Shopping Taking a Trip to Japan for Dollies? Info & Advice

I'm not sure who can read Japanese and who can't, but at Volks' Studio Alta Tenshi-no-Sumika in Shinjuku they gave me this cute handy map of Volks store locations:


The one's that are labeled by me are the Shinjuku Alta store and the Harajuku Tanshi-no-Mado salon.

You'll have to save and rotate the map to see all 9 locations.
Larger pic: http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a94/Wolfie_Pie/Japan_Dollfie_Stores.png

Also, in Akihabara, there's the Volks Akihabara Showroom. The third floor is all Dollfie Dream stuff with FCS and Super Dollfie items towards the back. This was the friendliest place I went, and one of the employees spoke English, which made it very convenient to discuss prices and dolls in general.

 

Wolfie Pie - Thanks for sharing that map! Would you be able to label which of the other stores are on that map? I can probably figure it out well enough from just using the map, but if you could tell me which one is which (or what the JR station on the map is) it'd really help me a lot!

And a general question: Are there any doll-relevant stores that are still in different locations from the earthquake? Like in the Radio Kaikan building in Akiba and i think another? Or is Angel's Den generally accurate again? (I know it seems to have been a while since it last updated.)

 

Reading clockwise...

Volks Harajuku Tenshi-no-Mado (Angel's Window)
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...ll=35.669909,139.704093&spn=0.002016,0.004128

Volks Akihabara showroom.
Wolfie Pie's scan show's the current correct location (moved since Earthquake), however the address on the paper has not been corrected. See our google map detail for relevant information.
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...ll=35.698747,139.771811&spn=0.002015,0.004128

Volks Ikebukuro showroom
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...&ll=35.731682,139.71858&spn=0.002014,0.004128

Volks Machida Showroom
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...&ll=35.540693,139.44861&spn=0.002019,0.004128

Volks Shinjuku Tenshi-no-Sumika
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...0&ll=35.69262,139.70129&spn=0.002015,0.004128

Volks Yokohama Showroom/Tenshi-no-Sumika
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...ll=35.468559,139.622637&spn=0.002021,0.004128

Volks Utsunomiya Showroom/Tenshi-no-Sumika
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...ll=36.560355,139.884716&spn=0.001993,0.004128

Volks LaLaport Showroom/Tenshi-no-Sumika
For some reason, some of the address detail on the paper is wrong. The current and correct information has been cross checked from the Volks website and the Mall guide. (We have physically visited this store, and it is exactly where we say it is.)
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...ll=35.686695,139.990746&spn=0.002076,0.004128

Volks Tachikawa Showroom/Tenshi-no-Sumika
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msi...ll=35.699978,139.414739&spn=0.002015,0.004128


All of this information is on our map guide of shops.
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...mprehensive-Google-Map-Dollie-BJD-Shop-Guide)

 

I have no idea when the map was made. They were free to take so I grabbed one. I can't read Japanese, so I compared my print-out I had from Lonely BJD Planet to the addresses on the map to label the two on there.

 

I'm going to Japan in September and I found out there is a DOLK store in Tokyo and I think it would be cool if I got an actual Japanese bjd. I gave some it some thought an I'm not entirely sure if you can by an actual bjd over the counter. Has anybody had an actual experience at the DOLK store in akihabara or have been to a different doll store?

 

Have you seen the pics of the store on flikr? I love the dolls with the cute hand gestures. Some of the dolls are boxed and priced so no doubt you can buy them there.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deanputney/8100641237/

http://www.dannychoo.com/post/en/26703/Tokyo+Doll+Store+DOLK.html

 

I've seen volks dollfie dolls before and I'm not the biggest fan of them (ive seen danny choos tour of the volks store and they are just dollfie dreams.

I also found out about the Dolf store on the Danny choo site but all the images I saw didn't show price tags on the dolls on display.

thanks for the try though. (:

 

You can walk into any Volks showroom and buy the default models they have in stock. If they have limiteds in stock from a recent dolpa, you can buy them too, but they usually are sold out so you'd have to be very lucky. I bought a MSD Mire as a souvenir from Tenshi no Sato when I was there in 2011.

What you can't do is ordering a full choice (FCS) doll. You'd have to be in an extended stay in Japan for that.

