I Went to Japan's BIGGEST Retro Game Store

I rented a car and drove across Japan to dig through the junk bins of Hard Off, the biggest secondhand store chain in the country. Here's what I found!
Pokémon GO Channel: @trnrtips

[@darththew]

what I learned from my years of travelling to Japan for work and second hand shopping is that if you see something you like , grab it! it will most likely not be there again when you go back for it

[@JamieLikesGames]

This. I went to a Trader store and saw a PS Vita that I really wanted. Went upstairs for 20 minutes to look around. When I came back downstairs the Vita was gone

[@XDLR]

I saw a original Nintendo DS for 2200 yen (at least 14 dollars) in the junk section at my local Hard-off store, should I have gotten it? :[

[@rittis013]

​@@XDLR nah, NDS are pretty easy to find and super cheap

[@XDLR]

@@rittis013 Thank you for the response! :D

[@rittis013]

@@XDLR No problem. However I should mention that even if nds is everywhere but it is indeed challenging to find an overall good healthy one, so if you do find good one then grab it.

[@joelucas8529]

Really enjoying the last few videos like this, it's cool seeing other sides of your adventures! Always appreciate the Pokémon content to go with everything.

[@roddho]

Nick, it’s great to see you back with a renewed sense of passion! I will be here to consume each and every one of your videos. You are a great story teller and put together great videos! Kudos to you sir.

[@JustValiant-]

I was completely immersed through the entirety of this video Nick! You're an extremely talented KZbinr, and somehow make every one of your video's fun and entertaining to watch.

[@skyrade4042]

Thanks for showing off those shops in such detail. Other bloggers just show off the store and move on and I REALLY wanted to see how it actually looks!

[@UltraPoyoColt]

This video is amazing! I really enjoy researching all the different hard-offs, and I’m glad you enjoy it too!!

[@Vailskibum]

Never heard of these when I was in Japan, but it looks like gamer heaven. Awesome vid!! 🥳

[@TFSyndicate]

They also have a few Book-Offs here in the States, in California, Hawaii and New York.

[@hr6733]

research, research, research...

[@LS-studio]

Wow,i'm speechless.Gamer heaven.

[@STICKOMEDIA]

Fr

[@minnvee]

Didn't expect to see you here.

[@sanghasaga994]

This video is pure gold content for me! I'm not really into Pokemon Go anymore, so the fact that I still get to enjoy Nick's talent and entertainment in his videography makes me really happy. On top of all that, my favorite content in general right now is about learning the Japanese language, culture, and just generally what it's like to be in Japan... So I'll say it again, this video was pure gold!

[@crow_g1639]

pokemon go has had a huge decline folding the covid era everything has its end eventually

[@jak2rocks]

I'm loving these videos so much. Please keep making videos like these.

[@silntlegend]

Have absolutely LOVED these last three vids from you!

[@5000PokemonMaster]

These recent videos I really enjoyed watching. It must be fun finding retro games and consoles. That’s dope getting them cheap

[@rosslmccallum]

Great travel/gaming genre crossover vlog. Nice work!

[@BonBonAngel]

Can I just say that your editing for this is spectacular! As a (fairly newer) editor myself, I love your pacing and storytelling. Seriously great stuff, I'm inspired!

[@Mobik_]

Crystal for $9 💀💀💀 I'm lucky if I can get it for $120 in "good conditions"

[@almond3066]

And for most American eBay sellers "good condition" means "scratched to hell but still works" lol

[@osareme2462]

@@almond3066😂😂😂😂

[@adam.kadziela]

Japanese version are much cheaper than European / American. :D

[@CuteAndFunnyFan]

Japanese version=not english

[@ohjajohh]

Thanks for showing a bit of the camera section too! As a collector of vintage lenses it was interesting to see the prices in Japan.

[@FamilyCS2]

Great channel, good commentary! Subbed.

[@HanLawliet]

I watch your video while working at my office. This kind of video is more entertaining for me. Appreciate your video!

[@KeViNMCMXXCIX]

So fun to see. It's like heaven for memorabilia folks like us who grew up with Pokemon and the introduction of handhelds, consoles, internet and so on.

