visitors to the area.
Yodobashi Camera Akiba
⏰ Opens 9:30am
If you’re in the area early, Yodobashi Camera is a great choice. Doors usually open at 9:20am, 10 minutes before the official 9:30am schedule. There are benches to chill outside the main entrance; surrounded by a plethora of Gashapon & vending machines.
If going direct, leave Akihabara station via the Central Exit. Once inside the store, head to the 6th floor, where you’ll find a selection of the latest retail Gunpla releases. Recently there’re on display within a glass cabinet by the cash registers. On launch days, there'll often be stacks of them if you’re early. Other days, the shelves can be quite bare — so it can be a bit of a dice roll.
Yodobashi Camera also has one of the best selections of hobby supplies in town, arguably the best. I’ve spent some hours browsing these shelves!
Another treat at Yodobashi Camera is the range of pro Gunpla builds on display. Many by pro-builder and now-official Gundam designer NAOKI, plus also contributors to GHL magazine, etc.
One tip that applies to all these stores - look around! You never know what you might find stacked in a corner.
BOOKOFF Akihabara Ekimae Store
⏰ Opens 10am
Whilst many stores in the area don’t open until 11am, a few do open their doors at 10am. One that I don’t often visit, but is very close to Yodobashi Camera & Akihabara Station, is BOOKOFF.
On the 1st (ground) floor, there’s a fairly substantial selection of aftermarket Gunpla packed into one area. Typically HG kits, but you may spot something else.
Akihabara Radio Kaikan
⏰ Opens 10am (some stores open at 11am)
Around the corner is the famous Radio Kaikan building. Originally the first high-rise building in the area, it was demolished in 2011 to make way for a brand new building fully focused on anime and pop culture.
Let’s pop in twice. Once to see the stores that open at 10am; and another later on before finishing up — to check out the stores that open from 11am onwards.
Yellow Submarine (inside Radio Kaikan)
⏰ Opens 10am
Yellow Submarine on the 6th Floor stocks quite a good range of the most recent Gunpla releases and reissues. Alongside a tidy selection of hobby supplies.
A fun, and useful, offering is the ‘Parts Paradise’ area. Imagine bags of loose runners & Gunpla accessories, often priced very affordably. Manuals with stickers can be priced at just ¥50!
Akiba X Rajikan Store (inside Radio Kaikan)
⏰ Opens 10am
I often pop into Akiba X on the 5th floor. The aftermarket prices can be on the higher side, but if you’re looking for something specific, it’s always worth a visit.
Lashinbang (inside Radio Kaikan)
⏰ Opens 10am
Lashinbang has a large store nearby, but opened this one on the 5th Floor fairly recently. It hosts a reasonably small, but interesting, selection of aftermarket kits. Worth a look if you’re in the building.
Bic Camera Akiba
⏰ Opens 10am
Now, leaving Radio Kaikan for bit. Another big tech store in the area is Bic Camera, and it’s just around the corner from Akihabara Station’s Electric Town Gate. The store doesn’t have a huge selection of Gunpla available any longer, but everything in stock is listed at RRP or lower. So worth a look if you have time. There’s also a fine selection of hobby supplies available.
My favorite aspect of Bic Camera Akihabara is the wonderful range of Gunpla display cabinets. Almost rivaling Gundam Base in some aspects! It’s a treat to browse so many Gunpla releases from over the years.
Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo
⏰ Opens 10am
Typically, this is where I might have a coffee break, whilst waiting until 11am for more stores to open.
Since it’s close by — just outside of Akihabara Station’s Electric Town Gate — maybe treat yourself to Tamashii Nations Store Tokyo. Whilst not Gunpla, there are always some great figures on display.
VOLKS Akihabara Hobby Paradise
⏰ Opens 11am
I always love visiting Hobby Paradise — it’s one of my favorite stores in the area.
The 4th floor features a solid range of newly released Gunpla, plus reissues. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, and where I picked up my RG RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.2.0 a few days after release (when everywhere else was long sold out).
Downstairs on the 3rd floor is my favorite place in all of Tokyo to buy hobby supplies. Just a fantastic selection in an open, chilled space — at least for my tastes. Inspirational builds line the display cabinets.
Also, whilst not Gundam, if you’re into The Five Star Stories, you must add this store to your agenda.
Trader
⏰ Opens 11am
Next up is Trader. They’ve recently opened a new store right next to VOLKS Akihabara Hobby Paradise. This replaces the previous store on the street, which has now closed.
On the 4th floor, you’ll find a good range of aftermarket Gunpla kits — typically on the more affordable side compared to other stores in the area.
Surugaya Akihabara Plamodel Store
⏰ Opens 11am
Keep walking down the street, and you’ll reach Surugaya Akihabara Plamodel Store. No, not 'my first maid’ — though feel free to grab a drink! Don’t be deterred by the funky corridor and suspicious curtain up the stairs… Pass through and you’ll be treated to one of the best selections of aftermarket Gunpla in town. Whilst not the cheapest, the range on offer is undeniable.
