{"id":305968,"date":"2026-04-02T08:28:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T08:28:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles?p=305968"},"modified":"2026-04-03T06:55:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T06:55:00","slug":"where-to-buy-anime-figures-from-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/where-to-buy-anime-figures-from-japan","title":{"rendered":"Where to Buy Anime Figures from Japan (Best Stores 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-aioseo-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-why-buy-anime-figures-from-japan-6\">Why Buy Anime Figures from Japan?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-best-japanese-stores-for-anime-figures-18\">Best Japanese Stores for Anime Figures<\/a><ul><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-second-hand-rare-figures-45\">Second-Hand &amp; Rare Figures<\/a><ul><\/ul><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-marketplaces-best-deals-more-risk-66\">Marketplaces (Best Deals, More Risk)<\/a><ul><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-mandarake-vs-mercari-where-should-you-buy-80\">Mandarake vs Mercari: Where Should You Buy?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-are-anime-figures-cheaper-in-japan-90\">Are Anime Figures Cheaper in Japan?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-is-it-safe-to-buy-second-hand-figures-101\">Is It Safe to Buy Second-Hand Figures?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-how-to-choose-the-right-store-112\">How to Choose the Right Store<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-why-you-need-a-proxy-service-122\">Why You Need a Proxy Service<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-tips-for-buying-anime-figures-from-japan-133\">Tips for Buying Anime Figures from Japan<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-faq-buying-anime-figures-from-japan-158\">FAQ: Buying Anime Figures from Japan<\/a><ul><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-faq-buying-anime-figures-from-japan-159\">Where is the best place to buy anime figures in Japan?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-what-should-i-check-before-buying-an-anime-figure-161\">What should I check before buying an anime figure?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-why-dont-japanese-stores-ship-internationally-164\">Why don\u2019t Japanese stores ship internationally?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-final-thoughts-142\">In the end<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That wasn&#8217;t just a coincidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;t been available on the global market in years.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this 2026 guide, we&#8217;ll show you the best places in Japan to buy anime figures and how to get them sent to you without any trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-why-buy-anime-figures-from-japan-6\">Why Buy Anime Figures from Japan?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a few reasons why collectors like to buy things directly from Japan, and once you do, it&#8217;s hard to go back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Better prices, especially for used figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A wider range of choices, including rare and out-of-print items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many figures sell out before they even get to international stores, so you can pre-order them.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That being said, there is one clear issue:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Most stores in Japan don&#8217;t ship to other countries.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ll get to the answer soon, but first, let&#8217;s talk about where to buy things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-best-japanese-stores-for-anime-figures-18\">Best Japanese Stores for Anime Figures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-stores-for-new-figures-19\">Stores for New Figures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>These are the safest places to start if you want to buy new releases or pre-order them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-amiami-24\"><strong>AmiAmi<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-reddit wp-block-embed-reddit\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"reddit-embed-bq\" style=\"height:500px\" ><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/RemamboOfficial\/comments\/1rf5i4h\/how_to_buy_anime_figures_from_amiami_japan_if_you\/\">How to buy anime figures from AmiAmi Japan if you live overseas<\/a><br> by<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/user\/remambojp\/\">u\/remambojp<\/a> in<a href=\"https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/RemamboOfficial\/\">RemamboOfficial<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/embed.reddit.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"UTF-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:35px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You can browse current listings on the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amiami.jp\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"\">official AmiAmi website<\/a><\/strong> to get a sense of pricing and availability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:58px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-bfb9e9bc0ba932ef21c45c853a250e62\"><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/anime-figures-from-amiami-japan-the-ultimate-guide\" title=\"\">Anime Figures from AmiAmi Japan: The Ultimate Guide<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:76px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-animate-online-shop-35\"><strong>Animate Online Shop<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"708\" data-id=\"307152\" src=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_2-1024x708.jpg\" alt=\"Anime Figures from Japan\" class=\"wp-image-307152\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_2-1024x708.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_2-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_2-768x531.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_2-1536x1062.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_2.jpg 1638w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;t bought anything from Animate before, you should learn how to do it, especially for items that are only available for a short time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a7528bc859b55c08f8720d1850004b28\"><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/what-to-buy-at-animate-popular-anime-goods-from-japan\" title=\"\">What to Buy at Animate: Popular Anime Goods from Japan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:92px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-good-smile-company-44\"><strong>Good Smile Company<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"506\" src=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures-japan-1024x506.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-306967\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures-japan-1024x506.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures-japan-300x148.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures-japan-768x379.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures-japan-1536x759.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures-japan.jpg 1638w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you like Nendoroids or scale figures, you&#8217;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.<br>Buying directly from the <a href=\"http:\/\/goodsmile.com\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"\"><strong>Good Smile Company official store<\/strong><\/a> 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\u2019t available through other retailers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a26c487a7f65af8e433ba01417f47723\">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.