Inside 6 Japanese Thrift Stores in One Day

[@TokyoLens]

I Bought EVERY Retro Nintendo System in Japan!!!! Here's that haul! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqO9ZaWcYrWpiKs Hey everyone!! So it's question time Which shop was your favorite? What would you have grabbed? And what did I miss? Let me know in the comments!

[@alphamike87]

I would have grabbed any Sentai, Kamen Rider, Ultraman toys lol

[@adamazingballs]

Hi Norm, As a tourist how feasible is it to buy a second hand bike to use for a couple of weeks and then donate it to a store at the end?

[@valchiridran]

Oh man, It's tough deciding which shop is my favorite but I'm definitely heading straight to the hobby section.

[@KosmoAlx]

Many of this stuff can get allot more expensive abroad, but taxes makes this ideea useless. ☹

[@dr.pinguilo10]

fishing gear 🎣

[@sarahabaza237]

Thrifting in Japan sounds like a whole new series

[@TokyoLens]

lol possible fun~

[@Dyundu]

Yes please!

[@shukrantpatil]

just need a bunch of friends wit you

[@alexbohl862]

@@TokyoLens patreon tier where each video you randomly shop for a supporter and ship it to them

[@MaxRollison]

Thrifting in some stores in Harajuku is crazy mannnn. Some of the clothes I’ve found in second hand stores is insaneee

[@Figureight]

Japan just has the best thrift stores. Honestly it's impossible to walk past one and not go in and see what treasures you may find.

[@work1284]

As an American tourist, I’d go broken in minutes and have to charter a cargo ship back to the states.

[@Saab2Stroke]

Ey, didnt think of seeing you here Fig8!

[@ioanpena]

But why prices are so high !?

[@Figureight]

@@ioanpena They aren't always though. Generally the used market for everything is going up anyway, but prices can vary even depending on where in Japan you are.

[@Kiwi-Mel]

We spent quite a bit of time there, and apart from the flea market in Japan, I had no idea about the thrift shops! Next time....

[@lissi4052]

So far all these stores are SO CLEAN. I wish stores in US were like this.

[@allenschmitz9644]

Lol and there were like no people in them unlike the crowds in the u.s. stores.

[@alfiecrichton9834]

Yeah they really pride themselves on their cleanliness, one of the many reasons I visit Japan so often

[@alfiecrichton9834]

@@MZ95 why don't you, also I just see your other comments, all you do is shit on Japan for no reason, racist ass

[@davidrocha7422]

The U.S. prides itself on dirtiness like it's rat infested NYC and it's trash infested California and L.A

[@silosis]

@@msw7021 more like long ass lines and crowded thrift stores in the us bro. as a thrift shopper from the us, i was thinking the same exact thing

[@ninjaydes]

21:56 This moment makes me so happy. The joy in her laugh at the item costing under $1.

[@maknyc1539]

I agree

[@snidelywhiplash6862]

As someone living here in Japan, I love the thrift stores, and the best items are the limited-edition collectibles. For normal things, the prices are not much cheaper than buying new ones.

[@thenintendobros9918]

Thanks for weighing in! I was looking at the prices going "wait, i can get that new in America for about the same" and was wondering if i was missing something

[@omgnoi]

How come they’re so close in price ?

[@snidelywhiplash6862]

@@omgnoi I don't know.

[@nikon0828]

As someone born in Japan, I think Japanese thrift shops valuate and maintain their merchandise thoroughly and accurately, so they’re not exactly cheap. Very hard to find jackpots. Also, clothes are Japanese sizes, meaning most are US S size or smaller. That’s why I don’t even consider checking out clothes there. Still, you’ve motivated me to go to our local 2nd Street shop for other goods! Btw, Forming Pie Set is misspelt Foaming Pie Set. Spray foam on an alum pie dish for throwing into the faces of buddies. lol

[@SeraphySpate]

If we had second hand stores like that I don’t think I’d ever buy new again 😅 …or very rarely. Definitely would have gotten the guitar petal at the smaller shop , useful and in my favorite color. Thanks for taking us along!

