I took my first trip to Japan this January and hit up every shop that you've mentioned in the video except for Yodobashi Camera! A really incredible place to purchase model trains. I had no idea the Popondetta in Akihabara was larger than just the small shop, I wondered why it was so small considering I was in a larger one in Hiroshima. I purchased most of my items at TamTam, I loved the wide selection and good prices. I was hunting for a KATO FL12 decoder everywhere after purchasing an E5 Hayabusa set with all the add-on cars but never had any luck. Not even at the KATO center in Shinjuku! I'm normally an O-scale modeler but after visiting Japan I think I've been hooked on N-scale. Keep up the great videos!
Thanks! I see that we all make the same mistake at Popondetta! The only place I've always been able to find KATO decoders is TamTam. They have a small cabinet dedicated to DCC and they usually have the decoders, it's unfortunate you weren't able to find them. They used to have them at Yodobashi as well but I haven't seen any recently. If you like Japanese trains, N scale is almost mandatory ;)
@@seiya880 I found an EM13 at TamTam, the staff was very kind. It was a bit strange to me I could carry around expensive train sets though until I took them to the front to be purchased haha! I have some FL12's on order from Plazajapan but until I receive them, it is okay to run the Shinkansen under DCC with just an EM13? I'm aware the lights won't function properly, just want to make sure nothing will break. I'm very glad KATO is trying to push DCC as much as possible in Japan, though I wish their steam engines were DCC Friendly.
@@TomixNscale89 I would not recommend running trains without a decoder on a DCC system. Many DCC system can put out 16-18V current or more, while the train's motor and lights can take maximum 12V. So without a decoder, you risk burning them. Since you have the EM13, you can run the motor car once you've installed it, but I strongly suggest you avoid running the front and back cars without the FL12 installed
What a great video, really well edited! You have basically just planned my whole time in Tokyo when I finally get round to going! Thanks for including the information on which shops are tax free too. What was the name of the hotel you stayed at because I could just spend a whole day watching the station from the hotel room?
Thanks! That was the idea, help people plan their trips without wasting time searching for shops ;) The name of the hotel is Marunouchi Hotel. It's not the cheapest, but I managed to find a good deal. You need to ask the hotel when you make the booking to put you in a room with the tracks view. I stayed in a double room on the 15th floor
@@seiya880 Is that the hotel where they give you a model train as a welcome gift because I saw something about a hotel overlooking a train station where they did that?
@@seiya880 I've been looking online to see if I can find the name of the hotel because I can't remember the name of the TV show I saw it on and during my search I discovered a hotel that has a hotel room with a train layout in it! It's called the Akihabara Washington Hotel and overlooks JR Akihabara Station. The train room itself is more expensive than standard rooms but for a one off stay it it'd be worth the extra. I bet it's constantly booked though!
@@tsu8003 when we go to Tokyo we stay directly in Akihabara. it is central and well connected for metro and yamanote. we go to the APA Hotel Akihabara-Ekimae which is 1 minute from Yodobashi and 3/4 minutes from Model Imon.