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-default\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-second-hand-rare-figures-45\">Second-Hand &amp; Rare Figures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where things get exciting and Japan really stands out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:42px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-book-off-online-56\"><strong>Book Off Online<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Can\u2019t go to BOOK OFF Japan? Here\u2019s how to shop from home.\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ocefaM_rRkE?start=3&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Book Off is one of the biggest second-hand stores in Japan, and it&#8217;s a great place to find anime figures at lower prices. The selection can change, but it&#8217;s especially helpful if you&#8217;re looking for common figures or want to save money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-034813788dea665decabeb576158299f\"><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/buy-from-book-off-outside-japan\" title=\"\">How to Buy from Book Off Outside Japan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:83px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-mandarake-64\"><strong>Mandarake<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"502\" src=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_3-1024x502.jpg\" alt=\"Anime Figures from Japan\" class=\"wp-image-307300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_3-1024x502.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_3-300x147.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_3-768x376.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_3-1536x753.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_3.jpg 1638w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mandarake stands out because they give detailed condition grades. Their listings usually have clear descriptions and pictures, so you know exactly what you&#8217;re getting. A lot of the time, things that are marked as &#8220;used&#8221; are still in great shape, sometimes even like new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-ba8d46e59dfd59df878e118e1a4faa8f\">If something is \u201csold out everywhere,\u201d there\u2019s a good chance you can still find it on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/order.mandarake.co.jp\" rel=\"nofollow\" title=\"\">Mandarake\u2019s official store<\/a><\/strong>, especially if you know what to look for.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:93px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-lashinbang-74\"><strong>Lashinbang<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"612\" src=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures-japan_4-1024x612.jpg\" alt=\"Buy Anime Figures from Japan\" class=\"wp-image-307411\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures-japan_4-1024x612.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures-japan_4-300x179.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures-japan_4-768x459.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures-japan_4-1536x918.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures-japan_4.jpg 1638w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot like Mandarake, but a little cheaper and with a focus on anime goods. The selection can be hit-or-miss, but that&#8217;s also where you can sometimes find great deals, especially once you get used to how the store is set up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6862b52f78f1eb1d48dcff47f4991a56\"><strong>Read more: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/how-to-buy-from-lashinbang-japan-online-2025-guide\" title=\"\">How to Buy from Lashinbang Japan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:94px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-surugaya-82\"><strong>Surugaya<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_4-1024x511.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-307559\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_4-1024x511.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_4-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_4-768x383.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_4-1536x766.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figure-japan_4.jpg 1638w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>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&#8217;s not uncommon to find listings for the same item that are much cheaper than those at other stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;s worth checking back often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-marketplaces-best-deals-more-risk-66\">Marketplaces (Best Deals, More Risk)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:52px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-mercari-japan-90\"><strong>Mercari Japan<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"aioseo-mercari-japan-this-is-where-many-locals-sell-their-items-and-its-often-the-first-place-people-check-when-looking-for-deals-prices-can-be-significantly-lower-than-retail-especially-if-the-seller-just-wants-a-quick-sale-or-is-clearing-out-their-collection-90\">Many people sell their things here, and it&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because it&#8217;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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color has-background has-small-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/mercari\/search?q=%E3%82%A2%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A1%E3%83%95%E3%82%A3%E3%82%AE%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A2\"><strong>Browse Mercari Listings<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:84px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-rakuma-98\"><strong>Rakuma<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Similar to Mercari, but sometimes less competitive, which can work in your favor. Worth checking alongside Mercari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:72px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-yahoo-auctions-japan-101\"><strong>Yahoo Auctions Japan<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>More traditional auction-style buying. Great for rare items, bundles, or older collectibles that don\u2019t show up elsewhere. If you\u2019re new to auctions, it\u2019s worth learning <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/japanese-online-stores\/yahoo-auctions-japan\" title=\"\">how bidding works<\/a> <\/strong>before getting started<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re willing to spend a bit more time searching, marketplaces can offer the best prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-67e72367354045cbb6a9601511cd69fc\"><strong>With marketplaces, always check:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-794e516e289767369223156568f42977\">seller ratings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3b8d6d4832a37184b42c208a9f0832ec\">item photos<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-519afd24c4515f243d038363a66f491d\">description details<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-mandarake-vs-mercari-where-should-you-buy-80\">Mandarake vs Mercari: Where Should You Buy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re not sure where to start, this is usually the main dilemma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mandarake<\/strong> \u2192 safer, structured, clear condition grading<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mercari<\/strong> \u2192 cheaper, more variety, but less predictable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re new, <strong>Mandarake<\/strong> is the easier option.<br>If you\u2019re comfortable checking listings carefully, Mercari can save you a lot of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a89730ad9d1a9f8642b734616b119aa7\"><strong>Read also: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/how-to-shop-safely-on-mercari-and-avoid-scams\" title=\"\">How to Shop Safely on Mercari and Avoid Scams<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-are-anime-figures-cheaper-in-japan-90\">Are Anime Figures Cheaper in Japan?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In many cases &#8211; yes, but not always.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But for new figures:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prices are often the same around the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li> Shipping can make a difference.