[@Abe-my9wb]

What a great video! Ive recently started collecting video games so i think this is really cool. I know what ill be doing when i visit japan!

[@siddiaz1623]

Love your vid man, I just came across your channel.

[@TheMadSnorlax]

This channel is awesome! I Kinda fell off watching Pokemon GO content, but missed your content in general!

[@MysticAmethystLbs]

Two of my favorite things: thrifting and video games! Love your videos!

[@RetroMoments]

Nice video, man! I've been in Nagoya all summer checking out Game Stores and HARD OFF's. And whats funny is that Surugaya has way better prices than HARD OFF nowadays. Love to see that you came to the same conclusion haha! I still really enjoy hunting in HARD OFF's though. And you can never go wrong with the junk section. Pretty much everything I picked up from there has been working!

[@georgehandle5433]

I recently got into collecting games and starting my own collection of things I find interesting so thank you for sharing I really enjoyed this video

[@1NOTHING116]

Love your vids bro awesome quality and fantastic adventures🤩

[@saintjohnalabama]

I'm visiting this channels videos from time to time, i'd love to see more! Hope u doing well Nicholas!

[@rimgarr]

thanks for the references! heading to Japan in 4 months and was anticipating bringing an extra $1,000 for old Pokemon/nintendo products but that seems super overkill now lol.

[@Karugi]

I could watch videos like this the whole day, thanks nick for that little peek into this japan journey!

[@lovebunny2345]

Wow! I had no idea about these when I was in Japan in 2019. Now I'm obsessed with going back just to go on a Hard-Off tour xD Thank you so much for sharing the locations!

[@TotobamfRS]

loved it! This would be the same thing I would do if I ever get the chance to visit Japan :) Thanks for the vid!

[@cakehoarder]

nice video bro! very chill editing

[@RubenMaciel]

So dope! Love this type of content. My inner child is so stoked to see all those Game Boy

[@christophercruz7373]

Thank you for your awesome video! I am currently traveling in Japan and wanted to check off HARDOFF/BOOKOFF for a GBA SP and a PSP. I knew the farther out of Tokyo I go, the better the finds and the deals.

[@warfu_]

What a fun trip to watch, nice second channel btw Nick!!

[@xIIL3GENDx]

It’s funny to hear you mention Hachioji cuz I live really close to that area. Only about 20 mins away by train. Hobby and Hard Offs are so fun to check out. They recently opened one in my town (Hashimoto) and I’ve been stopping in every few days to check stuff out.

[@meatrace]

I lived and worked in Hachioji for 7 years and used to go to that EcoTown all the time. It really is one of the best places I've ever gone for retro game thrifting.

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

I live near that first Hard/Hobby-Off you visited in Hachioji. Hands downs one of my favorite places to visit on the weekend.

[@Distanc3]

The Hachioji store is pretty close to the Air Force base, and in my experience prices for games are higher in areas with US Military folks nearby 😂

[@cherrybaby6797]

I love this video! I also visited quite a few hardoff and bookoff during my 2 week visit last February. Japan is the best for 2nd hand goods!

[@fetcherman13]

keep up the great content!!

[@Ernie_Creates]

Didn’t know you had a second channel! I’m glad I found it😊

[@CopingContinuous]

This was so great and helpful!!

[@AlexanderLukka]

Yooo this video was amazing

[@marcosgargia9644]

Great trip! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

[@johnbang8]

I love this video! Thank you

[@Thoushaltplaymore]

Thinks GBA's are too expensive in the US fly's to Japan and travels the whole country and still doesn't pull the trigger .........

[@wolfattacker1]

Hahaha frrr

[@paulkendrick4153]

Who cares he got to socialize with people like woman, and he finally get the GBA he’s been dreaming of. He won in the end 😊

[@Cruuzy]

@@paulkendrick4153lmao what the fu

[@MultiDarkII]

@@paulkendrick4153 "with people like woman" man touch grass redditor

[@Georgiaplains]

@@paulkendrick4153you a gen z huh

[@djpown5117]

Finally, someone made a video about GEN three Pokémon!!! Now I know what stores to look for so I can get a set for my collection, loose games and boxed games. Japan 2024 here I come!