Glad it helped! I made a few more videos about train shops that are more recent that this one, you might wanna check them out, as I discovered a few more shops
Very nice guide. If only Japan had a bit more DCC stuff. I mean if you a Japanese MRR transforme the trains run very smooth (much smoother than with European ones) However our modelrailway was build with DCC. We later extended with a extra tracks for the non-DCC Japanese trains, but would be nice if they could drive on our regular tracks) My dad is quite capable of adding DCC equipment to analogue trains, especially older ones from like the 80-90s but he he does not really wants to do that to Japanese ones cuz he is scared of braking the unit since he isn’t so familiar on how the electronics in Japanese Modell trains are build up. You know when my family goes to Akihabara it ends like this: My dad: goes to check out every Model train shop he can fin (I also help him find some, and shop with him cuz I also like model trains however not that much that I would spend a whole day shopping) Me: goes to check out as many Anime/Manga stores I can (also together with my dad sometimes cuz he also watches Anime) My sister: goes into some Maid cafe My mom: just awkwardly standing by the station thinking: „Why the hack did we come here“)
LOL that was very funny! I'm like your dad, but I sympathize with your mum! Unfortunately Japanese don't like DCC too much. KATO make some DCC-friendly sets, most of the recent releases are like that. But older sets are not. You need to solder and drill and cut stuff. I still haven't tried yet, but I'm planning to do so. On both KATO and Tomix trains
nice video. I have been to Japan twice recently and it's good to see a neighborhood that I really like. For the purchases of trains I prefer Imon model and for all that is rail it is Yodobashi ... you can have a discount in addition to the duty free of 5% if you pay with visa card. I came back this summer with a lot of kato purchases Stéphane
Thanks to you also for this information! I feel that by the time more people have sent in their favourite shops I'll have my whole Tokyo trip planned entirely lol
@@tsu8003 There would be a Greenmax store on akihabara .... but I did not find it .... if you have information on the location, I am a taker ... I advise you to go to the Kato store. the one with the train in front. It’s really worth it .... there are beautiful layouts. it is immense and the choice important. After the prices it is more expensive than yodobashi. Normally we go back there next year and I plan to be full again. On Osaka you have a big pomondetta. On Akihabara you have second-hand stores but I didn't dare .... buy locomotives ... but I should have brought back waggons ...
@@426Stephane For sure a trip to the KATO store in shinjuku is well worth it. It's the most expensive shops, as you pay the full price, but they have everything made by KATO. I've never heard of a Greenmax shops, so I cannot help. There's a newly opened Tomix showroom right next to Kanda station. In Part 2 I'll show both KATO and Tomix showrooms
@@seiya880 Thanks for your info. I would go see the Tomix store when I next visit Tokyo. I would also go to Model Imon ikebukuro and Shibuya. I would also try to rent a layout for an hour
Thanks for the video! I'm in Tokyo right now and you mentioned a few shops I haven't been to yet. Gotta check them out. Furthermore, I'd like to mention that there are three more shops (small ones) I've been to, you haven't mentioned: - The 1st one is close to Radio Kaikan, on the other side of the street. It's another Pochi Hobbyland on 6th floor (over the Cardkingdom shop). - The 2nd one is Railmeister (レールマイスター). On the Map at 6:51, it's close to the traffic lights at the bottom left corner. From that junction, it's at the bottom right corner on the street going down. The entrance (stairs) is next to a optician and the shop is on 2nd floor. - The 3rd one is Habikoro (ハビコロ) in the Seek Base under the train tracks on the right of the map at 6:51. These shops are smaller ones, but I still found something to buy. You can just stop by on your Akihabara model train shop tour.
Thank you for the nice comment! That's why I made the video, so you don't have to go treasure hunting around Akihabara ;) And thank you for these other shops you found, I never heard of them! I'll certainly go looking for them next time I'm in Tokyo (that might be a while unfortunately...)
used your video to go to all these shops in November during my last trip -max 10% is H0 -employees don't speak English, -eg, in glass cabinet 2 JR freight locomotives, identical, one ¥70000, the other one ¥22000, pretty obvious that one asks "what is the difference..........answer: yes -the only shop that I really liked from the video was Popondetta -another place that i can highly recommend is Hobby Center Kato (Ochiai-Minami-Nagasaki Station) -as soon as I asked "do you speak English", guy left and returned with workmate that speaks good English (sometimes he used translation app :)
Glad I could help! Next time you go, check out my new shopping guide series from June 2022 (th-cam.com/play/PL_kWweFiwYL5BIq-ieLGj1OUhP_pXIWVk.html). I noticed that the HO scale models have increased though, quite a few shops have them. Probably they don't see many foreign people visiting train shops, so their English is really basic to say the list. I usually just browse, point to what I want, pay and off I go.
Theres not really any g scale/gauge 1 in japan is there? I was hoping to get something to add to my set at home but couldn't find anything when I was in akihabara
Thanks! Some of them are not easy to find at all! It took me a few trips to Tokyo to find them all, and I'm sure I missed one or two. But hopefully I shall be back soon and make a new shopping guide, stay tuned!
Wow! So many stores with model trains. I wish you you slow down when showing the display items and its price. Wonder how the prices are in Japan compared to US?
