Secondhand shopping in Japan is slowly becoming a standard item on travel itineraries, and if you’re searching for secondhand shops in Osaka, BOOKOFF is the perfect place to hunt for hidden treasure. One of the most common thrift stores in Japan, this popular chain sells everything from anime merchandise and video games to luxury designer items, reasonably priced, often in pristine condition, and usually tax-free, too. Find out why BOOKOFF will send you home with full suitcases and memories to last a lifetime!

Secondhand Shopping in Osaka: Hunt for Hidden Gems at BOOKOFF

Osaka is a shopping paradise, but among the many options, there’s nothing like “striking gold” at a local secondhand or vintage store! Japan’s secondhand shopping is on another level – not only is it surprisingly easy to find items you’ve had your eye on at wallet-friendly prices, but when the stars align, you’ll discover all kinds of rare limited-edition products. There’s nothing like spotting a piece of preserved nostalgia from your childhood, and finally getting your hands on a precious treasure you longed to own but could never save up enough pocket money for. This kind of joy and discovery is something a brand-new retail store could never replicate!

So, where do you shop secondhand in Japan? Well, BOOKOFF sells a lot more than just books! BOOKOFF is one of Japan’s most common secondhand retail chains, and they employ strict purchasing and inspection standards, so most products are in excellent condition (often essentially brand new), and clearly marked when they’re not. With clearly organized aisles and transparent pricing, BOOKOFF is a far cry from the chaos of many thrift stores, offering a clean, brightly lit shopping experience that feels more like a thoughtfully curated department store.

From anime merchandise, video games, phones, and tablets to luxury designer handbags and even K-pop photo card collections, you’ll find a huge range of items within each and every shop! Of course, as a secondhand shop, each BOOKOFF location offers different products, and bigger locations have the widest selection. Standard stores focus mainly on books, media, and games, while “BOOKOFF PLUS” locations generally have an added selection of luxury goods and apparel. For the best variety, visit a BOOKOFF Super Bazaar, which carries everything under the sun: books, games, clothing, plus kimono, home appliances, camping gear, ski equipment, and more.

To help you get started on your Osaka secondhand treasure hunt, we’ve chosen three of the BOOKOFF shops most worth visiting during your time in Osaka, based on each location’s unique characteristics. Whether you want to spend time combing through shelves in search of hidden gems, or just make some quick purchases while you’re exploring the heart of Osaka, there’s a BOOKOFF that fits perfectly into your schedule.

BOOKOFF Osaka Shinsaibashi Store

If you know anything about Shinsaibashi, then you know it’s where people go for a full day of nonstop shopping and eating. The Shinsaibashi-suji shopping arcade is a highlight, and a go-to for shoppers in Osaka, lined with popular fashion brands, bustling drugstores, and an impressive variety of dining options.

Located within this busy shopping arcade is a four-story BOOKOFF, with a huge range of products to match the incredible location. It’s what you might call an “urban treasure chest.” There are aisles stuffed full of anime figures, and cases heavy with merchandise featuring all kinds of popular characters, but there’s also a notable section designated for one other fandom in particular. Among the hundreds of BOOKOFF shops nationwide, BOOKOFF Osaka Shinsaibashi ranks #1 in both stock and sales of Korean idol merch.

BOOKOFF Osaka Shinsaibashi Store (BOOKOFF 大阪心斎橋店)
3-6-21 Minami-Semba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Hours: 10:00 – 22:00
Directions: About 4 min on foot from Shinsaibashi Station (Midosuji Line)
Floors:
　B1: Vinyl records, game consoles, and video games
　1F: Anime merchandise & figures, K-pop goods
　2F: Novels, hobby-related books, professional reference books
　3F: Study guides, manga, light novels

Highlight ① Anime Figures & Merch from One Piece, Pokémon, and All Your Favorites

Step foot inside this BOOKOFF, and starting on the first floor, you’ll see a wall of the latest bestsellers on display, from manga to all the figures to go with it. One Piece, Naruto, Demon Slayer – even Hatsune Miku and Dragon Ball – all neatly organized and in great condition. Whether you’re new to the world of Japanese manga and anime, a completist looking to round out your collection, or a mega fan searching for a rare prize or discontinued item, the shop has enough to keep you entertained for hours.

