ROBOTROBOT - Nakano Broadway, Tokyo

Oh hell yeah.

One of the best retro toy collections this side of Tokyo, with a bunch of classic gaming stuff. From Parappa the Rapper to Sonic to MGS, with quite a few ultra rare pieces. 

Split over a few stores (similar to Mandrake) you'll need to do a bit of legwork to find this one, but absolutely worth taking some time out to hunt down.

http://www.robotrobot.com/hub/index.html
DD

Retrotailer - Droopy

A Narnia door to 80's, 90's awesomeness.

Simply put, the best retro you shop ever. The few pictures here don't do justice to the sheer quality or quantity of western toys from yesteryear.

Might Max, Ren and Stimpy, Boglins, Mario, Sonic, Pacman, Bucky O'hare, Ghostbusters, the list just goes on and on. Some major rarities include original '94 Mortal Kombat figures (all of them, including rare ones) and Street Fighter the Movie toys (all of them, including every VanDamm outfit ever produced). All items are retail or below retail price, however, quite a few are sold as sets, meaning quite a large investment both financially and in terms of space.

Can't stress how awesome this place and the staff are.
DD

〒166-0003 Tōkyō-to, Suginami-ku, Kōenjiminami, 2 Chome−26−5
http://goo.gl/maps/k2S4U

Playlot Joy - Kichijoji, Tokyo

The most arcadey of arcade names.

One of the best arcade hubs in Tokyo, with three top notch arcades within 2 minutes of one another, "Playlot" ticks all the right boxes.

The classic 3 floors of gaming goodness starts with UFO catchers and Taiko on the ground floor. Second floor dedicated to rhythm and gun games, and the third to the fighting game community.

As has become pretty common, some of these lesser known indie arcades are actually either part or fully owned by Taito corporation.

Although you'll struggle to find any retro classics, their affection for old school decor is a site to behold, maintaining what seems to be the original 90's color scheme and neon lights. Couple this with an onslaught of posters from video games past and present and you'll glad you came.

プレイロットジョイ
〒180-0004 Tokyo, Musashino, Kichijoji Honcho, 1 Chome−8−23, 河田ビル
http://goo.gl/maps/6etgq

Game Inn Mitoya - Kinshicho, Tokyo

Always sad to see.

Last year saw some major closures in the arcade community, with joints folding like dominos. 

Although no information was posted outside, it's safe to say based on the state of things that it's been game over since 2013 right here. Sucks. Looking at the local area (located 20seconds from JR Kinshicho station) it's clear that rent must've been a key factor in the demise of Mitoya.

A couple of other arcades (Taito and Adores) in the local area means the arcade scene is far from gone . . . but 3 floors of independent arcade goodness? . . Dam.
DD

Kinshi, 3 Chome−3 ゲームインみとや
http://goo.gl/maps/RmUlx

Retrotailer - Mandrake Galaxy, Nakano

Few places in Tokyo will bring retro gamers to their knees quite like this place.

Jam packed with everything you'd want to see in a 90's gaming time capsule, including a bunch of Game and Watch handheld devices, toys, posters and the like.

A phenomenal bunch of games from every major console earmarked with Mandrakes condition label means gives customers a price variance too. You'll be paying through the nose for mint condition games (which is fair), but for gamers just wanting to find that beat up copy, there's crates full of non-boxed goods to look through.

Standouts include -

Ristar - 18,000¥
TMNT - 15,000¥
BattleToads - 18,000¥
(G&W) Hungry Weiner (lol) - 25,000¥
(G&W) Batman - 3,800¥

Mandrake Galaxy, Broadway 2F, Nakano, Tokyo.
DD

Twitter - @woofycakes

5 reasons to be following the phenomenal US based, Japanese Illustrator and Sai artist "Woof" @woofycakes on Twitter.

Beautiful pieces of gaming fan art and beyond, mind blowing colors and awesome concepts. 

Show some love and leave a few comments on Twit or on Pixi at - 

http://touch.pixiv.net/member.php?id=145848

Arcade "Oslo Game" - Shinjuku, Tokyo

Contender for smallest arcade in Japan.

Just a few cabs and a bunch of UFO catchers but still worth a mention. Deep in the heart of Kabukicho there are a few of these places tony arcades scattered around, essentially pandering to the Hosts and Hostesses working in bars around the local area.

Ground floor has a few throw away games, but good fun if you're wantin to up your Mario kart skills. Mainly UFO catchers..
Second floor - darts, with just a few Gundam cabs.

Oslo itself is an independent arcade chain spread around a few places in Tokyo (Tachikawa's being the biggest joint).

Retailer "Village Vanguard" - Shibuya

Some of the dope retro gaming stuff available at VV. 

Shibuya being one of the biggest Vanguard joints in Japan makes them a must if you're looking for instant access to gaming apparel and merch. Although a chain, the Shibuya shop especially seems to get a lot more variety than other places - more often than not, exclusives too!

Enjoy.
DD

VILLAGE VANGUARD
Japan
http://goo.gl/maps/iMsbh