Fans of manga, or Japanese comics, should head to Mandarake in Shibuya for secondhand books and a range of anime merchandise. Who needs to visit Akihabara?
Mandarake - image © Florentyna Leow
Collecting manga can get expensive quickly. But if you're buying secondhand, your comic book budget will go that much further. To stock up on manga during your trip to Tokyo, head over to Mandarake in Shibuya, a secondhand bookstore carrying - you guessed it - manga.
Mandarake - image © Florentyna Leow
Mandarake is also a great place to find doujinshi - fan comics based on other manga or anime. Doujinshi are a great showcase of fan creativity, and make good souvenirs for that one otaku friend of yours. These aren't sold in regular bookstores, and you’ll only find them in stores like Mandarake or at fan conventions. If you’re unfamiliar with the world of doujinshi, just know that a great proportion of the titles sold in these stores are basically rated 18+ or R and above, and can be extremely graphic.
Mandarake - image © Florentyna Leow
Besides comic books, Mandarake also carries a whole range of related goods, such as idol merchandise and voice actor CDs. Serious anime fans will have fun browsing the aisles, as will casual fans or total newbies. Even if you’re unfamiliar with otaku culture, a visit to Mandarake can provide some fascinating insights, so it’s worth popping by if you’re in the area.
English name:
Mandarake Shibuya
Japanese name:
まんだらけ 渋谷店
English address:
B2 Shibuya BEAM, 31-2 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0042
Japanese address:
〒150-0042 東京都渋谷区宇田川町31-2 渋谷BEAM B2
Opening hours:
noon-8pm
Price:
Nearest Transport:
Train: 5-minute walk from Hachiko exit of Shibuya Station.
Telephone:
+81-3-3477-0777
Website:
Official website (English)
Near To Here:
Mandarake is located in Tokyo's Shibuya district. See our complete list of things to do in Shibuya, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
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