For many gamers, Japan is a retro paradise. Classic handhelds, early PlayStations, and rare Nintendo systems are still surprisingly common to find here. If you’re visiting Japan, bringing home a retro game console can be one of the most memorable and valuable souvenirs.
Most tourists naturally head to second-hand stores like Hard OFF or Book OFF. Walking through aisles stacked with consoles from the ’90s and 2000s feels like stepping back in time. But while the experience is great, the reality is this: the prices at these stores are often much higher than what you’d pay if you bought from individual sellers online.
The Price Gap: Hard-OFF Store vs. Mercari Marketplace
Second-hand shops add their own overhead costs, which makes their consoles more expensive. In contrast, Japanese sellers on platforms like Mercari or Yahoo Auctions often list consoles for much less -sometimes even half the price.
Earlier this year, I was looking for a Nintendo New 2DSXL, model Jan-001. The price I found in one of the Hard-OFF stores in Fukuoka is 29,700 JPY (August 2025) – for a model with a small crack! Here’s a quick comparison with online prices I found:
Now, let’s compare this to some of the online listings of the same 2DSXL model on Mercari that I found the same month:
| Link | Condition | Price in JPY | Price in USD | Price difference compared to Hard-OFF |
| https://item.rakuten.co.jp/ekosuta/nje101032993/ | There are no problems with operation, but the LCD screen is yellowed. | ¥27,500 | $187.00 | -7.41% |
| https://jp.mercari.com/item/m37111433330 | Some small scratches and dirt, screen looks good. | ¥15,500 | $105.40 | -47.81% |
| https://jp.mercari.com/shops/product/EKXVETEvJ5cZF46KAnL3Un | Very good condition, all works. | ¥20,720 | $140.90 | -30.24% |
| https://jp.mercari.com/item/m43332101940 | All good! | ¥23,000 | $156.40 | -22.56% |
| https://jp.mercari.com/item/m43332101940 | All good, some super small scratches. | ¥23,980 | $163.06 | -19.26% |
| https://jp.mercari.com/item/m48712078288 | All good, with box and game! | ¥24,000 | $163.20 | -19.19% |
| https://jp.mercari.com/item/m55896883378 | amazing condition, complete set. | ¥27,000 | $183.60 | -9.09% |
| https://jp.mercari.com/item/m33527461663 | screen in excellent condition due to screen protector installed. | ¥28,800 | $195.84 | -3.03% |
| https://jp.mercari.com/item/m75970748752 | this model usually goes for higher prices. | ¥24,000 | $163.20 | -19.19% |
| https://jp.mercari.com/item/m77982571847 | some small scratches. | ¥22,000 | $149.60 | -25.93% |
| https://jp.mercari.com/shops/product/KmdWHE3ZppMLzAobQ2Zk3h | just some small scratches. | ¥16,800 | $114.24 | -43.43% |
Why Tourists Can’t Buy Online Directly
Here’s the catch: if you’re just visiting Japan, you usually can’t buy directly from Mercari or Yahoo online auctions.
- Mercari and Yahoo Auctions require a Japanese address and bank account.
- Tourists staying for a short trip don’t have access to either.
That’s why many visitors settle for store prices -even when cheaper deals are just a few clicks away.
The Workaround for Tourists
Luckily, there are services that make this possible. Some Japanese proxy buying services allow you to:
- Share the link to the console you want.
- Have it purchased for you.
- Get it shipped straight to your hotel or bundled together for international delivery.
For example, Nipponcart offers this kind of support. It allows tourists to tap into online listings they normally couldn’t access – making it possible to score a retro console at the best possible price without the hassle of Japanese accounts or shipping restrictions.
Why This Approach Works
- Cheaper Consoles: Avoid the retail markup in second-hand stores.
- Wider Selection: Access listings from thousands of private sellers.
- Easy Delivery: Have the console shipped to your hotel before you fly home.
Final Thoughts
Exploring Hard OFF and Book OFF will always be a fun experience -it’s part of the charm of retro hunting in Japan. But if you’re serious about bringing home a classic console at the best price, don’t limit yourself to what’s on the shelves.
With the right approach, and the help of a buying service, you can unlock Japan’s online marketplace and bring home a retro console for a fraction of the cost -making your trip both memorable and rewarding.
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