The Energon Pub

[Air Commander Starscream]

Seibertron.com is always trying to bring its viewers new information on the Transformers genre through various different site articles. In the past we have touched on the story of Sunstorm to the comparison of Transformers with Gobots. But this time our very own Stormrider has been working on a way to bring us a interesting glimpse into a different cultural side of Transformers that many of us are not aware of. He has been working on a article for Seibertron over the past 3 weeks that involves shopping in Osaka Japan for Transformers. The place in which this article is written about is DenDen which is also known as "Electric City".



Tranformer Guide
DenDen (Electric City)

-Stormrider, 2007

Where to find Transformers in Japan?
A common misconception about Japan is that the streets are lined with toy stores selling every kind of Transformer imaginable. Their doors brim over with hundreds of new and vintage Transformers, beckoning Transfans to feast their eyes on long lost and truly hard to find figures.

Sadly, these “golden” streets do not exist, but there is one place that comes very close DenDen (Osaka, Japan). I made a recent trip to DenDen and I was impressed with the number of hobby shops carrying Transformers. In fact, the quantity and diversity of Transformers blew me away (even more so than Akihabara). It took me two days to visit all the hobby shops in the area to determine, which ones were the best. I’ve compiled a map to make your transformer hunting there as easy as possible.

Background
Very few foreigners know about DenDen. Most Transfans usually head straight for Tokyo in search of a couple Transformers they’ve been dying to get. However, if you are going through Osaka, it is well worth it to make a stop in DenDen.

DenDen, which is also known as “Electric City”, began the same way as Akihabara; both places started off selling surplus army goods after WWII and quickly became “Mecca’s” for cheap electronic goods and appliances. Where they differ is that Akihabara has developed into a computer district with hobby shops as a side component; DenDen on the other hand is splitting its attention equally between hobby shops and electronic goods. In addition, the word on the street is that DenDen will see even more hobby shop growth in the near future.

Hobby Shop Types
Hobby shops tend to specialize in particular goods such as: Action figures, Dolls, RC Cars, Trains, Collectables, Cards, Mangas, Vintage Video Games, Robot figures, and Models. Knowing the hobby shop type really helps.

Navigation
Osaka is the third largest city, and usually people stop through for a day or two when they visit Japan. The city is divided into two parts (Kita – which means north) and (Minami – which means south). (Shinkansen passengers arrive in the Kita district, but a short subway ride will bring you to Minami).
• DenDen is near Namba Station, which is in Minami.
• Most of the hobby shops are concentrated on the Sakai Suji Dori (Ave), which is about a 15 minute walk from Namba Station.

I have grouped the hobby shops into three categories:

(TF) - These hobby shops carry the most recent Transformers.
(TF) - These hobby shops carry vintage Transformers. The figures range from MISB, MIB, to Loose.
(TF) - These hobby shops showcase clear Plexiglas containers, called “capsules” or “treasure boxes”. Renters then fill the containers with collectable toys that they wish to sell. You never know what you will come across (it’s hit or miss). Keep your fingers crossed for ultra rare figures.

*Map to be added soon after a few bugs are worked out*


Best Stores
There are many places to visit in DenDen, but some stand far above others when it comes to TF. (Unfortunately, I was not permitted to take photos inside the stores, so I will describe them).

Herogangu.com - This store has two floors devoted to new and vintage transformers. The vintage Transformers are MISB, MIB, and loose. It is the largest TF store, I have ever seen. (See photo of outside of store). They had the following:
• Complete collection of TFC (MISB)
• A plethora of MISB reissues including – Megatron Special Black Edition (S-16)
• Dozens of eHobby Exclusives
• A huge selection of G1’s: “Goodbye Megatron”, “Goodbye Optimus Prime”, Soundwave w/ headphones; Reflector (MIB)
• Giftsets - Aerialbots Giftset; Combaticons Giftset; Stunticon Giftset; Technobots Giftset;
• Several locked cases with their rarest TF, Diaclones, and lucky draws.
• Transformer merchandise – Shirts, clocks, videos, etc.


Mandarake – This chain store started off selling Mangas, but it has quickly become a vintage toy store favorite. The TF range from MISB, MIB, Loose. (See photo for the outside of the store).
• Great place for BT, TFC, BW, Galaxy, RID
• They also have several locked cases for rare TFs, Diaclones, and other goodies.
• Many hard to find G1’s in MIB
• Giftsets: Predaking Giftset; Protectobots Giftset; Raiden Giftset; Seacon Giftset; Terrcons Giftset
• There is another Mandarake in Kita district. It’s TF selection is not as large. (Email me if you need directions.)

So if you are planning to come to Japan, make sure to include a stop in Osaka for some great Transformer shopping. *Please note that Japanese stores can change locations suddenly (usually they move down the street).

[Alex Kingdom]

Fantaistic little guide there Stormrider. I hope to vist Japan sometime in the spring next year. I'll definaltly check out DenDen on your recommendations. Thanks.