[@jwizdum2103]

As a vintage clothing lover, I've always wanted to go to Japan to look for gems, I feel like they're everywhere

[@jessmc6243]

They really are everywhere and so many gems to be found too! Shimokitazawa is a great area in Tokyo for it too.

[@kayleighwilliams6676]

I don’t know how you managed to walk into so many amazing thrift shops and only walk away with two things! I’d be in the anime aisles with my hands full

[@verymerry610berry]

Right?? My twinge of self control would be screaming at me but I don't think I would listen lol

[@broccyenjoyer]

broke gaijin fr

[@jdinnen1]

I work as a manager in a thrift store. Medium size. The stores are incredibly well presented. I am not familiar with Japan at all but I'm guessing they must rely a lot on surplus stock from retailers because the quality and diversity of stock is nothing like what you get from donations from the public

[@kittykat3268]

I still can't get over how nice those shops are! I'd totally be on a quest for vintage Godzilla toys and video game stuff!

[@Glorious_Kim_Jong_Un]

Look at the prices though

[@indiag6361]

Agreed. I live in Japan and the prices for second hand stuff can be pretty high, especially American made stuff. I found some timberland winter boots that would have been maybe $150 new. They were super old and hard off was selling them for the equivalent of around $240. Also an old Patagonia fleece being sold for $80. I really just think it’s a branding thing.

[@xlukas93]

It is incredible how clean and well packed everything is. I wish that was the norm all over the world

[@Elonquin]

Norm, thank you for reminding me that thriftshops like second street may have campinggear. This really helps out with potential hiking trips and not having to bring things like a tent onto a plane.

[@TokyoLens]

Protip: Amazon is often cheaper, and can ship to a Conbini of your choice

[@Elonquin]

@@TokyoLens oh lord. I totally forgot this was an option with Amazon Japan. Thank you for perhaps the best tip I got regarding camping.

[@indiag6361]

I wouldn’t rely on second hand stores for camping gear. It still tends to be very expensive. Would likely still be much cheaper to check in a bag with your gear.

[@YouGotMarin]

I audibly gasped at the big Seel plush in the last shop. It's one of my favorite unpopular Pokemon and it made me so happy to see that exists! The only other plush I've seen are very small little beanie toys. Seel obsession aside, it never ceases to amaze me how organized these stores are, and how well taken care of the items are. Wish that was the world standard.

[@voltafy]

Astro boy: oh boy.. are you in for surprise ! That thing is the coolest Astro boy figure I have ever owned. First off, the two buttons on the head, when you connect those two rubber points with your finger, it creates a current and his entire front body glows in red. That is, if the battery still works. Secondly, with your fingernails you can peal off the chest shell from the ridge that starts from the shoulders down to the arms. You take it off and snap it back on again.. This is like the one secret I accidently found out years after I had him and made me fall in love with him even more, screaming with joy.. When you peal that part off, the most wonderful thing gets revealed, Astro's heart in see through, half human half robot. When you have the current connected, and the light is glowing, you'll find out where the light source is.. yup.. you guessed.. his heart 💖

[@JadenYukiTsukishiro]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isnt it a McDonalds happy meal toy?

[@voltafy]

@@JadenYukiTsukishiro Yes, it used to come with a McDonald's happy meal sometime in the zeros, across Japan..

[@jamesfountain5010]

I have the same Astro Boy from my trip to a Japanese McDonald's in Tokyo back in 2004.

[@calebjones-fournier7926]

Thrifting in japan is slept on. I got a Burberry winter coat for 50 bucks in Asakusa. So much nice stuff at good prices.

[@Mayor_McAwesome]

I'm convinced Norm's enthusiasm can make even watching paint dry very engaging

[@semioticapocalypse9774]

This totally pushed a ton of my nostalgia buttons from living in Japan as a little kid, especially the mochi candies.