The problem is that in most shops video is not allowed, so I need to rush through them. Prices right now are great, because also of the weak Yen. Buying Japanese train sets outside Japan is usually much more expensive.
Hello and thank you for a nice detailed video! If I was looking for an E5 series Hayabusa HO scale, where could I find it? I’ve been pretty lost lately, and I am hoping to find the place in akihabara! Thank you!
Thanks! That's not easy to find. I don't remember seeing one recently. But even if you were lucky enough to find it in a store, it would cost an arm and a leg. HO sets are usually very expensive, as most of them are made in very limited editions by small companies
I don't think so, I didn't see any model with DCC there, or anywhere else, not even for N gauge. I don't think they sell anything with DCC, you always have to buy it separately, and it's not easy to find DCC stuff.
Unfortunately not at all. KATO is the only company that makes DCC decoders for their models, that's it. But it's not easy to find them. Of all the shops in Akihabara, the only one where I was able to find the DDC decoders for the motor and the lights is TamTam. And also the KATO flagship store in Shinjuku
Unfortunately H0 scale is not popular at all in Japan. You can find some models, but they're very few, especially when compared to the N scale models. I remember that Yodobashi, Imon, TamTam have some of them. It's very hard to find them used.
If you like Shinkansen and you want to focus on a train station, then I'd either go with Tokyo or Hakata, since they have the most varieties of Shinkansen, plus a huge selection of local and ltd exp trains. Be aware that Shinkansen sets are really long (the 16 car N700A set in N scale is 2.5m long), so you need a lot of space. But of course you can use shorter versions of them, I have a 9 car Nozomi, cause I don't have the space.
Do these shops have an online catalogue that i can check remotely? Im really interested in the n scale models, but my options are limited due to the current situation. Do you have any tips or recommendation on where to shop used n models from online platform? Thanks!!
I doubt any of these shops sells online, and even if they do, they probably wouldn't ship internationally. There are a few online shops: BanzaiHobby, Hobby Search, AmiAmi, Japan Plaza, ModelTrainPlus. They only sell new stuff. For used sets, you can check Yahoo! Japan Auctions, which is like eBay. But you'd also need to use a proxy service like Buyee, cause they never ship outside Japan.
Hi, i’ve been to Tokyo 4x already and saw these model train sets . But it’s only now i’m beginning to have interest in them. For starters, what brand do you recommend? I know Kato and tomix are popular. Also, can i use trains of one brand with tracks of the other ? Thanks
It happened the same to me, after a few times I took their trains, I realized how awesome they are and got into train models! Tomix has the bigger selection, but almost no DDC compatibility (unless you want to solder and modify the sets); KATO has a slighter smaller selection, but almost all sets are DDC friendly. Then there are smaller brands, like MicroAce or Greenmax. You can use any of these brands on any tracks, as long as they're in N-scale of course.
@@seiya880 thanks. I’m was dealing with a guy selling his Kato n500 set with tracks but he said he sold it already while i was still chatting with him. Anyway, will just get a new set instead. So now i can decide which brand to get. I have zero knowledge with train so im still learning on the terminologies. :)
Just got my 1st train set a few days ago. I went for the Tomix n700a starter set., then bought a few extra tracks and also got a Dr. Yellow 3 car basic set . i don’t have plans on going DCC yet. But let’s see. Big thanks to your videos for giving the shop names where i can order items.
@@jaydkaladcamper I’m not big on DCC either as I usually don’t run more than one train at a time and don’t want to get into that extra cost of DCC. Good choice with Tomix but can’t go wrong with Kato either. Both brands in my humble opinion are great. Tomix guy here myself.
In tax-free shops, before making the payment, they'll ask for your passport. They fill out a form and stick it to your passport, and you won't pay taxes. If you shop in a few different stores, you'll end up with a lot of paper in your passport. But you can remove it, they don't need to check it at the airport, just keep the paper slips just in case. All price tags on the shelves are usually without taxes, like in the US.
I'd say the ones which are tax free, like Yodobashi Camera or Imon. Most of them are, I remember that TamTam and Popondetta are not. But then there are the shops that sell used staff, like Popondetta, and you can find cheap sets there.
