Visit 3 scale model shops in Akihabara, Tokyo: Yellow Submarine, Volks Hobby and Leonardo LG

In one afternoon I visited three amazing Japanese scale models shops: YELLOW SUBMARINE, VOLKS HOBBY and LEONARDO LG, all in the suburb of Akihabara in Tokyo. Akihabara is the epicentre of Tokyo's hobby store scene, there are several other model shops I ran out of time to view! The range of Tamiya, Zoukei-Mura, FineMolds, Bandai, Hasegawa, Maschinen Kreiger and other Japanese brands has to be seen to be believed. View my video to see inside these model shop meccas...
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[@ToshiwaNamae5701]

Thanks for yr vids. I just recently came back from Japan, brought some very old kits of Hasegawa & Tamiya. Most of it I brought was figures, 3D printed resin parts, and decals. Some stuff Ain’t cheap. Some stuff u don’t get to see every day.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

I completely agree, there are some expensive gems out there... It's an amazing experience though.

[@Emtbtoday]

I love these walk around videos of other model shops so interesting to see what's in! Great ideas they have for the parts

[@MastinoNapoletano420]

Thank you so much for sharing! If I ever moved to Japan I would probably live in a closet and build models in my spare time because I would give those places whole paychecks.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Cal, from what I've seen a lot of Japanese flats are about the size of a large closet - I'm not sure where modellers put their completed work!

[@jjab99]

Looks like you are visiting every model shop in Japan and why not!! There is certainly a lot of choice and some bargains to be had. Have fun for the rest of your trip, Joe

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hi Joe, I tried to get to as many as I could. They just have such depth of range compared to what I'm used to... It's going to be tough back in the real world! Cheers mate, Dave

[@martinmontano891]

Too me this is Paradise!!!!!😄😄😄😃😃

[@LiberalsArePoop]

Yellow Submarine is almost like going to a hobby shop and a model show at the same time. Those builds are amazing.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Heh heh, it so is! No wonder I loved it so much. I wish I could have taken more video for you in there.

[@eedelwit]

Very nice to see what you can buy, which is a lot. As mentioned earlier it is a lot more then what shops offer in my country, being the netherlands. Looking forward to other shop visits. Thx.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

I've never visited the Netherlands, but I'd love to get there some day.

[@oddballsok]

Als je er een vliegticket voor over hebt en 13 uur stil zitten in je stoel, dan kan ik je beter HongKong (MongKok area) aanraden. Ook veel hobbyshops MAAR goedkoper ! De nieuwste modellen iets van 10 tot 15 % goedkoper dan wat je hier in Tokyo ziet.(bovendien vaak een AKTIE verkoop van wel 30% goedkoper(als ze 20 dezelfde dozen hadden besteld..)). ..en de oude Tamiya modellen lekker ouderwets goedkoop. 10 tot 15 euro voor dozen waar ze in dit filmpje in tokyo nog 20 tot 40 euro vragen (zie 11:52 de sdkfz 251 is hier een uitzondering, maar ook die (t zal zonder figuurtje zijn) is dan de helft minder in HongKong). Ook de "europese" (lees; vooral Ukraine en russisch ) merken zijn er "normaal" tot goedkoop geprijsd.

[@modelcitizen6759]

Thanks for giving us these sneaky peeks into paradise Dave - make sure you don’t get arrested though! Dave

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

They'll never catch me alive Dave! ;)

[@modelcitizen6759]

Make sure they don’t! Enjoy what‘s left of your trip D. D.

[@cunneyes]

Thanks for the video. love my 1:35 ww2, and maschinen krieger. I'm also aussie.

[@michaelbecquet9751]

love the video Dave...I always stop at that Leonardo lg shop when I'm in Tokyo love that musty smell and hunting down an old kit

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Oh man, it's the best. i feel the need to get back there...

[@lordlorenzo5835]

Dave, Great vid - I had heard about yellow Submarine from a friend, but Leonardo looks like the place to go. Thanks again for the peek into Japan's hobby meccas...

