JAPAN VENTURE - WITH SMILES ON OUR LIPS

hey, is there some infos if they have every day a specific amount of there exclusives for sale at the show... or they sell everything on the opening day???

Sideglide wrote:I can count on 1 hand the times I bought something used that didn't have the packaging. One hand. 1/6 Bramble being one of them.

With auctions and stores, I can second this. Most of the second hand stuff from the rental cubes don't have boxes, though 95% of those cubes are anime figures.

Sideglide wrote:Wilbur: Nope, they sell books, toys, games, cosplay, sofubi, manga, music, vintage items, etc etc. The Akiba store and Nakano "stores" are your best shot. Nakano also sells rare photobooks and in general has the best stuff.

Gregory, this is a general search for "Transformers"
http://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/listPage/serchKeyWord?target=00&keyword=%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC

Lastly, I also suggest hitting up "Hard Off", a chain of used books/CD/game store. The benefit of this chain of stores is that you can get great prices on otherwise rare items. They sell more on quantity rather than trying to get top dollar. There is a decent-sized one in Akihabara but they are pretty much in every city.

This is awesome! Thank you!

I take it if an item is listed at the Sahra location that it means its at the warehouse and not a store front?

ArtWar wrote:hey, is there some infos if they have every day a specific amount of there exclusives for sale at the show... or they sell everything on the opening day???

Curious as well. And will the 3AA discount apply on site or only with bambaland sets?

No 3AA discount on site. Only on Bambaland sales

Sales details very soon

Exclusives are one per exclusive per person unless otherwise noted

Any idea how limited the books are? Will there be different Bamba versions?

I got mail from CS

Exclusives are so limited that we should visit venture first or second day to take them.

Looks like there's a Kunio Okawara exhibit going at the Ueno Royal Museum while the show is happening. Definitely want to check it out

http://www.okawara-ten.com/

Sideglide wrote:Wilbur: Nope, they sell books, toys, games, cosplay, sofubi, manga, music, vintage items, etc etc. The Akiba store and Nakano "stores" are your best shot. Nakano also sells rare photobooks and in general has the best stuff.

Gregory, this is a general search for "Transformers"
http://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/listPage/serchKeyWord?target=00&keyword=%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%82%B9%E3%83%95%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC

Lastly, I also suggest hitting up "Hard Off", a chain of used books/CD/game store. The benefit of this chain of stores is that you can get great prices on otherwise rare items. They sell more on quantity rather than trying to get top dollar. There is a decent-sized one in Akihabara but they are pretty much in every city.

In Tokyo Akihabara, with so many AV stores around, I don't think I will be "hard off" LOL!
Joke aside, I will definitely search for hard off, my second hand hunting mode is ON!

gregory wrote:Looks like there's a Kunio Okawara exhibit going at the Ueno Royal Museum while the show is happening. Definitely want to check it out

http://www.okawara-ten.com/

OH MY GOD!!!! Thanks for the heads up!!! I am putting this on my schedule!
There is also Art of Gundam at MORI ARTS CENTER GALLERY 6-10-1 Roppongi

http://www.gundam-ten.jp/en/

dtrain wrote:I want to see any cool toy shops with action figures, designer vinyl, capsule toys, etc.  

Also, I'm a huge Disney nerd so think I'm going to DisneySea on Monday or Tuesday.

I have been to Tokyo Disney twice, it's awesome if you haven't been before. I've bought a Limited Edition Japanese Disney Birthday Cake Handbag hand-made exclusive to Tokyo Disney.

I agree with Sideglide.

I don't think you can find much designer toys in Japan, and most are made in China, you have better luck finding stuff in China / Hong Kong.

I will focus on second hand photobooks, Anime toys from Mandarake Nakano. limited edition toys from the 3 Gundam exhibitions,  and hunt down some cool Airsoft guns limited edition stuff. Made In Japan will be the Key.

Second Hand CD's will be a time consuming hunt but will try spend half a day doing that.

I might do some AV shopping too at Akihabara. I will see, from my experience it takes like 2 hours to go through just 1 building of 7 levels pron.

Depending on what other 3A buddies are doing. If they are planning to go to shrines temples Mt fuji or something then I have to sacrifice my shopping schedules.

Sumo Tournament is ON in September!
http://www.sumo.or.jp/en/index

Anyone?

gregory wrote:

I take it if an item is listed at the Sahra location that it means its at the warehouse and not a store front?

That is my understanding. If you need something from that location, pm me and maybe I can have jt sent to me locally, tgen handoff to you at the show or elsewhere.

dtrain wrote:^ Thanks for the insight.  No worries really, I mainly just want to immerse myself in the city and little shops, explore, taste the foods and observe the culture.  3A exclusives will occupy most of my available space to bring back stuff.  What store did you find the Chum in?

Found the Chum in one if the Nakano stores (non-mandarake).  Nakano also has Murakami's cafe.  Mini gallery for new artists,  and small Kaikai shop.