@@seiya880 Thanks so much for letting me know. I really appreciate your response. Since my schedule will probably be tight, I will definitely be going to Yodobashi and Imon. If time permits, I will go to Popondetta as well. Thanks again for letting me know that Popondetta is not tax free. I will keep that in mind. :)
I don't think that I could go to Japan. I would always be wondering, "okay, so when is the 8.0 earthquake going to happen?!?" Let's just say I have an acute case of Seismophobia...on steroids!
Actually, I've been to Japan like a dozen times, I never experienced an earthquake. But I wouldn't be scared, it there's one place in the world that can withstand them is Japan. But I share your fear, when I did experienced them somewhere else, it scared the bejesus out of me
Thank you for not doing the whole 'manic editing and whizzing through the shelves' kind of video. I find them intensely frustrating and can't understand how anybody can enjoy watching all that shaky footage where the viewer isn't allowed to really scrutinise and enjoy looking at all the truly incredible things on offer because the camera just pans through it all before random jump cuts by the editor. Horrible and unwatchable. So cheers for not doing that. :)
You go through very fast, not showing prices and scale, need to slow down and show more details of trains and accessories and prices, give one hour in each store at least
nothing for the American market? and not sure about shopping were the "ladys" work the streets. but they have lots for there markets. guess the American thing does not cross into all hobby's there.
I didn't pay much attention to US trains, but I doubt they have many. They have some European ones, but 99% are Japanese. And those girls aren't what you think they are! They are advertising maid cafes, where the waitress are dressed like that. There's nothing sexual about what they do!
この度は来日いただまして、誠にありがとうございます!日本国内での列車旅を心行くまでお楽しみくださいませ。HAVE a NICE train trip ,thnkyu !
どうもありがとうございました!
また、チャンネル登録もあわせて行っておりますので、どうぞ、お互いに応援、声援等頂けますれば幸いです。
The music is always amusing when you first walk into a shop.....but it doesn't take long until you are singing along with it! 😃
I took my first trip to Japan this January and hit up every shop that you've mentioned in the video except for Yodobashi Camera! A really incredible place to purchase model trains. I had no idea the Popondetta in Akihabara was larger than just the small shop, I wondered why it was so small considering I was in a larger one in Hiroshima. I purchased most of my items at TamTam, I loved the wide selection and good prices. I was hunting for a KATO FL12 decoder everywhere after purchasing an E5 Hayabusa set with all the add-on cars but never had any luck. Not even at the KATO center in Shinjuku! I'm normally an O-scale modeler but after visiting Japan I think I've been hooked on N-scale. Keep up the great videos!
Thanks! I see that we all make the same mistake at Popondetta! The only place I've always been able to find KATO decoders is TamTam. They have a small cabinet dedicated to DCC and they usually have the decoders, it's unfortunate you weren't able to find them. They used to have them at Yodobashi as well but I haven't seen any recently. If you like Japanese trains, N scale is almost mandatory ;)
@@seiya880 I found an EM13 at TamTam, the staff was very kind. It was a bit strange to me I could carry around expensive train sets though until I took them to the front to be purchased haha! I have some FL12's on order from Plazajapan but until I receive them, it is okay to run the Shinkansen under DCC with just an EM13? I'm aware the lights won't function properly, just want to make sure nothing will break. I'm very glad KATO is trying to push DCC as much as possible in Japan, though I wish their steam engines were DCC Friendly.
@@TomixNscale89 I would not recommend running trains without a decoder on a DCC system. Many DCC system can put out 16-18V current or more, while the train's motor and lights can take maximum 12V. So without a decoder, you risk burning them. Since you have the EM13, you can run the motor car once you've installed it, but I strongly suggest you avoid running the front and back cars without the FL12 installed
Well, I am planning on going to Japan soon if a certain virus doesn't interfere.... Thank you for the train store advice.
I'm gonna guess that certain virus interfered
Thanks for the great guide - I managed to get to about 16 shops in the end. Sometimes solely based on the video of the right door to a lift.
Indeed, some of these shops are very well hidden! But that's part of the fun
What a great video, really well edited! You have basically just planned my whole time in Tokyo when I finally get round to going! Thanks for including the information on which shops are tax free too. What was the name of the hotel you stayed at because I could just spend a whole day watching the station from the hotel room?
