Nakano Broadway

Nakano Broadway in Tokyo is a treasure trove for fans of Japanese pop culture, offering a unique shopping experience that blends nostalgia with discovery. Located just a short walk from Nakano Station, this multi-story shopping complex houses over 300 shops, each offering a diverse array of collectibles, vintage toys, manga, and anime merchandise. The atmosphere is vibrant and eclectic, with each floor showcasing a different facet of otaku culture. The second and third floors are particularly popular, featuring Mandarake's various specialty stores, which cater to different interests such as vintage toys, rare manga, and cosplay items. For instance, Mandarake on the fourth floor offers quirky Showa-era toys and corporate novelties, while BIGYARD Railway Models on the second floor specializes in second-hand railway models . Beyond shopping, Nakano Broadway also offers unique dining options. Mitsuboshi Curry, located just outside the complex, serves a rich and sweet "French curry" over rice, often accompanied by tender pork cutlets . While the building is aging and some shops may be cramped, the charm of Nakano Broadway lies in its maze-like corridors and the thrill of finding hidden gems. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a casual visitor, Nakano Broadway offers an immersive dive into Japan's pop culture scene.

A great arcade to wander up and down even if you are not looking for anything in particular. Right outside the station, and plenty of food choices too. All the more colourful here with the koinoburi decorating your way.

Something for everyone here! My daughter loved the claw machine places (nice people who helped her ‘win’!), I loved the secondhand kimono shop in the basement, and we both loved the stand up ramen place in the basement (¥480 for a delicious bowl!) and the ice cream place too (¥1100 for all 9 flavors!)! 💕

This is the place for all things collectibles that includes much more than one could find in Tokyo and sometimes better pricing. The Mandrake store here is massive with multiple shops. We specifically were looking for Pokémon/ dragonball/ gundam/ model cars and they had what we were looking for. The mall also consists of many second hand watch stores as well. All this is on the 2nd and 3rd floors. A real gem.

This place is a goldmine for finding rare collectibles, trading cards, and toys! I found a ton of stuff I couldn’t find at Akihabara here. There are shops selling both new and used stuff. The Mandarake here is massive, and I was blown away by the specific Mandarake stores dedicated to certain toys, like vehicle diecast models, train models, and even Gunpla. There are also cafes, restaurants, and even an arcade if you need a bite or a quick break before you keep going. My visit to Nakano was very enjoyable, and a big part of it was my time at Nakano Broadway. I’ll definitely be back for rare items and Gunpla that I can’t find in Akihabara!