Mastering Gunpla Hauls: Unbelievable Deals in Japan! | Epic Carry-On Packing Hacks!

[@phateey736]

I almost fainted at that price difference. I'm going to Tokyo in a month and wasn't considering buying any gunpla at all but now I'm very convinced its very worth it

[@DK_hobby]

You should Definitely buy…. At least few… not 30 like I did. Maybe check out some tools too! Thanks for the comment!!!

[@HaohmaruHL]

It's not all that sunny and rainbows though. Yes, the retail prices for regular public releases during reprints are the MSRP. If you're happy with what's available right now then you're fine. Bandai misgauged the popularity of Witch from Mercury and Kyokai Senki series and over-produced the model kits so for some time it's what you gonna see the most on the shelves. They often go on a 30-50% sale in some stores because they want to get rid of them quicker. But if you need premium bandai kits then it's hard since, unlike overseas, they are officially online store limited purchase only. Thrift stores do sell premium bandai kits but often for x2-5 price markup due to their rarity. The reprints are very rare (couple times a year, once a year, once per two years, etc) and the amount of pre-orders themselves in Japan is very limited. If you see it on a shelf in retail it means it's a used item because someone else bought it online and sold to a thrift store. Major retail chains like Yodobashi Camera don't sell p-bandai at all. Majority of the stock is printed for the export like US, China, Korea etc, so Japan is left with very little stock which disappears in seconds the moment pre-orders open. Going to a thrift store and seeing only 1 (one, single) box of a p-bandai kit you want on the shelf is common. Usually, if you don't grab it right now it will be gone forever with no hope of future restock/reprint. (RIP my HG GM Sniper from 08th MS Team) A good example is RE/100 Gerbera which is 3850 yen on P-Bandai store. It was recently reprinted for the first time since 2021. It went out of stock within the first seconds of pre-orders starting. Your only option is to go buy it second hand for 9-10k yen. If you can even find it. Out of like fifteen stores I scout every week, only one store has one box in stock for double the price. You're always limited to what's currently in stock thanks to waves of reprints. Bandai has a huge catalog of gunpla which they can't produce all at once so it's on reprint rotation. And those go out of stock with time too. The longer a kit doesn't get a reprint the higher it's price rises with time. Meaning if you have a FOMO you gonna have a really bad time with this hobby because it's basically "you have to buy it right now, or never". A perfect environment for scalpers to thrive. And it also creates a problem of people hauling boxes at home without even building them. Now that Bandai chooses to release some regular suits like Gundam Maxtor, Gundam Rose and other mech series like Dunbine, Votoms or Xabungle as limited items, it worsens the problem more than it should. Because in the past these were regular items and other manufacturers like Wave, Aoshima and Good Smile Company make the same character model kits for retail. The Japanese P-Bandai online store stock often goes out in seconds while the P-Bandai US has the same items sit there in stock for months due to much higher demand in Japan compared to the west. Even some regular retail releases like the HG Macross or HG Super Robot Wars OG kits are gone the moment they appear on the shelves despite "1 item per person" policy. Even though I live in Japan, in some cases it would be easier and cheaper for me to just import it from overseas. PS5 was also such good example. Most stock went overseas while in Japan you could only win your "privilege" to buy PS5 in a lottery and only in some stores which you had to get a membership card of first. If you win then you were are allowed to actually buy it. While at the same time in the US you could already freely purchase it off a shelf. Same with some rare items like Metal Structure Nu Gundam and Sazabi, or the Metal Build Kampfer. Those are lottery only which usually last 5 or so days. You pay full price of the item in advance to participate in the lottery and if you actually win then you are allowed to proceed purchasing it.

[@MobiusGT]

the more expensive the kit the bigger the difference too, i just came back from japan last week and found some perfect grades prices 1/3rd of the us prices. I even snagged my first metal build after seeing how cheap it was in japan, about $120 usd compared to the $500+ scalpers are selling it for.

[@h.tetsuouyeda5884]

Great video. I do something similar when I travel to Japan, but I bring (or buy a pair of nippers) and use a bunch of zip-lock bags. I cut the parts off the runners and bag and label them.. That way, I can usually fit about 4-5 HGs in one HG box.. Same can be applied to model cars, AFV, etc. I intend to build them myself (not resell) at some point so I don't care about having intact runners and having the labeled bags makes it easy when it comes to building. Or buy a big MG like the full armor unicorn, you can pack in a bunch of other MGs, HGs, etc. and the box stays pretty safe in my luggage. If you're worried about left and right handed parts, you can also clip out the part and retain the label (e.g. G-19 with the part) or bag in smaller ziplocks. Since there are a bunch of 100-yen shops you can pick up a box of bags with relative ease as well.