Thanks! That was the idea, help people plan their trips without wasting time searching for shops ;) The name of the hotel is Marunouchi Hotel. It's not the cheapest, but I managed to find a good deal. You need to ask the hotel when you make the booking to put you in a room with the tracks view. I stayed in a double room on the 15th floor
@@seiya880 Is that the hotel where they give you a model train as a welcome gift because I saw something about a hotel overlooking a train station where they did that?
@@tsu8003 ehehe no, they didn't give me any model train unfortunately, but that would be cool!
@@seiya880 I've been looking online to see if I can find the name of the hotel because I can't remember the name of the TV show I saw it on and during my search I discovered a hotel that has a hotel room with a train layout in it! It's called the Akihabara Washington Hotel and overlooks JR Akihabara Station. The train room itself is more expensive than standard rooms but for a one off stay it it'd be worth the extra. I bet it's constantly booked though!
@@tsu8003
when we go to Tokyo we stay directly in Akihabara. it is central and well connected for metro and yamanote.
we go to the APA Hotel Akihabara-Ekimae which is 1 minute from Yodobashi and 3/4 minutes from Model Imon.
Amazing Video, thanks for the great information. I am in Tokyo currently and your video is a wealth of knowledge!!
Glad it helped! I made a few more videos about train shops that are more recent that this one, you might wanna check them out, as I discovered a few more shops
Very nice guide.
If only Japan had a bit more DCC stuff. I mean if you a Japanese MRR transforme the trains run very smooth (much smoother than with European ones) However our modelrailway was build with DCC. We later extended with a extra tracks for the non-DCC Japanese trains, but would be nice if they could drive on our regular tracks) My dad is quite capable of adding DCC equipment to analogue trains, especially older ones from like the 80-90s but he he does not really wants to do that to Japanese ones cuz he is scared of braking the unit since he isn’t so familiar on how the electronics in Japanese Modell trains are build up.
You know when my family goes to Akihabara it ends like this:
My dad: goes to check out every Model train shop he can fin (I also help him find some, and shop with him cuz I also like model trains however not that much that I would spend a whole day shopping)
Me: goes to check out as many Anime/Manga stores I can (also together with my dad sometimes cuz he also watches Anime)
My sister: goes into some Maid cafe
My mom: just awkwardly standing by the station thinking: „Why the hack did we come here“)
LOL that was very funny! I'm like your dad, but I sympathize with your mum! Unfortunately Japanese don't like DCC too much. KATO make some DCC-friendly sets, most of the recent releases are like that. But older sets are not. You need to solder and drill and cut stuff. I still haven't tried yet, but I'm planning to do so. On both KATO and Tomix trains
When i visit tokyo in the future i will totally come here
Nice, many shops close to each other. Funny to see!
Yes, Akihabara is the one place to visit if you like model trains!
nice video. I have been to Japan twice recently and it's good to see a neighborhood that I really like.
For the purchases of trains I prefer Imon model and for all that is rail it is Yodobashi ... you can have a discount in addition to the duty free of 5% if you pay with visa card.
I came back this summer with a lot of kato purchases
Stéphane
Thanks to you also for this information! I feel that by the time more people have sent in their favourite shops I'll have my whole Tokyo trip planned entirely lol
@@tsu8003
There would be a Greenmax store on akihabara .... but I did not find it .... if you have information on the location, I am a taker ...
I advise you to go to the Kato store. the one with the train in front.
It’s really worth it .... there are beautiful layouts. it is immense and the choice important.
After the prices it is more expensive than yodobashi.
Normally we go back there next year and I plan to be full again.
On Osaka you have a big pomondetta.
On Akihabara you have second-hand stores but I didn't dare .... buy locomotives ... but I should have brought back waggons ...
@@426Stephane For sure a trip to the KATO store in shinjuku is well worth it. It's the most expensive shops, as you pay the full price, but they have everything made by KATO. I've never heard of a Greenmax shops, so I cannot help. There's a newly opened Tomix showroom right next to Kanda station. In Part 2 I'll show both KATO and Tomix showrooms
@@seiya880 Thanks for your info.
I would go see the Tomix store when I next visit Tokyo.
