Enjoy Junk Items in Akihabara! [Visiting Junk Stores]

Junk is full of romance...
That's what true junkers say.
Operation unknown, damage location unknown, only power can be applied!
Those who aren't interested might think, "What is this?", but for junkers it's a veritable treasure trove.

This time, I visited some junk goods stores in Akihabara where you might even find some treasures (?), so I hope this will be useful for anyone who is interested.

The difference between second-hand and junk items

First, I would like to explain the difference between used and junk items.
Broadly speaking, it's like there are junk items among used items.

Basically, it is a no-claim return item.
I bought it but it didn't work
"It won't even turn on?"
Even so, there is no guarantee.
Junk items are purchased after taking these factors into consideration.

It may not work, it may work but behave strangely, or it may not turn on at all.
Taking into account the risks involved, it is something that can be enjoyed and purchased with the understanding that there is no point in moving.

It might be easier to understand if we explain that a second-hand item is something that has been in someone else's hands but is still in working order, while a junk item is something for which "we don't know what will happen."

What is the appeal of junk items?

"What's the point in buying something that you don't know will work?"
I think there are some people who think this way.
People who don't buy junk, or even second-hand, items may think so.
However, there are some nutrients that can only be obtained from junk foods.
that is…
"Even if you buy it second-hand, it would still be expensive, but because it's junk, you can buy it at a super low price!"
If it works, you're lucky, but even if it doesn't, you can replace parts to make it fully functional and it will be cheaper than buying a used one.
Junk items related to home appliances are especially popular, and some people even consider Hard Off to be a holy place.

There are people out there who take in junk and non-working items, repair them, and sell them, and some even go so far as to start their own companies.
Dealing with junk items can be a lot of work, but with the right skills and the right amount of effort, it can become a treasure trove of dreams.

Visiting Akihabara's junk stores

From here, we will introduce stores in Akihabara that sell junk items.
Compared to a certain period, there are fewer junk items being sold and some stores are even disappearing altogether, so the amount of junk items in Akihabara is decreasing.
Also, since the area is stronger in PC related products, it can still be said that Akihabara is still a strong choice for people looking for such things.

Junk goods store in Radio Department Store

First, let's take a look at the stores in Radio Department Store that sell junk items.

Akiba Junks [inside Radio Department Store]

We would like to introduce Akiba Junks, located on the 3rd floor of Akihabara Radio Department Store.
This store mainly sells PC products.
They have a larger selection of parts than PCs themselves, and this store is particularly strong when it comes to CPUs.
It's a pretty niche store, with junk Xeon CPUs in the showcase.

In addition, there were many 5-inch multi-drives available.
I've been wanting a Blu-ray drive, so I'll carefully consider it and buy one next time.

Akihabara Final Disposal Site [Inside Radio Department Store]

Next, we head to the final disposal site on the first basement floor.
Our store was closed on Mondays and Thursdays in October.
I think you'll be happy if you check the official Twitter account for business information, etc.

This store also mainly deals in PC-related junk items.
As the name suggests, we purchase items that other stores are unable to purchase or pick up.
It's truly a final disposal site. If you're wondering where to take it, why not just bring it here in the first place?

In addition to purchasing and collection, another service worth checking out is the HDD destruction service.

It has a reputation for being able to reliably erase data, as it destroys storage media such as HDDs removed from PCs until they are no longer recoverable.
It also lets you press the button to activate the destructive device and allows you to take videos, so it seems like they're conscious of the current trend of looking good on social media.

CC Connect Akihabara Main Store [Inside Radio Department Store]

CC Connect occupies about half of the basement floor of Radio Department Store.
The store sells both second-hand and junk items, and is particularly strong in smartphones.
Fully functional smartphones are sold in the showcase, while the rest are lined up in the junk area.
They handle a wide variety of junk items, including smartphones, PCs, monitors, routers, and cables.

The junk section itself is a little cramped, but that's part of the fun, so it gets you excited.
Smartphone parts are becoming easier to obtain, and tools are becoming more readily available, making this a great place for anyone looking for smartphone junk.
Some people use PCs as cases for small modifications rather than to repair the PC itself, and it seems that this will also be a valuable source of supplies in the PC world where notebook junk is the norm.

Junk Street Junk Goods Store

Next we head to Junk Street.
As the name suggests, this street used to be home to many stores selling junk goods, but the number of stores is currently on the decline.

Shop Inverse Akihabara 1st Store [Junk Street]

First, let me introduce Shop Inverse Akihabara 1st store.
This store does not allow you to take photos of the products, so if there is something you are looking for, you will need to go to the store in person.
They deal in a lot of junk PC items, and Shop Inverse is probably the best when it comes to junk laptops.
The store itself has strict rules, such as only allowing up to four PCs to be temporarily reserved when selecting them, so remember to do as the locals do.
I wouldn't go so far as to say it was the highlight, but for some reason they were also selling empty iPhone boxes, which could be useful for something...maybe?
Shop Inverse also has a second store that specializes in second-hand and outlet items, so you can choose a store that suits your needs.

Celsta R [Junk Street]

Celsta R seems to handle junk among a wide variety of products.
The main products they handle are home appliances, and their junk items are also geared towards home appliances.

They also have some unusual items, such as cassette deck-style speakers, so if you're someone who values ​​interior design, why not take a look?
There are also inexpensive plug cords available, which will come in handy for anyone needing audio cables.

Akihabara Palette Town [Junk Street]

Finally, we would like to introduce Palette Town.
Palette Town is located almost at the edge of Junk Street, but it is a store that is packed with the atmosphere of Akihabara.
The junk items are mainly PC related. Also, there are some rare items like old digital cameras...
Also, the image of a laptop being placed in a yellow basket like this is the best.

There are many cables that only those who are interested will know what they are.
I wonder what's in the "various cards"...

And for some reason, there is a gacha machine there.
This mysterious combination is intriguing.

This shop has the feel of a "good old Akihabara junk shop," and although it sells mostly PC-related junk items, it also has figurines on display and gacha machines, creating a mysterious space that is filled with the ever-changing scenery of Akihabara.
There were many PC peripherals on sale at extremely low prices because their functionality had not been confirmed, so this is a must-visit for PC junkers.

Visit Akihabara's junk stores

This time, I went around Akihabara to some stores that sell junk items, and my biggest impression was that "there are fewer and fewer of them..."
The number of stores selling junk goods has decreased significantly since the days when mysterious street stalls would appear on weekends and foreigners would bring in large quantities of goods.
It may seem like it would be difficult to handle junk items yourself, but with a little study you'll be able to make simple repairs in no time.
Sometimes, simply cleaning the inside can make it look like new, so if you're surprised by the price difference between used and junk items, go out and buy some junk right away!