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Things that are in short supply might actually cost more later.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Access is more important than price. You&#8217;re just getting choices that you can&#8217;t find anywhere else.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-is-it-safe-to-buy-second-hand-figures-101\">Is It Safe to Buy Second-Hand Figures?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:37px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures_japan_1-1-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Anime Figures from Japan\" class=\"wp-image-307707\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures_japan_1-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures_japan_1-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures_japan_1-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/anime-figures_japan_1-1.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Generally, yes much safer than many people expect.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>People say that Japanese second-hand stores are very strict about how they grade the condition of items. Even things that say &#8220;used&#8221; are often in great shape, sometimes so much so that they look brand new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Still, it\u2019s worth checking:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d824e9b83e8515a323e80643760ac2b1\"><strong>condition rank (A, B, etc.)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a21093489ea64d624ecdc85e8ff176c1\"><strong>whether the box is included<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-82f048c5196373b5144ad1548080cb23\"><strong>if any parts are missing<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Bootlegs do exist, but they\u2019re far less common on reputable platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-how-to-choose-the-right-store-112\">How to Choose the Right Store<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A quick rule of thumb:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Looking for <strong>new releases or pre-orders<\/strong> \u2192 AmiAmi, Good Smile<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Searching for <strong>rare or discontinued figures<\/strong> \u2192 Mandarake<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Trying to <strong>find the lowest price<\/strong> \u2192 Mercari or Rakuma<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Want a mix of both \u2192 Surugaya or Lashinbang<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Most experienced buyers end up using a combination of these depending on what they\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-why-you-need-a-proxy-service-122\">Why You Need a Proxy Service<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s the main barrier:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2443529d718ec56578bddfe3f22d74f0\"><strong>Most stores in Japan don&#8217;t ship internationally, and when they do, it&#8217;s usually limited or expensive.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where a proxy service like Remambo can help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&#8217;ve never ordered from Japanese stores before, it&#8217;s a good idea to look at how proxy shopping from Japan works step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:62px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/how-to-buy-from-japan-remambo-proxy-shopping-guide\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/how-to-buy-remambo-guide-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Anime Figures from Japan\" class=\"wp-image-306449\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/how-to-buy-remambo-guide-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/how-to-buy-remambo-guide-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/how-to-buy-remambo-guide-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/how-to-buy-remambo-guide-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/how-to-buy-remambo-guide.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-tips-for-buying-anime-figures-from-japan-133\">Tips for Buying Anime Figures from Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A few useful things that make a big difference:<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Don&#8217;t ignore condition ratings; they are usually right.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check for the original box if you want to know how much it will sell for.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Before you buy, check prices on a few different sites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Watch out for deals that seem too good to be true.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-faq-buying-anime-figures-from-japan-158\">FAQ: Buying Anime Figures from Japan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-faq-buying-anime-figures-from-japan-159\"><strong>Where is the best place to buy anime figures in Japan?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"aioseo-faq-buying-anime-figures-from-japan-159\">There isn\u2019t a single best place, it depends on what you need.<br>AmiAmi is usually the go-to for new figures and pre-orders, while Mandarake is better for rare or discontinued items. If you\u2019re looking for the lowest prices, marketplaces like Mercari can be worth checking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-what-should-i-check-before-buying-an-anime-figure-161\"><strong>What should I check before buying an anime figure?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Pay attention to condition ratings, included accessories, and whether the original box is present. If you\u2019re buying from a marketplace, checking seller ratings is also important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:22px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-why-dont-japanese-stores-ship-internationally-164\"><strong>Why don\u2019t Japanese stores ship internationally?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many stores are focused on the domestic market and don\u2019t support international payments or shipping. That\u2019s why services like proxy shopping are commonly used by overseas buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-final-thoughts-142\">In the end<br><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;t find anywhere else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may seem hard at first, but once you know where to look and how the process works, it becomes surprisingly easy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And most importantly, you can now get things from anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-vivid-red-background-color has-background has-small-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/signup\/best-way-buy-japan\"><strong>Sign up for FREE now<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>All images featured in this article are the property of their respective copyright holders.<\/strong><br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You may have had the same problem when you tried to buy anime figures online: the best ones are either<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40,"featured_media":307966,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9635],"tags":[1088,1273,1125,3419,1199],"class_list":["post-305968","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-toys","tag-anime","tag-howtobuy","tag-manga","tag-toys","tag-wheretobuy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/40"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=305968"}],"version-history":[{"count":65,"href":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305968\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":317512,"href":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305968\/revisions\/317512"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/307966"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=305968"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=305968"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.remambo.jp\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=305968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}