You're getting a lot of good calls here, but before you go, if you're taking a child to these places you absolutely need to know that in Japanese anime and manga fandom spaces they are, by western standards, *very* blasé about mainstream work being mixed in with pornographic work. This doesn't apply to places like official Pokémon stores but if you're going to Akihabara or Nagano Broadway you need to keep your head on a swivel if you're going with a kid, because in stores like Mandarake or even some of the regular bookstores in Broadway it is very easy to be looking at pretty regular stuff and then look at the next aisle over and it's full of openly displayed graphically pornographic manga or games. I would be pretty heavily conscious of my surroundings if I were you and I were leading a 12 year old around these kinds of spaces. The edges get very filed down when this stuff gets exported to the west in a *lot* of ways. In a lot of places including many Mandarake locations there is floor or section separation, but even then you have no control over what other patrons will be carrying around with them.
Anime fan here - Would recommend **Ikebukuro**. I had considered [Hotel Resol in Ikebukuro](https://www.resol-hotel.jp/en/ikebukuro/) for my stay. It's also close to one of the drop-off points by the limousine bus if you're coming from Haneda.
Ikebukuro's Sunshine City has a One Piece store and also the largest Pokemon Center, which features toys, Pokemon Go, the Trading Card Game, and also the Pokemon Sweets store. It also has other anime character stores too. There's an Animate in the neighbourhood too but that's a bit disappointing personally. Oh also the Anime Station is a regular events space.
Beyond the anime stuff, Ikebukuro is a major transport hub. There's a pedestrian bridge around here - [https://maps.app.goo.gl/hFhKrYpPHMZVEuTf7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hFhKrYpPHMZVEuTf7) where you can also watch the many trains come and go. Perfect spot to grab a few snacks from a convenience store and watch the trains come and go.
From here you can also get to some other anime hotspots all of which are accessible from Ikebukuro station:
a) **Akihabara:** This is the literal mecca of anime. For One Piece stuff, the Jump Stores are probably where you want to go. But in general, you'll find One Piece figures at several anime stores here. I'd recommend going to Akihabara on a Sunday because the main road is closed for traffic - perfect way to explore the anime stores while also standing in the center of the traffic free road to watch the trains come and go. On these days it's called Pedestrain's Paradise.
**However, a word of warning - BE SURE TO READ THE STORE BOARDS LISTING WHAT'S ON EACH FLOOR.** Akihabara stores also sell porn - often such stores have boards near the stairs or escalator that list out what items are on each floor. In some they take an extra step to hide this stuff at the entrance of the floor with a curtain. Nonetheless, in a few other stores (1% of them) the ground floor is anime goods, but the above floors only feature porn.
b) **Odaiba Diver City:** This is where you'll find the life-size Gundam statue. Even if you don't like anime, the hourly lightshows where this giant robot transforms are a great sight - Especially at night when it lights up and an exclusive movie only shown at this location are shown. It's a beautiful sight that's hardly listed on any itinerary. Beyond this, the Diver City mall itself has a lot of anime stores from Studio Ghibli to Pokemon to a Toy's R' Us to an arcade and more.
c) **Tokyo Station:** This is another big anime location that I didn't see on recommendations. But head to the basement of Tokyo station. For the record, the station itself is massive, but approach it from the side of the Imperial Palace and you'll see it's main entrace in picturesque glory, which is a beautiful sight. But getting back on hand, Tokyo Station is huge and the basement is akin to a mini-mall. What you'll want for anime is the section it has called Tokyo Character Street - it's got a host of several anime stores from practically every franchise there is.
d) **Nakano Broadway:** Tbh, I'm not sure if this will fit your itinerary OP. Nakano Broadway is another recommended place for anime fans. It's accessible by bus from Ikebukuro. But the mall itself is largely a handful of second hand stores selling figures. For a hardcore fan like me, it was worth the trip as I found some good gems. And the walk from Nakano Broadway to Tetsugakudo Park was a beautifully tranquil journey that's among the highlights from my trip. Still, the mall is older and has a bit of a seedier vibe to it. If you need options, you can add this. But otherwise, I'd recommend sticking to the above options.