[@DK_hobby]

I think that a great idea!!! i might do that for some kits later!!! Ill just keep the ones that I know I will film! Thanks for great knowledge and superb comment!!

[@arttandog7774]

Thank you sir for creating this guide. This is why I always prefer supporting youtubers with low subs.

[@DK_hobby]

Thank you for ur comment!! Other day someone actually posted in comment about if Gunpla boxes can be disassembled after getting tax deducted, for me i had no issue. Cuz in japan they only taped up the bags with consumable goods, not the Gunpla boxes. But sounds like it “might” be an issue? My carry on bags went thru xray machines at the airport, and no one said anything. Plus some were bought with tax… maybe thats why…? Or i just got lucky? But i cant wait til next year to go get more gunplas!! Again, thank you very much for your comment!

[@zulleali1597]

@@DK_hobbythis depends which store you are from and their policy. Gundam base usually tape ur plastic up containing the boxes that had tax free and you are discouraged to open it till outside japan. Most of my purchases from ami ami, surugaya and mandarake whose tax free was handled in the building on a different counter (same like gundam base odaiba) but they didnt tape my boxes nor plastic.

[@bririe5296]

Thank you for the packing ideas!

[@DK_hobby]

You are so welcome!

[@ckplays4953]

Try Book off, Hobby off and Yellow Submarine next. They usually sell 2nd hand but the boxes are usually in good shape and with almost no dents I bought a Build Burning Gundam at a Book off store and got an extra 10% off on top of the discounted price coz the box had a slight dent.

[@DK_hobby]

Wow, I’ll def try that on my next visit! 🙏

[@joshuabray37]

THANK YOU for this! I was in Tokyo 5 years ago and wasn't into Gundam back then. I'm headed to Tokyo in a few months, and now I'm obsessed... I was planning to pack, basically how you are showing, but I didn't think about using tape (and was worried about the packets moving around and getting mixed up). I am not concerned about the boxes, so hopefully that will save on space/weight.

[@DK_hobby]

Glad i helped !! I only packed the boxes cuz i like to show them on my videos. if i wasnt, i probably just cut the front of the box and trash the rest XD (i collect front of box) and maybe buy more gunplas… 😅 but again glad I helped u with something! Have a good trip!!!

[@skum73]

I went to Japan recently. I had heard of Gunpla but had never had one. Because they were so cheap in Japan i bought one. I ended up buying 51 more, some pens, and tools and sent most of them back home. Post in Japan isnt too expensive and gunpla is pretty light. The only thing I didnt know was that the UK and Thailand both charged me tax when i picked the parcels up. I think it depends on the value of what you send.

[@DK_hobby]

Omg, ended up buying 51 more?!?? Love that story! Lol

[@weacro]

I went nuts in april when I went. I had to fly back business class because it was cheaper to get the free check in bags then it was to pay for them all with a normal ticket. Best decision of my life!

[@DK_hobby]

Omg!! So jealous!! It makes sense tho! Gj man!!!

[@Subgeta]

This is definitely smart! I would also recommend to travel light, try not to take more than 2~3 pairs of jeans as those weight a lot and take up too much space. This gives you more room and weight allocation for more stuff or you can ship a box of your clothes back home, it easy and cheap too at the Japan post office.

[@DK_hobby]

I actually packed only necessary clothes, and bought needed one from local (japan) Uniqlo! Lol! But having my wife and bro was definitely helpful! If i visit next time, im going to check the post office options too! So many people talked about this! thanks for comment!!

[@miguelpbal4314]

Just came from japan and did your tips. Went home with 6 gunplas without buying another luggage.

[@DK_hobby]

Omg nice!!!!! Hope you had grrrrrrrr8 times!!

[@Tuna13]

Great tips! Wish I had seen this video sooner, I would have been able to pack a lot more model kits into one box.

[@DK_hobby]

Maybe Next time! Im really hoping to go on a another one next year!

[@glennecoy]

Went to Japan about 2 weeks ago and I couldn't for the life of me find an mgsd barbatos and fm aerial at msrp. Found both at surugaya but decided to pass because those price were just insane.

[@DK_hobby]

Oh man… i guess MGSDz are still popular!!

[@froiedwardpeligrino8887]

Bro, im so happy to see this video. Im going to japan by next week, and this video is very useful. Actually, your packing technique is already in my mind - i will just going to disassemble the box to reduce the volume. But, i will surely check those shops that you have mentioned. I am planning to buy all RG regular release kits, hopefully i will be successful to grab them all. And some MG kits as well. I am planning to use carton box instead of a hard suitcase. I will be having 2 extra 23kg baggage allowances, and i will going to use box for each. Im hoping to beat your number of purchased kits! 😅 wish me luck!

