Tucked right next to the legendary Nakano Broadway, Surugaya's Nakano shops are where Tokyo's bargain hunters go when they want the thrill of the hunt without the premium price tag. Surugaya is a nationwide chain known for cheap second-hand games, trading cards, figures and manga, and the Nakano branches make a perfect low-cost companion to a Broadway crawl. If you love digging through shelves and walking out with a pile of stuff for the price of one new figure, this is your kind of place.
What to see
Expect dense rows of retro video games (Famicom through PlayStation-era and beyond), loose and boxed figures, trading cards, and used manga and media. Prices skew low, and stock rotates constantly, so two visits a week apart can look completely different. Because the shops sit near Nakano Broadway, you can easily compare prices between Surugaya, Mandarake and other stores in a single afternoon.
Who it's best for
This is a broadly accessible stop (otaku level roughly 3-10 out of 10). It shines for retro and bargain hunters who enjoy the digging. Skip it if you only want brand-new, shrink-wrapped releases, since the appeal here is used goods and back-catalogue finds rather than the latest merchandise.
Practical tips
- Access: A short walk from Nakano Station (JR / Tokyo Metro), near Nakano Broadway.
- Language: Largely Japanese signage; staff English is limited, but browsing and paying are easy without much conversation.
- Budget: Low. You can browse for free and pick up cheap finds; bring cash to be safe.
- Reservation: Not required.
- Etiquette: Handle boxed and loose items gently, and ask before photographing inside the store.
Why it earns its spot in a trip plan
Nakano Broadway is already a must for collectors, and Surugaya makes that visit smarter by giving you a cheap-end anchor to compare against. It is the ideal place to test your bargain-hunting luck, fill gaps in a collection, and stretch your souvenir budget. For a low-cost, high-fun side quest in Tokyo, it pairs naturally with the rest of Nakano. Always check current opening hours on official sources before you go.