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:
*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).
Too bad the site is impossible to navigate without knowing Japanese. 
What are the prices like for the vintage stuff? High or pretty reasonable?