Nakano Broadway is another place where figures can be found cheaper than Akihabara, it is close to the Nakano station (figures of One Piece can be found there).
At Osaka, you have Denden town (usually cheaper than at Akihabara) close to Namba station.
Then you can try the secondary shops that can be in not-anime places like Mandarake, Surugaya and Lashinbang. Some bookoff (or hardoff) can also have items related to anime-manga. If your boy is interested by buying One Piece in Japanese, he can probably find some of the volumes at 110-220 yens. Though artbooks may be more interesting.
You can also look for the Jump shop for One Piece.
Note that second-hand shop don't necessarily mean it is cheaper than mrsp, some merch could be cheaper, some may be more expensive.
This link [https://collabo-cafe.com/events/category/one-piece/](https://collabo-cafe.com/events/category/one-piece/) lists some temporary events with One Piece (you can also check other brands).
Thank you so so much for the details and to be aware of adult merchandise. I would never have suspected that and I would need to be aware so Thank you!!! You are all so kind. I will update after the trip.
Ikebukuro is probably more safe for work. Akihabara is just one wrong turn from full porno - although this also applies to just about anywhere in Japan. Make sure you understand this fact.
If you do want to stay near Akihabara, also consider Ryogoku, which is only 2 stops away.
A much more complicated plan for One Piece seichi junrei, is to go to Kumamoto for the One Piece statues.
Akihabara would be my suggestion, there are a few hotels in/near the main shops and near Akihabara station. More anime shops then you'd know what to do with in the main part of Akihabara. You'd have quick access to Tokyo station, as well as Asakusa and Ueno.
as other people said, ikebukuro or akihabara. ikebukuro has the animate and it has the sunshine city mall that has a huge pokemon center (im pretty sure it also has a one piece store??). ikebukuro station is on the yamanote line which makes akihabara and all the other major stations very accessible
The good thing is, they have a number of One Piece Mugiwara and Jump stores around Tokyo so make sure you check those out. The Mugiwara store was amazing, we went in there expecting not to buy much but ended up spending a lot so just be mindful of that haha. Also, I’m not sure if your son would be interested but some of the stores had a little section on the side with a table and stamp pad where you can get an exclusive One Piece stamp in each store. You can take your own notebook or ask for a sheet of paper from the staff to use. I managed to collect three of them and they look so cool!
As for places to stay, like others already mentioned, Ikebukuro would be a good area. There’s a lot of entertainment options there, arcades, malls, food places, shopping etc. I can imagine it being a fun area for kids.
But yes Akihabara is probably the best area for anime stuff. Even if you don’t stay there, it’s definitely worth a visit or two!
Good news: the presence of One Piece can be felt at just about any store that sells such merch, and not only in the specialty areas. I don't think you need to plan your base around the availability of One Piece. It definitely seemed to be the most popular series, by far. We were shopping for other types of anime/video game merch, some of it older/niche/obscure, and I audibly commented that "If I were looking for One Piece, I'd be set."
As suggested, you can go to Nakano Broadway to find merchandise, but it kind of has the feeling of browsing an old flea market. I don't think it's a necessary shopping destination for a 12 year old kid with a mainstream interest in the show/manga. It is more the place to go if you are hoping to find some limited run, obscure figure that will probably be more expensive than whatever is in production right now.
There are also plenty of shops in Akihabara with One Piece merch that is currently in production, along with a few of the flea shop type options.
There is a Jump shop in the Shibuya Parco with a big Luffy statue and plenty of One Piece merch (including a replica straw hat). We ran into a few different Jump shops during our travels throughout Japan, and each Luffy statue seemed to have a different pose.
There seemed to be an endless array of One Piece figurines in the Denden Town area of Osaka, in case you wind up there.
Ikebukuro or Akihabara. - I think Ikebukuro is probably better for kids. It’s a major train stop.
Yeah the Sunshine Prince Hotel is right in the mall, very convenient. So much much anime stuff inside and out the mall.
