Japan Countryside Retro Game Hunting: The ULTIMATE Guide!

Visiting Japan soon or even moving here? Here's a COMPLETE guide on how to find the BEST retro game deals all across Japan! We cover what to look out for, what to expect, where to go and many more handy travel tips!
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0:00 - Start
0:23 - Intro
2:02 - How to Fund Retro Game Areas
3:03 - Arriving in Chiba
3:35 - Random Recycle Shop
6:15 - Alibaba Recycle Shop
9:44 - Hard Off Yotsukaido
12:21 - Finding the next Hard Off
13:16 - 4am's Countryside Tips!
15:00 - GEO Hyper Media Shop
16:14 - Search around Hard Offs
16:48 - MASSIVE Hard Off!
22:24 - Amazing Junk!
27:34 - N64/Collection Progress
28:34 - Outro
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Enjoy the video? Watch the full game hunting playlist here:
• Game Hunting Season 2 ...
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Locations:
Random Recycle Shop
maps.app.goo.gl/UFwgggSVR7Qbq...
Recycle Shop Alibaba
maps.app.goo.gl/jApdroMLbMvxT...
Hard Off Yotsukaidoten
maps.app.goo.gl/NPmyyuZbhLo5h...
GEO Yotsukaido Dainichi
maps.app.goo.gl/QcuHCPo5TivZH...
Hard Off Frespo Inage
maps.app.goo.gl/M4vjngeSP6sG4...
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#4amlaundry
#japan
#retrogaming

[@pau2104]

I actually just came back from Japan and went to the Book off in Chiba, and started my way back to Tokyo hitting every other Book Off/Hard Off along the way. Was such an amazing experience seeing a different side to Japan and also basically acting like a local walking around everywhere. My feet definitely hurt but it was so worth it

[@zachricher]

I got a Wii from Japan and the Japanese wii version of Family Trainer

[@vrakula]

Wow, this is an awesome video, interesting to see some different places out there. Agree with walking in the middle of nowhere, it's relaxing. Very generous of you to share this with fellow retro game hunters. Not all youtubers are like that... Thank you!

[@Ziondood]

Dude, this is such a fun an informative video! Just subscribed and can't wait to dig back through your back catalogue of vids to :D I love the way you highlight the prices and gameplay! That must be a heck of a lot of work, but it goes a long way for making your videos that much more special!

[@4amLaundry]

I appreciate it brother 🙏 I made a whole game hunting playlist for that reason :)

[@keneda-mq3ky]

Live near Ebisu station that's nice 😉 great video like always, thanks for the share

[@fardzleyruslan5554]

Please do take us more like this type of game hunting on the countryside. Definitely happy to see better prices outside Tokyo city.

[@starwarssith66]

Awesome video man! Cant wait to do hunts like these next year!

[@ericng5707]

Well done. It's exactly how you would find such shops in your own local area, but for some reason people think it's somehow different or too hard when you go to a different country. Another type worth searching for is toy store, because back in the day it was the neighborhood toy stores in Japan that also sold video games. The only limiting factor is time, so people who only have a few days in Tokyo and can't dedicate a day or two for these train trips are out of luck and will have to be stuck in Tokyo seeing either slim pickings (because so many foreign tourists) or full shelves (because the prices are so ridiculously high). On the other hand, those who have the time and make the effort may be able to find much better deals than what Akihabara will offer. Plus they are more likely to have the experience (riding local train/bus lines, eating at local restaurants, etc.) of seeing a part of Japan that isn't packed with foreign tourists.

[@4amLaundry]

I agree, you'd be surprised how many people book a ticket to Japan specifically for Retro Games Hunting these days though!

[@FilthyBeans]

countryside carl out here making bangers as always

[@kenepa-dj9xx]

Loved it!😊

[@AT-oq8rm]

Flying out there next week! Thanks for the tips!

[@_Username__]

Thanks man I enjoyed this vid so much

[@michaeldemers2716]

I think the original Wonder Swan with Makaimura and Ninja Jajamaru Kun are a must buy.

