Top Akihabara second hand figure shop

Hunting for pre-owned figures in Akihabara is one of the most satisfying collector experiences in Tokyo. Prices can be friendlier than new releases, box art is a time capsule of each line, and you often discover variants you did not know existed. The challenge is knowing where to look, how to read condition labels, and when to commit so you do not overpay. This guide gives you a practical path to the best second hand figure shops in the district, with checklists, quick tables, and routes you can follow without wasting steps. Keep the Akihabara Electric Town open in a tab for high level orientation while you plan.

Understand where second hand shops cluster

Akihabara is compact but vertical. Multi-floor buildings pack different stores and specialties on each level, and many have pre-owned sections separate from new stock. You can cover a lot of ground by thinking in short loops rather than long walks.

What a good loop looks like

• Start near the station and hit two multi-floor towers with clear pre-owned corners.
• Cross to a side street for a specialty shop that focuses on older lines or prize figures.
• Finish on a floor known for display cases, where you can sanity check prices before buying.

If you want a curated short list to prioritize buildings and floors by category, use the roundup of the top 10 anime stores in Akihabara. Even if your goal is second hand, that page helps you identify which stops have strong used sections so you can compare efficiently.

Day or night for second hand shopping

Daytime gives you calmer aisles and easier staff questions, while evenings provide neon mood and last-minute restocks on some floors. If you are torn, the longform breakdown on Akihabara day or night explains crowd levels, photo windows, and when browsing feels most efficient.

How to read condition labels without guesswork

Most second hand figure shops in Akihabara use short grading codes or phrases on the price tag. The exact scale varies by store, so always check the posted key, but this quick table will help you decode common patterns at a glance.

Common grading patterns

Tag on shelf	Typical meaning in practice	What to verify before paying
New or Unopened	Box factory sealed, accessories intact	Seal integrity, box dents on corners, authenticity sticker present
Like new or A	Opened carefully, displayed briefly, near perfect	Hairline scuffs on base or cape, blister clarity, smell of smoke or storage
B or Good	Minor wear, small paint rubs, box damage	Face tampo quality, joint tension, peg fit on base
C or Fair	Noticeable wear or missing small parts	Accessory count, alternate hands, stand arms, effect parts
Box damaged	Figure ok, outer box dented or torn	Whether box condition matters to you for display or resale
Junk	Sold as is for parts or repair	Breaks, heavy discoloration, missing major components

Use the table as a guide, then ask staff to confirm anything unclear. In Akihabara, it is normal to request a quick check of the item or to see photos of the actual piece if the box is sealed and the store displays sample images.

Box, blister, and accessory checks

• Count accessories: alternate faces, hands, weapons, stands, and effect parts. Compare with the parts layout on the box back.
• Inspect blister plastic for yellowing or cracks. Cloudy blisters suggest long sun exposure or storage heat.
• Scan paint on hairlines, eyes, and metallic areas. Cheap repairs often have a different sheen.

Authenticity in 30 seconds

• Look for the line’s official logo, licensor marks, and a manufacturer sticker.
• Feel the base and pegs. Soft, rubbery plastic or poorly aligned pegs are a red flag.
• Compare the font on the box side to images from the manufacturer site. Inconsistencies are a warning sign.

Price checks that save you money

Second hand does not always mean cheapest, especially for sought-after variants. A quick workflow will keep you from overspending.

A simple three stop compare

1. Photograph the price tag and floor number where you found the item.
2. Check a second shop with a similar selection to see if the price is in range. The top anime stores overview is ideal for identifying a comparable floor nearby.
3. Sanity check with a display-case shop that lists condition clearly. If the gap is large, ask yourself whether the cheaper unit has hidden flaws.

When to buy and when to wait

• Buy now if the figure is a rare variant, exclusive colorway, or a character that spikes with new seasons.
• Wait if there are three or more units across two floors in similar condition. Stock depth usually means prices are stable.
• Revisit after lunch. Some shops refresh second hand shelves midday.

Tax-free, payment, and packing

• Tax-free thresholds vary by store. Ask at the counter and keep your passport ready.
• Many shops accept cards, but small specialty sellers may prefer cash.
• Keep a small bubble-wrap sleeve in your bag for delicate stands or effects. It weighs almost nothing and protects odd shapes.

Timing your hunt for the best results

Second hand stock moves around events, deliveries, and crowd patterns. Plan your visit around these rhythms.

Day vs night for second hand hunters

Goal	Better in the day	Better at night
Careful inspections	Calmer aisles for box checks and comparisons	Some floors restock late, good for last passes
Staff questions	Easier to ask about parts and grading	Shorter lines at counters after dinner on weekdays
Photos and mood	Natural light for box art and storefronts	Neon reflections for atmosphere between shops
Arcades break	Machines are freer for a quick reset	Livelier vibe pairs well with a final shopping sweep

If you want to combine both, do your detailed comparisons in the morning, then return after sunset for photos and one last circuit. The guide to day or night in Akihabara lays out how to split your time without feeling rushed.