[@nicoleyuen2645]

Wow! Thrift shops here look so clean and the set ups are so much clearer with super thoughtful displays! Love this!

[@kittenamy1]

I really like visiting thrift stores. It sort of feels like it gives you a capsule vision of what is popular now and what was popular in the past kind of like a museum you can purchase from!

[@brianbuchmeier]

I loved going to second-hand shops in Japan. As an action figure collector, my favorites were obviously the toy shops like Mandarake and Jungle in Denden Town.

[@speedboiiii2722]

Yeah Mandarake is always cool. Really like the exterior design of the one in Nakano

[@rizriz9214]

This is heaven, i could stay there for days just walk and look over

[@Enoxix.]

I love thrift store hunting! Always fun when you find something very cool! Also very funny, I’ve been watching a lot of Japanese video’s again and there hasn’t been even one where I haven’t heard the cicades 😅!

[@Yusufjarsia]

Man, Japan's thrift stores are soo clean and organized! Nothing compared to what we have in America. I would've never guessed these are second hand stores.

[@everytongueconfess]

I’m so proud of you. As a grown adult, I’m obsessed with Astro Boy, Bape, musical instrument gear and Pokémon and you did not disappoint 😎

[@NinjaMaruSensei]

😄Those places are actually so good for musicians too! I used to love just look through all the guitars they had.

[@Ruby-xk8kn]

Yess I love looking at the vintage synthesizers

[@Gondalica]

omg the snack at 25:35, to the left of what you were looking at are my FAVORITE!! The fish cookie-type things with chocolate inside! I used to spend $2 at a Japanese toy shop just for ONE SINGLE PACKET!!! I JUST SEEN THE ENTIRE BOX YOU COULD GET AS A PRIZE!!! WOW!!!!! You're so lucky to be there! What a dream! Thank you for showing such amazing things. I enjoy Thrifting in the USA, so this video was a real treat! I see so much i'd love to collect! Thank you!!!

[@JoeSchmmo]

This makes me so happy to see content like this! I would go nuts in store likes these in Japan! Sadly though the Thrift Stores here are super trash in comparison

[@TokyoLens]

I’ll have to go to one next time I’m there~

[@RodneySloan]

This was a great trip down memory lane for my wife and I. We loved Book Off and other Japanese thrift stores. They were always exciting and the quality of products was usually good to excellent. I think just about every shop you went into had Plarail stuff, which is an awesome train toy.

[@NerdyLaundry]

Norm you're giving me ideas of places I didn't know I needed to go whenever I'm able to get over to Japan. That last shop was amazing!

[@StevePicsesMD]

Always impressed with how clean and organized these stores are. I could easily spend an entire trip just frequenting these thrifts stores hunting for items that would spark my excitement

[@lordtucor8309]

So clean and tidy thrift stores, and so much to discover, would love to go treasure hunting.

[@angelspiderlily2641]

i was speechless when you showed the oculus vr set. japan really has it all in thrift stores

[@alphamike87]

I love seeing all the toys I want to collect with the “Power Rangers” Sentai mech you saw, and Godzilla figures lol

[@nocearwayfarer9159]

The joy I felt when seeing the guitars at 1:37

[@NigelLozane]

Japan seems so cool , I’m definitely planning a trip for next year .

[@TokyoLens]

I’ll see you when you get here~

[@戦うシングルファザーYOUTUBE]

There are many fun places in Japan

[@modelbreeze1916]

As a scale model enthusiast, my heart just about skipped a beat at 11:56 ! I want to visit Japan so badly, just to go on a scale model buying rampage hahaha XD

[@icefox7022]

me too, i would've filled a cart with IJN model ships, i want to go there so bad

[@spallinoaj]

I now know where my paycheck would go, if I lived in Japan! I love stores like this! Thank you for sharing this, it was lots of fun!!

[@DK5589]

That giant Growlithe in HardOff where you bought the Charizard for Sharla. I would have bagged that instantly. Growlithe and Arcanine are my favourite pokemon and now my toddler also loves them so having a life-size one for him would be so cool. I wish there was a way to order from these stores online.

