Tokyo - Plarail what and where to buy?

starSwitcher? i know some of those shops

[ripley802]

Huge shopping joints like Harajuku will definitely have some discounted Plarail... here's some shops if it'll help:

Toys R Us.
Kiddyland – Harajuku.
Hakuhinkan – Ginza.
Yamashiroya – Ueno.
Tokyu Hands – Ikebukuro and Shibuya.
Tokyo Character Street – Ginza.
Toys Terao – Asakusa.

Thanks starswitcher.. I will do some googling to see which ones may be near to where he will be and let him know.

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wht a loaded question! wht a dilemma.?
i can only assume tht ur brother is there for only 2 reasons.
#1) because he has to. and #2) because he wants to.
therefore, u wouldn't want to compromise his experience.
he has an agenda.
if i was you (and i wish i was, i have been trying to get feet on the ground in japan 4 yrs)
i would break this down into 2 categories.
A) 2 trains tht most dont have.
B) 6 trains tht alot more don't have.... (weather you have them or not!)
i would refrain from buying ANYTHING at the airport.

He will be going for work but will end up with a few days to shop and knows of my collection and how much I would love to go there. I am probably going to try for a few trains and maybe a few speciality track pieces. I would love to try and get the new Thomas Steam set but not sure it is even out yet.

you have to define wht ur true "wants" really are... again tuff call.
limited time vs budget vs opportunity.
probability is compromised either way

[ripley802]

you have to define wht ur true "wants" really are... again tuff call.
limited time vs budget vs opportunity.
probability is compromised either way

I have so many "wants" it would be near impossible to eat them all..

But aside from that I am really going by what I see on the Japan auctions and here. Most of the things I have been eyeing are older and would not be in the shops probably. Maybe I will shoot for some exclusives and see what he comes back with.

thts y i say... 2 trains/sets/ whtever....
and 6 probable.
limited time equals definition

[Super]

It would also be nice to know if there any second hand shops near where he will be staying as they seem to have tons of Plarail stuff. Would be nice if he could send you real time pictures then you could tell him exactly what you want while he is looking at them.

with just a few days... u might have to refine this more.
but i strongly encourage.. buy nothing at airport

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with a 3 day window (or less). little to no time.

For preowned Hobby Off is your best bet, they have a locator on their website.

[Super]

Wow...you have really received a lot of first hand knowledge here. I wish I was visiting Japan, with all this help I would be coming back in a shipping container.

[ripley802]

Well it has been awhile but my brother has come back from Japan and then actually had to go back a month later again. I was so jealous..

I finally had a chance to meet up and see what he brought back. Unfortunately he did not have a long time to shop either time so only a few items on my list he was able to find.

The 2016-2017 catalog is now in hand. I was happy to see this one and have for the catalog archive but there must be a 2017-2018 one coming out which will have the new Thomas/Gordon, and other items that we have seen so far.

Aside from that I received the Chirin Tekoro ringing Paint Splatter Thomas, 4x packs of tires ( can never have to many), and a few bags from the Plarail shop.
Can't wait for myself to get to go, if ever..