I would also go to Model Imon ikebukuro and Shibuya.
I would also try to rent a layout for an hour
Thanks for the video! I'm in Tokyo right now and you mentioned a few shops I haven't been to yet. Gotta check them out. Furthermore, I'd like to mention that there are three more shops (small ones) I've been to, you haven't mentioned:
- The 1st one is close to Radio Kaikan, on the other side of the street. It's another Pochi Hobbyland on 6th floor (over the Cardkingdom shop).
- The 2nd one is Railmeister (レールマイスター). On the Map at 6:51, it's close to the traffic lights at the bottom left corner. From that junction, it's at the bottom right corner on the street going down. The entrance (stairs) is next to a optician and the shop is on 2nd floor.
- The 3rd one is Habikoro (ハビコロ) in the Seek Base under the train tracks on the right of the map at 6:51.
These shops are smaller ones, but I still found something to buy. You can just stop by on your Akihabara model train shop tour.
Thank you for the nice comment! That's why I made the video, so you don't have to go treasure hunting around Akihabara ;) And thank you for these other shops you found, I never heard of them! I'll certainly go looking for them next time I'm in Tokyo (that might be a while unfortunately...)
Great train video"thumbs up for me"
Glad you enjoyed it
Very interesting and helpful, thank you.
muy bonitos trenes para jugar :)
very nice train to play :)
Wow thanks for sharing
I swear I saw a comment asking about the Greenmax store, it's in the same building as Imon but they're on the fifth floor
Thanks for the hint, I'll make sure I'll visit it and document it next time (hopefully soon)
used your video to go to all these shops in November during my last trip -max 10% is H0 -employees don't speak English, -eg, in glass cabinet 2 JR freight locomotives, identical, one ¥70000, the other one ¥22000, pretty obvious that one asks "what is the difference..........answer: yes -the only shop that I really liked from the video was Popondetta -another place that i can highly recommend is Hobby Center Kato (Ochiai-Minami-Nagasaki Station) -as soon as I asked "do you speak English", guy left and returned with workmate that speaks good English (sometimes he used translation app :)
Glad I could help! Next time you go, check out my new shopping guide series from June 2022 (th-cam.com/play/PL_kWweFiwYL5BIq-ieLGj1OUhP_pXIWVk.html).
I noticed that the HO scale models have increased though, quite a few shops have them. Probably they don't see many foreign people visiting train shops, so their English is really basic to say the list. I usually just browse, point to what I want, pay and off I go.
Theres not really any g scale/gauge 1 in japan is there? I was hoping to get something to add to my set at home but couldn't find anything when I was in akihabara
Good video. So many stores are hidden or if you cannot read jp it is easy to miss. Wish I saw this before my trip. I visited only a few of these.
Thanks! Some of them are not easy to find at all! It took me a few trips to Tokyo to find them all, and I'm sure I missed one or two. But hopefully I shall be back soon and make a new shopping guide, stay tuned!
excellent video
Thank you, this was really interesting
Volks,it used to be a big one in radio kaikan before the renovation.
I've always wondered why it was so small. In Osaka they have a huge train shop, in Tokyo only that small corner
Hello from japan.nice video!
ありがとうございます!
Wow! So many stores with model trains. I wish you you slow down when showing the display items and its price. Wonder how the prices are in Japan compared to US?
The problem is that in most shops video is not allowed, so I need to rush through them. Prices right now are great, because also of the weak Yen. Buying Japanese train sets outside Japan is usually much more expensive.
What an amazing place, Love your channel too, liked and subbed! - Dave B.
Interesting video have you used any of these for mail order or just used them to physically go in and shop?
I bought almost all my sets in those shops, I love to browse and find the hidden gems
@@seiya880 I bet there are some, Ty for the reply and I look forward to more videos.
Hello and thank you for a nice detailed video! If I was looking for an E5 series Hayabusa HO scale, where could I find it? I’ve been pretty lost lately, and I am hoping to find the place in akihabara! Thank you!
