If you're looking to buy Gunpla in Akihabara, check out these 7 stores with a wide selection and recommended spots!

This year, 2021, marks Gunpla's 40th anniversary!
With the movie "Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash" scheduled for release in theaters on May 7th, and Gunpla specialty stores gaining popularity in Europe, Gunpla is hot right now both in Japan and overseas, perhaps due to people spending time at home amid the COVID-5 pandemic!
So, if you're visiting Akihabara, the epicenter of Japanese otaku culture, we'd like to introduce you to some Gunpla and Gundam-related shops that you should definitely visit!
By the way, my first Gunpla was the Musha Gundam 174 Retsuryu Gundam (a sudden self-talk).

Gundam model shops in Akihabara - Many plastic model and figure shops

When you come to Akihabara, the best thing to do is satisfy your desire to buy!
So, first of all, let's pick out and introduce some Gunpla retailers.

There are many other plastic model shops, so please see this article for details.

I want to read it together

Akihabara Plastic Model Shop List [Skemo/Gunpla]

Akihabara Radio Kaikan -A landmark in front of Akihabara Station

There are many hobby shops inside Akihabara Radio Kaikan, located just outside the Electric Town exit of JR Akihabara Station.
You can find a full range of Gunpla, tools, METAL BUILD and other figures by visiting the stores inside the Radio Building.
This is one of the must-see spots when you come to Akihabara.
First, we will introduce some recommended stores inside Radio Kaikan.

AmiAmi Akihabara Radio Kaikan Store - A real shop from a major online retailer

AmiAmi, a major online hobby shopping site, is located on the 4th floor of Radio Kaikan, which houses many hobby specialty stores.
In addition to various hobby goods such as figures and plastic models, the store also sells paints and tools.

AmiAmi has a variety of Gunpla models, including MG and HG, and I got the impression that there were many new products and recently reprinted items.
The degree of discount varies depending on the product, but it's generally appreciated that they are sold at a discount.

Although it's not a wide selection, a full range of tools are on sale.

Yellow Submarine Akihabara Main Store ★ Mint - Gunpla parts sold separately

If you continue up to the 6th floor of Radio Kaikan, there are also stores selling various hobbies on the 6th floor.
Yellow Submarine is a hobby shop with many locations outside of Akihabara.
Here too, a full range of Gunpla models, including MG, HG, and RG, are sold and discounted.

Another feature is that they sell Gunpla parts in small quantities, although this can be more expensive.
Recommended for mixing builds to create your own original Gunpla!

There are more tools than at AmiAmi, and a wide variety is available.

Volks Hobby Square Akihabara - A wide selection of hobby tools

Further up, on the 8th floor, is Volks, the top floor of the Radio Kaikan building, which sells model hobbies.
There weren't many Gunpla or character models, but the selection of hobby tools was the best of any store in Akihabara!

Otachu. Akihabara 4th store - Gundam specialty store in front of the station

A Gundam specialty store located directly in front of you as you exit the Akihabara Electric Town exit, above Namco.

The store is lined with second-hand Gundam-related items.

A row of Gunpla.

In addition to Gunpla, there are also many other Gundam goods!
If you're looking for anything Gundam-related, be sure to stop by.

For more details, please see below↓

Surugaya Akihabara Plastic Model Store -Not just Idepla!

Akihabara has many physical stores of the online shopping shop Surugaya, and the Surugaya on Chuo Street is a plastic model specialty store.
This store also sells new products, but like other Surugaya stores, its main focus is second-hand goods.
They handle a wide variety of used plastic models, not just Gunpla, so you might find a rare kit that's hard to find anywhere else!

Here's what Surugaya Akihabara Plastic Model Store looked like when it first opened:

Volks Akihabara Hobby Heaven 2 - Fully Opening in May 2021

The second Volks Hobby Heaven store opened in October 2020.
Currently, the store doesn't have much to offer, and only sells Gunpla and tools on the first floor, but it is expected to merge with Hobby Tengoku 1 and open in earnest in May 2021, so it is a store with high expectations.

