Nakano Broadway: Tokyo’s Hidden Treasure Trove for Anime, Manga, and Pop Culture Enthusiasts
Tokyo’s hub for anime, manga, and rare collectibles with a retro twist
Nakano Broadway, located in the heart of Nakano, Tokyo, is a haven for pop culture enthusiasts. It offers a rich blend of anime, manga, and Japanese subculture.
Though Akihabara often takes the spotlight as the ultimate destination for otaku (geek) culture, Nakano Broadway is a more specialized and eclectic alternative, gaining popularity among collectors and enthusiasts. Unlike Akihabara’s high-tech, modern vibe, Nakano Broadway exudes a retro charm, where visitors can find rare, vintage, and second-hand treasures.
With its convenient location, just minutes from JR Nakano Station, this four-story shopping complex is a must-visit for anyone exploring Tokyo’s pop culture landscape.
What is Nakano Broadway?
Nakano Broadway, which opened in 1966, was originally intended to be a high-end shopping mall aiming to replicate the energy of New York’s Broadway.
The name “Broadway” was chosen to establish it as a cultural hub, just like its namesake. However, over the years, it transformed into something quite different—a mecca for pop culture, particularly anime and manga.
After Japan’s economic bubble burst in the 1990s, the space evolved into what it is today: a treasure trove of niche stores catering to anime, manga, and subculture enthusiasts.
Nakano Broadway is famous for its diverse collection of anime and manga-related stores, rare collectibles, and second-hand goods.
The building is spread across four levels, with the upper floors being especially popular among collectors. The second and third floors house specialty shops selling everything from figurines and manga to rare animation cels and vintage toys. The first floor and basement level offer more conventional shopping, including groceries, clothing, and everyday essentials.
It’s this unique mix of the mundane and the fantastical that gives Nakano Broadway its quirky charm.
What to Do at Nakano Broadway
Explore Anime, Manga, and Pop Culture Shops
Nakano Broadway’s greatest appeal lies in its collection of stores catering to the anime, manga, and subculture worlds.
Among the highlights are the MANDARAKE stores, a chain that specializes in second-hand goods, with its flagship store located right here. MANDARAKE began as a second-hand bookstore in the 1980s and has since grown into one of the largest chains for anime, manga, and collectibles in Japan.
Here’s a breakdown of the must-visit shops inside Nakano Broadway:
MANDARAKE Honten
Located on the third floor, MANDARAKE Honten is the original store in the chain and boasts one of Tokyo’s largest selections of used manga. Whether you’re a long-time collector or a newcomer to manga, this store offers something for everyone.
The sheer volume and variety of manga here is astounding, with entire shelves dedicated to vintage and out-of-print editions. If you’re looking to expand your collection or discover a rare title, this is the place to do it. For international visitors, it also serves as an excellent opportunity to pick up manga in Japanese, which can double as a fun and immersive language-learning tool.