If you head one floor upstairs, you’ll also find a small, but neat, range of hobby supplies.
Note there are many Surugaya stores in the area, each with a different product focus. This is the one you want for Gunpla.
Liberty Akiba
⏰ Opens 11am
Keep walking down the street, and you’ll reach Liberty. There are a few Liberty storefronts… I can’t recall which number this one has designated to it, but please use the photo below as reference. You’ll notice a few aftermarket Gunpla available, if you take the time to look around.
A few similar stores are scattered around the Akihabara area, so if you have some time and fancy a wander — explore a little! See what deeper cuts you can find.
TamTam Hobby Shop
⏰ Opens 11am
A little further up the road, at the main intersection, is TamTam Hobby Shop. This is as far as I’ll typically walk, before turning back to visit other stores. The entrance is a little cryptic — 4th floor via the elevator is what you want!
TamTam sells a good selection of new kits at RRP, so is worth the visit if you have time. And do look up, as sometimes there are treats stacked on top of the shelves!
The staff display cabinet is excellent fun, serving up humor and skilled builds in equal measure.
Hobbyland
⏰ Opens 11am
Turning around from TamTam and heading back towards the Akihabara station direction is Hobbyland. Hobbyland has a great mix of new and aftermarket kits, in a small space.
On the 1st (ground) floor is a great, ever-changing range of Gunpla kits. Do also head upstairs as there’s a lot more on offer in what feels like a mini warehouse storeroom! The store also stocks a small, but useful, spread of hobby supplies.
Hobby-OFF
⏰ Opens 11am
Directly over the road from Hobbyland is Hobby OFF! (and yes, let the neighbouring HARD-OFF jokes commence…) Head upstairs to the 3rd floor for an interesting range of Gunpla. Some prebuilt/painted kits are also bagged up and sold at reasonable prices.
Jungle Akihabara Store 1
⏰ Opens 12pm
Just a little further down the road is Jungle’s new main Akihabara store, replacing the previous one down the street. Head up the steps on the left, and you’ll reach the store entrance.
Whilst its Osaka Nipponbashi counterpart is on another level, Jungle Akihabara Store 1 still hosts a great range of aftermarket kits.
Pre-built Gunpla are also peppered around the store. They can be spread out, so do have a good browse if time allows.
Mandarake Complex Akihabara
⏰ Opens 12pm
Many visitors check out Mandarake Complex, as it’s packed with all sorts of pop-culture treasures from over the years.
Whilst not my first choice for Gunpla, the store does sometimes stock interesting kits. You’ll need to head up to the 8th (or is it 7th..) floor for an aftermarket selection.
Akiba X Central Store
⏰ Opens 11am
A short walk from Mandarake is another Akiba X store. Gunpla and figures are mixed on the shelves, so take a close look. Once again, Akiba X can be on the more expensive side, but I do recommend checking it out if looking for something specific.
Lashinbang Akihabara New Store
⏰ Opens 11am
Over the road, and near the main Akihabara crossing is the main Lashinbang store in the area, on the 2nd floor of the Cultures Zone building.
The store used to house a rich range of aftermarket Gunpla. Less so nowadays, but you’ll still spot a good few kits on the shelves.
Radio Kaikan
And we’re back at the Radio Kaikan building for a second round! For stores that open from 11am onwards.
Jungle Akihabara Store 2 (inside Radio Kaikan)
⏰ Opens 12pm
A new store on the Radio Kaikan building’s 7th Floor — and the second Jungle in the area. I’m yet to visit this store properly, but I think there’s Gunpla to be had. I’ll confirm and update this post next time I visit.
amiami Akihabara Radio Kaikan Store (inside Radio Kaikan)
⏰ Opens 11am
Down on the 4th floor is amiami. An extremely popular store with tourists, as it offers a rich range of anime-related products. Its Gunpla shelves have been stripped recently, so I don’t typically visit much — but worth a look if in the building.
The store also stocks a good range of hobby supplies. The tight aisles can be a bit of a squeeze, so do take care!
Otachu Gundam Store
⏰ Opens 11am
The best Gunpla store/experience in town (imo) is Otachu’s Gundam Store. If there’s just one place you visit, make it this!
You’ll find Otachu on the 7th Floor above the Bandai Namco Arcade, and will need to make your way to the elevator at the rear side of the 1st/ground floor.
My favorite aspect of Otachu is that it’s so much more than a store. It’s a full-on Gundam 🤩 fan experience. The shelves are lined with a broad range of aftermarket kits, rivaling (sometimes even beating) Surugaya for the sheer amount of choice available.
Many display cabinets house Gunpla builds (and rare kits for purchase, at a price!) A huge credit to the staff for all their efforts in dressing the store with fantastic illustrations. These alone are worth the visit for fans.
And with that, ends a Great Gunpla Adventure in Akihabara! Hopefully you’ll find this guide to be a useful resource. In 2026 I’ll post a brand new guide, with fresh information and photos — so please look out for that, if interested.
