There are quite a few card shops in Akihabara. Some of them have limited stock or charge high prices. If you go out of your way to visit Akihabara only to end up at a shop like that, you’ll end up wasting your time and energy.

So, as someone who lives in Tokyo, I’d like to share my recommended shops and a route to visit them. These are the shops I actually visit whenever I go to Akihabara. This information is exclusively for you, the purchaser.

I hope your time in Japan is as meaningful as possible. Enjoy your time here!

1. The Ultimate Route: Navigating the Shops Efficiently

※You can access each store's page by clicking the respective links. Be sure to bookmark them.

Start at Akihabara Station (Electric Town South Exit)

AREA：①

• Rαdio Kaikan
  　┗Full Comp（9F)
  　┗Card Lab（9F)
  　┗Yellow Submarine（6F)
  　┗magi（5F）

  

  Radio Kaikan is a building located in front of Akihabara Station. There are several card shops here. Since there’s quite a lot of foot traffic, I recommend going all the way up to the 9th floor first, then walking down while checking out the card shops.

  While many card shops open at 11:00 a.m. or around noon, all the shops in Radio Kaikan—except for magi—are open from 10:00 a.m., so if you plan to visit card shops starting in the morning, I recommend heading to Radio Kaikan first.

  *Note: magi opens at 12:00 PM.
  
  

  

  Full Comp has an excellent selection of cards. They mainly sell the latest cards. There’s a section for cards with minor flaws, where they’re sold at a discount. They also sell Japanese promo cards.
  

  

  Card Lab is located on the same floor as Full Comp. Card Lab is one of Japan’s most famous card shops. It specializes in selling the latest cards. I get the impression that prices there are often lower than elsewhere in Akihabara.
  

  

  Yellow Submarine is a store that specializes in vintage toys. They also sell Pokémon cards, focusing mainly on older ones. While their inventory isn’t very large, they sometimes get rare cards in stock, so whenever I visit Radio Kaikan, I always make a point to stop by and check it out.

  
  There are other card shops in the Radio Kaikan building, but since they tend to have limited stock or high prices, there’s no need to make a point of visiting them. If you have time, though, feel free to check them out.
  

• Card Kingdom

  

  Card Kingdom is located across from Radio Kaikan.

  Go up the stairs—they sell Pokémon cards on the 3rd floor and One Piece cards on the 2nd floor. For Pokémon cards, they carry a wide variety, including older cards, rare cards, and PSA-graded cards. In the past, they’ve even sold Mario Pikachu cards. If you time your visit right, they also sell One Piece card packs, so be sure to check them out.
  

• SNKRDUNK

  

  SNKRDUNK is located across from Radio Kaikan. It has the largest selection of PSA-graded cards in Japan. They also sell PSA mystery packs, which many tourists enjoy trying their luck with. Additionally, they sell vintage cards on the second floor, so be sure to check out the second floor as well.

• Hareruya 2

  

  Hareruya 2 is one of Japan’s most famous stores. Located in Akihabara, it boasts the largest floor space of any card shop in Japan.

  It offers an extensive selection, selling everything from vintage cards to the latest releases. They also carry PSA-graded cards, including those graded below 10 at a discount. Since they have merchandise on the second floor as well, be sure to check it out. The store opens at 10:00 a.m., so I always start by stopping by here to see if they have any cards I’m looking for.

• Hareruya 2 Akihabara Annex

  

  Hareruya 2 Annex is the store that was in operation before the Hareruya 2

  building was completed. They also sell Pokémon cards here. It’s located in a spot that’s easy to miss if you come to Akihabara without doing any research, so it doesn’t get very crowded. That means you have a chance to find rare cards here. The staff at Hareruya 2 are very friendly, so feel free to ask them for help.
  

AREA：②

• VALUABLE CARD TOKYO

  

  VALUABLE CARD TOKYO is a store specializing in vintage cards. The store carries a wide range of vintage cards, from common ones to high-value ones, and its selection is among the best in Akihabara.

• FUKUFUKU TORECA

  

  FUKUFUKU TORECA specializes in selling vintage cards. The store features a row of elegant display cases, where you can find rare, high-value cards that are hard to come by. If you’re looking for high-value cards, be sure to stop by.

• Cardon

  

  Cardon operates under the concept of “carrying all types of trading cards” and sells a wide variety of trading cards in addition to Pokémon cards. They carry Pokémon cards ranging from older sets to the latest releases. Since this card shop is located on the outskirts of Akihabara, it doesn’t tend to attract many tourists. I think it’s a hidden gem.
  

AREA：③

• MANDARAKE

  

  MANDARAKE is a store that sells vintage toys. It’s a rare store that carries not only vintage Pokémon cards but also Carddass and stickers. Since there are few stores in Akihabara that sell Carddass, be sure to stop by if you’re thinking of buying some.

• TORECA Sunrise

  

  TORECA Sunrise is a store that sells used cards at relatively low prices. In many cases, these discounted cards are sold for cash only. Since credit card payments incur processing fees, the store is able to offer lower prices by accepting cash instead. Also, the store may be closed on an irregular basis, so if you happen to pass by, be sure to check if it’s open.