Additionally, you can buy second hand dolls from Mandarake. There's a floor in the Mandarake shop in Akihabara with second-hand bjds and Himekazura wigs (which aren't second hand, they just distribute them), for example, and some other stores in Akihabara have sometimes second hand bjds for sale.

 

Thanks alot,this is really helpful.
im going to check out that Mandarake place. ^^

 

Mandarake is an awesome suggestion, they often have doll clothes as well! I've been to Japan a couple of times and besides Volks I've also seen Bluefairy BJDs for sale, but I'm not sure if that particular store that sold them still exists after what happened with the tsunami. I believe that building was shut down, but you should be able to find Bluefairy dolls in Japan. I'm not sure if you like them, but it's always fun to see dolls in real life in my opinion. I hope you'll have a wonderful time in Japan!

 

Restricting to Tokyo and it`s areas...

There will be dollshow on the first of September and it has some doll companies come in to drop by with their dolls. (i.e. Marchen Waltz, Sadol, Alchemic Labo)
Firsthand Dolk would be a great place to get Korean BJD`s. They have Pipos, Crobidoll, Ringdoll, Rosenlied most of the time, some momocolor and RSdoll too. Dolk consists of TWO floors but they`re rather awkwardly spaced.
Again, Madarake`s great for secondhand, I personally would recommend the Nakano store as it holds more dolls. (Nakano is pretty much a huge toybox -it`s hours of fun in one spot if you`re nerdy)
Mandarake also sells firsthand Visuadolls, VMF50(at least used to) and sometimes will hold rights to sell firsthand Unoas (B grade). They sell original wigs which are rather cheap for the quality.
In Yokohama and Ikebukuro are Closet Child`s Doll branch, Dolly Teria. This is also used but they have started running their own brand of wig and eyes.
The store dedicated to Blue Fairy is called Sora*Iro.
There is also store dedicated to Nobilitydoll`s Scon called Risubaco which opened recently.
Azone store has Visuadolls and VMF50(now Angel Philia), with clothing that fit slim SD`s.
Kotobukiya contains Obitsu and DIM.
Dollce is a BJD Wig store.
Parabox has Obitsu`s.

I think these cover the decently well-known areas.

 

Are there any stores in Kyoto?

 

Kyoto itself, I don't think there is anything other than Volks.

Osaka which is about 30 minutes by train from Kyoto does have a Dolk branch. It's smaller than the Tokyo branch last time I went, just 1 floor, but they are very friendly. I can't remember what they had in stock though. Osaka also has 2 Mandarake branches, though neither has as good a doll selection as Nakano Mandarake.

Hope this helps!

 

Osaka has also an Azone store and a Volks Sumika in the couple of streets called "Otaroad" near Namba.

http://www.dannychoo.com/post/en/26249/Otaroad.html
http://kamlau.com/japan/otaroad/

Not much about BJDs apart from the Sumika, though.

 

Yeah they're in DenkiDenki town, which is where the Dolks is as well, or at least was in 2010. It use to be just round the corner on the 2nd or 3rd floor from the Volks Sumika. One Mandarake is in Umeda near the station there and the other is in Shinsaibashi, again this was as of 2010, I've not been back to Japan since then. You can can pretty easily walk from Namba to Shinsaibashi, and if you like to walk, like me, it is even possible to walk to Umeda from Namba. Osaka is quite flat and most of the streets are grids unlike Tokyo.

Sorry I didn't mention Volks in Osaka. A pretty good rule of thumb is nearly all the biggest cities in Japan: Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Kyoto, all have a Volks branch and many have or had a Mandarake branch, though again for dolls the best one is the Tokyo-Nakano branch, just make sure to know your pricing. Personally, I've found the prices on Japanese brands like Volks or Azone or Unoa, or typically better used in Japan, while Korean dolls it can really vary on.

 

So I'm going to be in Japan from July 25th to August 19th. Right now I'm not planning on bringing my doll because of the horrible heat during that time of year, but I would love to be able to shop at stores for BJD related things or go to any conventions or whatever is going on. I have tried looking and haven't really found anything. I did come across something about Volks in Kyoto and there being a BJD hotel there but I couldn't find a website for it. I'm sure I'm not the only person to ask this, but what are some BJD places to see in Japan? Is everything online or can I go into a store and shop around?