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hi Lord Lorenzo, Volks Hobby is also incredible, I feel I didn't do it justice in my video because I wasn't able to capture as much in that store. All three were great. And there are several other stores right nearby I ran out of time to see! Dave

[@kenhanson1819]

Thank you Dave, for taking the time putting together this video during your Japan trip. I really enjoyed it, as well as your commentary. It's very interesting to see the model hobby culture in Japan. They have some outstanding builders there. Like you, I don't really get the girls und panzer themed kits. Then again, they probably wouldn't get why there is/was such a popularity for the Tom Daniel's custom car kits here in the US. To each his own, I suppose.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Totally agree Ken. It's one of the things I love about the hobby, whatever your passion there is a kit out there for you :)

[@lancecaldwell3874]

Fabulous Dave. Just amazing the range and quantity. Pretty cool seeing kits I Owen on the shelf. Cheers mate..

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Lance Caldwell thanks mate! I know, how cool to spot old kits you have owned or built! It is tough ack home now... :(

[@orbitalair2103]

Darn, our friend is not assigned to Japan anymore, I wish I had known about Leonardo when she went there 3 months ago. Thats my kind of shop. Thanks for showing us.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

orbitalair bummer :( That said, it would be tough to send someone to Leonardo looking for a specific item - it’s more set up for browsing and finding those unplanned hidden gems! Finding a specific kit would be a nightmare 😆

[@LynnDippel]

That is awesome. I have enjoyed your visits. Wish the US had model shops like that.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks Lynn :) It's definitely going to be tough when I visit my local hobby stores next time! Cheers, Dave

[@wowastig5014]

i wonder if there are stores there in Japan that sells cheap but quality diorama modelling supplies?

[@luckylucson]

How do I purchase kits from these stores? I'm just worried as I don't speak an ounce of Japanese. Is it the standard affair of pulling stuff out of shelves, and bringing them to the counter?

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Yep, exactly that. Also, chances are at least some of the staff speak English. Japan is amazing.

[@brabopainter]

Great video, nice to to see all this beauty. Thanks for sharing.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Brabo Painter - my pleasure, thanks for watching 😀

[@tarmacpounder785]

Akihabara is my stomping ground on my Tokyo layovers, sadly discontinued due to the pandemic.

[@carlosconquero3103]

Góod job Greatins from Argentina

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thank you!

[@sexygirlove20]

sat in my hotel in tokyo... found your video.. thanks..exactly what i was looking for

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

sexygirlove20 excellent! I hope you find good stuff there!

[@michaelbowles6165]

I live in the Yokohama area and have just started getting back into modeling. Have been having a hard time finding shops nearby. Found one not bad and asked them for info for others like theirs and they said Toy's r us. OMG are you kidding me. Anyways have been watching your videos and am enjoying them and the advice and info provided. Looking forward to heading to Akihabara next weekend and checking these stores out. OBTW how was their SF model selection , I am a bit of a Star Wars nut and that is the main focus for my modeling?

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hi Michael, you're a lucky man living in Japan. The fact that you can head to Akihabara any time you want is pretty cool! Every model store I visited in Japan had a good Star Wars section - I think you'll be happy. I think I even saw some Star Wars in Tokyu Hands? Cheers, Dave

[@MrTriestino]

you missed Leonardo ET just 1 minute from LG ????

[@kevinchapman4362]

I need a 10 mins free hand in the last store ! ! ! Nice !

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

I could have happily spent 3 or 4 hours in that secondhand store. They have some real gems waiting to be discovered...

[@paulsscalemodels5915]

Great videos mate,do any of these hobby stores have online shopping they are brilliant 👍👍👍

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

It seems Volks Hobby does offer online shopping, if you google it, but I imagine the postage would eat up any savings you might make? Give it a try and let me know how you go! Cheers, Dave

[@oddballsok]

I have the impression that ordering online from HongKong shops is costing less on international shipping than those of japan. (to Europe..but I suppose to USA/Australia is the same postage prices). I wanted to add a link here..but I lost the hong kong store link...(maybe later I come back to this..)

[@paulsscalemodels5915]

ODDBALL SOK hi mate thanks for the info,really good of you did you manage to find the link?👍👍👍

[@paulholmes1715]

Love the video, but how could you NOT MENTION Gundam or anime kits at all?

[@drm31]

Hi! Did you find motorcycles in those stores? Thank you!