[@DK_hobby]

WOW so jealous!!! good plan man!! have a safe trip!! grab some tools like papa sanding sticks and some other tools too! they are cheaper over there and Yen is cheap now, everything is on discount.. =)

[@AlberichY]

Nice video, I will later disassemble my boxes in this way to free some space up at home. As going to Japan from my country is pretty expensive the best thing that happened to me was the free shipping campaign from Suru. Also got a lot of gunpla at nice price even if not as low as going there.

[@DK_hobby]

Thanks for the comment! Not sure what is Suru, but sounds so good! I’ll definitely look it up next time!🥰

[@AlberichY]

@@DK_hobby Sorry, in a gunpla discord we call it Suru, but the name of the store is suruga-ya. And they had a free shipping campaign some weekends ober the last few months.

[@zulleali1597]

@@AlberichYdo be advised surugaya is a second hand store and some prices are quite marked up . However they have the best variety in japan other than mandarake. Shop at your own discretion and in heed of knowing the prices

[@AlberichY]

@@zulleali1597 much better than I will ever see in my country in which gunpla is really rare aside from some stores in the main cities.

[@Kilrathi01]

I am planning on going to Tokyo this year but I won’t have lots of carry on space like you had. Would it be easier for put everything in one big box and ship it home? Also, where is the best place to get “metal build” gunpla from while I’m there?

[@DK_hobby]

Hi! Thanks for the comment! If it was for my personal use and not worrying about making video out of gunpla, i would just throw away the box and carefully place the runners with manual. Between towels or something to protect them. Or if u R buying few, do same as above but keep one box to sandwich all the runners between them. As for metal build, I cannot say much, cuz I haven’t looked for those in tokyo. But i can say that Yodobashi did have more~ stuff than kaikan. Kaikan has more “Stores”, but i dont think it had more “product”. Hope it helps! Have a safe trip!!

[@zulleali1597]

You can pack it urself and use japan post to ship it. A lot of us gundam builders do it too. If you visit gundambase, i think they have a form for you to fill for it

[@ericng5707]

Would be helpful to have the currency conversion rate that you enjoyed on this trip in order to give context to those prices.

[@DK_hobby]

Hi! Thank you so much for comment! I did put some detail prices during video, but didn’t mention the actual exchange rate! I went to japan in Nov. 2023 exchange rate back then was SUPer nice, it was between 145-149 yen per dollar during our stay!

[@UnicornGamingRX03]

When i haul Gunpla in Japan i would send them via the post office and send it to myself to save myself the trouble of stacking them in the suitcase.

[@DK_hobby]

I guess that’s on option, but i wonder how much it would be to ship it internationally. I think losing volume might also help even when you ship them. Especially when you are sending 20+ gunpla with few big FM and MG boxes. Maybe I’ll go check out the post office next time while I’m in Japan! Stacked suitcase was free tho… 😅 but if it’s cheap to ship, maybe I’ll ship some and carry some! Thanks for comment!!

[@ordinaryguy6018]

Is it cheaper to buy from unofficial stores (reseller) like yodobashi than the official gundam factory? And can i just disassemble the boxes, tape the runners, and put them into hand-carry bags so that i can carry them myself? I feel like it's safer than keeping them in a luggage

[@DK_hobby]

I think prices are just everywhere. I was actually surprised myself that they had no MSRP or anything! So i used my foot to check the near by stores… 😅 i chose to put most on carrys on since gunplas are light, and my flight had carry on weight limit. And put most bulky and heavy stuff in check in bags. If i was not worrying about weight and volume issue, i think i probably put it on check in bag.

[@ordinaryguy6018]

​@@DK_hobbyi guess i'll be carrying mine then. Oh yeah, where did you buy most of your gunplas in this video? Most of the gunpla's prices in this video are lower than bandai's official prices, and how long did you spend going around stores to buy all of ur gunplas?

[@DK_hobby]

Majority of them were purchased in amiami at yodobashi, they had SUPER good deals each gunpla had like 15-25% extra off. After that i went to other locations and bought MG Sazabi at the airport, cuz they were out at the tokyo locations that Ive been to XD

[@ordinaryguy6018]

@@DK_hobby one last question, my country doesn't allow bringing second hand items and if i disassemble the boxes, i'm afraid that they'll think that my gunplas are second hand and won't let my gunplas through, i mean, will they check my hand-carry bags?

