Minicar Shopping in Japan!

[toyotageek]

;D I just returned from a short trip to Japan and came back with a bunch of cars! You can check out some of my adventures on my blog - www.xanga.com/toyotageek

I just started posting and will post more entries over the coming week. I visited a number of shops & venues including the Tomica Shop, Mr. Craft, Mandarake, Grease Garage Shop, Tokyu Hands, Sunset Antique Toys, Art Minicar Ginza, Toys Club, the Book Garage and the Tokyo Swap Meet & Nostalgic Import Car Show. Did I forget anything?

One thing I can say is, if you want some truely old vintage Toyota diecast, Japan is the place to go - but you better have a deep wallet!! I'll show & tell more about that in a few days.

[koich]

Looks like you found Mr. Craft. I loved that place ever since it opened. It has slowed down just a bit, but I still go there every time I visit. I also like Minicar Shop Ikeda in Shibuya. They have a good selection there as well. www.minicarikeda.co.jp/

Then again, you probably know all this already!

[toyotageek]

Mr. Craft is great! I could spend hours there, especially where the consignment cases are - all the old stuff to sort through. You definately need to be prepared when going there and have a shopping list (or good memory).

mmmm, I'm still learning! I heard about the Minicar Shop Ikeda, but did not have a chance to go there. My trip was too short and I didn't want to spend all of it minicar shopping! I'll definately make a point to visit it on my next trip.

[koich]

Another site you can hit from the US is www.shustock.com/modules/myalbum/
They have some really rare stuff, like the Hong Kong Tomicas.