[@pipster06]

Definitely need to do a side series of thrift store browsing, this was great! Always love Norms enthusiasm

[@joostigrohmannjong4326]

These kind of shops awake my inner child! I think I wouldn't even buy that much, just exploring what kind of things you can get there would make me happy!

[@OrganicTrash_]

Japanese thrift store are so well maintained, and organize unlike all the thrift stores I’ve been to in the US. Very jealous 🥲

[@ellisasou3723]

Watching this back while i study, i find it so comforting :) thank you for keeping me company

[@TheTwitchKendall]

I remember spending a day in Yokohama doing this. Those thrift shops will drain the bank so fast lol! Thanks for the video bud, this was great 😁

[@BrantRaven]

Another fantastic video. Thrift shops are an absolute weakness for me, but I didn't realise they were a thing in Japan. When I was last in Tokyo I didn't visit any! Now I have made a list...so thank you for another adventure. I totally approve of Astro Boy (Atomu) and at 100 yen I would have bought 5. Very much one of my childhood memories.

[@JanineAnita]

*Adds Sendai to my list of places to visit. I thought we had some decent thrift shops here in UK but Japan is a whole other level, I can barely contain my excitement.

[@Kamiyartz]

I have been to Japan like 9 times and I wasn't aware about any of this thrift stores. Thanks for sharing! As a toy collector, my eyes just sparked with joy seeing those toys. Really miss going to Japan due to the pandemic, I miss the atmosphere of Japan.

[@stevenkaest7306]

Your self control to not buy everything was very impressive Norm! Hi from Australia 🇦🇺

[@dianebaker5243]

Hi from South Wales U.K

[@joanleenakayama7939]

Hearing the excitements & laughters are the best of this video! 😅👍👍👍

[@twinepopper]

The instrument sections looked amazing!

[@Alchemicwolf1]

I love these videos, I turn up the resolution as high as my computer can handle and I pause every few seconds to see what cool stuff I spot.

[@WhoaNellyJake]

Being into sneakers, seeing all those pairs of shoes was my favorite part, just cause it was funny seeing your reaction to those Travis Scott Jordan 6's going for $600 lol

[@RobertDWilson81]

LOVE me some thrift shops. Excited to see they love them as much, if not more, where you’re at.

[@DieJG]

Love going to random small stores, specially in Japan. So many things, so many options and choosing the special thing for you is always exciting!

[@JWesT133]

Ok, Japan thrift shops are next level, the amount of different products you can find is so cool. The Hobby sections are nuts, so much you can buy. Really liked the look of that Garage/hard/hobby off shop, it looked like you could go in and easily find anything you needed and more. The thrift shops/second-hand/charity shops in England are nothing like this, I'm soo jealous. Love the video, keep up the great work.

[@angela_tarantulas]

Love how clean, organized and neat these stores are 🤩 beautiful! I have to go to Japan with an empty suitcase 😂 Here in Switzerland there are thrift stores, but usually they‘re a bit chaotic. PS: my dog has got the 💩 plushy cushion 😂 greets from Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@sharynmorgan944]

I'm glad you decided on the Astro Boy figurine, he was cute, I went to Japan for Expo 70 ' when I was 12 yrs old , and the first time I ever saw colored Tv, I was watching Astro Boy, in Japanese of course, lol, even though I couldn't understand the language I was fascinated. Thankyou very much for all the wonderful adventures you take us on. And I personally would have bought the Astro Boy as well.

[@alphamike87]

Awesome Norm, I’d love to get out to thrift stores out there. Apparently Toy Planet is a great second hand store

[@aybeecruz3557]

Decades ago, i was already drifting around Japan for the best thrift stores. Gosh! I was at awe on how it changed for the better. Before thrift stores can be found at dingy old houses in the neighborhood or beside pawnshops in some cities. I cant wait to visit all these stores!👏👏👏 hope you can tell us in detail where we can find these places. Or the nearest station available. Great video!❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@taiwan1895]

I was able to furnish an apartment almost entirely from purchases at the local Hard Off and Daiso.