[@NotZ8X]

It hurts seeing him pass on such good deals…

[@Lightiningtoofast999]

Absolutely incredible video Nick, where is your favorite ramen spot you mentioned in this video?

[@cynthiaroche4974]

I really loved this thanks for sharing

[@NeighborhoodOppa]

When I lived in Tokyo 2016, it was probably the golden days, I got green, blue, red, silver, gold, boxed with the inserts and posters for 500 each. I would take the train to all the hardoffs outside Tokyo to hunt, it was so much fun, oh and I got my pink advance for 2000. Miss them days, other than that, nice vid.

[@ryancolegrove5994]

what an game of hunting. Glad it all worked out, when I visit Japan again, I'll have to do a Hard Off hunt as well honestly! Fun video

[@turbors]

awesome video bro i really like the way you put it together a great watch :)

[@martinpedersen7]

What a cool trip, now i'm also feeling the urge to mod old GameBoys

[@_BELMONT_]

holy crap this place is a dream land to me. My soldring iron and work station are begging to pillage that "junk" section. God i wish i had access to places like that. So many consoles to mod and fix.

[@legoboy-ox2kx]

Well their slogan is literally "hard off is your dream place" XD

[@MrDAZ3197]

What resources did you use to plan where you were going to stay? Looks like it was an amazing trip!

[@alixgonzo]

Really love these types of videos from you. Also saw you at CRSSD this weekend. Hope you had a great time!

[@brendonla]

Awesome video and gives such a great overview of what to expect in Hard Off shops. I think the Book Off chain here in the U.S. is a "sister" company (they also sell used video game equipment but I doubt they sell used PS1's for $2 bucks each and Wii U's for $8 each!)

[@ajx2956]

Ey you have a new KZbin channel?! Congrats!

[@veterivlog]

That was some great storytelling, Nick. Do you film inside the stores with your big camera or just use the phone?

[@chiyourmobilewellness8364]

Glad I found your channel

[@ocampo420]

Glad to see you in new adventures, Nick :) I´ve been a follower since you appeared in LuzuVlogs for Gen2 in PoGo Keep up the good content, looooove your ABGT Unofficial Movie. (Also, atm Im studying journalism, would be cool to get in touch for a college article)

[@jetztenshi]

love this video. as a collector and filipiino, hunting for good finds are exciting.

[@flavioferreiratv]

Awesome video!

[@dinozauriukas100]

I bought my N3DS XL in 2022, modded it as soon as I got it. I've been going through a few bad situations recently, so the N3DS XL helps me keep my mind concentrated on something and to have some fun/wind down. Great game selection, tons of emulation options, I love the flip form factor on handhelds - just a fun and feelsgood system!

[@Raymx3]

Such a nice change from pogo stuff. Huge fan.

[@UltraPoyoColt]

I love Hard-off!! So many cool game stuff, and many more things too!!

[@beatonsitemotovlog8197]

Nice content and amazing videography..love it from PH🇵🇭

[@michaelpulsifer7222]

The Gameboy Player you can see under the gameboys at 1:29 I bought on the 18th. Great video Nicholas 🤘🤘

[@fireproximity4225]

Awesome video, it transported me back to my semester abroad in Japan and I spent a few weekends looking for Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness around Osaka. I would eventually find it for 1800 yen and also bought every gen 1 game for 100 yen each.

[@AlexMTG_]

Magic Mtg vid sometime? Did you see anything from the convention in Vegas last weekend? Random IHOP 🥞 crossover. Some of my favorite PoGo mons are from various Mtg trips

[@hideyuki0215]

Dang you really did a hard off hopping here in jp. You should try making rounds in all the prefectures here and look at all the hard off hobby off and book off you can visit.

[@itranscendencei7964]

"When kids who grew up with the DS start turning 30" That is currently happening. I am that guy. :) I grew up with all of the early Nintendo handhelds starting from the DMG, but the DS was always my favorite handheld. Been collecting them and very much enjoying it. Would LOVE to take a trip to Japan to go through some Hard Off stores to feel like a kid in a candy store.