[@RenerDeCastro]

Leonardo LG for me was probably THE hobby store I loved when I first went to Tokyo last August. Found out it was literally right next to the hotel I was staying, so it was also the first hobby store I checked out. I got myself two books on the USAAF and USN during WWII (the first one being about Mustang and Thunderbolt aces in the Pacific and CBI, the second about the development and service history of the TBF Avenger) rather than the 1/700 Tamiya USS Iowa I originally wanted (I got the Iowa instead at nearby TamTam). Great collection of English language books in my opinion. And tbh it's only thanks to you fine sir that I even found out the name of the store. Silly me for not trying to find out the name back then.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hi Rener, it's just the best isn't it? It's now six months since I was in Tokyo, and I miss it more every week... (and not just for Akihabara model stores!)

[@RenerDeCastro]

Yup. I was surprised that even the stores in Kyoto were damn good. Especially Yodobashi and one located near Book Off.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Damn, I didn't get into Yodobashi when I was in Kyoto. More research for next time! Do you know what they were called please Rener?

[@RenerDeCastro]

Yodobashi Kyoto. They're literally just north to the Kyoto Tower in front of Kyoto Station. Great place, I tell you.

[@kevinchapman4362]

What scale was that me 110 older kit ? Love them older German kits.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

1/32 scale. It was massive!

[@timorvet1]

''Wow''!!....that second hand hobby shop looks alot like my man cave here in Darwin. What with all those current and not so current kits, and out of production ones as well, and former model companies no longer with us. I have the 1974 boxing of the Revel 1/32 Bf 110G-4 Night Fighter with the coolest box art, that i picked up from a hobby shop at Bankstown Airport, some years back. ''The hobby is alive and well''!!!

[@OneofInfinity.]

My IJN ship collection would grow substantially after one visit 😄 also depending on how many I 'm allowed to take out of Japan for personal use. Edit: I would also need a week of visits to take it all in.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

I hear you. I'm desperate to get back there now...

[@kevinchapman4362]

Depending on shipping cost ! ? I'd buy them overhead kits and have all shipped to the house ! Your Christmas late thing ! ! ! . . . I'd walk in to the store with 1000 .00 and have an idea to get back home ! Asap ! Lol. I have an older hobby shop about 65 miles from me ! And could spend the entire day there as long as my legs don't give out on me the hobby shop is called Mark Twain hobby store in St Charles mo . In a few months I'll b making my own trip to them. Maybe 1000 bucks ! ? Looking forward to it ! Your trip must have been so dam nice !

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Kevin Chapman I feel very, very lucky to have been there. It was on my bucket list. Now I want to go back again!

[@cesarlavigna71]

Qué lugares increíbles. ...muy bueno el video...

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks Cesar! Gracias, Dave

[@cesarlavigna71]

Dave's Model Workshop Saludos desde Bahia Blanca ,Argentina.

[@stephenchow3280]

Yeah, Chinese kits are very expensive in Australia, like hobbyboss, Meng and RMF. I have to buy them from China. It's much cheaper.

[@陳勇志-w7t]

Is any shop have sell "Wingnut wings" products in tokyo.thanks

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

I saw lots of Wingnut Wings products in both Yellow Submarine and Volks Hobby.

[@陳勇志-w7t]

@@DavesModelWorkshop oh, thank you

[@colinkavanagh7625]

Amazing shop. Great video..

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Thanks Colin :)

[@mikehalliday3838]

Was there any English speaking employees in Leonardo?

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Yes, there was one who spoke to me, definitely.

[@mikehalliday3838]

Excellent, I sent Leonardo a Facebook message both English and translated.

[@alien8r33d]

The Wingnut Wings Albatros is £161.84!