 

Thank you for the help. I'll be in Tokyo for three days, Osaka, Awaji Island, Kyoto, Kanazawa, and taking day trips to Nara, Hiroshima, and Kaga.

 

Big thread on this subject: http://www.denofangels.com/forums/s...g-a-Trip-to-Japan-for-Dollies-Info-amp-Advice

 

Thank you, I will look through that closer. A lot of what I saw tho was discussing info on just traveling Japan in general and I already have that aspect planned, I just want to know where the locations of these places are exactly.

Do you know the exact locations cause I would love to check those out and I will be in those areas.

 

I have a friend who lives in Japan. If I can get an address she can help me find it. If anything, I speak a little Japanese and could get directions possibly if I were to go to any of these places alone.

 

Though it's not been updated in forever, the Bilingual Atlas of Tokyo is extremely helpful in finding addresses in Tokyo. Even someone familiar with Tokyo can have a hard time finding places.

Tokyo also has Sora*Iro which sells Blue Fairy, possibly some Leeke wigs and might be carrying the new Day Dream dolls.

In the Kansai area (at least as of 2010, I've not been back since then)
There is of course Tenshi no Sato in Kyoto (Volks)

A Volks branch in Osaka
2 Mandarake branches in Osaka (though the Tokyo-Nakano branch on the 4th floor is the best for dolls, it's also one of the easiest shops to find IMHO)
There use to be a Dolks in Osaka as well, I went to it several times it was not far from the Animate in DenDen Town/Namba

As for events....

Volks could have something then, but almost definitely not in Tokyo proper. They've previously had Dolpas during the Summer, but never in Tokyo. You're just missing I Doll in Tokyo (it's 7/21) and the next Doll Show after the GW one will be in September.

 

There is the Hometown Dolls Party Nagoya 5 on August 4 2013 that you could go to.

 

Well, I return from my trip safe and sound. I only made it to Dolpa, Mandarakes all over Japan ate my money before I got to the Doll Show rofl

About Mandarakes, most of them do stock some doll items (with the exception of Ikebukuro, which was all BL and Ladies' manga), and you can sometimes get some good deals, even on Volks-brand clothing. Sometimes it's a bit of a crapshoot, because sizing for wigs and shoes is not labelled the same in Japan as it is here. I got a pair of Volks MSD pants for 850 yen, and a nearly-new Volks SD size wig for 780, still in its box, with a sticker saying it retailed for 3,300.

As far as shopping was concerned, I had pretty good luck for my Rosette (who can wear some YoSD clothes), my MSD size BBB, and my EID-like girl, but not really anything for my TDF (who is PKF size). I suppose it's off to Seoul for that rofl

I took photos for walking directions to the new Volks store in Akihabara too, which I'm currently editting and will probably post to my tumblr when I'm done. I'll come back and link here when I'm done.

 

cool, thanks ^ ^ The info on the mandarake shops will surely come in handy

 

Okay, my walking guide is all done! I added a little bit more info about other stuff along the route, like the Azone store and where the Akiba Mandarake was.

Walking Guide to Hobby Tenkou

List of Mandarake stores in Japan

This link takes you to a location guide to where Mandarakes are in Japan. (Note it's Man-dah-rah-kay, in case you end up asking for directions.) I would say the best ones are Nakano (Nakano in general is awesome for shopping) and Akihabara. Osaka is a close third. Shibuya is a huge pain in the butt to find, and Ikebukuro, again, is only really BL stuff and Ladies' manga and character goods from bishonen series, but that also reflects the neighborhood it's in. Ikebukuro is the Ladies' Akihabara in ways.

Because they deal in used goods, Mandarake is also a great place to grab stuff from classic series, since Gamers, Animate, and similar stores are all about the latest releases (You'll notice there's a good amount of banners for Nana Mizuki's latest live concert DVD, and this was also the day before Evangelion 3:33 came out) so you may not have such great luck at those kind of stores. But I'm getting a bit off topic here.

Another note about Osaka, is that Angel-Den's directions are a bit out of date. The location hasn't moved, but the features to finding it have. It's actually gotten easier. That bridge she mentions is actually completely gone. And that 100 yen store sign is also gone. It's been replaced by a huge yellow-on-blue VS sign you can almost see from the train station when you look down the street.

 

I'm not sure if this is in this thread, but don't forget there are regular conventions and markets held in Japan.