Thanks! That's not easy to find. I don't remember seeing one recently. But even if you were lucky enough to find it in a store, it would cost an arm and a leg. HO sets are usually very expensive, as most of them are made in very limited editions by small companies
@@seiya880 Oh okay! Thank you!
digging this channel
Do you know where HO scale new / used I want to go looking around? Let me know Thanks
Does Imon. carry HO scale trains with DCC. included.
I don't think so, I didn't see any model with DCC there, or anywhere else, not even for N gauge. I don't think they sell anything with DCC, you always have to buy it separately, and it's not easy to find DCC stuff.
That was fun. So they don’t have o gauge stuff like Lionel?
Thanks! They barely have HO, I don't think I've ever seen anything bigger than that
I saw the inventory of all those shops and I never saw any DCC stuff. Is it not popular over there?
Unfortunately not at all. KATO is the only company that makes DCC decoders for their models, that's it. But it's not easy to find them. Of all the shops in Akihabara, the only one where I was able to find the DDC decoders for the motor and the lights is TamTam. And also the KATO flagship store in Shinjuku
Have you visited the Katsumi (KTM) store?
No, and I didn't know about it. Thanks for letting me know, I'll surely visit it and document it next time!
quality content my dude. do you have any favourite hobby shops (for anywhere in japan, really) for train collectibles and memorabilia?
thanks! I think Popondetta, cause it has used and new stuff and you can serve yourself cause the sets are not locked behind closed cabinets
@@seiya880 very cool, thank you!
Do they have H0m new or used? 1/87 Yo8000 was only produced by World Kougei and it's no longer in stock.
Unfortunately H0 scale is not popular at all in Japan. You can find some models, but they're very few, especially when compared to the N scale models. I remember that Yodobashi, Imon, TamTam have some of them. It's very hard to find them used.
@@seiya880 japanese N scale has the leas appeal for me
Great videos , do any of the stores you visited sell any kato American trains or are they all Japanese
Honestly I don't remember seeing many US trains in those shops; maybe some Europeans
So, which one store who have the cheapest price and good used conditions ???
Awesome video 👍, Subscribed 🎉
Thanks! Today or tomorrow part 2 is coming!
10:46 i see that yamanote model. how much does that cost if you know?
for the full train (which is three KATO sets: 10-1468, 10-1469, 10-1470), you'd spend around 25,000 yen
at 10:09, those red coaches look like Rhätische Bahn (Switzerland), is that possible?
I believe you're right, given that the train set right on top of it is a DB ICE, so that was probably the EU display case.
Kato has produced a few Swiss trains
Any store in the world.... Which sell spare store of union pacific? One bogguie...
Wonderfull Video Seiya880! thank you!
Thank you! so on your next trip to Tokyo, you know where to go ;)
What would you advice someone who wants to start building his own railway station. I prefer bullet trains. I have to do this from scratch. Thanks
If you like Shinkansen and you want to focus on a train station, then I'd either go with Tokyo or Hakata, since they have the most varieties of Shinkansen, plus a huge selection of local and ltd exp trains. Be aware that Shinkansen sets are really long (the 16 car N700A set in N scale is 2.5m long), so you need a lot of space. But of course you can use shorter versions of them, I have a 9 car Nozomi, cause I don't have the space.
Do these shops have an online catalogue that i can check remotely? Im really interested in the n scale models, but my options are limited due to the current situation. Do you have any tips or recommendation on where to shop used n models from online platform? Thanks!!
I doubt any of these shops sells online, and even if they do, they probably wouldn't ship internationally. There are a few online shops: BanzaiHobby, Hobby Search, AmiAmi, Japan Plaza, ModelTrainPlus. They only sell new stuff. For used sets, you can check Yahoo! Japan Auctions, which is like eBay. But you'd also need to use a proxy service like Buyee, cause they never ship outside Japan.
@@seiya880Wow, thank you so much for the info! Yahoo auction seems like a good place to start. Thanks!
@@seiya880 Model Train Plus also has a retail location
@@rod.h8064 Yep, that's in Saitama though
Hi, i’ve been to Tokyo 4x already and saw these model train sets . But it’s only now i’m beginning to have interest in them. For starters, what brand do you recommend? I know Kato and tomix are popular. Also, can i use trains of one brand with tracks of the other ? Thanks
It happened the same to me, after a few times I took their trains, I realized how awesome they are and got into train models! Tomix has the bigger selection, but almost no DDC compatibility (unless you want to solder and modify the sets); KATO has a slighter smaller selection, but almost all sets are DDC friendly. Then there are smaller brands, like MicroAce or Greenmax. You can use any of these brands on any tracks, as long as they're in N-scale of course.
