When it comes to anime, manga, and pop culture, few places rival Akihabara, the mecca for enthusiasts from around the globe. And while there’s no shortage of stores catering to anime and manga lovers, one destination stands out as unique: the Mandarake Complex. Conveniently located just a 6-minute walk from Akihabara Station, this eight-story haven is a must-visit for collectors and fans alike, offering a jaw-dropping selection of vintage and rare items.

Mandrake Complex in Akihabara: A Time Capsule of Japanese Pop Culture

Founded in 1980, Mandarake has grown into one of Japan’s largest second-hand shops for manga, anime, and collectibles. Among its many locations, the Akihabara flagship store, Mandarake Complex, is particularly renowned for its unparalleled selection of hard-to-find treasures. But what truly sets Mandarake Complex apart from other stores is the sheer expanse of the selection of goods they offer. Not only can you find merchandise for currently trending series such as Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) as well as classics like Dragon Ball Z, but you can also find toys from pre-war Japan, like tin toy cars. As you explore the store, you can glean more about what Japan was like during different periods from the toys and media produced at the time.

Figurines of Peko-chan, a character created in 1950 to promote cakes made by the Japanese confectionery manufacturer Fujiya.

What’s Inside Mandarake Complex? A Floor-by-Floor Guide

Browsing at Mandarake Complex isn’t just shopping—it’s an adventure waiting to happen. Each floor of Mandarake Complex specializes in niche interests, allowing you to dive deep into your favorite worlds. Open daily from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Mandarake Complex fits seamlessly into your Tokyo itinerary, no matter when you visit. Plus, with staff who speak English, Korean, and Chinese, you’ll have no trouble getting the help you need to navigate this treasure trove.

Whether you start at the top or explore by theme, here’s a quick guide to help you navigate.

8th Floor: Toys and Figurines
The 8th floor is a treasure trove for toy and figure collectors. The selection here is huge, from vintage characters to those from current popular titles such as NieR:Automata, FINAL FANTASY, and Transformers.

7th Floor: Trading Card, Model Trains and More Toys
The 7th floor is a must-visit for trading card and card game fans! For those who grew up in the ’90s, the section dedicated to Pokémon trading cards is bound to bring back a flood of nostalgic memories. The floor also boasts a wide selection of other popular titles like Yu-Gi-Oh!, Digimon, and many more!

6th Floor: CDs, DVDs and Video Games
For gamers and media collectors, the 6th floor is where you’ll find classic and modern titles across a variety of platforms, along with anime soundtracks and DVDs.

5th Floor: Female Comics, Female Doujinshi, BL and Male Idol Goods
This floor is dedicated to shojo manga (girls’ comics), idol goods, BL (boys’ love) manga, and fan-made doujinshi such as light novels and art books.

4th Floor: Male Doujinshi and Goods
This floor is tailored to mature audiences, featuring male doujinshi, novels, and goods for male collectors.

3rd Floor: Manga and Vintage Comics Dive into a sea of manga, from weekly anthologies like Jump to collectible art books and rare editions.

2nd Floor: Dolls, Anime Toys, Cosplay Goods and More
Explore a fascinating selection of Sailor Moon goodies, customizable Dolfies, Blythe dolls, and the eerie yet intriguing Living Dead Dolls.

1st Floor: Buy-Back Counter, Tax-Free Counter and Cosplay
The first floor is where you can buy or sell a variety of goods, including a wide range of cosplay items. It’s also where you can take advantage of the tax-free shopping counter, making it an essential stop for international visitors!

Take Advantage of Tax-Free Shopping at Mandarake Complex

Mandarake Complex offers tax-free shopping for foreign tourists staying in Japan for six months or less and purchasing more than ¥5,000 worth of merchandise before tax. Here’s a quick overview of how to take advantage of tax-free shopping.

1. At the Cash Register: After selecting your items, head to the cashier on the same floor where you shopped. Inform the staff that you’d like to claim a tax exemption and show your passport.
2. Payment: After paying for your items with tax, take your purchases to the tax-free counter on the first floor.
3. Final Step: The tax-free counter staff will complete the necessary paperwork for your tax exemption. You’ll be asked to review and sign the documents before receiving your purchases.

💡Important Note: Although Mandarake Complex is open until 8:00 pm, the tax-free counter closes an hour earlier at 7:00 pm. Since tax exemption and refunds can only be processed on the day of purchase, be sure to plan accordingly to complete the process before closing time.

For more detailed information, visit the tax-free shopping page on Mandarake’s website.

How to Get to Mandarake Complex from HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa

Mandarake Complex is conveniently located about 25 minutes away from HOTEL TAVINOS Asakusa. From Asakusa Station, you can choose between two easy routes to get to Akihabara Station:

1. Tsukuba Express Line: Take the Tsukuba Express rapid train bound for Akihabara Station. This direct route takes only 5 minutes, with no changes required.
2. Tokyo Metro: First take the Ginza Line from Asakusa Station to Ueno Station, then transfer to the Hibiya Line to reach Akihabara Station. This route takes about 15 minutes, including the transfer.

Whether you’re a serious collector looking or just keen to learn more about Japanese anime, manga, and toys throughout the decades, make sure to set aside plenty of time to explore each floor—you never know what hidden gem you’ll uncover.

Mandarake Complex (Akihabara)
Address: 3-11-12 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 12:00 noon – 8:00 pm
Closed: Open year-round
Access: from 6- to 10-minute walk from Akihabara Sation on the JR Yamanote Line, JR Chuo Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, or Tsukuba Express Line
Website: https://www.mandarake.co.jp/dir/cmp/index-en.html
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandarake.complex/

Writer
Rachael Aoki
Originally from the East Coast of the United States, Rachael has called Japan home for over a decade. She enjoys discovering destinations that are popular with locals from quaint cafes to hole-in-the-wall eateries and sharing that information with visitors from overseas. She also loves taking trips to onsen and is always up for a trip to Hakone, Kanagawa.