My friend went to the Gundam show and loved it.  Recommended.

Sumo is fun.  Get there really early to buy a nose bleed seat.  You can go to the lower half closer to  the  center until the bigger  rank guys start fighting.  Bring plenty of drinks and  food for a good time. If you stay the whole time,  it takes 8 hours .

My female colleagues told me to visit Takuya San (拓也哥 コレステロールタクヤ) from Tokyo's gay bar to take photos...

Sideglide wrote:Sumo is fun.  Get there really early to buy a nose bleed seat.  You can go to the lower half closer to  the  center until the bigger  rank guys start fighting.  Bring plenty of drinks and  food for a good time. If you stay the whole time,  it takes 8 hours .

Wow, 8 hours! Now that's a marathon

Wilbur wrote:
OH MY GOD!!!! Thanks for the heads up!!! I am putting this on my schedule!
There is also Art of Gundam at MORI ARTS CENTER GALLERY   6-10-1 Roppongi

http://www.gundam-ten.jp/en/

OOOOO putting that on the to do list!

Sideglide wrote:

That is my understanding.  If you need something from that location,  pm me and maybe I can have jt sent to me locally,  tgen handoff to you at the show or elsewhere.

Hey Sideglide, what's your experience and recommendation for blowfish/fugu sashimi places around Ueno? I haven't tried yet and it's in my bucket list.

Thanks!

Hmmm, good question. I haven't had blowfish in Ueno, but I have had it. I can only tell you there is a chain (can't remember the name) that has tanks built into the exterior wall; that is pretty good.

Fugu is pretty much now harvested minus the poison (for legal reasons). I'm sure there are places that serve fugu that could be dangerous, but the non-poisonous ones taste the same and keep the lawsuits away.

There are several ways to get it and I recommend getting a "set menu" to experience Sashimi (sometimes it is still moving FYI), grilled on a grill on the table, broth soup using shaved pieces of the skin, and deep fried.

If I remember correctly, a set menu is going to be 2500-3500 for each person.

Other food you can find in Japan: Basashi (raw horse meat), Kujira (Whale, there are a few places in Shibuya and Shinjuku), live fish (I did once and never again, just seems too cruel to eat off their body when they are still alive).

Food areas to consider:
Yurakucho and Ueno for outside grill places
Shimokitazawa for alleyway small restaurants
Shinjuku for mini mini restaurants that you get a drink and something small, then move on
Yokohama for Ramen museum (a bunch of ramen restaurants in an underground complex)
Tsukiji for fish (duh) but most places are good around the area. I say go there later in the day for photoshooting of cool, old shops and atmosphere. Tip: the area is supposed to be limited to workers later in the day but walking in with purpose will not tip off the guard)
Ikebukuro for Gyoza town (I forget the exact name) but it is run by Namco and is in Sunshine City. The place has an ice cream restaurant that has over 100 flavors including garlic, cobra, octopus, and of course "regular" flavors as well.

I haven't experienced Japan as a first-timer in a long, long time but really, many places are fun. I really want to take you guys to my favorite restaurant in Ueno that is cheap, has grilled stuff (non-meat items), super cheap drinks, and vintage posters and toys everywhere. (Open late Gregory

Sideglide, I've just discovered restaurant in 3331 Chiyoda.

Is it good?

Sorry, never eaten there but the area near it has some really good Kebab shops. Akihabara also has the Gundam Cafe, AKB48 Cafe (never been), and so on.

Sideglide wrote:I haven't experienced Japan as a first-timer in a long, long time but really, many places are fun. I really want to take you guys to my favorite restaurant in Ueno that is cheap, has grilled stuff (non-meat items), super cheap drinks, and vintage posters and toys everywhere. (Open late Gregory

Yes! What night is best for you to take us out? Let's get things planned.

Thanks Sideglide for your detail tips on food! Definitely will take on the blowfish, no horse or live fish, might do whale not sure.
In regards to dtrain's planning, I've done a spreadsheet timetable thingy, done most research on where and how to get to certain places from hotel. the only problem is I don't know how many days the 3A staff needs to work. ( and what day Sideglide needs to work etc)
I needs to be at the show on invitation day and Ash's signing days. the rest of the trip till 24th September I am free for whatever.
Tsukiji market is a little tricky, as it needs to be done real early in the morning.
On the 17 September, I am planning to go straight to the gay bar to hunt down Takuya San (拓也哥 コレステロールタクヤ) as a challenge from my colleagues. LOL! Anyone want to join? (and no, I am not gay).

Edited the first post of the page with all the relevant info.

SALES
September 19th - 27th
One of each exclusive item per person per purchase.
Max 3pc limit for Gacha Toys.
Stock is limited.

We will not be replenishing stock each day, so starting the 19th once something is sold out it is sold out

Gacha is max 3pc not 5pc. That'll be edited on the final listings
There will be a small amount of Pascha Just Friends sets available for sale separate to the preorderable A/B sets. They cost $260