Japanese thrift shop treasures?

Published on 06.28.2016 Imagine you are a pirate and Google Map is your map. Good news is that you do not have to set sail and battle any enemy pirates or sea monsters - just google the nearest thrift shop (try リサイクルショップ - recycle shop, there will be better results) and walk or take a train or bus to go there. A treasure island is waiting for you!

In shops that sells second-hand goods in Japan, you can find like-new clothes or goods with unbelievably cheap prices all year long. I am myself a frequent visitor of Book Off (which also includes Hard Off, Hobby Off, Off House and Mode Off).

I am a fan of manga and although I prefer buying new manga, wandering around Book Off can help me discover some good old manga series whose information I can hardly have any chance to come across now. When I want to give something a try, with just 108 yen (or 216 yen/324 yen for newer ones), I can get a volume home instead of paying 540 yen for a whole new one.

There are second-hand household appliances, clothes, fashion items on sale here. It is good to buy a cozy coat to spend winter in Japan. Some of my friends also bought bicycles at cheap prices here. However, my favorite corner in this kind of store is Hobby Off, where they sell merchandise of various idols/anime/TV shows. Before I return to my home country on school break, I always go there to hunt for souvenir for my friends. Above all, if I am really fortunate, I can buy ultra rare items which prices are even less expensive than the original price with only less than 1000 yen!

Even if you do not find a treasure to bring back home, just wandering through the thrift stores by yourself or with friends may be enough of entertainment, so why don't you begin your journey someday?


Source: Rachel and Jun (Youtube)