• Bee HOMPO

  

  Bee HOMPO sells a wide variety of cards, ranging from vintage to new. Their vintage selection includes rare and high-value cards, making it popular among collectors. Since high-value cards are often sold for cash only, I recommend bringing cash with you. Prices here seem relatively low compared to other stores in Akihabara, and I always make sure to stop by this shop. It’s also tucked away in a hard-to-find spot, so you don’t see many tourists there—it’s definitely a hidden gem.

• Eldorado

  

  Eldorado is a store specializing in vintage cards. It boasts one of the most extensive selections of vintage cards in all of Akihabara. While the high-end cards tend to be relatively expensive, the lower-priced ones are definitely worth buying.

• every Trading Cards

  

  Every Trading Cards sells vintage cards in the display case right by the entrance. Many of them are relatively inexpensive, so be sure to stop by.
  
  

AREA：④

• Nin Nin Akihabara Store No. 2

  

  NIN NIN is a store specializing in vintage cards. It’s one of the most well-known stores of its kind. There are two locations in Akihabara, so I recommend visiting both. They carry a wide range of vintage cards, from common to rare.

• Otachu

  

  Otachu specializes in selling vintage cards. The shop is located just up the elevator. Please be careful, as it can be hard to find. Since they also sell rare cards, it’s a popular spot among collectors. The shop is always packed with people. Popular cards tend to sell out quickly, so if you see a card you like, be sure to let a staff member know as soon as possible.

• tradia

  

  Tradia is a store that carries a wide range of cards, from the latest releases to older ones. They sell cards from past professional players as well, and their selection is among the best in Akihabara. You’ll be amazed when you see their display cases. Since they sell cards at discounted prices based on their condition, you’ll have a chance to score some great deals. The first floor of this store is a gachapon shop, so you’ll need to take the elevator at the back to get to the main store. Please be careful, as it can be a bit hard to find. Precisely because it’s a bit hard to find, you could call it a hidden gem. I definitely recommend visiting this store.

• CLIMAX

  

  Since CLIMAX is located in the same building as Tradia, let’s check it out while we’re here. They sell old cards here, too. I get the impression that many of them are relatively inexpensive, and I’ve bought some there a few times myself.

• Surugaya

  

  Surugaya is a well-known hobby shop in Japan. It specializes in selling older cards. While many of the cards are in the lower price range, the prices seem relatively high. If you're short on time, you might want to skip this place.

• NIN NIN

  

  NIN NIN is a store specializing in vintage cards. It is one of the most well-known stores in Japan for selling vintage cards. This is NIN NIN’s flagship store. They have an extensive selection, and next to the register, there’s a display case where cards with minor imperfections are sold at discounted prices. They also carry Carddass, so if you’re looking for Carddass items, be sure to stop by.
  
  

AREA：⑤

• TCG GATE

  

  TCG GATE is a store that sells rare cards, high-value cards, PSA-graded cards, and unopened boxes. While the selection isn’t huge, they carry a variety of rare cards. It’s a popular spot among collectors. You might just find a rare card there that you can’t find anywhere else.

• Toreking

  

  Toreking is a store that mainly sells slightly older cards. Some items are priced a bit lower than elsewhere. It’s located downstairs, accessible by elevator. The elevator is slow, so you’ll have to wait a bit. As a result, I get the impression that not many people visit. However, I think it’s a store with a good selection.

• Tradia Akihabara Station Branch

  

  The Tradia Akihabara Station Branch is Tradia’s second store. Like the other store, it offers a wide selection of items. I recommend it because you can buy cards with minor scratches at low prices. I get the impression that this store carries a lot of relatively new cards.

• Card Rush

  

  Card Rush is located on the 7th floor of a building right across from Akihabara Station. To get to the store, you can either take the elevator or the stairs. There’s usually a long line for the elevator, so most people take the stairs. It’s a bit of a workout, but considering the time saved, the stairs are the better option (even though it’s a bit of a workout). This store is one of the most famous in Japan. It carries a wide variety of cards and also sells PSA-graded cards. Since you can sometimes find great deals there, it’s definitely a store you’ll want to visit.

• Dragon Star

  

  Dragon Star is also located on the 6th floor of the same building as Card Rush. Be sure to visit both Card Rush and this shop together. This shop is also one of the well-known card shops in Japan.It’s also famous for its excellent customer service. They carry a wide variety of cards at relatively low prices, and I’ve made purchases there several times myself.
  
  

2. Tips for Hunting Vintage Pokémon Cards in Akihabara

① Check Store Restocks on X (formerly Twitter)

Most card shops post their daily restocks on X with images. Searching keywords like "Akihabara Kyu-ura" (秋葉原 旧裏) or "Akihabara Vintage" before you arrive will increase your chances of finding your chase cards.

② Payment Methods (Cash vs. Credit Card)

When buying high-end vintage cards or discounted items, some shops have rules like "〇% off for cash payments" or "Discounted items are cash only." It is always safe to carry a decent amount of physical Japanese Yen.