[@mikefas5406]

Didn't notice you with the long hair. Welcome back man!

[@PacificNorthwesting]

This is amazing Nick!!!! Keep it up man!

[@onegeek4254]

Good video of the search for the GBA, it is very difficult to get an affordable one apparently in the junk area

[@missingo2141]

I have done this type of Journey a couple of times. (i even have a google map of nearly every hardoff in japan!) I love the wild and wacky things you can find and the retro consoles they have. Tho you are right the prices have gone up heavily. I used to get red/blue/greens for 108yen in bulk from the junk sections. A suggestion for next time is to check out the flea markets as they can be incredible for deals on retro consoles....I picked up a Clear pink boxed N64 for 500yen...bonkers. Additionally if you want an SP to do next set of mods...give me a message :)

[@thedino1871]

Great Video!

[@cathya7045]

Great video. It was fun seeing the little things I have here in the states including the professor Laden games. Yoshi's island till and a attorney. I will met the Mini claw machine and the RC toilet would have come home with me so fast. I may look on eBay for one now.

[@georgehathaways4599]

Idk if youll see this man but keep up the grind and its great your expanding your content and enjoying yourself with these trips and videos im def a fan of this

[@ShadowPuppet3001]

great video, a lot of cool games 🎮 😎, you made an awesome video 😊🎉🎉, I like the gameboy sp 😀, two thumbs up for your video

[@saifal-badri]

Omg every few minutes I was thinking how did you resist buying more 😂

[@kenjames22]

What is that Ramen shop? It looks good gonna visit there soon,,

[@itadakihokkaido4305]

Awesome trip!!!

[@xp0da]

I got my GBA for my birthday/xmas combined in 2001, and I still have it to this day! I'm going to mod it with a new backlit screen, and let it be. But I love the console and the modding scene, so I need another one to mod that to the max, just to see what's possible with hdmi docking and wireless controllers.

[@davidcrowe93]

This is a dream come true if I come to Japan, my first game boy I had was in 1997

[@tflceia]

I ddn't know you were a Magic the gathering enthusiastic. Please make a video about that with your collection, your favourite format and decks. I'd 100% watch it!

[@pandersonnike]

I have to check this when I visit Japan again. I've been to Super Potato which is really cool, but seeing a bigger version of that with classic electronics sounds like my kind of place!

[@PIXELPORTABLE]

My guy, welcome to the hunt!! I did a very simular thing just as the country opened (over 5,000km😅 )and it was crazy! (you might like some of the goods I'm currently unboxing too!) Nice to see you on my feed in a capacity outside Pokemon Go! and as a fellow traveller / gamer I've loved your content in the past, big love!

[@We_silly]

You ever thought of buying stuff and shipping it back to your house? You could’ve bought that famicom tv

[@Ash-jy4eb]

Thanks for your adventures! I'm wanting to do the same thing when I head over this year. Did you ever come across the game boy pocket light pickachu pokemon tokyo centre japan edition? Apparently one of the rarest game boys made.

[@MikeJaun]

I hope to visit Japan soon Nice vid Broeski

[@Sma5hy]

the 2ds flip is so underrated, love it more than my switch by far

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

The DS Antenna is dope AF, I need that in my life!

[@thenewcraft5582]

That Latios/Latias GBA was in that same bin there at the game store at 14:40 when I was in Japan in July! Looks like it was there for at least a couple more months, haha. The prices at almost every store were insane for anything relatively popular but especially the busier areas like Akihabara. I ended up only buying a few memory cards and controllers on my entire trip, all at Hard Offs.. I was only really looking for boxed Pokemon games otherwise though, all were at least 50% above Ebay!

[@Reevesy95]

I gotta get myself to Japan, I love op shopping as is but this looks incredible

[@idonothing7557]

This is the first video of your I watch as a retro game fan, I already in your contents! Huge subscribe and like taps from Seoul!

[@reagankohler1181]

"I'm also Filipino so I'm not opposed to a good deal" 😂😂 Real af

[@setiadjihw]

wow love this console hunting, never seen video like thiss.

[@denvernaicker8250]

what camera do you use for filming?