IDoll events:
http://www.idollweb.net/index.php

Doll's Myth
http://dolls-myth.com/

Volks Dolpa.
http://blog.volksusa.com/

There are usually threads posted to DoA on individual events.

 

I second Closet Child, I was in the Ikebukuro branch last week. However, the only dolls they seemed to have were Pullips, for the most part. They did, however, have a pretty sizeable collection of clothing, though I didn't really pay attention to what sizes. It's just the regular Closet Child store, and when you walk in it looks just like a record store, but walk further in and turn right to find the lolita section, and the doll stuff is just next to that.

There is also a store in Shinjuku Marui One (I forget which floor) that sells doll-related accessories and OOAK dresses.

 

Off the top of my head, I remember getting to the Ikebukuro branch of Closet Child by walking down the main road (where Tokyu Hands is) and walking off a sidestreet towards TGI Fridays, and the CC branch was on a street off that one. Sorry I can't be more specific, but I followed the map on my phone for most of it!
I do recommend looking up the addresses of places you would like to visit before you go and either drawing or printing a map, or at the very least writing down directions. It does help!
The CC in Ikebukuro too....when you walk in you will only see CDs. I was about to turn around and walk out when I decided to have a look anyway, and saw the Lolita section in the back, and then the doll section right next to it. Like I said in the other thread, it was mostly Pullips when I went, but they did have a healthy selection of doll clothing.

Nakano Broadway may also be worth a look. Train to Nakano (Chuo/Sobu lines towards Mitaka, I believe), and literally walk through the shopping arcade and Nakano Broadway is on the other end. The Mandarake there is split into numerous stores covering various catagories. I haven't been since New Year, but I sort of remember there being a shop that contained dolls.

The Mandarake in Akihabara...I'm not sure of the exact location, but everything is pretty much gathered round the same area. I stumbled across it by accident just wandering.

It may also be worth having a look around Marui One in Shinjuku, as there is a store there (can't remember which floor) that sells some doll-related accessories and OOAK outfits.

 

I would definitely recommend you to go to the shops' websites, and print their maps (or find them in Google maps) or download them to your e-book reader(*). Even Japanese people have trouble finding addresses, that's why the shops put location maps on their websites.

(*) The last time I went to Japan, I saved maps, wikipedia/ wikivoyage information and even train routes to my e-ink ebook reader. Since it's got great autonomy and it is very lightweight, it was really useful not to have to drag papers around.

 

I'm in Japan! eep! I visited the VOLKS Akihabara showroom, and found a Mandarake shop dedicated to BJDs in Nakano Broadway. The boyfriend didn't want to hang around either one for very long, which was infuriating, but I actually didn't buy anything because the prices were HIGGGGGGGHH. I mean, 4k Yen for a wig? Really?? Though there was a cute Yo-SD set for about 2.5k Yen. I almost bought it but then realised it was a purchase I probably couldn't justify to my mother. Or to myself.

 

My husband and I were in the Volks store in Shinjuku the other day, and it's quite easy to find. Just head out the East exit of Shinjuku Station, and literally right across the street is the Studio Alta building. Head up to the sixth floor, and there it will be! The other stores in there are all clothing, so it seems a bit out of place. It's also MUCH smaller than the Akiba store, but still has a decent selection of stuff.

 

The best deals I could find at Mandarake were in Nakano and Osaka. The prices at Mandarake Akiba were really high. It took some digging, but I found a pair of Volks MSD pants for 400-something and an unknown wig for 700. The deals take some effort to find, and sometimes they just don't exist, but the fun is in the looking! I found a Volks wig in Closet Child Ikebukuro in its box and it looks flawless for 750! The sticker on the box said it retailed for 4400. That was far from typical, though, most of their stuff was for Blythe and Pullip, as people said before here.

 

I'm in Japan right now to and have managed to come across the Volks stores in Shinjuku (actually was about a 10min walk from my hotel XD; ) and the one in Harajuku. I did go to the Mandarake in Akiba but they didn't have anything I was interested in sadly.The Volks Harajuku store was really cute! And it was very close to the station and was definitely worth the trip.

 

Oh have I got news for you!!

