Maybe but also these are getting harder and harder to find and especially in Japan, the pandemic hit hard. Demand is pretty high still so I wouldn’t blame it on youtubers alone
Fun fact: Once you factor in excess baggage and the effort/opportunity costs of getting to and from Japan, none of this retro gear is worth buying there. As an expat in the IT industry who regularly visits Japan, I’ve found that prices only beat eBay when the item is scuffed up with legitimate usability issues. Visit Japan for Japan, because it’s a pretty cool place-just don’t live or work there (it’s diabolically awful for locals). If you find some cool retro tech while you’re there, great. I’ve lost count of how many Japan-stan weebs I’ve met who came to Japan solely to hunt for ‘lost/classic/holy grail’ tech not available anywhere else. It’s pretty funny to meet them after a few days of failed pursuit. They often admit that Japan feels no different from scouring their local thrift shop back home, and nothing they saw at a Hard-Off was any different or more useful than what they’ve already seen on eBay and retro tech forums.
Well said, indeed. While in Romania we don't have any retro stores where I can go and browse, so for me this was still a great experience, you definitely shouldn't go to Japan only for retro shopping. I went to Japan for Japan, as you said, but couldn't miss on doing some shopping as well. But also, going outside the big cities can be a different experience but then again, paying for train tickets, hotels, etc will add a lot to the final price
Really happy I was able to help out. Enjoy your time over there and happy retro hunting! Hope you buy some cool stuff. I’m currently working on my video about everything that I got
Fun fact: Once you factor in excess baggage and the effort/opportunity costs of getting to and from Japan, none of this retro gear is worth buying there. As an expat in the IT industry who regularly visits Japan, I’ve found that prices only beat eBay when the item is scuffed up with legitimate usability issues. Visit Japan for Japan, because it’s a pretty cool place-just don’t live or work there (it’s diabolically awful for locals). If you find some cool retro tech while you’re there, great. I’ve lost count of how many Japan-stan weebs I’ve met who came to Japan solely to hunt for ‘lost/classic/holy grail’ tech not available anywhere else. It’s pretty funny to meet them after a few days of failed pursuit. They often admit that Japan feels no different from scouring their local thrift shop back home, and nothing they saw at a Hard-Off was any different or more useful than what they’ve already seen on eBay and retro tech forums.
I'm a bit disappointed with the prices of GB I'm seeing in the video. A gameboy pocket in country is generally sold between 8 to 12k yen (converted of course). In these stores is around 20k? How is that possible?
@@TheTechUnravel A symbolic buy in Akihabara it’s a dream come true to buy a Japanese Vita right there. If we get a chance to visit again I may hunt for a Vita slim too plus anime figures for additional collections haha. 😂
@@rommelflores2618 Haha, agree. I also wanted for years to get a Vita in Japan but considering I had 2 already, I went for other consoles. I just posted a video about everything I bought over there if you want to check it out :)
i see these prices and i compare to other videos from other parts of tokyo and japan and it's night and day WAY too expensive for the same items; be wary and do your personal search everyone
Some of the stores had to lower the prices for sure. Retro Game Camp had used Game Boys for around 30000 JPY, without the original box. They are on the main street, so I'm not surprised that they are trying to take advantage of that, but that was crazy high. In another city, I bought a boxed Game Boy, almost in mint condition for 29000 JPY, but they also had loose ones for a fraction of that price.
That's why I included some of them, like Retro Game Camp. Not necessary to buy anything, but I'd still go and look around. I did pick up some loose items in the end though. But Friends has to be my favorite one. So many cool stuff and great prices compared to other stores, even in other cities!
@@TheTechUnravel Yeah, Akihabara is definitely a good place to just window shop and you can find hidden treasure anywhere! Trader is my favorite next to Surugaya, both chains can have beautiful items, usually hidden on the shelves :) .
@@petersziraki7672 I'm now working on some videos and going through video footage and I'm finding items that I completely missed while I was there. You really need to pay attention and will definitely find some cool and cheap items
What ruined the retro game store bargains are TH-camrs advertising them to millions of people, then complain that the prices are so high.
Maybe but also these are getting harder and harder to find and especially in Japan, the pandemic hit hard. Demand is pretty high still so I wouldn’t blame it on youtubers alone
Fun fact: Once you factor in excess baggage and the effort/opportunity costs of getting to and from Japan, none of this retro gear is worth buying there. As an expat in the IT industry who regularly visits Japan, I’ve found that prices only beat eBay when the item is scuffed up with legitimate usability issues.