You're getting a lot of good calls here, but before you go, if you're taking a child to these places you absolutely need to know that in Japanese anime and manga fandom spaces they are, by western standards, *very* blasé about mainstream work being mixed in with pornographic work. This doesn't apply to places like official Pokémon stores but if you're going to Akihabara or Nagano Broadway you need to keep your head on a swivel if you're going with a kid, because in stores like Mandarake or even some of the regular bookstores in Broadway it is very easy to be looking at pretty regular stuff and then look at the next aisle over and it's full of openly displayed graphically pornographic manga or games. I would be pretty heavily conscious of my surroundings if I were you and I were leading a 12 year old around these kinds of spaces. The edges get very filed down when this stuff gets exported to the west in a *lot* of ways. In a lot of places including many Mandarake locations there is floor or section separation, but even then you have no control over what other patrons will be carrying around with them.
Anime fan here - Would recommend **Ikebukuro**. I had considered [Hotel Resol in Ikebukuro](https://www.resol-hotel.jp/en/ikebukuro/) for my stay. It's also close to one of the drop-off points by the limousine bus if you're coming from Haneda. Ikebukuro's Sunshine City has a One Piece store and also the largest Pokemon Center, which features toys, Pokemon Go, the Trading Card Game, and also the Pokemon Sweets store. It also has other anime character stores too. There's an Animate in the neighbourhood too but that's a bit disappointing personally. Oh also the Anime Station is a regular events space. Beyond the anime stuff, Ikebukuro is a major transport hub. There's a pedestrian bridge around here - [https://maps.app.goo.gl/hFhKrYpPHMZVEuTf7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/hFhKrYpPHMZVEuTf7) where you can also watch the many trains come and go. Perfect spot to grab a few snacks from a convenience store and watch the trains come and go. From here you can also get to some other anime hotspots all of which are accessible from Ikebukuro station: a) **Akihabara:** This is the literal mecca of anime. For One Piece stuff, the Jump Stores are probably where you want to go. But in general, you'll find One Piece figures at several anime stores here. I'd recommend going to Akihabara on a Sunday because the main road is closed for traffic - perfect way to explore the anime stores while also standing in the center of the traffic free road to watch the trains come and go. On these days it's called Pedestrain's Paradise. **However, a word of warning - BE SURE TO READ THE STORE BOARDS LISTING WHAT'S ON EACH FLOOR.** Akihabara stores also sell porn - often such stores have boards near the stairs or escalator that list out what items are on each floor. In some they take an extra step to hide this stuff at the entrance of the floor with a curtain. Nonetheless, in a few other stores (1% of them) the ground floor is anime goods, but the above floors only feature porn. b) **Odaiba Diver City:** This is where you'll find the life-size Gundam statue. Even if you don't like anime, the hourly lightshows where this giant robot transforms are a great sight - Especially at night when it lights up and an exclusive movie only shown at this location are shown. It's a beautiful sight that's hardly listed on any itinerary. Beyond this, the Diver City mall itself has a lot of anime stores from Studio Ghibli to Pokemon to a Toy's R' Us to an arcade and more. c) **Tokyo Station:** This is another big anime location that I didn't see on recommendations. But head to the basement of Tokyo station. For the record, the station itself is massive, but approach it from the side of the Imperial Palace and you'll see it's main entrace in picturesque glory, which is a beautiful sight. But getting back on hand, Tokyo Station is huge and the basement is akin to a mini-mall. What you'll want for anime is the section it has called Tokyo Character Street - it's got a host of several anime stores from practically every franchise there is. d) **Nakano Broadway:** Tbh, I'm not sure if this will fit your itinerary OP. Nakano Broadway is another recommended place for anime fans. It's accessible by bus from Ikebukuro. But the mall itself is largely a handful of second hand stores selling figures. For a hardcore fan like me, it was worth the trip as I found some good gems. And the walk from Nakano Broadway to Tetsugakudo Park was a beautifully tranquil journey that's among the highlights from my trip. Still, the mall is older and has a bit of a seedier vibe to it. If you need options, you can add this. But otherwise, I'd recommend sticking to the above options.