[@Tokyomodeldetective]

at 2:29 you filmed my friend kanbe san the main manager at yellow submarine. also, i dont advised doing a logan paul and filming in VOLKS. It's actually not allowed. Please respect the stores rules. This is why it's hard for gaijin living here to shopping comfortably. But Great video David.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

That is a fair point, Tokyo model detective. I did not consider that it might have a negative effect for future non-Japanese customers. I would hate to think that VOLKS became more suspicious of gaijin customers in the future, I really would. I offer my apologies. On the flip side, this video may encourage future visits by non-Japanese customers who would otherwise not know of these stores, so I hope that it balances out any potential negatives. Also, my review of the three stores is 100% positive (they were incredible to visit) so I would also hope that the stores are not negatively impacted or unhappy with my coverage. Dave

[@Tokyomodeldetective]

Hi David, thanks for you reply. I'm not hating on you, as i have in the past filmed in Volks and was told to stop filming. This video was for a purpose of showing potential modellers what Akiba has to offer. You did this in a professional style and showed some awesome images. It's more so, other gaijin that come and basically are rude and act like jerks in stores. Hence why, the stores stopped filming, etc. The Japanese are really insecure about being filmed, etc. And this Logan Paul crap, doesn't help either. It doesn't help when tourists, not you David, take the piss and for foreigners living here have to deal with the Japanese. Japanese are insanely paranoid about foreigners, stealing, causing damage , etc. Some youtubers take advantage of it, and clearly know the rules. I live about 40 mins from Akiba and i deal with model kit suppliers in Kuramae. So, it's like home for me and i've been living in Japan for 10 years. You could say, i have adopted many of the Japanese etiquette rules. You have a great channel and in-depth knowledge regarding models, and was the best video Ive seen on your travels here. Just funny you filmed Kanbe san- yellow jumper arranging the Ma.k kits. I take it you missed out TAMTAM, and Jungle. Hope to meet up next time your here. Im heading to Osaka and Kobe this Tuesday to film some model shops in kansai if i have time. Keep up the great work Dave! TMD

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

No mate, I didn't think you were hating for a second, you kept it professional and respectful :) Your comment was actually quite thought-provoking for me. I thought the reason for VOLKS not wanting me to film was just a little standard retail paranoia like you get anywhere in the world, I didn't realise there was so much more psychology behind it. If you do get a chance, could you please apologise to your friend Kanbe-san for me? Or message me his details so I could apologise in person, if you think he may be upset by my actions? No disrespect was intended. (I agree, douchebags like Logan Paul make all Westerners look arrogant and disrespectful...) I didn't get to Tamtam, nor Jungle - next time! And yes, I'd love to catch up in person next time (whenever that may be). Also, how did I not know about your channel before now? just gained another subscriber sir, and I'm going to binge on your Ma.K. videos now! Dave

[@stevethefishdotnet]

I hope you are doing well, despite the situation Australia is in currently. Outside of Tokyo, model shop owners are actually open to having their stores videoed. I've asked permission and have been granted. There are actually a few stores I'm allowed to take video in and the shop owners are receptive to being featured on KZbin, but I never get around to doing so. It was mentioned earlier in the comments on this video that since Tokyo gets a lot of foreign tourists, the city gets the brunt of the abrasive types. As a foreigner living in Japan, there may be more job opportunities in the Tokyo area, but living outside the Tokyo area is more comfortable and you're treated more hospitably. I live in a ski town 150km NW of Tokyo and the model shop owners in my area enjoy talking with me. I've uploaded videos of hobby shops and hobby events on my own channel. The worst thing about making videos like this are the comments from self-entitled goofuses who complain that I did not linger my camera on the exact models they wanted to see, and arrogantly presume to tell me how to make my channel better.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Steve, I'm so jealous you get to live that Japanese life. It is a fascinating place. I visited some rural areas on my last trip, and it was so different to Tokyo and Kyoto. I miss it a lot...

[@stevethefishdotnet]

@@DavesModelWorkshop As far as the hobby goes, there can't be a better place to live than Japan. I used to live in Shizuoka Prefecture, home to Tamiya, Hasegawa, Aoshima, Banda, Sweet, and some other model kit companies. And of course the Shizuoka Hobby Show each year. I now live in Gunma Prefecture, NW from Tokyo. There are some decent hobby shops, particularly in Maebashi and Takasaki. North from here is Niigata Prefecture, and while it's home to God Hand and Mineshima, there's a dearth of dedicated hobby shops up there. The same can be said of Nagano Prefecture west from here. My in-laws live there, and there used to be a great hobby shop in the town next to them, but it's been gone for 10 years. While it's not as exciting as the Tokyo sprawl, life is nicer in rural towns. Tokyo is so cold and cashiers just assume I can't speak the language. Outside of Tokyo, the locals treat foreigners like anyone else, if not better. It's why foreigners living in Tokyo succumb to culture shock and a feeling of isolation.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

@@stevethefishdotnet I visited Shizuoka - I loved it there! Such a lovely city. I visited Tamiya HQ, it was a dream come true. I also visited Nagano, got to see the snow monkeys. It is a wonderful country. I wish I could speak the language, but I utterly, utterly can't :(

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

@@stevethefishdotnet BTW - subscribed to your channel mate.