Visit Japan for Japan, because it’s a pretty cool place-just don’t live or work there (it’s diabolically awful for locals). If you find some cool retro tech while you’re there, great.
I’ve lost count of how many Japan-stan weebs I’ve met who came to Japan solely to hunt for ‘lost/classic/holy grail’ tech not available anywhere else. It’s pretty funny to meet them after a few days of failed pursuit. They often admit that Japan feels no different from scouring their local thrift shop back home, and nothing they saw at a Hard-Off was any different or more useful than what they’ve already seen on eBay and retro tech forums.
Well said, indeed. While in Romania we don't have any retro stores where I can go and browse, so for me this was still a great experience, you definitely shouldn't go to Japan only for retro shopping. I went to Japan for Japan, as you said, but couldn't miss on doing some shopping as well.
But also, going outside the big cities can be a different experience but then again, paying for train tickets, hotels, etc will add a lot to the final price
This was a super helpful video. I'm about to go to Tokyo and heard a lot of the same things you did. Thanks for making this!
Really happy I was able to help out. Enjoy your time over there and happy retro hunting! Hope you buy some cool stuff. I’m currently working on my video about everything that I got
Fun fact: Once you factor in excess baggage and the effort/opportunity costs of getting to and from Japan, none of this retro gear is worth buying there. As an expat in the IT industry who regularly visits Japan, I’ve found that prices only beat eBay when the item is scuffed up with legitimate usability issues.
Visit Japan for Japan, because it’s a pretty cool place-just don’t live or work there (it’s diabolically awful for locals). If you find some cool retro tech while you’re there, great.
I’ve lost count of how many Japan-stan weebs I’ve met who came to Japan solely to hunt for ‘lost/classic/holy grail’ tech not available anywhere else. It’s pretty funny to meet them after a few days of failed pursuit. They often admit that Japan feels no different from scouring their local thrift shop back home, and nothing they saw at a Hard-Off was any different or more useful than what they’ve already seen on eBay and retro tech forums.
The best vídeo about retro game stores in Akihabara, thank you very much!!!
I really appreciate it! Really happy you find it useful!
I'm a bit disappointed with the prices of GB I'm seeing in the video. A gameboy pocket in country is generally sold between 8 to 12k yen (converted of course). In these stores is around 20k? How is that possible?
That’s because these are tourist zones so prices are so much higher. But I wasn’t expecting the difference to be so high tbh
Hey so happy to walk in AKihabara for a trip in Japan last month, got a preowned PS Vita 1000 it was a trophy buy for me there, amazing!
Awesome! Vita's are definitely worth getting there. I already have both 1000 and 2000 model but was really tempted to get a boxed aqua blue one 😅
@@TheTechUnravel A symbolic buy in Akihabara it’s a dream come true to buy a Japanese Vita right there. If we get a chance to visit again I may hunt for a Vita slim too plus anime figures for additional collections haha. 😂
@@rommelflores2618 Haha, agree. I also wanted for years to get a Vita in Japan but considering I had 2 already, I went for other consoles. I just posted a video about everything I bought over there if you want to check it out :)
@@TheTechUnravel Alrighty I'll watch it 👍
@@rommelflores2618 Hope you'll find it interesting, even though there isn't a Vita in it. But there are some cool items over there
i see these prices and i compare to other videos from other parts of tokyo and japan and it's night and day WAY too expensive for the same items; be wary and do your personal search everyone
Exactly my point. Know before how much you are willing to pay for a specific item and once you fit into that price, then great
Nice Video ! Sub & Big Like ! And Love Retro Games !
Thank you! I’m happy you enjoyed the video!☺️ And welcome aboard!
Some of the stores had to lower the prices for sure. Retro Game Camp had used Game Boys for around 30000 JPY, without the original box. They are on the main street, so I'm not surprised that they are trying to take advantage of that, but that was crazy high. In another city, I bought a boxed Game Boy, almost in mint condition for 29000 JPY, but they also had loose ones for a fraction of that price.
That's why I included some of them, like Retro Game Camp. Not necessary to buy anything, but I'd still go and look around. I did pick up some loose items in the end though. But Friends has to be my favorite one. So many cool stuff and great prices compared to other stores, even in other cities!
@@TheTechUnravel Yeah, Akihabara is definitely a good place to just window shop and you can find hidden treasure anywhere! Trader is my favorite next to Surugaya, both chains can have beautiful items, usually hidden on the shelves :) .
@@petersziraki7672 I'm now working on some videos and going through video footage and I'm finding items that I completely missed while I was there. You really need to pay attention and will definitely find some cool and cheap items