Pokemon Shopping Game Plan
Strategy for finding the best cards and merch without overpaying.
The Smart Buyer Rules
- Compare before buying — Visit 2-3 shops before purchasing singles
- Skip mystery packs — Tourist-trap vending machines rarely pay off
- Official for current, shops for older — Pokemon Centers have great current stock; card shops for vintage
- Protect your purchases — Bring sleeves/toploaders or buy them immediately
- Use the price discovery pass — First shop visit = look and note prices. Second visit = buy.
Official Pokemon Centers
Tokyo
| Store | Location | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokemon Center MEGA TOKYO | Ikebukuro / Sunshine City | Largest selection | Day 13 planned |
| Pokemon Center SHIBUYA | Shibuya PARCO | Trendy exclusives | Day 2 planned |
| Pokemon Center TOKYO DX | Nihombashi Takashimaya | Premium + Cafe | Near Tokyo Station |
Osaka
| Store | Location | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokemon Center OSAKA DX | Daimaru Shinsaibashi | Full stock + Cafe | Day 9 planned |
Card Shop Hunting Zones
Akihabara (Tokyo) — Day 15
The plan: Spend 2-3 focused hours in the Radio Kaikan area.
Key shops to find:
- Card Labo
- FullComp
- Hobby Station
- Various smaller shops in hobby buildings
Strategy: Walk the area first, note prices on your target cards, then return to buy from best-priced shop.
Ikebukuro (Tokyo) — Day 13
Pair with Pokemon Center MEGA TOKYO visit. Look for card shops in the Sunshine City complex and surrounding area.
Nakano Broadway (Tokyo) — Optional
“Treasure hunt” vibe. Good for unexpected finds and older collectibles. Browse and be selective.
Nipponbashi / Namba (Osaka) — Days 8-9, 12
Multiple card shops within walking distance. Compare prices across shops before committing.
Singles Target List
Fill this out before the trip. Add cards you’re specifically hunting.
| Card Name | Set | Priority | Max Price (¥) | Found? | Shop / Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | ☐ | ||||
| High | ☐ | ||||
| High | ☐ | ||||
| Medium | ☐ | ||||
| Medium | ☐ | ||||
| Medium | ☐ | ||||
| Low | ☐ | ||||
| Low | ☐ |
Sealed Products Wishlist
| Product | Priority | Target Price (¥) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | |||
| High | |||
| Medium | |||
| Medium | |||
| Low |
Price Reference
Before you go, note typical US/home prices for comparison:
| Item | US Price | Japan Target |
|---|---|---|
| $ | ¥ | |
| $ | ¥ | |
| $ | ¥ |
Exchange rate at time of trip: 1 USD = _____ JPY
Shopping Schedule
| Day | Date | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Wed 7/15 | Shibuya | Pokemon Center SHIBUYA (first stop!) |
| 8 | Tue 7/21 | Namba | Reconnaissance — get bearings |
| 9 | Wed 7/22 | Osaka | Main hunting day — PC Osaka DX + Nipponbashi shops |
| 12 | Sat 7/25 | Osaka | Second pass — buy anything you hesitated on |
| 13 | Sun 7/26 | Ikebukuro | Pokemon Center MEGA TOKYO + nearby shops |
| 15 | Tue 7/28 | Akihabara | Final sweep — Radio Kaikan area singles |
Supplies to Bring
- Card sleeves (penny sleeves + better ones for hits)
- Toploaders (10-20)
- Small binder
- This target list printed
- Price notes
Supplies to Buy There
Japan has excellent card supplies, often cheaper:
- Premium sleeves (character designs)
- Deck boxes
- Card storage
- Playmats
Tips From Experience
- Morning = less crowded for card shops
- Staff don’t haggle — prices are fixed
- Condition matters — Japanese grading is strict; NM means NM
- Check binder AND case — Some shops have separate displays
- Receipt = proof — Keep receipts for customs if buying a lot
- Point cards — Some chains offer them; worth getting if you’ll shop multiple times
Budget Tracker
| Category | Budget | Spent | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singles | ¥ | ¥ | ¥ |
| Sealed | ¥ | ¥ | ¥ |
| Supplies | ¥ | ¥ | ¥ |
| Merch | ¥ | ¥ | ¥ |
| Total | ¥ | ¥ | ¥ |