Watch the event calendar

Limited exhibitions, collaboration corners, and card tournaments change foot traffic. Checking the live roundup of events in Akihabara before you go helps you avoid long lines or aim for a special display on the same floor as your target shops. Event days are great for finding related pre-owned pieces as fans trade and sell.

Themed routes that work for second hand shoppers

Use these templates to give your day focus while leaving space for surprises.

Shonen route for character collectors

• Start with two towers known for character goods.
• Use the pointers in the page about Naruto in Akihabara to find reliable corners for headbands, prints, and figures from long-running series.
• Cross to a display-case floor to compare prices on pre-owned statues.
• Wrap with a neon photo walk and a quick recheck of your top candidate.

Card and figure hybrid

• Begin with sleeves, singles, and accessories guided by the Pokémon Trading Card Game in Akihabara.
• Switch to pre-owned figure floors that often sit in the same buildings.
• Use card counters as rest points between figure hunts, then finish with one arcade break to reset.

Balanced buyer loop

• Pick two buildings from the top anime stores list.
• In the first, identify prices for your top three targets.
• In the second, decide whether to buy or wait based on condition and box quality.
• End with a side street specialty shop for older lines or small-scale statues.

Micro checklists you can screenshot

Before you leave your hotel

• Passport for tax-free.
• Compact tote for overflow.
• Bubble-wrap sleeve and rubber bands for bases and effect parts.
• Short list of target figures with acceptable price ranges.

On the shop floor

• Photograph the tag and shelf.
• Check parts against the box layout.
• Inspect face paint, hairlines, and metallics.
• Test peg fit and joint tension if staff allow.
• Decide whether box condition matters to you long term.

After you buy

• Ask for a small extra bag if the box is fragile.
• Pack heavier books flat at the bottom, figures on top.
• Keep receipts in a separate pocket so they do not crease a dust jacket.

Two itineraries to copy paste into your day

Three hour express hunt

Hour 1
Start near the station and calibrate prices in a multi-floor tower. Note floors where pre-owned is clearly separated. Use the top anime stores overview to pick a second tower within five minutes.

Hour 2
Cross to a specialty shop on a side street and hunt for older series or prize figures. Photograph tags for anything you might return to.

Hour 3
Choose between closing the loop with a purchase or sliding in a quick arcade break to reset. If photos are part of your plan, time the end of the session with sunset and lean on the advice in the guide to day or night.

Full day deep dive

Morning, 10.00 to 12.30
Figure recon in two towers. Compare two or three candidates, check accessories, and confirm grading.

Midday, 12.30 to 14.00
Commit to first purchases. If cards are in your mix, layer in a short stop using the Pokémon TCG guide.

Afternoon, 14.00 to 16.30
Side street specialty shops for pre-owned statues and prize lines. Use a display-case floor to sanity check prices.

Evening, 18.00 to 20.00
Neon pass with photos and a final sweep of your preferred floors. If shonen goods are your theme, borrow route ideas from Naruto in Akihabara. Close with a last look and pick up sleeves or stands you skipped earlier.

Answers to questions collectors ask

Do second hand figure shops negotiate on price?

Most do not negotiate on tagged prices, especially in busy periods, but they may adjust positioning in crane game corners or find a cleaner box in the back if you ask politely. Your best lever is comparison. Use two nearby floors to keep sellers honest.

Is a damaged box a deal breaker?

Only if you care about display value or future resale. A dented corner can drop the price while the figure remains perfect. If you display out of box, focus on paint, joints, and accessories rather than the carton.

How do I avoid bootlegs?

Check logos and licensor marks, scan font consistency, and feel the base and peg alignment. If anything feels off, walk away. Shops that specialize in second hand figures build their reputation on authenticity, so ask staff to confirm.

Cash or card for second hand purchases?

Many shops accept cards, but small specialty sellers may prefer cash. Bring both to stay flexible and to avoid ATM hunts mid loop.

When is the best time to visit in a single day?

Late morning for careful comparisons, then a short return after sunset for atmosphere and last passes. The article comparing day or night in Akihabara shows how much the vibe changes across those windows.

Pair your hunt with timely extras

If you enjoy building a day around a timed activity, check the live events in Akihabara before you go. Collaboration cafés, figure showcases, and card tournaments add context to your stops and can surface related pre-owned stock as fans trade. When in doubt, start from the Akihabara Electric Town homepage to get your bearings, then pick two towers from the top anime stores list and layer in a themed pass via Naruto in Akihabara or a quick detour to sleeves and singles with the Pokémon Trading Card Game in Akihabara.

With a simple loop, a sharp eye for condition, and five minutes of price checks, you will walk out of Akihabara with second hand figures you love at prices that feel right. The links above give you structure, the rest is the fun part you can only get by exploring in person.