Jim's Recollection: My Tokyo Trip 2004 #1

Post by Jim

I think it's time for me to get this started before I lose my urge as well as other's enthusiasm...if this is considered as inappropriate then please feel free to relocate this.

First of all an apology - I got too carried away when I visited the gun shops in Tokyo so I ended up forgotten taking photos - so I retake the pics from magazines while some are downloaded from the net - also I'll take several photos of the modelguns that I bought.

It was Feb 2004 and Tokyo snowed - I was told it didn't happen for quite a long time. Travelling to Tokyo from HK is extremely time consuming - caught the early flight 8am and landed in Narita Airport 1pm - waited 1 hr at the immigration/customs for aliens (yes that's how the Japanese authority used to call the foreigners - I think they've changed since). Then finally ~2hr of travelling time from the airport to my hotel (we were at the last stop) so when I checked in it was almost 5pm.

I took this from my room's window - this hotel is right next to Tokyo Dome: a place that holds various toy shows with plenty of modelguns (unfortunately there wasn't any event at that time):



After checking in we immediately rushed for the first stop - Akihabara. There I saw some tiny toy shops with several airsoft and few modelguns for sale - definitely not the place for me but since it was late so I began my modelgun adventure the next day instead.

After having a hearty breakfast at Mos Burger then I headed for the first shop: Magnum Shop-Mugen. The shop located near the railway station - only 5 minutes of walk and I found it on a quiet street. Once inside I found the shop to be very cosy and the warmth made the visit very pleasant - you guys will know why I say this when I describe other shops later.

I think this is the most foreigner-friendly gun shop in Japan that I'd been to: although only 2 shopkeepers available - a man in his 40s and his wife - the man speaks fluent English (and I forgot exactly how long did I talked to him but I'd ended up staying there for one and a half hours)!

Here he is (I can assure you guys he's much better looking in real life):



The shop front:



One thing disappointed me though - when I read the magazines this shop puts a 2-page ad listing hundreds of items for sale but when I got there many items were either out of stock or coming soon.

Only a pre-used MGC M1 Carbine and Luger P08 ABS caught my attention and I ended up buying several East-A holsters and the current issue GUN magazine.

After this I went to a department store for a while and then to my next target - Shinbashi Gun Shop (this shop closed down 3 months ago and the owner scaled down his business to online sales and customisation only - please correct me if I'm wrong).

This is 2am by the time of writing so as usual...(to be continued)...

*Before signing off I welcomed everybody's comment/criticism so I can improve on my next instalment - Thanks in advance!

By the way...I noticed this introduction have nothing much to do with modelguns but please rest assured - I started buying something more relevant from the 2nd shop then I'll focus more on the guns GUARANTEED...

Post by Spencerman

Well, I am looking forward to the next installment, I cant stand suspense.
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Post by Phobus

I especially like the Winny the Poo apron on the shopkeeper .

I can,t imagine a UK gun shop dealer wearing one of those .

It kind of damages your credibility !!

Great stuff though Jim and I am enjoying your story a great deal , nice photos too brings it alive for us . Thank you .

Regards

CARL.
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Marmite enthusiast

Post by 2Sharp

Hey, this is great

Thanks a lot for taking the time to share it with us.

One of my dreams is going to Japan and shop modelguns
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I need more model guns...

The holy quest for modelgun information and knowledge will never-ever end!!

Post by shazhib


Jim,

Good stuff, keep on runni'n!

Post by ChenKenichi



Nice report! I was amazed at the availablitly of this stuff over there, it's like walking into JC Penny and finding an model gun / airgun section in the back corner. Marvelous, right!?
I've been to many of the ones you speak of in Akihabara...near the W. exit if I remember correctly, there is a model gun / airsoft store on the 6th floor with a shooting range on the 7th. Many of the toy stores as you said had little sections of model guns. Ueno has some, Ameyoko also has a small little shop inside that little mall area.
Have you by any chance been to U.N.C.L.E? I forgot the stop for it, but it was one of the best I went in....mazes of old MGC model guns, old school asahi MP40s, CMC thompsons on the floor like they were trash, etc. etc. What a gold mine!

Post by Jim

Hi ChenKenichi ,

I'd been to 6~7 shops and I'll talk about the best 4 that I'd been to - yes UNCLE gun is included and I'll talk about it in my 4th installment...patience please ...

I've finally get my act together and prepared more materials for the upcoming episodes - hopefully I can finish all this within a day or 2... hopefully...

Post by Phil Genovese

The guy in the photo with Winnie The Pooh on his apron is a great guy indeed. His name is Rintaro and is one of the nicest guys you'll come across in Japan at any of the gun stores. He does not own the store, but is a dutiful employee and always likes the chance to speak and practice his english with foreigners.

Phil
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