[@4amLaundry]

I agree, stay tuned for the coming videos ;)

[@ic0cac0lai]

Your video made me go here!! Saw that first store and remembered it from your video.

[@momokadawi8955]

Love hunting in Japan .. Walking Walking there , love it !!!

[@steviemeeks]

Thank you KZbin Algorithm for blessing me with this video

[@4amLaundry]

🙏

[@xxnike0629xx]

It's pretty cool Japan retro game scene is so big.

[@RetroMoments]

Bro! That shoutout

[@4amLaundry]

Looking forward to them! My 2024 goal is to take this show as far as I can so Nagoya is definitely on the map.

[@RetroMoments]

@@4amLaundry Thanks man! Thats a great plan! Looking forward to it and let's meet up sometime this year once Im back!

[@segagirladventurespico]

Hi Adam :) let’s go to Japan im raising money to get to Japan to Gamehunt with u aha 😅😊

[@segagirladventurespico]

@@RetroMomentsyay a video coming soon!!

[@highgeargx]

Hey man, great content. Thanks for the tips! I'm planning to visit Osaka and Tokyo by the end of the month and go game hunting too. Your content is helping me a lot in terms of giving an idea of what I should expect to find, and also what are the prices as well. Thanks

[@4amLaundry]

Appreciate it and hope you have an amazing time game hunting in Japan!

[@shon6912]

Just got back from Japan and bought more than twenty games! Definitely will get more once I go back.

[@TheBDT87]

You do the same as me. Walking! I need to hit more of the country side places though.

[@4amLaundry]

Ain't walking the best?

[@_Username__]

You're just like me! I love to walk to off stores, I'll be carrying my backpack full of games and sometimes consoles from store to another until it's too heavy then I'm heading back to the hotel to off load and go out again if it's not too late already. God I love hunting in Japan, 3 weeks ago was my 4th hunting visit.

[@anielrivera7977]

Great video papi chulo I’ll be there for 2weeks in September 2024…..

[@ThatOneSceneDude]

Where was that $10 boxed Pikachu 64 that was on the thumbnail? lol. Still a cool video, subbed.

[@Valenvenge]

love the hunting

[@JustYutaJP]

I love that random as thrift store, never really check for games or attempt to go into stores like that haha

[@user-pp3dl8id7r]

Outstanding editing

[@4amLaundry]

Thank you!

[@darktetsuya]

I DO know scruffy and Jim/MPG on youtube! subbed to both of them so I love me some Japanese hard-off/game hunting videos. I definitely wish I had the funds for a Japan trip for the wife and I! would love to hit up these HARD-OFF locations in person and scoop up some sweet deals. at the moment I just have to get lucky on ebay or amazon for my retro stuff (which does include a few Japanese systems, like my PS2 and Saturn, and a retron-2 without the lockout tabs on the OG SNES!) some of the other mom-and-pop style stores were neat too, like the antiques place?! definitely gonna subscribe to see more.

[@4amLaundry]

Welcome aboard bro :)

[@undamned]

Nice! I haven't been since 2006, but my friend and I hit several mom n pop shops with great success.

[@4amLaundry]

2006! I'm always jealous of people that were here that long ago, finding cool stuff must've been amazing

[@CiaGuy]

Nice statue at the first store

[@joshuabray37]

Thanks for all the detail. These videos are very helpful... I'm going to Japan in a few weeks with my family. I have 1 day alone (the family is flying on to China at 6:00AM, and I fly out of Narita at 5:30PM). My hotel is in Ikebukero (where I will be storing my luggage for the day), and I'm trying to find some good locations for some last minute shopping. I'm mostly looking for consoles and handhelds. We are also going to Kyoto, Osaka, Yokohama, and Nagano (and will be stopping in thrift stores along the way)... On my last day, I'm thinking about either heading to Chiba, or west to Hachioji.