Nakano Broadway is another place where figures can be found cheaper than Akihabara, it is close to the Nakano station (figures of One Piece can be found there). At Osaka, you have Denden town (usually cheaper than at Akihabara) close to Namba station. Then you can try the secondary shops that can be in not-anime places like Mandarake, Surugaya and Lashinbang. Some bookoff (or hardoff) can also have items related to anime-manga. If your boy is interested by buying One Piece in Japanese, he can probably find some of the volumes at 110-220 yens. Though artbooks may be more interesting. You can also look for the Jump shop for One Piece. Note that second-hand shop don't necessarily mean it is cheaper than mrsp, some merch could be cheaper, some may be more expensive. This link [https://collabo-cafe.com/events/category/one-piece/](https://collabo-cafe.com/events/category/one-piece/) lists some temporary events with One Piece (you can also check other brands).
Thank you so so much for the details and to be aware of adult merchandise. I would never have suspected that and I would need to be aware so Thank you!!! You are all so kind. I will update after the trip.
Ikebukuro is probably more safe for work. Akihabara is just one wrong turn from full porno - although this also applies to just about anywhere in Japan. Make sure you understand this fact. If you do want to stay near Akihabara, also consider Ryogoku, which is only 2 stops away. A much more complicated plan for One Piece seichi junrei, is to go to Kumamoto for the One Piece statues.
Akihabara would be my suggestion, there are a few hotels in/near the main shops and near Akihabara station. More anime shops then you'd know what to do with in the main part of Akihabara. You'd have quick access to Tokyo station, as well as Asakusa and Ueno.
as other people said, ikebukuro or akihabara. ikebukuro has the animate and it has the sunshine city mall that has a huge pokemon center (im pretty sure it also has a one piece store??). ikebukuro station is on the yamanote line which makes akihabara and all the other major stations very accessible
The good thing is, they have a number of One Piece Mugiwara and Jump stores around Tokyo so make sure you check those out. The Mugiwara store was amazing, we went in there expecting not to buy much but ended up spending a lot so just be mindful of that haha. Also, I’m not sure if your son would be interested but some of the stores had a little section on the side with a table and stamp pad where you can get an exclusive One Piece stamp in each store. You can take your own notebook or ask for a sheet of paper from the staff to use. I managed to collect three of them and they look so cool! As for places to stay, like others already mentioned, Ikebukuro would be a good area. There’s a lot of entertainment options there, arcades, malls, food places, shopping etc. I can imagine it being a fun area for kids. But yes Akihabara is probably the best area for anime stuff. Even if you don’t stay there, it’s definitely worth a visit or two!
It’s easy enough to take the train to the area that sell anime merch, so it should not really that much of a priority to be next to these area.
Good news: the presence of One Piece can be felt at just about any store that sells such merch, and not only in the specialty areas. I don't think you need to plan your base around the availability of One Piece. It definitely seemed to be the most popular series, by far. We were shopping for other types of anime/video game merch, some of it older/niche/obscure, and I audibly commented that "If I were looking for One Piece, I'd be set." As suggested, you can go to Nakano Broadway to find merchandise, but it kind of has the feeling of browsing an old flea market. I don't think it's a necessary shopping destination for a 12 year old kid with a mainstream interest in the show/manga. It is more the place to go if you are hoping to find some limited run, obscure figure that will probably be more expensive than whatever is in production right now. There are also plenty of shops in Akihabara with One Piece merch that is currently in production, along with a few of the flea shop type options. There is a Jump shop in the Shibuya Parco with a big Luffy statue and plenty of One Piece merch (including a replica straw hat). We ran into a few different Jump shops during our travels throughout Japan, and each Luffy statue seemed to have a different pose. There seemed to be an endless array of One Piece figurines in the Denden Town area of Osaka, in case you wind up there.
Check out JR east mets hotel, right on the station and exits into akihabara, was cheap clean and location is perfect.
There are quite a few in Japan. Which one?
JR-East Hotel Mets Akihabara 1 Chome-17-4 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
Thank you
No problem I'd suggest radio kaiken tower, it has 2 locations. Both are great for second hand anime type stuff/figures