I went to the Nagoya Mandarake store (which is enormous) and the first time found very little (to my liking apart from some Blythes which caught my interest). Came back, two days later, however to find a whole bunch of new stock had appeared - and I got a Yo-SD sailor suit (with dungarees, how precious) for about $24 or something. I truly hada gwahahahahahaha moment bringing it to the till. I also found a customised Blythe who was cheaper than the originals (obviously) there who hadn't been there before, so snapped up another bargain immediately. So yes, there is certainly stuff around if you're prepared to hunt it down.

They had a huge Dollfie Dream section as well as limited release Blythes and a few Volks limiteds too, but those were beyond my price range.
I didn't check out the wigs much, but I thought they had a much larger variety in Nagoya.

 

Hi Gang,

I hope this is the right section.
I am making my first pilgrimage to Japan!!!!

I am taking Isabella (sd-13) and Pierlorenzo (Yo-sd) to Tokyo and Kyoto.
Sadly, I will only be in Tokyo 4 days and Kyoto for 2 days. We will be there in the middle of March 2014.

We will visit Volks so they can see their birthplace, but any recommendations for the following would be greatly appreciated.

1. Shops for Ichimatsu dolls and accessories.
2. Shops for high end silk kimonos for SD-13 girls
3. Any shops with clothes and accessories for BJD.

Since I am getting there right after Hina Matsuri, I am hoping there will be lots of traditional items for Isabella and Pier-kun in the stores.

Thank you in advance to everyone!!!
Don't let my babies come back empty handed. LOL.

dkotobuki

 

I know Kyoto a lot better than Tokyo, so I'm just going to focus on Kyoto:

1) I don't know if they sell Ichimatsu dolls in particular, but in Kyoto on Shijo Dori there's a doll shop that sells all kind of traditional dolls. I don't think they sell the accessories separately though. Unfortunately I don't know what the shop is called. It's on the left side of the road as you're moving down Shijo Dori towards Gion/Yasaka Jinja, and it's not located within Gion itself.

2) Since many of my dolls' characters are Japanese (one is a maiko) I have hunted all over for kimono like this and I have never in my entire life found them anywhere, in real life or online. I'm working on fixing that a bit and I'm sure there's a source out there I don't know, but if there is it isn't in any part of Kyoto I have ever seen.

3) Well, there's obviously Tenshi no Sato in Kyoto, which I haven't been to so I can't really tell you what it's like. If you're looking for things like folding fans, I have found that some tourist-oriented shops will sell mini fans of various sizes. See if you can find any that are meant to be keychains. I have found that those are a good size for SD-size dolls. For hair items, there's a shop on the non-Gion side of Shijo Dori called Jyuusan-ya that sells all kind of human-sized hair ornaments (kanzashi) and is famous for its boxwood combs. They have some sets of mini boxwood combs that come in a box and are a nice size for dolls (you'll just want to be careful because boxwood combs have their own natural oil that will come off when you touch them and I'm not sure if it would hurt a doll). These are more like replicas of the kinds of combs used to actually brush or style hair, not ornaments, but they're still interesting. If you go into Gion there's a shop on the left side as you're headed towards Yasaka Jinja, and is in fact quite close to Yasaka Jinja, that sells the paper parasols/umbrellas. This place is the real deal and caters to the local geisha and maiko population (last time I was there the shop owner had a couple rows of white fans with her geisha and maiko customers' names displayed on her wall) and they often sell miniature umbrellas that are a good size for SD and maybe MSD dolls. Some of them are plastic with paper, but then some of them are mini replicas of the human-sized ones and are made with authentic materials. The last time I was in her shop she also had miniature wooden geta and okobo that are meant for decoration, but are actually a good size for SD dolls.

Mind you that none of these places are making stuff specifically for dolls, at least not as far as I can tell, but the things I mentioned should work for dolls. I don't really know of places that specialize in items for dolls. Depending on how much you're willing to spend and how much work you're willing to put into things, you might be able to buy and re-purpose some smaller human-sized items (e.g. earrings) to make accessories for your dolls. And since you'll actually have your dolls with you, you can check things to see if they're in scale before you buy them.

Now, if you want to know where to find human-sized traditional things...or places to eat in Kyoto...or interesting things to do...I'm your lady

 

The Nakano branch of Mandarake is a great place to stop in Tokyo for used BJDs, clothes and accessories. Dolk in Akihabara has lots of nice clothes, shoes and wigs.