[@DiecastResurrection]

Man all those stores are amazing.

[@ozsmiley07]

20:30 Astro Boy!!! That would've made my day finding that.

[@MSmith-Photography]

And I'm quite jealous of the second-hand stores there. I could spend a day in them. 🤣

[@GarnettCelduin]

This honestly made me so excited to visit Japan !!! I would love this!!!!!!! I was thinking wow I could get a gift for my dad, my mum, my sis, her hubby EVERYONE !!!!!!!! This is the best, I had no idea Japan had such great Thrift STores. Thanks so much for doing an episode on this !!!!!!

[@lauraboanas7817]

Loved watching this video, always an excellent escape. I feel like I’d spend far too much money and time in stores like these!! 💖 Also, I’m curious, just how many Nerf guns is an inappropriate amount for an adult? 🤔😂

[@smoothesuede4978]

Never thought I'd see a shout-out for Big Katsu. It's like the only japanese snack I've tried, courtesy of a friend who brought some back from vacation, and I've been low-key obsessed with trying to get some more.

[@SarinaValentinaxo]

I would have a heart attack ❤️ if I went in these stores! 😂🤣

[@mutantbrain92]

I would never be able to leave. They have some cool stuff. And it's so well stocked and clean.

[@Mrspiderwalk]

I remember being so shocked seeing valuable items behind glass features… that weren’t locked. I hope I can find these thrift stores next I’m there. It was hard to find thrift stores.

[@tinachen9728]

Have you tried to use google maps?

[@angelinamulholland5700]

HobbyOff ALWAYS gets me Spending Christmas in Sendai this season so finding your video before going helped me know what stores are there. I knew about the BookOff Bazaar but hadn't been yet

[@bixxander]

Oh man ...if I go to any of that places... I'm gonna stay for hours just wondering around and talk to myself out loud... So much stuff to look at!! Aarghh I'm so jealous of Japanese thrift stores!! I want to go there and just stay there

[@todo7998]

Honestly for someone that likes sweets/candy the dagashiya bar chain is great. That last shop had a huge selection of dagashi! There were fan made bikkuriman stickers that came with those mochi squares instead of a wafer biscuit last time I went to japan.

[@zedmikesson9982]

Norm: "Some day I have to get myself a pair of pump shoes" Me: "Somehow hearing that I can't stop thinking of pumps shoes". Rest of the video: Norm refers to the shoes as pumps. Now I can't help imagining Norm in pumps.

[@laurenpelton805]

My favorite video from you! I LOVE thrift stores. This made me so excited to check some out when we go to japan someday.

[@sleepysamurai8625]

That is soo cool, the fact there seems to be soo much care put into displaying items that are used vs in the west were 2nd hand items are left abused and thrown onto the shelves 😞 I could spend hours in these shops, such an eye opener in how we should respect items we no longer need instead of throwing them in the skip/bin. If you don't need it anymore, don't bin it, donate it as it might make someone's day.

[@signeknudsen8513]

I lived in Japan in the early 1980s. There were no thrift stores then. I went to second -hand and antique stores almost every day and flea markets at temples on Sundays. There was a Salvation Army that was open on Saturday mornings. I bought old Japanese things, nothing like the toys or the things you're looking at.

[@calemd8499]

I was laying back in my chair until 21:40 (my face was 2 inches from the screen), broken or not I would love to buy that, it would even be fun just taking it apart

[@kurilord]

I frequent these shops on my trips. Everything is in amazing quality. I do agree that in Tokyo its hard to hold on so much stuff. As a visitor I do recommend buying gifts here for friends because there are so many new in box items. The coolest item I found was the theatrical book for the opening of Star Wars a new hope in Japanese sold at the theater on release in the 70s.