[@ericng5707]

It depends. Big stores like Yodobashi are used to dealing with foreign tourists so they have duty-free, offer their own sales, and may also have additional discounts for using credit card to purchase. Gundam Factory is basically full MSRP. Smaller local hobby shops will also be mostly full MSRP and no duty-free, but you may find some hidden gems since they are not as picked over by tourists.

[@zulleali1597]

Question ; do the counter allow u to buy the weathering panel liner? I was prohibited due to flammability as he reminded me i cant carry it in air planes

[@DK_hobby]

That is correct, if u are flying you shouldn’t buy anything with “flammable” warning. I heard if paints are fully 100% water based, you can buy them and bring it over. Be careful with some paints tho, some say its water based, but they will still have solvent in them. Look for flaming icons😅. If you see them, dont buy them. And this applies to carry on and check in bags. I bought bunch tamiya weathering masters… instead… they were so cheap… i just bought them… lol

[@wkwj3623]

Did you get the gunpla tax free? I was shopping for gunpla on my recent trip to Osaka and was told by the shop owners not to open the boxes. Apparently if the airport customs did a random check and found them open, I would have to pay for the taxes on top of additional fines.

[@DK_hobby]

I think they have certain rules, when i bought any goods “with” consumable, they wrap it with tape and they told me i shouldn’t open them til Im outta japan. But when I got other “hard” stuff, toy, clothes, shoes, etc… shops didn’t care nor gave me taped bags. I wore jackets shoes on the spot cuz i was cold, but no one said I cant do that… so…. 😅

[@zulleali1597]

Certain stores do that like the gundam base, they tape it. But I don’t experience it anywhere else like RK, mandarake and surugaya

[@kai-lele3328]

@@zulleali1597 those stores are second hand anyway, so I'm sure they're just glad you take it so they can bring out more inventory to sell. Had the same experience at those when I shopped there. Only brand-like stores tape limited goods like base, pkmn center, etc.

[@zulleali1597]

@@kai-lele3328 ami ami and akiba ex is not second hand - that i also don’t experience the taping.

[@Kunay_be]

I'll be visiting japan again soon and I'd love to splurge and get a big haul as well. But if i'm buying tax free, all that i'm reading is, products must be sealed and can not be in the checked in luggage. Only carry on (limited to 1 sadly). Doesn't customs complain when they see stuff opened. Or do they not check it ?

[@DK_hobby]

Thanks for comment! But that rule might be something wrong… cuz at the airport duty free shop, you can buy more than 1 (only got 2 for myself at the airport) To be honest, no one checked any of our bags or checked anything. 2 of my carry on bag that went thru xray scanner only had opened gunplas and nothing else, they didnt ask any questions or caused any problems. Some other commented similar stuff too, but now with $ being so strong, if u r worried maybe dont get dutyfree, it will still be like 30-40% off 🥳 ! One of the shop i went to had huge sale, so i bought 10 gunplas(2 of them RG rest HG), they were only 14800yen with tax.(thats less than $100)

[@OwlNightGaming]

Technically you aren't supposed to open the sealed bag and the customs officers can check. You can however put them in the checked in luggage, and if you mention the item during checkin they can call an officer to inspect. In my experience though they don't bother and just tell you to go on xD

[@Kunay_be]

Seems like mostly worry for nothing. I cant find any place with a proper selection of mg anywhere atm in tokyo.Better luck hopefully in Osaka this week.

[@pills_dk]

That's crazy how much cheaper it is to buy gunpla in Japan!

[@DK_hobby]

Yes spent bit much, but dont regret XD

[@yutarokj6445]

結構差があるんですね！！

[@DK_hobby]

yes, it sure is! now I can't buy anything from USA anymore... feels like getting ripped off!

[@housesg5981]

$1 gunpla sale. $600 air ticket.

[@DK_hobby]

Dont u love it?

[@KisekiFan]

Imagine going to Japan just to buy gunpla 😂 then again maybe it's not so farfetched cause buying in retail is so much cheaper than buying online and getting slapped with a massive shipping cost. It's literally costing me 2 or 3 times more buying it online here in India.😐

[@DK_hobby]

If i only have 2 days and $ is still strong… i might really fly to japan to grab 2 trunk full of gunpla lol!! But in this video, it was actually a family trip of 2 weeks, i took like 3 days off in tokyo area to shop! Thanks for comment!!!

[@kmoov90]

Sure you get prices half off but you paid over $600 for a ticket LOL.

[@DK_hobby]

Yes thats what i said in beginning, difference was over $700 for me, so i can actually buy round trip ticket plus few gunplas!!