Tokyo - Plarail what and where to buy?

ripley802

Well as much as I wish it was me that was going I found out my brother is traveling to Tokyo in about a week. He let me know if I needed anything to let him know.. lol.

Uh.. hmmm.. maybe a 40ft shipping container full, yeah that will do. 😃

But in all seriousness, for anyone that has been on knows in general what and where would be good to get? Obviously it would likely be checked into luggage so sets would be tough to do but I am thinking I can likely get a few trains anyway. Plarail exclusives would probably be good, or maybe some other more rare items that are hard to fine in the auctions but maybe still available in the shops?

Any thoughts?

Super

If you haven't already got one, have him check out a Toys R Us if you want one of those exclusive green Thomas and Black James set for you.

ripley802

Super wrote
If you haven't already got one, have him check out a Toys R Us if you want one of those exclusive green Thomas and Black James set for you.

Thanks Super. Yeah I have one of those, although another one would be nice to have. I still haven't opened mine yet. 🙂

Super

I thought I remember someone saying that there is a Plarail Shop right in the Airport but I can't remember who. Or after looking at the YouTube, maybe thats in the train station. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=plarail+shop

jdogman

There's a Plarail and Tomica Store inside Tokyo Station in an area full of themed stores on other licensed characters. It's small but has loads of stock and I'm pretty sure it has exclusives. I think somewhere else in the same station, you can find an isle of Gachapon Capsule machines carrying loads of different themes, including a few Capsule Plarail toys.

Otherwise, there are plenty of department stores and some multi-level toy stores around the city which will mostly carry the same things.

Super

I thought it may have been Jdog who has visited the stores.

MuddyPoppins

Super wrote
I thought it may have been Jdog who has visited the stores.

Yes it was.

plarnold

There is a Plarail Shop in Tokyo station. They carry most if not all of the current lineup. They also have the Plarail Shop Exclusives.

-plarnold

trevor379

wht a loaded question! wht a dilemma.?
i can only assume tht ur brother is there for only 2 reasons.
#1) because he has to. and #2) because he wants to.
therefore, u wouldn't want to compromise his experience.
he has an agenda.
if i was you (and i wish i was, i have been trying to get feet on the ground in japan 4 yrs)
i would break this down into 2 categories.
A) 2 trains tht most dont have.
B) 6 trains tht alot more don't have.... (weather you have them or not!)
i would refrain from buying ANYTHING at the airport.

StarSwitcher07

Huge shopping joints like Harajuku will definitely have some discounted Plarail... here's some shops if it'll help:

Toys R Us.
Kiddyland – Harajuku.
Hakuhinkan – Ginza.
Yamashiroya – Ueno.
Tokyu Hands – Ikebukuro and Shibuya.
Tokyo Character Street – Ginza.
Toys Terao – Asakusa.

trevor379

starSwitcher? i know some of those shops

ripley802

StarSwitcher07 wrote

Huge shopping joints like Harajuku will definitely have some discounted Plarail... here's some shops if it'll help:

Toys R Us.
Kiddyland – Harajuku.
Hakuhinkan – Ginza.
Yamashiroya – Ueno.
Tokyu Hands – Ikebukuro and Shibuya.
Tokyo Character Street – Ginza.
Toys Terao – Asakusa.

Thanks starswitcher.. I will do some googling to see which ones may be near to where he will be and let him know.

trevor379 wrote
wht a loaded question! wht a dilemma.?
i can only assume tht ur brother is there for only 2 reasons.
#1) because he has to. and #2) because he wants to.
therefore, u wouldn't want to compromise his experience.
he has an agenda.
if i was you (and i wish i was, i have been trying to get feet on the ground in japan 4 yrs)
i would break this down into 2 categories.
A) 2 trains tht most dont have.
B) 6 trains tht alot more don't have.... (weather you have them or not!)
i would refrain from buying ANYTHING at the airport.

He will be going for work but will end up with a few days to shop and knows of my collection and how much I would love to go there. I am probably going to try for a few trains and maybe a few speciality track pieces. I would love to try and get the new Thomas Steam set but not sure it is even out yet.

trevor379

you have to define wht ur true "wants" really are... again tuff call.
limited time vs budget vs opportunity.
probability is compromised either way

ripley802

trevor379 wrote
you have to define wht ur true "wants" really are... again tuff call.
limited time vs budget vs opportunity.
probability is compromised either way

I have so many "wants" it would be near impossible to eat them all.. 😃

But aside from that I am really going by what I see on the Japan auctions and here. Most of the things I have been eyeing are older and would not be in the shops probably. Maybe I will shoot for some exclusives and see what he comes back with.

trevor379

thts y i say... 2 trains/sets/ whtever....
and 6 probable.
limited time equals definition

Super

It would also be nice to know if there any second hand shops near where he will be staying as they seem to have tons of Plarail stuff. Would be nice if he could send you real time pictures then you could tell him exactly what you want while he is looking at them.

trevor379

with just a few days... u might have to refine this more.
but i strongly encourage.. buy nothing at airport

with a 3 day window (or less). little to no time.

sinkillerj

For preowned Hobby Off is your best bet, they have a locator on their website.

Super

Wow...you have really received a lot of first hand knowledge here. I wish I was visiting Japan, with all this help I would be coming back in a shipping container.

ripley802

Well it has been awhile but my brother has come back from Japan and then actually had to go back a month later again. I was so jealous..

I finally had a chance to meet up and see what he brought back. Unfortunately he did not have a long time to shop either time so only a few items on my list he was able to find.

The 2016-2017 catalog is now in hand. I was happy to see this one and have for the catalog archive but there must be a 2017-2018 one coming out which will have the new Thomas/Gordon, and other items that we have seen so far.

Aside from that I received the Chirin Tekoro ringing Paint Splatter Thomas, 4x packs of tires ( can never have to many), and a few bags from the Plarail shop.
Can't wait for myself to get to go, if ever..😃