Fans of anime and manga tend to flock to the geeky neighborhood of Akihabara, but Nakano Broadway offers a great taster for those short on time, or who want a multifaceted look into some of Tokyo’s subcultures all within a retro shopping complex.
Comics & Collectibles
The main draw is the array of shops stocked with shelves of manga (Japanese comics) and every anime and character merchandise available – from plushies and figurines to tableware. Popular manga and collectible store Mandarake Nakano has outlets across all the upper four floors of the complex.
But that’s not all – porcelain dolls, railway memorabilia, books, limited-edition items and vintage watches are just a fraction of what you’ll find here. There’s even a secondhand kimono store alongside produce and tea shops in the basement.
Fun & Games
There are two excellent arcades in the building – Adores and Namco. Adores is near the entrance and has crowd-pleasing crane games and Mario Kart, but rhythm game enthusiasts and those looking for more game varieties will enjoy Namco, tucked in a corner of the ground floor.
Don’t leave Nakano Broadway without getting the comically large, eight-layer soft serve from Daily Chiko in the basement. And if you really have a thing for Japanese snacks, fill up your shopping basket at bargain sweet store, Okashi-no-Machioka, where prices are comparable to (if not cheaper than) discount store Don Quixote.