You might not notice while you’re absorbed in your search, but when you come up for air you’ll probably spot one of the eye-catching “Tax-Free” signs hanging overhead. With these great deals looming and all your favorite characters cheering you on, you’ll turn into the “take my money” meme in no time.

The entrance is actually just the tip of the iceberg, because just ahead is an entire wall packed with Pokémon plushies, making it hard not to catch ’em all. Further inside, there are two full aisles stacked with popular anime figures. For collectors who care deeply about the condition of the original packaging, this is a dream come true, because many items are in near-perfect condition. The sheer volume of secondhand anime merchandise is overwhelming in the best possible way.

Highlight ② Japan’s Best Selection of Korean Music Merchandise, From SEVENTEEN Photo Cards to BTS Light Sticks

Looking for the K-pop section? It’s hard to miss, in light of the cabinets filled to the brim with photo cards, concert light sticks, member merchandise, character figurines, and Japan-exclusive CDs. The sheer breadth of items guarantees that fans will find it hard to leave without a lighter wallet. BOOKOFF’s Shinsaibashi store has the best Korean pop culture section out of the entire national chain, in terms of both in quantity and variety, so fans from all over the world can be found gathered here digging through the photo cards or racing to the shelves as if one second slower might mean their bias gets snatched away by someone else.

Rarer items are displayed in glass cases, but there are also boxes neatly categorized by group, storing thousands of photo cards in perfect order, carefully stored in plastic sleeves. You can often find multiple copies of common cards – perfect for building an ita-bag and proudly announcing your bias to all who care to look.

Highlight ③ A Treasure Trove of Vinyl Records, Including Japanese Pressings

Beyond anime and celebrity merchandise, the Shinsaibashi store also boasts a unique selection of vinyl records, with original Western pressings alongside the coveted Japan-pressed editions that collectors so adore. Why go for a Japanese pressing? While they retain the original album artwork, these vinyls were re-pressed in Japan using high-quality manufacturing techniques, and each one came with a distinctive paper obi (帯) as well.

A well-preserved obi is a sign that a vinyl record has truly been well cared for, so Japanese pressings with intact obi strips are particularly high value. Many overseas collectors even make special trips to Japan specifically to hunt for rare vintage records in outstanding condition. For vinyl enthusiasts, the discovery of a near-perfect Japan pressing is one of the greatest joys of treasure hunting at secondhand stores.

BOOKOFF PLUS Namba Ebisubashi Store

If your first stop in Osaka is Namba, then enjoy – this bustling area may even make you want to extend your stay! Namba is one of Osaka’s biggest hubs, with popular attractions like Dotonbori and Kuromon Market, easy access to Universal Studios Japan, and a direct link to Kansai International Airport. As the starting point of your journey, or a convenient stop along the way, Namba is an extremely practical choice.

In the heart of this convenient heart of Osaka, you won’t want to miss a visit to BOOKOFF PLUS. On top of everything found at a standard BOOKOFF, this location also has an added luxury goods section. If you’ve always been interested in designer goods, but have always hesitated after seeing the price tag, this is the perfect place to look for your first luxury purchase.