 

WOw! Thank you so much, Shiori_hime and Solitary Agent for all these helpful tips. Isn't it true? So much of owning dolls is keeping ones eyes open for miniature items that are to scale. I am always looking for 1/3 scale. LOL.

 

This seems to be the catch-all thread for questions like this, so I guess I'll ask here. Does anyone know whether there's going to be a Doll Show in Tokyo this year in and around late April? When I was in Japan last (2011), Doll Show was the day after the Spring Dolpa during Golden Week. I was hoping they'd be holding another one around that time this year, hopefully the last weekend of April and not the first week of May. I know Golden Week is in a weird spot this year, so I guess the latter is a possibility, too - I'm just hoping for earlier, since I'll have left the country by then. I'm also waiting for announcements on the Volks Spring Dolpa, but I know there will end up being a thread for that once Volks announces it

 

Dolpa 31 is in Tokyo on May 5.

 

Oh, well. I guess I'm going to miss it Which isn't bad because it just gives me an extra day for sightseeing. Crossing my fingers for Doll Show, though. But I'm going to assume all the Golden Week events are that weekend, so probably not. I've never been to Hakone, so maybe it's time to use my extra day for that.

Too bad I'm going to also miss the iDoll in Fukuoka on April 5th (6th?) by a week, too. I'm in the air on the way there. That's the day that falls into the abyss.

Also, can anyone tell me if the Volks Akihabara store is still in the temporary location, or has it moved back into the new Radio Kaikan? I don't even know if they've finished the new building yet. And on the Harajuku location that closed a year and something ago, is there a new Harajuku location, or is it gone for good?

 

Unfortunately, I think Doll Show is also on 5/5 this year. http://www.dollshow.net/

Judging from an announcement in the Company News section about a 2nd Anniversary event for a Volks in Harajuku, I'm guessing they did open a new store. I don't know the location though as I've not been to Japan in a long time. Usually they have the Volks store locations listed on the Volks website though. Good luck!

 

There's going to be a doll event in Fukuoka (I Doll)?!? !! Tokyo and Kyoto is always too far, but Fukuoka is possible!

Does anyone know to just be a guest at I Doll do you need to do anything other than show up and pay admission? No pre-purchase online or anything?

 

http://www.idollweb.net/

I went to I Doll in Osaka many years ago, and yup, you just show up. It won't be super huge, they're currently hoping to sell 100 "amateur" spaces and 10 "professional" spaces. If you wanted a table it would be 3500 yen for an amateur one and would include two admissions. Admission is 700 yen otherwise. Generally, it is a real mix of doll types, the last i Doll I went to, Blythe was very popular still. i Doll is nice because it tends to have non-Volks dolls. At least back in '09, I showed up around 30-45 minutes before i Doll opened and was near the front, no lining up hours before the event actually starts. I'm sure i Doll in Tokyo is different, because Doll Show there gets crazy lines as well. I hope you get to go to the event and enjoy it!

Dolpa's are the only events I can think of where you pre-purchase admission and that is because of the LEs. Technically, if you just planned to shop the dealer's room at a Dolpa you wouldn't need to pre-purchase either, just usually people going to Dolpas either want limited dolls or limited Sumika items.

 

Awesome ^.^ thanks for the info! It's good to know there's a variety of dolls since I don't only collect Volks SD/BJDs and, honestly, I love dealer items more than company ones haha. In 8 years of doll fandom I've never been to an event. I always wanted to go but every single time they're too far or the date is too inconvenient. This event is only 2km from the bus center. Perfect!

 

what is a FCS?

 

No problem, I'm glad I could help! I use to go to doll events in Japan all the time (I use to time my trips for them lol) But I've not gone to anything really since I had my daughter in 2010. I admit, I like Doll Show/ I Doll a lot because of the non-BJD items (I collect Licca) and for the fact they have the most non-Volks BJD merchandise available. Popular BJD brands in Japan don't always coincide to the most popular brands in foreign fandom, but I found a lot of the brands I personally like had good representation. (Blue Fairy tends to have a strong showing at Tokyo events because they have a brick and mortar store outside Tokyo and even before that were strongly connected to Noix de Rome for many years, Doll Show a couple of times had BF limiteds.)

I think the event doesn't start until 11 or 11:30 so it makes it easier to attend if traveling from a distance. Please let us all know how it goes! I so miss going to Doll Show myself.