[@stevethefishdotnet]

@@DavesModelWorkshop Thanks. It turns out that I was already subscribed to your channel, but I did not have notifications turned on.

[@larrybrown1824]

I'm in Southern Ohio of the US, so I can't speak for the whole country. But I'm not aware of any Hobby Shop in the US stocked as well as the ones you've visited. Maybe others are...

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

It seems that either: a) there are enough Japanese customers buying everything to make it worth having all this random, esoteric product, or b) Japanese model retailers don't mind if stock sits on the shelf for a long time. But yeah, the range is extraordinarily wide compared to what I'm used to.

[@larrybrown1824]

Japan is one of the few countries in the world I'd be interested in visiting, but I think the farthest west I'll ever get is Hawaii...maybe. Or did I already say that on another thread? LOL

[@orbitalair2103]

I am in North Alabama, we used to have 3 hobby shops, but now only 1, and its mostly radio control stuff. I have never seen a model store like those in AL or SC in 40 years of modeling. Thank goodness for mail order/internet.

[@larrybrown1824]

This! The few model shops we do have are 90% RC now. Cars and drones are the big items around here now. There is a Hobby Town about 40 minutes from me that has a decent mix of RC, Trains, Gaming, Models, etc. But as the saying goes, Jack of All Trades, Master of none. I would love to have a hobby shop like one of the ones about within driving distance. Heck, I'd love to have one like Andy's Hobby Shop within driving distance. At least it's models only (I think).

[@casimirkulikowski5949]

I cannot convey how jealous i am of you

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Hi Casimir, I feel very lucky to have visited. And there is still so much I want to see there - next time... Dave

[@mladtheimpaler]

You lucky dog!

[@ronnybogaerts3359]

thanks for the vid dave. if you can't film a shop to me they are hiding some stuf. you do the same in europe and most of the time they will pay you for the free publicity you provide worldwide. next time more cars and trucks please ?

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

I've since been advised that Japanese people are intensely private, they dislike the idea of their face or their business being seen online (which is sort of fair enough). I promise on my next trip (whenever that is) I'll cover off automotive stuff too!

[@mikehalliday3838]

It's a serious travesty that you can never get Fine Molds in the west!

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

We don't see anything like this here in Oz...

[@mikehalliday3838]

I don't think Fine Molds has a US distributor at all. And it's a shame really because they have a great range, rivaling Eduard is some ways. It's also disappointing because Tamiya seems to largely ignore any demand for Japanese armor and vehicles, especially in 1/48. Probably because FM already has a good share of the home market.

[@randycheow5311]

I went there before and I can't found shit, wtf

[@evanhizon8112]

What do we have in the US? Old, rundown, overpriced, stores run by a bunch of mean old mans complaining that video games and computers killed the hobby. Not to mention empty shelves, stuff from 40 years ago at retail price and stores closing down. Also trains stores, They are overpriced, cheap Chinese junk selling at high prices, and the people who go to these stores are old men who are just reminiscing the glory days. I tell you man, hobby stores in the US are just plain crap compared to hobby stores in Japan.

[@DavesModelWorkshop]

Is it really that bad there? I've never visited US hobby stores - there are some like you described here in Australia too, but they're definitely the minority. Most of the ones like you describe have already closed down! Dave

[@evanhizon8112]

Maybe, that's true. I visited some stores when I was in the US, it was not as great compared to Japan. it was in California. Most customers and the owners were really rude and had that old man "don't bother me" vibe. And it was sad.

[@mladtheimpaler]

Eh, I've heard that some are like that. My local store is run by an older gentleman, but he's not mean. The selection isn't huge but there's lots of aircraft. The prices though are very high.