[@bubbythebrow153]

Perfect time I’ll be in Japan in February for the first time really wanting a GBA

[@_Username__]

Don't know why but hearing your Japanese 9:20 was so exciting hahahah

[@_Username__]

I used to go to Chiba without considering it an "out of tokyo", I love their bookoffs they almost always have rare stuff

[@nihonophilenonsense]

Great video. Subscribed. I don't remember the Eye Toy being on Super Famicom though 🤣

[@4amLaundry]

It's a special edition bro 😤

[@nihonophilenonsense]

@@4amLaundry 🤣

[@purrfectioncatastrophe9065]

Dope vid man i wanna go japan now😂

[@ezzaqahmad6606]

Bro I appreciate all these videos ure making especially on the retro gamings. Keep on making these type of content and been looking forward for more always!

[@Ultrunz]

A lot of walking but a great score!

[@jeffreycharest9093]

Absolutely fantastic video man. You scored some great titles. The overall collection is really coming along. Looking forward to more videos like this in the future.

[@DROOG1E]

Fantastic vid! Great to see a bit more outside the usual areas :D

[@legoboy-ox2kx]

I got a bunch of games, systems and accessories for super cheap at the hard offs in Chiba this week. Such a good spot for game hunting!

[@4amLaundry]

Happy to hear that bro, post it on the Discord!

[@dirtyrooftw]

i loved renting a car in different areas and hit up the country side ''offs'' renting a car was like 9100yen and a 3000yen for fuel for an entire day of hunting

[@4amLaundry]

I got a special car version of this video too! Spot on man, gas is super affordable and it expands your game hunting territory so much with a car!

[@dirtyrooftw]

@@4amLaundry I'll have to check it out! I'm sad I missed out on two pokemon games I was hunting for I shoulda just caved and grabbed em aha now to hunt the eBay 🥲

[@4amLaundry]

That happens to me like once a week haha, so relatable. Luckily I get to do this often so I can be picky

[@dirtyrooftw]

@@4amLaundry should open up your own resell account ahah

[@jamesss24]

Are those clear game protectors easy to find in Japan? I'm going soon and wondering if I should bring some to my trip or not worry about it and get them over there

[@4amLaundry]

I've never seen them in stored but they're easy to find on Amazon Japan.

[@makotacos3018]

Idk what I expected but this really is an ULTIMATE guide! So much great info in this one.

[@paperdawn]

I'm going to Japan next month and this is HUGELY helpful. I already added that hard-off in Chiba to my itinerary! :)

[@4amLaundry]

Hope you enjoy!

[@lorris6763]

Great video man, I don't know why but the way this was edited and filmed reminded me of how I first felt when I watched you!

[@YukyDoodle]

Literally started spamming my brother to buy a New 3DS LL for me since he lives in the country side after seeing these prices 😂

[@4amLaundry]

Haha I'm hoping to get one this year as well. Such a cool console that's easily hackable.

[@w0ngwaytravels]

When u go to book off, hard off; do they only accept cash? What about the major stores in Akihbara? What is the form of payment they accept. First time traveler in Japan and trying to understand how much cash to bring

[@4amLaundry]

Nah if you have any major credit card it'll be fine in all Hard Offs and Book Offs. I'd still highly recommend to carry like 10/20k in Cash daily as some smaller stores are still cash only.

[@RobertGuido]

What about the places that used to sell arcade parts and PCBs? Are they still around a lot of more just small shops set up near warehouses but used to get some good things ROM chips boards control panels etc

[@4amLaundry]

There are some in Akihabara but they're pretty specific to those things. I have found some arcade/cps2 etc. boards in previous videos but it's not that common I'm thrift stores.

[@_Username__]

18:52 OMG this scene makes my eyes tear up

[@cargorunner9960]

Great video - really informative.... if we make it to Japan we are definitely doing a countryside trip so getting realistic details is great. Especially as you covered the essentials like food, drink & toilets! You got some nice pickups.

[@softrockmoses]

I wonder why the prices are all fucked up these days? 😂🤣😅

[@h8GW]

People who have little interest in gaming seeing value in old games solely because prices were rising in the first place.

[@n.sboombeach6230]

Amazing What about Sega Master System, are there any consoles, accessories, games?

[@4amLaundry]

Yeah but it was called the Sega Mark III over here, I was never big into Sega stuff but I'll be sure to show some of it the coming videos.

