Shopping in General
Book Off | K-Books | Mandarake | Animate and Toranoana | Coupons & Frequent Buyer Cards
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Book Off
Book Off has the cheapest manga and art books in Tokyo. My suggestion is to go there first. Their selection isn’t THE best, but at ¥105 to ¥350 per book, it’s worth the visit.
I went to the Book Off in Harajuku (twice) and walked away with a lot. They do not deliver, so you have to be able to walk out with your purchases. I suggest taking your carry-on luggage if it’s on wheels. In fact, take your carry-on luggage or similar with you everywhere. You won’t be alone and you’ll blend in with the local girls who cosplay and are also manga shopping.
Once you’re off the Harajuku station, meander down through Takeshita street (this may take hours) and once you feel you’re on a main road (Meiji Dori Ave.), turn right and you’re half a block away from Book Off. The pale yellow is your routing from Harajuku station to Book Off. Again, it may take you all day to reach it for all the eye candy in Harajuku 
K-Books
Lots of selection and decent prices (¥210 to ¥367 on average) on manga. You’ll find some art books too.
Some K-Books also have doujinshi, and their selection is great. Definitely check them out.
Mandarake
Probably one of the most well known amongst otaku. Visiting their shops is always an experience and each one different. I highly suggest the Mandarake in Shibuya. Lots of manga, lots of doujinshi, of every flavour imaginable. You could be there a whole day. AND, they will ship to your hotel! So if you buy boxes and boxes worth, have it shipped – it’s worth it.
The following is what I presented to the staff of Mandarake (and a few others to find out who delivered and who did not):
すみません。私は日本語が分かりません。この商品は、このホテルに届けてもらえませんか？配達は、いくらですか？どおもありがとうございます。
–
Sumimasen. Watashi wa nihongo ga wakarimasen. kono shouhin wa, kono hoteru ni todokete moraemasen ka? haitatsu wa, ikura desu ka? Doomo arigatou gozaimasu.
Essentially the above (I hope) inquires after whether or not the shop will ship to my hotel. On the back of the card displaying the above I had written my name and complete address of the hotel (don’t forget to add your room number once you know it after you arrive).
The Mandarake in Ikebukuro is a little smaller, but still great for doujinshi and oh so convenient if you’re staying in Ikebukuro.
Manga is sorted by publisher, and then mangaka.
Animate and Toranoana
I’ve put these two together, even though Animate is larger (I think). But they are very similar. All new goods, full price, what’s being currently released. Mostly manga, but they do carry doujinshi (especially Toranoana), character goods, video, audio etc.
They’re all basically the same but if you’re looking for something newly released and some of the shops are sold out, you may have to check out several before you secure your copy.
Coupons & Frequent Buyer Cards
If you are offered coupons and frequent buyer cards, take them. K-Books and Animate have specials where once you’ve purchased a set amount in their store, you will receive a gift, such as a very pretty bishounen-licious bookmark. Do not refuse. And do not think you won’t buy enough. If you’re seriously planning a hard core purchasing trip, you WILL end up with once or twice the month’s collection of bookmarks from K-Books.
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