Located a short train ride away from Shinjuku, Nakano is a relatively quiet neighborhood which has a good bunch of restaurants, cafes and shops. Most people know the area for its famous shopping mall, Nakano Broadway.
What's in Nakano Broadway?
Popular with those who consider themselves ‘otaku’, Nakano Broadway is filled with a bunch of anime and manga stores. Its shops are known for being more affordable and selling slightly rarer goods than those in Akihabara. It is also quieter and less crowded than Akihabara, so is a good alternative for those who want to avoid large crowds.
Nakano Broadway does have quite a nostalgic feel to it, given that it stocks so many retro products. It also feels much more local compared to places like Akihabara, so is also an ideal choice for those wanting to explore somewhere a little different.
Even if you are not the biggest anime fan, this shopping mall is still worth a visit as there are a few non-anime related stores which sell clothes, jewelry and food. There are more shops in Nakano Sun Mall, the mall you have to walk through to get to Nakano Broadway, so you could always browse around there instead.
The Best Places to Browse
Although Nakano Broadway is the best place to find unique anime and manga goods, it can be slightly overwhelming for those visiting for the first time. With there being so many shops, all filled with different products, it can be hard to know where to stop by.
Any dedicated anime or manga fan will definitely want to visit Mandarake. It has a reputation of being one of the largest anime and manga stores in Japan, selling everything from figures, cards and cosplay outfits. Mandarake is spread across four different floors, each stocking different types of goods. You will probably want to start on the 3F however, as this is where the main shop is.
Another popular shop is ROBOTROBOT. This particular store mainly sells figures as well as other character goods. Similar to Mandarake, though not as big, ROBOTROBOT is split across two different floors. In the ROBOTROBOT stores located on the 3F, you will find Gundam, One Piece, Dragon Ball Z, Disney, Star Wars, Barbie as well as other US-themed goods. The 2F is where you will find Sailor Moon, Ghibli and Pokemon merchandise.
- ROBOTROBOT
- 〒164-0001, 5 Chome-52-15 Nakano, Nakano City, Tokyo 3F
- 6 minute walk from Nakano Station
- Mon - Sun: 12pm - 8pm
- 100 & Above
- wwwrobotrobotcom
- https://robotrobot.com/
Take a Pitstop at Coffee Zingaro
When visiting Nakano Broadway, you should stop by the vibrant and retro-style cafe, Coffee Zingaro.
As soon as you step foot into this cafe, it feels as though you have simultaneously stepped back in time but into the future as well. The dark Showa-style furniture contrasts with Murakami’s contemporary and colorful artwork. You can see his famous flowers plastered everywhere as well as NFT videos playing on the retro TV. The tables even have games installed inside them, which can be played for an additional fee. The space perfectly appeals to any pop culture enthusiast and those looking for their next instagram snap.
You won’t just find art on the walls, all the food and drinks take inspiration from the artist’s work. From the hot lattes to pancakes, everything on the menu implements the famous flower in some way. Prices for drinks start from around ¥700 whilst the sweet treats start from about ¥650. Coffee Zingaro also sells goods like flower cookies and caps.
Given its funky aesthetic and the fact that many love Murakami’s work, it is no surprise that this cafe gets busy fairly fast. If you go along on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, you could potentially be waiting at least 30 minutes to get a seat. Don’t worry though, you won’t need to stand in a queue for that long as you will most likely be given an estimated waiting time and a numbered ticket, meaning you can kill some time browsing around the surrounding shops.
- Coffee Zingaro
- 〒164-0001 Tokyo, Nakano City, Nakano, 5 Chome−52−15 2F
- 6 minute walk from Nakano Station
- Mon - Sun: 12pm - 6:30pm / Tues - Weds: Closed
- 600 - 2000
- coffee_zingaro
- https://zingarokk.com/
Pick Up Some Fujiya Sweets On Your Way Home
On the first floor of Nakano Broadway, you will also find the adorable Pekochan standing outside a Fujiya store. Here, you can buy some delicious Fujiya cakes as well as Pekochan sweets which make a great gift. Unfortunately, there is no seating here so you will need to take your sweet treats home. That said, if you are a fan of Fujiya sweets, there is a proper Fujiya restaurant located in Ginza.
- FUJIYA Nakano Broadway Store
- 〒164-0001, 5 Chome-52-15-340 Nakano, Nakano City, Tokyo 1F
- 4 minute walk from Nakano Station
- Mon - Sun: 12pm - 6:30pm / Tues - Weds: Closed
- 100 - ¥1000
- fujiya_sweets
- https://www.fujiya-peko.co.jp/
Alternatively, Take home An Adorable Koala’s March Mini Pancake
As you head back through Nakano Sun Mall towards the station, you might notice the Lotteria. Next to that, there is a small stand selling exclusive Koala’s March mini pancakes. One of these adorable treats cost ¥160 and comes in two different flavours: chocolate and custard. You can even just get a plain one which is served with syrup on the side.
Let us know if you are wanting to visit Nakano Broadway during your time in Japan!
