You may have had the same problem when you tried to buy anime figures online: the best ones are either sold out, too expensive, or just not available in your country.

That wasn’t just a coincidence.

Japan is still the best place to buy anime stuff. New releases come out there first, limited editions often stay in the country, and second-hand stores sell things that haven’t been available on the global market in years.

In this 2026 guide, we’ll show you the best places in Japan to buy anime figures and how to get them sent to you without any trouble.

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Why Buy Anime Figures from Japan?

There are a few reasons why collectors like to buy things directly from Japan, and once you do, it’s hard to go back.

Better prices, especially for used figures.

A wider range of choices, including rare and out-of-print items.

Many figures sell out before they even get to international stores, so you can pre-order them.

That being said, there is one clear issue:

Most stores in Japan don’t ship to other countries.

We’ll get to the answer soon, but first, let’s talk about where to buy things.

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Best Japanese Stores for Anime Figures

Stores for New Figures

These are the safest places to start if you want to buy new releases or pre-order them.

AmiAmi

How to buy anime figures from AmiAmi Japan if you live overseas
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This is probably the first store that most collectors go to. Prices are good, and they often give discounts on new figures as well. Their pre-order system works well, which is important when popular items sell out fast.

You can browse current listings on the official AmiAmi website to get a sense of pricing and availability.

Read more: Anime Figures from AmiAmi Japan: The Ultimate Guide

Animate Online Shop

A popular chain in Japan that sells a lot of official merchandise. Not always the best deal, but great for special collaborations and limited releases. If you haven’t bought anything from Animate before, you should learn how to do it, especially for items that are only available for a short time.

Read more: What to Buy at Animate: Popular Anime Goods from Japan

Good Smile Company

If you like Nendoroids or scale figures, you’ve probably heard of Good Smile Company. They are one of the top figure makers in Japan and are responsible for many popular releases in different anime series.
Buying directly from the Good Smile Company official store is often the best way to secure pre-orders, especially for limited or high-demand figures. In some cases, the official store also offers exclusive bonuses that aren’t available through other retailers.

One thing to remember is that they mostly sell their products through pre-orders, so timing is important. If you miss the window, you might have to rely on the second-hand market later.

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Second-Hand & Rare Figures

This is where things get exciting and Japan really stands out.

Book Off Online

Book Off is one of the biggest second-hand stores in Japan, and it’s a great place to find anime figures at lower prices. The selection can change, but it’s especially helpful if you’re looking for common figures or want to save money.

Read more: How to Buy from Book Off Outside Japan

Mandarake

A place where collectors can find rare or discontinued figures. Mandarake is one of the biggest places in Japan to buy used anime. They have a lot of physical stores and an online catalog that is always being updated.

Mandarake stands out because they give detailed condition grades. Their listings usually have clear descriptions and pictures, so you know exactly what you’re getting. A lot of the time, things that are marked as “used” are still in great shape, sometimes even like new.

If something is “sold out everywhere,” there’s a good chance you can still find it on Mandarake’s official store, especially if you know what to look for.

Lashinbang

A lot like Mandarake, but a little cheaper and with a focus on anime goods. The selection can be hit-or-miss, but that’s also where you can sometimes find great deals, especially once you get used to how the store is set up.

Read more: How to Buy from Lashinbang Japan

Surugaya

Surugaya is a great place to find anime figures at lower prices because they are known for their competitive prices. You just have to be willing to spend some time looking around. It’s not uncommon to find listings for the same item that are much cheaper than those at other stores.

The platform has a lot of different products, including new releases and older, used figures. But the stock changes a lot, and popular items can sell out quickly, so it’s worth checking back often.

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Marketplaces (Best Deals, More Risk)

Mercari Japan

Many people sell their things here, and it’s often the first place people go to look for deals. Prices can be much lower than what you would pay at a store, especially if the seller just wants to get rid of their stuff quickly.

Mercari also moves quickly, though. You have to act fast because good listings, especially for well-known people, can go away in a matter of minutes. You might miss out on a great deal just because someone else bought it first.

