We looked into the railway model specialty stores in Akihabara [New and Used]

I learned that the new Yamanote Line station, Takanawa Gateway, will open around March 2020, and recently the introduction of AI station staff and security robots has been featured in the news.

So, suddenly, I decided to look into whether there were any model train specialty stores in Akihabara, in relation to the trains that run through Takanawa Gateway Station.

A model train specialty store in Akihabara

Models IMON(MONTA) Akihabara Store - Wide selection of parts -

The store isn't that big, but it has a wide selection of parts from various manufacturers.

on the netMail order shopWe also doInventory informationIt's convenient because if you refer to this and go to the store, there's a high chance that the item will be in stock.

Greenmax The Store Akihabara
~Work space available~

This shop is located in the same building as "Models IMON Akihabara Store".

This shop is more of a place to buy and enjoy model trains,This is a shop for people who like to make their own modifications to their model trains.
Therefore, there are many repair and modification parts available.
またcraft spaceThere is alsoPaidBut it is available.

There are also exhibits of items made by customers and store staff, which can be helpful if you're unsure what to make.

Rail Meister - You might find some great bargains here!

A model train specialty store located right next to the authentic steak restaurant "Heroes."

In addition to new items, they also sell second-hand and consignment items.
They sometimes carry junk items, so if you look around you might find a bargain.

Popondetta Akihabara Store - Run your own model train -

There are not many shops nearby, and the only thing across the street is a kindergarten and a nursery school, so it is located on a relatively quiet street.
All floors of the five-story building where the Popondetta Akihabara store is located are owned by Popondetta.
The 5th floor is an office, and the basement floor through the 4th floor are used as shops.

But even so, a railway model specialty store stretches all the way to the 4th floor...In terms of product selection, it's probably the best in Akihabara.

On the second floor, you can rent a layout, so try running your favorite model train!
Also, the layout here is not only good for daytime use,The view changes to night view from 19pmYou can have fun.

Chiyoda Rail Center - Save money when pre-ordering new products -

Located on the 7th floor of Sumiyoshi Building, right in front of Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan.

Many people will know where Sumiyoshi Building is located, as the popular maid cafe "Maidreamin Akihabara Main Branch" is located on the 6th floor of the same building.
This shop isIf you pre-order a new item, you can sometimes get it at 35% off, which is a great deal.
If you can get good products at low prices,Apparently, this shop is so popular that there is no model railroad enthusiast who doesn't know about it.

Hobbyland Pochi Akihabara 1st Store - If you're looking for second-hand train models, this is the place!

Hobbyland Pochi Akihabara 1st Store is a specialty store for train models and toys located above Lawson Sotokanda 3-chome Store on Junk Street.
They have a wide selection of used railway-related products.

Although it has not been held recently due to the coronavirus, there used to be an event for selling model trains at Akihabara UDX.

Hobbyland Pochi Akihabara 2nd Store ~Not just trains, but also beautiful girl figures~

Hobbyland Pochi Akihabara 2nd store is located in the building that houses the trading card game specialty store Card Kingdom Akihabara Ekimae, just outside the Electric Town exit of Akihabara Station.
In addition to railway-related products, Zoids, Gunpla, and beautiful girl figures were also on sale.

IYOTETSU Shop Akihabara - Buy Iyotetsu goods, popular in Ehime -

This is an antenna shop in Ehime Prefecture that sells goods related to Iyotetsu, a railway and bus company with its headquarters in Ehime Prefecture.
Goods featuring Ehime's image mascot, "Mikyan," are also on sale.

IYOTETSU Shop Related Articles
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Akihabara's Ehime Prefecture Attraction Spots [Specialties, Mandarin Oranges, Pancakes]

Chatra - Fully equipped rental layout -

"Chatora" is a shop located near Junk Street that sells used N gauge trains.
The store is equipped with three N gauge rental layouts.

Suketon - A railway shop in Akihabara Cultures Zone

Suketon is a specialty shop for train models and scale models located on the 4th floor of Akihabara Cultures Zone.
Railway models are sold mainly in N gauge, as well as HO gauge and B-Train, and scale models include fighter planes, tanks and miniature cars.

Railway goods shop outside Akihabara

Although it's not in the Akihabara area, I looked for a shop selling railway goods close to Akihabara.

Karamatsu Train Kanda Station Store - A must-visit shop for train enthusiasts

A railway shop located just a short distance from Kanda Station.
In addition to tickets and models, they also sell more niche items such as destination displays, driver's seats, pamphlets, and station bento packaging.
I recommend that all railway enthusiasts visit at least once.

Railway Warehouse - Railway Parts Sales Shop -

A shop selling railway parts such as .EL number plates, SL.EL nameplates, locomotive headmarks, train headmarks, destination signs (sabots), pocket watches, station name plates, various direction signs, various documents, and train timetables.
Please note that model trains are not for sale.
If you want to buy a model train, go to the shop next door.A long-established second-hand model train shop, "Taburett-san"Let's go!

TRAINIART TOKYO Gransta Store - A wide selection of unique railway-related goods　

Based on the concept of "enjoying trains more," we sell railway design goods that focus on design and functionality.
The Gransta store also sells souvenir items, including original Tokyo Station-exclusive goods.
Merchandise featuring "Suica Penguin," the Suica character issued by the Japanese railway company JR East, is also on sale.
Other unique products on display included handkerchiefs and clear files with intricate train maps of the Tokyo area, and plastic bottles of mineral water shaped like Shinkansen bullet trains.

Popondetta with Tobu Railway Gallery ~A shop with a gallery display of railway vehicles~

A railway shop located on the 5th floor of the Tobu Asakusa Station Building (EKIMISE).
There is also a gallery of Taketoshi Railway's historical railway materials and past trains on display.
Not only can you purchase train merchandise, but there is also a model train layout and you can rent a train and try driving it.
The hourly rate is 400-450 yen on weekdays and 700-800 yen on weekends and holidays, with an additional fee required if you rent a model train.

A 20-minute trial, including the rental fee for the model train, costs 400 yen on weekdays and 500 yen on weekends and holidays.
Next to the model train layout is an actual Tobu Railway driver's seat.

Inside the store, there are exhibits of parts that were actually used by Tobu Railway, and explanations about Tobu Railway are written on the wall.

They also sell railway goods for small children,
They sell Plarail trains, as well as train-related goods such as socks and bags.

*July 14, 2021 "Hobbyland Pochi Akihabara 1st Store" ~ Additional information.
*Added "Chatora" and "Suketon" on July 24, 2021.

The enduring popularity of railways

This time, I looked into how many shops there are selling model trains and merchandise, and I found that there are actually a lot of them.
They're not just in Akihabara, they're all over the place.
As restaurants and other businesses are closing one after another due to the coronavirus pandemic, shops specializing in the "railway" genre are
I felt the strength of the railway in that it has been able to continue operating even during the coronavirus pandemic.