Yodobashi Camera Multimedia Akiba -Hasn't the discounting been stingy lately?

Yodobashi Camera is one of the symbols of Akihabara.
Games, toys, and plastic models are sold on the 6th floor, and you can find almost all Gundam model and tool-related items here!
However, they don't carry any niche or vintage items, so you'll end up looking in other stores.
It is also concerning that discount rates for hobby-related items, including Gunpla, have been getting stricter recently.
As you'd expect from an electronics retailer, Yamazen dish dryers are also on display in the plastic model section.

Machichara Hobby Museum - Stores near Suehirocho Station

A hobby shop that opened along Kanda Myojin Street at the end of 2021 has relocated to the Suehirocho area.
Gunpla will also be sold along with figures and character goods.
The store is small, but the variety of Gunpla it has is comparable to other stores, so I recommend taking a look around.

HOBBYLAND Akihabara - Plastic model shop on Junk Street

The interior of "HOBBYLAND Akihabara" on Junk Street is packed with Gunpla.
This is another store that is worth checking out, so be sure to check it out.

Recommended Gundam-related spots in Akihabara - More than just Gunpla

Once you've satisfied your desire to buy, you'll want to take a break and have some fun!
To meet such needs, we have carefully selected some recommended Gundam-related spots in Akihabara.

TAMASHII NATIONS STORE TOKYO - A more powerful showroom

TAMASHII NATIONS TOKYO, which was located along Chuo Dori, has moved to the former site of Gundam Cafe.
Not only has the exhibition floor been expanded, but merchandise sales have also been strengthened.
This is one spot you definitely want to visit when you visit Akihabara.

Akihabara Workshop - A workshop space where you can assemble Gunpla and other items

Akihabara Workshop is a craft space that rents out tools and paints.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who isn't up for airbrushing at home.
The store is located in the New Akihabara Center Building and its appearance may make it a little intimidating for first-time visitors, but it's definitely worth a visit.

For more details, please see this article below.

There are many Gundam-related spots in Akihabara

Akihabara has many stores selling Gunpla, and you could easily spend an entire day just visiting them, but there are also Gundam-related spots where you can not only buy but also play with them.
There have been a lot of depressing topics in the area recently, such as resale, but visiting these stores will probably make you feel purely happy.
I hope that the information introduced here will be helpful when you have fun in Akihabara.

Closed stores

Gundam Cafe -Akiba, I'm back!

The Gundam Cafe is located in the west traffic plaza, just outside the Electric Town exit of Akihabara Station!
This store, with its prominent large antenna, is a concept cafe where you can enjoy the world of Gundam.
The company is well known for producing illustrations of Gundam characters dressed in silly outfits for seasonal event campaigns.
In addition to the cafe space, they also sell souvenirs, so if you're a Gundam fan, you should definitely visit!
When you enter the store and your excitement reaches its peak, you will surely say, just like Gato, "Akihabara, I'm back!"

They used to sell tapioca too ↓

Tamashii Nations Tokyo - Bandai Showroom

Bandai's brand, Tamashii Nations, located on Chuo StreetDirectly managed store.
The shop displays the latest figures, sells exclusive products, and sells original goods.
There will also be exhibits of ROBOT Spirits and METAL BUILD, so you can check out items before they are released!
You may also receive a small gift if you answer a questionnaire, and by checking in using the provided terminal you can receive a small amount of "CLUB TAMASHII MEMBERS" points, which are awarded by Premium Bandai and other companies, so be sure to stop by if you're in Akihabara.

Additionally, there are often Tamashii Nations-related events held in Akihabara.

I want to read it together

Do you know the truth about "making"? Exhibition Report [Plastic Models]

I want to read it together

Plastic model resale and Gundam model resale are causing primer shortages? Akihabara hobby shop

I want to read it together

Kotobukiya 2020 Shareholders Meeting Report [Figure and Plastic Model Manufacturer]

*2022/2/15 MachiChara Akihabara store added
*February 18, 2022: Gundam Cafe will be moved to a closed store.
*Added TAMASHII NATIONS STORE TOKYO on August 4, 2022