Because it’s a marketplace, the experience can be different depending on who you buy from. Before you buy, you should carefully look at the item photos, descriptions, and seller ratings. If you take a little time to learn how Mercari works, it can quickly become one of the best places to find both common and rare figures at great prices.

Rakuma

Similar to Mercari, but sometimes less competitive, which can work in your favor. Worth checking alongside Mercari.

Yahoo Auctions Japan

More traditional auction-style buying. Great for rare items, bundles, or older collectibles that don’t show up elsewhere. If you’re new to auctions, it’s worth learning how bidding works before getting started

If you’re willing to spend a bit more time searching, marketplaces can offer the best prices.

With marketplaces, always check:

• seller ratings
• item photos
• description details

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Mandarake vs Mercari: Where Should You Buy?

If you’re not sure where to start, this is usually the main dilemma.

• Mandarake → safer, structured, clear condition grading
• Mercari → cheaper, more variety, but less predictable

If you’re new, Mandarake is the easier option.
If you’re comfortable checking listings carefully, Mercari can save you a lot of money.

Read also: How to Shop Safely on Mercari and Avoid Scams

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Are Anime Figures Cheaper in Japan?

In many cases – yes, but not always.

Because there is a huge market for second-hand items in Japan, they are often much cheaper. Even things that are almost perfect can be a lot cheaper.

But for new figures:

• Prices are often the same around the world.

• Shipping can make a difference.

• Things that are in short supply might actually cost more later.

• Access is more important than price. You’re just getting choices that you can’t find anywhere else.

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Is It Safe to Buy Second-Hand Figures?

Generally, yes much safer than many people expect.

People say that Japanese second-hand stores are very strict about how they grade the condition of items. Even things that say “used” are often in great shape, sometimes so much so that they look brand new.

Still, it’s worth checking:

1. condition rank (A, B, etc.)
2. whether the box is included
3. if any parts are missing

Bootlegs do exist, but they’re far less common on reputable platforms.

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How to Choose the Right Store

A quick rule of thumb:

• Looking for new releases or pre-orders → AmiAmi, Good Smile
• Searching for rare or discontinued figures → Mandarake
• Trying to find the lowest price → Mercari or Rakuma
• Want a mix of both → Surugaya or Lashinbang

Most experienced buyers end up using a combination of these depending on what they’re looking for.

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Why You Need a Proxy Service

Here’s the main barrier:

Most stores in Japan don’t ship internationally, and when they do, it’s usually limited or expensive.

This is where a proxy service like Remambo can help.

You can use a service that takes care of the whole process for you instead of trying to figure out how to deal with language barriers, payment restrictions, and shipping limits on your own.

If you’ve never ordered from Japanese stores before, it’s a good idea to look at how proxy shopping from Japan works step by step.

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Tips for Buying Anime Figures from Japan

• A few useful things that make a big difference:
• Don’t ignore condition ratings; they are usually right.
• Check for the original box if you want to know how much it will sell for.
• Before you buy, check prices on a few different sites.
• Watch out for deals that seem too good to be true.

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FAQ: Buying Anime Figures from Japan

Where is the best place to buy anime figures in Japan?

There isn’t a single best place, it depends on what you need.
AmiAmi is usually the go-to for new figures and pre-orders, while Mandarake is better for rare or discontinued items. If you’re looking for the lowest prices, marketplaces like Mercari can be worth checking.

What should I check before buying an anime figure?

Pay attention to condition ratings, included accessories, and whether the original box is present. If you’re buying from a marketplace, checking seller ratings is also important.

Why don’t Japanese stores ship internationally?

Many stores are focused on the domestic market and don’t support international payments or shipping. That’s why services like proxy shopping are commonly used by overseas buyers.

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In the end

When you buy anime figures from Japan, you can choose from a whole new range of items, from brand-new releases to things you can’t find anywhere else.

It may seem hard at first, but once you know where to look and how the process works, it becomes surprisingly easy.

And most importantly, you can now get things from anywhere.

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