Tokyo · Shinjuku
Nakano Broadway
Nakano Broadway opened in 1966 as an upscale residential and commercial complex, with boutiques on the shopping floors. Within a decade it lost its place to newer shopping centers along the Chuo Line, among them Shinjuku and Kichijoji, and a large share of the shops were abandoned.
In 1980 a used bookshop of about 7 square meters opened on the second floor under the name Mandarake, specializing in second-hand manga. The owner, manga artist Masuzo Furukawa, gradually turned it into a chain that took over floor after floor of the declining complex. Today Mandarake is spread over four floors, joined by more than 200 other shops selling collectibles, vintage toys, watches and trading cards.
Today it is a hub for collectors, quieter and less crowded than Akihabara.
Good to know
- Mandarake in Nakano Broadway is not one shop but about a dozen separate shops by theme, scattered across the floors: manga, figures, cards, watches and records. It is worth looking at the entrance sign of each shop to know what is inside.
- The aisles are narrow and the lighting is dim. If you come with a stroller you will have real difficulty.
- Cash is better. Some of the small shops do not accept credit cards, or accept them only above a certain amount.
- The upper floors are still private housing, so there is no public access beyond the shopping floors.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Nakano Broadway.
- HereNakano Broadway
- 1 min
Nakano Sun Mall Street
A covered shopping arcade of about 225 meters between Nakano Station and the entrance to Broadway, with more than 100 shops and restaurants.
- ~2 min
Daiso Nakano Sun Mall Shopping
A branch of the 100-yen shop on the basement floor of Sun Mall.
- ~3 min
Uogashi Nihon Ichi Nakano Sun Mall Food
A standing sushi bar inside Sun Mall, many varieties and fast turnover.
- ~3 min
Fujiya Camera Shopping
A long-established camera shop on the side street next to Sun Mall, spread over several neighboring buildings, new and second-hand gear from all the major makers.
- ~4 min
Chuka Soba Aoba Nakano Honten Food
The first branch of the Aoba ramen chain, from 1996, with a double broth of bones and fish. A bowl for under ¥1,000.