Japan, especially Tokyo, has seen the flourishing of “subculture.” As a result, it’s easy to find stores that specialize in products related to this subculture. Among the franchise stores that handle such products, “Mandarake” is one of them.
“Mandarake,” based in Nakano, Tokyo, is one of the world’s largest manga and anime shopping malls that deals with used and rare books.
“Subculture Specialty Shop in Tokyo Shibuya, Mandarake”
Mandarake can be considered a Japanese subculture specialty secondhand bookstore franchise. Established in 1980, its headquarters is located in Nakano Broadway, Tokyo. In addition to offline stores, Mandarake operates online sales sites and auction sites.
While there are several locations in Japan, my group visited the Shibuya branch. It’s conveniently located not far from Shibuya Station, making it easy to find.
“A Store with a Unique Atmosphere Offering Various Items”
Although Mandarake is categorized as a bookstore, the actual products you’ll encounter are related to subculture. Particularly, a majority of the items are associated with otaku culture.
The store is located in the basement and offers quite a spacious area. The impressive part is the densely packed shelves of manga, anime-related figures, and various products.
“Mandarake Deals with Many Vintage Items”
Given that the store’s concept revolves around selling used books and rare publications, Mandarake tends to sell a significant number of vintage items compared to other subculture stores. While you can find new products here, there’s also a substantial selection of used items.
Despite being secondhand, the prices are not significantly different from new items. In fact, Mandarake often sells them at prices comparable to the market rates.
Especially noteworthy is that some items are highly rare and may not be found elsewhere. If you’re lucky, you might discover and acquire a scarce item.
“Mandarake” Means “Full of Manga”
The name “Mandarake” comes from the Japanese phrase “まんだらけ (mandarake),” where “だらけ (darake)” means “full of” or “covered with.” So, Mandarake means “full of manga.” This name perfectly reflects the essence of the store, where you can explore a wide range of manga-related products.
“Japan Tokyo Shibuya, Mandarake”
- Address: Shibuya BEAM 2 31, B2F, Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
- Phone: +81 3-3477-0777
- Website: Mandarake Order
- Mandarake Branch Introduction Page: Mandarake Shops
- Business Hours: 12:00 – 20:00