Shops in Akihabara or Nipponbashi that sell old game mags

[Haruka]

I'm taking a trip to Japan in August and I was wondering if anyone knows any shops in Akihabara or Nipponbashi which sell old game magazines. I'm looking for late 80s/early 90s magazines like Famicom Tsushin and PC Engine Fan. Last time I was in Tokyo I didn't really find anything except for a handful stacked on a lower shelf in some second hand game shop in Nakano Broadway. Though I didn't have time to do an extensive search because I was there with some friends.  

[wyrdwad]

You know, that's actually a good question. I know Beep stocks some old specialty books, like "All About Falcom" and the like -- and I think both Beep and Surugaya next door stock a fair number of the Micom BASIC magazines from that era. But in terms of general gaming magazines like Famitsu and the like, the best I can think of off-hand is... Book-Off. And their selection isn't going to be winning any awards.

I'm in Akihabara pretty frequently, so I'll try to have a look around sometime this month and let you know what I find!

-Tom

[wyrdwad]

Just got back from Akiba. I admittedly didn't visit as many places as I wanted to, so I wasn't able to confirm too much, but I did confirm that Beep does indeed have PC-related magazines from that era (mostly Micom BASIC magazines and other very specific special-interest magazines and booklets related to retro microcomputing), and the Surugaya game shop right next door to it has even more Micom BASIC magazines, as well as a sizable number of specialty magazines from the era relating to Neo Geo, Megadrive, and Super Famicom games, as well as a SMALL number of old Famitsus. So if nothing else, Beep and Surugaya are worth checking out, though you likely won't find MUCH at Surugaya, and probably nothing you're specifically looking for at Beep (but Beep is amazing and worth experiencing nonetheless, if only because its selection is so esoteric and fascinating!).

The two shops are literally right next door to each other, but are tucked away down a back alley and are thus a bit difficult to find. If you're Google Mapsing it, look for Beep rather than Surugaya, as there are like 4 or 5 Surugayas in Akihabara, with two of them selling retro games.

You can also search for Star Kebab, which is right across the way from Beep and Surugaya (and has delicious pita sandwiches!). Or for Dear Stage, which is a nerdy concert venue that's just down the road from them.

-Tom

[Dee Liteyears]

Not quite as specific, but maybe this helps too
www.zimmerit.moe/tokyo-books-jimbocho-guide/

[Haruka]

Jul 14, 2019 5:15:11 GMT -5 wyrdwad said:

Just got back from Akiba. I admittedly didn't visit as many places as I wanted to, so I wasn't able to confirm too much, but I did confirm that Beep does indeed have PC-related magazines from that era (mostly Micom BASIC magazines and other very specific special-interest magazines and booklets related to retro microcomputing), and the Surugaya game shop right next door to it has even more Micom BASIC magazines, as well as a sizable number of specialty magazines from the era relating to Neo Geo, Megadrive, and Super Famicom games, as well as a SMALL number of old Famitsus. So if nothing else, Beep and Surugaya are worth checking out, though you likely won't find MUCH at Surugaya, and probably nothing you're specifically looking for at Beep (but Beep is amazing and worth experiencing nonetheless, if only because its selection is so esoteric and fascinating!).

The two shops are literally right next door to each other, but are tucked away down a back alley and are thus a bit difficult to find. If you're Google Mapsing it, look for Beep rather than Surugaya, as there are like 4 or 5 Surugayas in Akihabara, with two of them selling retro games.

You can also search for Star Kebab, which is right across the way from Beep and Surugaya (and has delicious pita sandwiches!). Or for Dear Stage, which is a nerdy concert venue that's just down the road from them.

-Tom

Thanks for checking for me! I'll definitely check out those stores.

Not quite as specific, but maybe this helps too

www.zimmerit.moe/tokyo-books-jimbocho-guide/

This seems like an interesting place to spend an afternoon, so I'll check this out as well. Thanks for the suggestion!