BOOKOFF PLUS Namba Ebisubashi Store (BOOKOFF PLUS なんば戎橋店)
Osaka B&V Building, 1-5-16 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka
Hours: 10:00 – 22:00
Directions: 3 min on foot from Namba Station (Midosuji Line), or roughly 15 min from BOOKOFF Osaka Shinsaibashi
Floors:
　2F: Manga, anime merch, figures, collectibles
　3F: Luxury accessories, apparel, kimono

Highlight ① Anime Merch, Tokusatsu Figures, and Video Games, All in One Glance

Head straight up to the second floor to spot the carefully selected “souvenir corner,” thoughtfully curated for travelers without much time to spare. The aisle is filled with capsule toys and figures of popular characters, as well as a massive selection of Pokémon games from across the generations. There are pristine options as well as loose game cartridges without the original packaging, perfect if your budget is limited. Once you see the selection, you might just forget about that packed schedule you had planned, but even the tightest itinerary can manage a little squeeze, so you can see all the highlights still to come.

If you’re a Pokémon fan, try not to blow your entire budget just yet, because you have yet to plumb the depths. There are entire cabinets of Pokémon cards to see – maybe even that rare card you’ve been hunting for. In Japan it’s common to sleeve cards the minute they’re pulled from packs, so even for perfectionists, this is paradise.

There are plenty of popular anime figures readily available, but more niche collectors’ eyes will light up at some of the other options. There’s tokusatsu monster merchandise, some even new with tags, alongside VTuber merchandise, Gunpla kits for Gundam fans, and much more, making it nearly impossible to walk more than a few steps without stopping to search for the next hidden gem.

Highlight ② Luxury Shopping Made Easy, Even for Beginners

While your otaku friends are still immersed in their own fandoms, you can also check out the selection of high-end shoes and bags on the third floor. The luxury section in Namba is what you might call comprehensive, with classic quilted leather Chanel purses and Louis Vuitton bags to Dior heels and premium-brand Casio watches. Of course, these used items come with far more approachable prices than their new counterparts, and tax-free benefits to boot.

All luxury items at BOOKOFF are professionally authenticated and come with certificates of guarantee, so you can shop with complete peace of mind. Each item is also clearly labeled with a grade describing its current condition (A–C), making it easy to find the right items for you and your budget. With items displayed in well-lit cases, it’s a little like browsing a compact department store.

Highlight ③ Traditional Japanese Kimono & Anime Fashion

Want to wear your love of Japan on your sleeve? The third floor also features a section dedicated to kimono and other traditional Japanese apparel, so you can find plenty of fun and functional wearable souvenirs to take home with you. Nearby, you’ll also find the kind of cool anime t-shirts not sold outside of Japan, with big names like Naruto, Dragon Ball, and Pokémon alongside more niche favorites. Find one from your fandom and you can take your favorite character along with you as you explore the streets of Japan.

BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR No. 25 Yao Nagahata Store

Unlike the last two shops, our last Osaka BOOKOFF is outside of the city center, but it’s still easily within reach, even for busy sightseers. And since BOOKOFF’s “SUPER BAZAAR” stores are the largest of all, the Yao Nagahata location is especially popular for its overwhelming size and selection.

Like the other shops, this one has all kinds of media, anime merch, and luxury designer goods, but the suburban location also offers room for golf equipment, high-quality fishing gear, and even full-sized tents for camping – truly everything under the sun. The moment you step inside, the endless aisles will turn a switch in your head: it’s time for treasure hunting mode. So if you’re still not satisfied after browsing the Shinsaibashi and Namba shops, you can hop on a train to head straight to this mall-sized secondhand store.

BOOKOFF SUPER BAZAAR No. 25 Yao Nagahata Store (ブックオフスーパーバザー25号八尾永畑店)
2-2-18 Nagahata-cho, Yao City, Osaka
Hours: 10:00 – 22:00
(alcohol and luxury goods sections close at 20:00)
Directions: 11 min on foot from Yao Station (Yamatoji Line)
Official Website

Highlight ① A Luxury Goods Counter with a Rare Liquor Selection

If you couldn’t find the perfect designer bag in Namba, this is a great place to try your luck again. The Yao Nagahata BOOKOFF offers a wide selection of luxury bags and watches, and after browsing the accessories, there’s also a large-scale liquor section!* There are Suntory whiskies, bottles from the Yamazaki Distillery series, and imported brands like The Dalmore, including some considerably well-aged options. All the different bottle designs and labels from different eras are fascinating just to look at, but for fans of whisky and aged spirits, this area is absolutely worth a thorough look.