[@h8GW]

HaHaHa, 3 miles isn't considered a walkable distance to most North Americans...... although TBF, I did walk 6 miles in 2 hours during the summer at AnimeNEXT because I was too cheap to take an Uber to where I parked.

[@4amLaundry]

I totally understand, my home country isn't walkable like this either but that was why i made the video. I wanted to show how safe & easy it is to walk this much and have a fun outdoors day game hunting in Japan :)

[@segagirladventurespico]

Hi 4am laundry this is a exciting video do you think smaller stores have between deals then bigger popular stores? I want another ps vita plz tell me price of a coloured ps vita model 1000 and 2000 lol😂 wow you ride the train early 😮 you walk slow!! If we were walking you have to walk very fast lol I’m a fast walker lol can u take a simple scooter?

[@dayla8634]

The american stuff could have come from the bases. I live in the inaka, besides hard off, we don't have used stores like that.

[@4amLaundry]

I'd agree but I don't think there's any bases nearby that area. Who knows tho there's Americans living all over Japan so it's possible.

[@dayla8634]

@@4amLaundry no, but there are a lot of bases in the kanto region. I never see any of that stuff on the west coast.

[@CookieMonstaHG]

Where's the $10 Pikachu N64 from the thumbnail?

[@Zeltor]

Thumbnail jebaited me thinking this is some hot guy

[@4amLaundry]

"artists interpretation"

[@furryfelinecreatives]

What is the lowest price N64 console in the junk have you found?

[@4amLaundry]

Lowest I think like 800-1000 yen? But it was in a really bad condition so I passed lol

[@furryfelinecreatives]

​​@@4amLaundry hehe going to Tokyo in March, thinking if I should just go to the Tokyo Flea market. I don't think I have time to venture out in the country. MY just hope to get lucky in Akihabara.

[@_Username__]

21:37 hahaha I got this for 550 from another hardoff at Toda

[@angadbhalla3841]

Need some flea market video

[@4amLaundry]

You right it's been too long.

[@rollzll]

as a tourist wanting to go to these places is speaking japanese necessary? or would a google translator will b sufficient?

[@4amLaundry]

Nah you're fine 99% of the time. In the other 1% Google translate does wonders lol

[@rollzll]

​@@4amLaundry Alright now I'm really excited to explore these places, thank you, very informative video

[@maxgc6413]

Damn. I should know the soundtrack. But can’t place it. 😩😩 where is it from sir

[@herrmvbommel]

Leuke video 👍

[@maxgc6413]

Yeah I’d grab a beer w ya

[@sharewithme8856]

How much for ps5 used once😊

[@migi9358]

bro really put plastic in the combustible bin

[@4amLaundry]

Good catch but depending on the prefecture you don't have to separate plastics and they separate it at the plant. Notice there wasn't a plastics bin. Some areas do tho so always good to check.

[@migi9358]

@@4amLaundry haha I was mostly fucking with you. I've been binging your videos, really like the editing. Wouldn't mind seeing some toys :P

[@4amLaundry]

No worries it was a good point to bring up regardless haha, I'll try to thanks!

[@wilsvgaddiction4456]

Seems like forever ago now but I lived in Sasebo for a couple of years from 2017-2019 adnwas lucky enough to have a car. I would plan a day out and spend hours sometimes digging through bins of stuff in each store along specific routes, all which would have been considered the countryside. Unfortunately, many of those stores' game sections have been depleted and the prices have gone up. I really cherish that time in my life. Hunting was so much fun.

[@4amLaundry]

You'd be surprised, it's pretty exaggerated how some places are depleted. It's mostly inner city stores and that's the case with everything, just a busy time. A quick trip outside of the city and there's still plenty to find.

[@NPCabuser]

Прикольно. Я тоже так хочу походить по магазинам)

[@BanditsBest686]

one youtuber i watch, i guess hes around "super nintendo land" in japan wherever that is currently, and says prices are absolutely ridiculous, assuming hes dead center in tourist trap area.

[@BeesToyReview]

Is it hard to do if you only speak English? What % can speak English? 😅

[@genxtasy9914]

If only these were the North American versions

[@dashdeception]

😀