FCS== Full Choice System. I can't find the sticky about it right now, but it is pretty much Volks' system for ordering a semi-custom doll. Volks has a selection of MSD and SD/SD-13 sized heads, bodies, hands, feet, eyes, and wigs you can choose between to customize your doll. They will then paint the doll to the best of your specifications.

Hope this helps!

 

I tried to go to Dolk a few weeks back but I couldn't find their place. Could someone show me a guide to their place in Akihaba starting from the train station? That would be a huge help, thank you.

 

I found a map, and it looks like the easiest way to get there is actually from one of the Akihabara Metro exits. Based on what I know about Akiba from crawling through it as a tourist, it's not on the main Electric Town drag with the others. It looks like the nearest exit is number 5, the southwest corner of the station. You're going to go out and head to your right, which will be south, alongside the freeway (it looks like it'll be above you and on your left). You're going to continue south to the next corner, and make a right there. You'll head down here for a couple blocks, and you'll make a left just before Yanagimori Shrine (it's the only shrine on this block). So if you pass a shrine you went too far. It's also the second to last street before the tracks on an overpass (there's a road that runs directly alongside them, you don't want that). The store will be rather soon on your right.

Trying to get there from JR Akiba station looks like a huge pain in the rear end. There's signs marked in the JR station to get to the Metro one, though.

This is just from looking at a map as marked here on Danny Choo's site: http://www.dannychoo.com/en/post/26703/Tokyo+Doll+Store+DOLK.html The article is dated from last spring, and it includes a photo of the entrance, which is definitely hard to miss. Looking at these pics, I wish I had found it! Ah well, that's what the next trip is for >D

 

Ah, so sorta a la carte? Hmm that's pretty cool! ^^ I can never even navigate the Volks site properly though. -.-

 

It's in-store-only, sadly. There's been some hints of some big announcement coming this year, and people are holding out for an Online FCS. There's people here on DoA and elsewhere on the internet that offer shopping service for a bit of a fee. You'd have to google for them though, I don't have any links.

 

Wow...if I knew there was a Dolks store I wouldn't have gone to the Volks one which I left nearly empty-handed because they had very little.



There's some info on THIS SITE

From the map, it seems you need to get out from the A2 exit. Walk up the street, take the first left, then the first right.

When I was there I went in the opposite direction coz I was looking for other shops which had ALL CLOSED DOWN by the time I went there. The only place which I knew for sure still existed was the Volks showroom. My list was taken from a site that hadn't been updated so it stands to reason that it was majorly outdated.

Good luck on your find and take pictures!!

 

To me, when I was there, that new location didn't seem temporary at all, and the Radio Kaikan building seemed back in full working order, and was fully occupied (though it seemed to be pretty much all electronics). Assuming we're talking about Hobby Tengoku?

 

Thanks for the info! I guess I've got two extra days now. Now I just have to decide what I want to do with them. I guess I'll just have to do Dolpa and Doll Show again next time. And there will be a next time, assuming all is well - I can't seem to stay away from Japan for too many years in a row.

Oh, yeah. I've got the Tokyo City Atlas (we are talking about the same one, I hope?) That thing has saved me from getting lost so many times. I still get lost of course, but not nearly as often. Besides, getting lost isn't always a bad thing I just wish there was a similarly good guide for Osaka. I bought another Osaka atlas from another company but when comparing it to the Tokyo one, it's kind of iffy.

On the sushi place...I'm pretty sure I know exactly where that is. At the least, I know that Sega building (I've got a horrible weakness for crane games).

 

I bough the Osaka one from the same company and it just is not as good. It's also enormously out of date. My Tokyo one is out of date too, I bought it back when I first went to Japan (before the DoCoMo building and a few subway lines were built, and I think the Yurikamome ends before reaching Toyosu lol) But it still seems less out of date than the Osaka one. I've never found a good free one for all of Osaka, but I once got a really good map of Shinsaibashi and Namba. It was free from one of the tourist authorities, either in Osaka itself or possibly in the Shinsaibashi area. It's a little frustrating, because with a good map, Osaka would be eminently walkable. It's much flatter than Tokyo, most of the streets are straight, and a lot of places tourists want to go are just not that far apart. I have walked from Namba up to Umeda many many times.