^{*Alcohol purchases are not eligible for tax-free shopping.}

Highlight ② Beyond Anime Figures – A Dedicated Area for Gundam Fans!

Yao Nagahata boasts a truly astonishing quantity of anime figures, Ichiban Kuji prizes, and other anime merchandise, maybe even exceeding the combined stock of the last two stores. From One Piece and Naruto to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Dandadan, it’s all here. That Jotaro figure you couldn’t find earlier? There’s a good chance it’s waiting for you in Yao.

The store also features an entire section dedicated to Gunpla (Gundam plastic model kits), with boxes so pristine they look like they came straight from the factory. Alongside the kits themselves, BOOKOFF also sells all kinds of paints and tools nearby, so you can pick up everything you need while you’re there. For Gundam fans, the unopened boxes are like treasure chests – maybe the Angel Gundam you’ve been searching for could be hidden inside?

Despite the slightly out-of-the-way location, you might even find a fellow foreign traveler or two, like the Japankuru team did when visiting the shop. After a quick chat, it became clear that the Yao Nagahata store is actually something of a well-kept secret within collector circles. One fellow shopper proudly showed off the trading cards they had finally managed to find at Yao after years of searching!

Highlight ③ Golf, Fishing, Camping Gear, and More for Outdoorsy People

We’ve spent a lot of time describing heaven for otakus and even luxury shoppers, but outdoor enthusiasts don’t need to feel left out. Whatever your hobby, BOOKOFF’s Yao location has a dedicated space just for you, too! From golf clubs and guitars to snowboards and camping gear, it’s all here. Even fishing essentials like reels and lures are neatly lined up on display, so appealing that it might spark the urge to take everything home with you, even if you’ve never touched a fishing pole in your life. Whether you’re shopping seriously or just enjoying the thrill of treasure hunting, it’s rare to find a single store that can satisfy so many different interests. Whoever you’re traveling with, bring them along with you!

Rare Anime Merch, Luxury Finds, and One Big Treasure Hunt: Satisfy All Your Shopping Needs at Osaka’s BOOKOFF Locations

By now you’ve probably realized that shopping in Japan isn’t all about the brand-new items. There’s nothing like a secondhand treasure hunt, which is why Japan’s large-scale secondhand chains like BOOKOFF are a must-see for visiting travelers. From anime merchandise and video games, to K-pop photo cards and concert props, or even luxury brands like Chanel, it’s all in one place, all with tax-free shopping benefits exclusive to foreign visitors!

Lost track of which BOOKOFF location you wanted to check out first? Here’s a quick summary of why these three Osaka BOOKOFF stores are especially worth visiting:

・BOOKOFF Osaka Shinsaibashi Store
✔️ Located within the convenient Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade
✔️ The best selection of K-pop merch in Osaka
✔️ A top choice for high-quality Japan-pressed vinyl

・BOOKOFF PLUS Namba Ebisubashi Store
✔️ Direct access from the airport – a great first stop for shopping in Osaka
✔️ A budget-friendly entry point for luxury designer shopping
✔️ Traditional Japanese kimono, alongside cool anime t-shirts

・BOOKOFF Super Bazaar No. 25 Yao Nagahata Store
✔️ A well-kept secret with direct access from Namba Station
✔️ An impressive Gundam lineup
✔️ Anime goods, luxury items, and outdoor equipment all in one place

BOOKOFF offers ample opportunities to find practical items at great prices, but each visit also presents a chance to uncover rare treasures, even discontinued products and items rich with history. This is the kind of treasure hunt that will leave you with memories and mementos from Japan!

Now that you know where to shop in Osaka, all that’s left is for you to figure out what to do about sightseeing and food. Be sure to check out our other Osaka travel tips and itineraries to make it a truly unforgettable trip!

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