[@sarahthomson878]

I'm definitely checking out Hobby Off when I can finally come back to Japan. I thought there was only Book Off so you've opened a whole new world to me, thank you. :) In that shop you got the Astro Boy in, I would have bought the Moomin figure(?). V. cute.

[@Milamberinx]

I would have bought the Moomin figure as well.

[@jackcarter9872]

So many of those toys I remember from my own youth and im an American. It's amazing to be reminded of memories you didnt know you had from toys you never knew also existed half way round the world!

[@austincastleman4987]

To be able to get that Boss Enhancer EH-2 pedal from the mom and pop shop for 500 yen is a steal! That pedal is worth around $60-$80 used.

[@EngineMusic]

man, i would go NUTS for the instrument sections! if i was there with you, i would have 100% bought the toy piano, that cute blue bass guitar, and (if i had the budget, and room) that double bass. i would have spent so much time grabbing as much weird or cute instruments for my collection! in the quiet town i live in, everyone is more in the trade, so art and music arent so popular, so it's super rare to find musical instrument stores or thrift stores in my area

[@TuiCatNZ]

I love digging though boxes of cables at 2nd hand shops. Found so many good quality cables and power supplys.

[@charleyedwards2121]

she was so nice to you speaking her language in that little shop, sp cool

[@mrcapricorn1969]

I've started watching a lot of the videos and the one thing I've noticed is how clean Japan is. 😊

[@SEiiBUTSU]

Theres something about seeing these types of stores that I find oddly comforting. I especially connect with that last one in a spiritual way.

[@tristambre632]

I'm a huge thrift store shopper and I dream to visit Japan's thrift stores someday ! Thanks for the video, it was fascinating

[@harrysteeletreo1]

I spent nearly 5 years in Tokyo (with US Military) and I absolutely loved going to the thrift stores, I remember the song "Hard off, off house" playing in one of the chain thrift store Hard-Off....

[@askedwardtmi9118]

at 4mins 57 sec last guitar on the top looks like a fernandes burny hide guitar. hide from x japan very talented and very much missed.

[@Shawnsatisfiedwife]

The organization and cleanliness of Japan is just wow

[@ItzRetz]

11:44 those bring back memories! I had a few of those as a kid, I think I had 2 red ones and a green one. Completely forgot about them until seeing this!

[@malikon6953]

all the Kamen Rider stuff at 4:43 made me nerd-out., more great Kamen Rider stuff at 14:20. I'd love to see that stuff in a store IRL. Ultraman, Sentai and KRider at 17:44,.. I'm totally jealous. and 25:17,.. amazing,.. Kamen Rider EVERYWHERE!

[@ekwebeman]

Great video yet again & that teaser... Now looking forward to next week. Love your video's Norm!

[@nilsmuller9286]

The joy in your videos is always so pure, they make me happy all the time. Thank you Norm :)

[@TheoMcAllister]

We probably visited every Book Off that was in a one-hour-by-train radius from our hotels, made some pretty good deals. But my favorite thrift store was probably the one in Katahama. Can't wait to go back to Japan.

[@themonkeyhand]

One of the first things I found whe I moved to Japan, got my furniture and bike. Delivered it and when I left Japan they came and took it all back. It was like renting furniture and a bike for a year for a $100. So clean, everything looks new.... all those wooden toys in the toy section... Japanese kids get really, really good toys.

[@bondoson88]

Those thrift stores are so clean and organized! I liked all of the stores. I was trying to see if there is a doll like my grandma gave me in 1963 when we visited her in Japan. My mom was born and raised there. I have never seen a doll like I have on any doll website. I like your videos. Interesting about the apartments for rent in Tokyo. Amazing how small they are and that people can actually live in them.

[@xk9j33]

@@iamkotaroq

[@whitewave16]

Thank you! This is very helpful I will definitely drop by these shops! I liked the "Off" stores a lot!

[@dienand_]

25:57 And there's a whole ass Sectoid just chilling there. I love this place!