@@seiya880 thanks. I’m was dealing with a guy selling his Kato n500 set with tracks but he said he sold it already while i was still chatting with him. Anyway, will just get a new set instead. So now i can decide which brand to get. I have zero knowledge with train so im still learning on the terminologies. :)
Just got my 1st train set a few days ago. I went for the Tomix n700a starter set., then bought a few extra tracks and also got a Dr. Yellow 3 car basic set . i don’t have plans on going DCC yet. But let’s see. Big thanks to your videos for giving the shop names where i can order items.
@@jaydkaladcamper Happy to be of help!
@@jaydkaladcamper I’m not big on DCC either as I usually don’t run more than one train at a time and don’t want to get into that extra cost of DCC. Good choice with Tomix but can’t go wrong with Kato either. Both brands in my humble opinion are great. Tomix guy here myself.
Are any of these DCC equipped?
DCC in Japan is not popular at all. None of the train sets come with a DCC decoder
by the way,did you go to hobby center kato?
I did go a year or so ago, I put some shots of it in Part 2 which is coming out in a few days ;)
Shouldve gone to kato.
i like know price tomix n scale starter set in japan tokio shops
It's around USD 150
What we're the prices on the trains
I'd say cheaper than what you can find online, especially for the used ones.
hi, awesome guide, thanks! I'm new to the whole travel-shopping-thing, so how does that tax free / non tax free thing work?
In tax-free shops, before making the payment, they'll ask for your passport. They fill out a form and stick it to your passport, and you won't pay taxes. If you shop in a few different stores, you'll end up with a lot of paper in your passport. But you can remove it, they don't need to check it at the airport, just keep the paper slips just in case. All price tags on the shelves are usually without taxes, like in the US.
@@seiya880 thx!
Hello friend. Thanks for your videos. Could you help me with one spare of union pacific? Iam from Spain....
At the expense of being called a cheapskate I will go ahead and ask: Which store has the best prices?
I'd say the ones which are tax free, like Yodobashi Camera or Imon. Most of them are, I remember that TamTam and Popondetta are not. But then there are the shops that sell used staff, like Popondetta, and you can find cheap sets there.
@@seiya880 Thanks so much for letting me know. I really appreciate your response. Since my schedule will probably be tight, I will definitely be going to Yodobashi and Imon. If time permits, I will go to Popondetta as well. Thanks again for letting me know that Popondetta is not tax free. I will keep that in mind. :)
I don't think that I could go to Japan. I would always be wondering, "okay, so when is the 8.0 earthquake going to happen?!?"
Let's just say I have an acute case of Seismophobia...on steroids!
Actually, I've been to Japan like a dozen times, I never experienced an earthquake. But I wouldn't be scared, it there's one place in the world that can withstand them is Japan. But I share your fear, when I did experienced them somewhere else, it scared the bejesus out of me
Thank you for not doing the whole 'manic editing and whizzing through the shelves' kind of video. I find them intensely frustrating and can't understand how anybody can enjoy watching all that shaky footage where the viewer isn't allowed to really scrutinise and enjoy looking at all the truly incredible things on offer because the camera just pans through it all before random jump cuts by the editor. Horrible and unwatchable. So cheers for not doing that. :)
Thanks! In many shops, unfortunately video recording is not actually allowed, so sometimes you're 'forced' to have some shaky video 😊
You go through very fast, not showing prices and scale, need to slow down and show more details of trains and accessories and prices, give one hour in each store at least
nothing for the American market? and not sure about shopping were the "ladys" work the streets. but they have lots for there markets. guess the American thing does not cross into all hobby's there.
I didn't pay much attention to US trains, but I doubt they have many. They have some European ones, but 99% are Japanese. And those girls aren't what you think they are! They are advertising maid cafes, where the waitress are dressed like that. There's nothing sexual about what they do!
You pan way too fast!