Guide · Akihabara

Part of: Akihabara Retro Game Stores: Where to Go

Hard Off and Hobby Off Akihabara: Three Secondhand Floors for Games, Junk and Gunpla

Hard Off, the Japanese secondhand chain, has two stores in Akihabara, and its hobby sister Hobby Off has one, all a few minutes behind Chūō-dōri. Hard Off No. 1, next to Mandarake's black eight-storey building, sells games, audio, cameras, watches and instruments, with a junk corner in the basement. Hard Off No. 2, about 150 metres further on, has a glass case of retro games by the entrance and its own junk corner, with Hobby Off on the floors above for Gunpla, figures, model guns and model railways. Hobby Off's page lists it as a tax-free shop. I run private anime tours here most weeks, and these are the shops for bargain hunters who do not mind digging.

Hard Off's "junk" corners are for items sold as they are, so check anything there carefully before you pay.

Where are Hard Off and Hobby Off in Akihabara?

Hard Off No. 1 is at 3-11-2 Sotokanda, on B1, 2F and 3F of the building next to Mandarake, behind the Bellesalle building on Chūō-dōri. Hard Off No. 2 and Hobby Off share a building at 3-8-1 Sotokanda, about 150 metres further on, on "Akihabara Junk Street". Hobby Off is about two minutes from Suehirochō Station exit 3, or seven minutes from JR Akihabara's Electric Town exit.

Mandarake is next door to Hard Off No. 1, so the two make an easy pair; for the route around them, my Akihabara anime tour puts the secondhand floors in order.

What can you find at Hobby Off Akihabara?

From its store page: a Gunpla corner, model guns and model railways in glass cases, a figure corner with popular characters, candy toys, capsule toys and built Gundam kits, plus trading cards, minicars, radio control and character goods. The page admits the sales floor is small but packed. Ask staff if you want to see inside a case.

This is the honest section. Hobby Off is a general secondhand hobby shop, not a specialist, so stock is whatever came in. Check the condition of built kits and loose figures carefully. For specialist secondhand figure shops nearby, see where to buy anime figures in Akihabara.

Is Hard Off good for retro games?

It can be. Hard Off No. 2 puts retro games in the first glass case inside the entrance and lists games and consoles among its main items; both Hard Off stores have junk corners. Junk-corner items are sold as they are.

Stock depends on what people have sold recently, so it rewards repeat visits. For Akihabara's specialist retro stores, Akihabara retro game stores has them, and for power and voltage questions before you buy hardware, see Akihabara electronics.

Can you shop tax-free at Hard Off and Hobby Off?

Hobby Off Akihabara's store page lists it as a TAX FREE shop. The two Hard Off pages do not mention tax-free, so ask at the till. From 1 November 2026, where tax-free is offered, you pay the tax at the till and get it back after a customs check at the airport.

All three buy as well as sell; Hobby Off says it buys anything from prize figures to premium items, and Hard Off lists stronger buying for games, instruments and cameras.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Hobby Off in Akihabara? At 3-8-1 Sotokanda, on the 3rd and 4th floors, about two minutes from Suehirochō Station exit 3.

Where is Hard Off Akihabara? No. 1 is at 3-11-2 Sotokanda, next to Mandarake; No. 2 is at 3-8-1 Sotokanda, about 150 metres further on.

Is Hobby Off Akihabara tax-free? Its official store page lists it as a TAX FREE shop.

What is the junk corner at Hard Off? A section of items sold as they are; both Akihabara Hard Off stores have one.

Does Hobby Off sell Gunpla? Yes, including a Gunpla corner and built Gundam kits.

Digging for treasure, then the rest of Akihabara

If you would like Akihabara's secondhand floors chosen around what you collect, Adventure in Akihabara with Anime is my private half-day walk, three to four hours, never shared with other guests. The price is on the tour page.

About the author. I am Yuuki, a Japanese teacher and Akihabara anime tour guide based in Tokyo. I run private anime tours here most weeks, rated 4.96★ on Airbnb across 171 reviews. I have watched over 1,500 anime series, which is either a qualification or a warning depending on your point of view.

See the Akihabara anime tour →

Sources: Hard Off, store pages for Hobby Off Akihabara (3-8-1 Sotokanda, 3F–4F; Akihabara Junk Street; Suehirochō and JR walking routes; corners and items; small floor; TAX FREE Shop; buying), Hard Off Akihabara No. 1 (3-11-2 Sotokanda, 2F, 3F and B1; next to Mandarake; floor photos; items; junk corner) and Hard Off Akihabara No. 2 (3-8-1 Sotokanda, YS Bldg; B1–2F Hard Off, 3F–4F Hobby Off; retro-game case; junk corner; stronger buying). All checked 4 October 2026. Opening hours and prices are deliberately not given.