Yours AK

[Liege Evilmus]

I'm very jelous!

Each year my Brother-in-Law goes to Japan on busness, and normaly ships back two or three containers full of supplies for his busness. I always dreamed of going with him and shipping back acouple cargo trailers for myself!

Between a couple friends I have out that way, and your insites, all I need is the capital, and I'm on my way!

[Stormrider]

Cool. Let me know when you come, I'll be happy to show you around DenDen.

Sorry for the confusion with the three categories. When you view the maps, you will see that the three categories are color coded with a Key, which labels them.

On a different note - Herogangu was amazing. I wasn't able to take any pictures in the store but here are few pictures from their website http://www.herogangu.com/cgi-bin/hp_hero/sitemaker.cgi?mode=page&page=page3&category=1. (The website is interesting and contains a few prices. Let me know if you need me to translate). The cases that you see in the photos are just a couple of their cases. There are many more. I should explain that Herogangu.com carries other robot figures too, but the majority of their figures are Transformers.







Oh crap...I just re-read their descriptions on their website and now see that they are selling Desuzeras for Y8,000. How did I miss him.

[ShockwaveUK]

Wow, just looking at those pics almost made me cream myself. Too bad the site is impossible to navigate without knowing Japanese. What are the prices like for the vintage stuff? High or pretty reasonable?

[Stormrider]

Wow, just looking at those pics almost made me cream myself. Too bad the site is impossible to navigate without knowing Japanese. What are the prices like for the vintage stuff? High or pretty reasonable?

pretty reasonable, especially since the Yen is so weak right now compared to the US$ and British pound. MISB Reissue Megatron Special Black Edition (S-16) was selling for Y17,000. MISB Jazz TFC was Y5,500. "Goodbye Megatron" MIB (C8 Box) Y37,000.

[Starscream]

Wow those stores sound awesome

[Noisemaze]

As soon as I get the money I'm heading over to Japan. Japanese women & Transformers! The only things that matter to me!

[Bot Marley]

Wonderful article! Thank you, Stormrider! That was really awesome to read!

[ShockwaveUK]

Wow, just looking at those pics almost made me cream myself. Too bad the site is impossible to navigate without knowing Japanese. What are the prices like for the vintage stuff? High or pretty reasonable?

pretty reasonable, especially since the Yen is so weak right now compared to the US$ and British pound. MISB Reissue Megatron Special Black Edition (S-16) was selling for Y17,000. MISB Jazz TFC was Y5,500. "Goodbye Megatron" MIB (C8 Box) Y37,000.

If they had an English language site I would spend so much there.

[Stormrider]

Wonderful article! Thank you, Stormrider! That was really awesome to read!

Thanks Bot Marley and others. Stay tuned. Once the map uploads you will probably enjoy seeing how big the district is and how many hobby shops there are.

I should probably also mention that Gundam/Macross/Robotech enthusiasts would also have a field day in DenDen.

ShockwaveUK- here's another site to check out. It's in English and Japanese. They ship worldwide and have over 300 vintage TF listed. Enjoy http://www.kaikodo.net/by5/index.html

[jonusjaxon]

Osaka is definitely the place to go.

[Alex Kingdom]

Cool. Let me know when you come, I'll be happy to show you around DenDen.

Looking foward to it. Cheers.

Yours AK

[Gutter Bunny]

OMG

i dont think i'd ever come home.

[City Commander]

Those pics are beautiful. I wish the Uk had one cool shop that looked like that. It probably does, but I don't know it's name. Or location. nudge nudge

[ShGarland_1383]

mmmmmm. I wish we had a store like this in Arizona, and that I'd knew where it was so I could go find some good stuff. Aside from finishing classics I don't think there's going to be much to get for transformers other than any older stuff that might be floating around. Ran across Blurr and Rodimus Prime at an antique mall near where I should be going to work out more, but I haven't seen anything I'm interested in there since.

[Ninja Sixshot]

is Osaka close to Nirasaki?

[Stormrider]

is Osaka close to Nirasaki?

Nirasaki? I had to look that one up. It's a small town deep in the mountains. Unfortunately, it is not near Osaka. It's closer to Tokyo. Who do you know in Nirasaki? I am curious if it's a foreign English teacher. Sometimes they get placed in remote little towns.

[Ninja Sixshot]

how far away is Tokyo from Osaka then?

[Stormrider]

how far away is Tokyo from Osaka then?

On the Shinkansen (3 hours). Driving (8 - 10 hours).

[Ninja Sixshot]

thanks

[Stormrider]

Here are a few photos from DenDen.

Mandarake Manga & Hobby shop



Herogangu


Herogangu entrance (look at all those Transformers sitting on the shelves )



Joshin Gundam (for you Gundam enthusiasts)




Dotombori - Near DenDen (A great place to experience Japan's culture- along with thousands of other visitors )

[Repair Bay]

sweet!

how much is a US Dollar compared to a yen?

[Stormrider]

It's been changing a lot:

http://www.xe.com/ucc/