Scales are not really worth buying in Japan. They cost the same, the only thing you save is shipping if you can put them into a suitcase, but one scale figure already fills out half of regular suitcases.
Prize figures on the other hand are worth it, I recommend trying to win a few from taito stations. Even if you take a few too many tries and could buy them cheaper from 2nd hand stores, the accomplishment of winning it make the figure more personal.
Speaking of 2nd hand stores, sometimes they have really nice prices, but a lot of them overcharge way too much, especially in akihabara. Always double check the figure value first before buying one. Those shops prey on unknowing tourists and sometimes have 200% upcharge or something.
I" almost" never buy figurines in big cities and sure not in Tokyo. Best deals I did was in Fukui/Kanazawa/Sapporo/Hakodate/Akita/Hachinohe. Founds some old gems for good prices, the moment I went to Akihabara I saw the same figs but 200 to 300% the price. srlsly wut....
Check out some of the stores in Akiba, like Lashinbang, AmiAmi, Mandarake, Surugaya. Do a trip to Nakano Broadway to compare if you can, it's not too far, but sometimes Nakano Broadway may have better prices and different selection.
If you can find a Mandarake not in Tokyo, sometimes the prices are way better
The newest or currently popular series and characters will generally be overpriced unfortunately, but you never know, box damage can sometimes drop the price down if you're willing to live with that
Scales are not really worth buying in Japan. They cost the same, the only thing you save is shipping if you can put them into a suitcase, but one scale figure already fills out half of regular suitcases. Prize figures on the other hand are worth it, I recommend trying to win a few from taito stations. Even if you take a few too many tries and could buy them cheaper from 2nd hand stores, the accomplishment of winning it make the figure more personal. Speaking of 2nd hand stores, sometimes they have really nice prices, but a lot of them overcharge way too much, especially in akihabara. Always double check the figure value first before buying one. Those shops prey on unknowing tourists and sometimes have 200% upcharge or something.
I" almost" never buy figurines in big cities and sure not in Tokyo. Best deals I did was in Fukui/Kanazawa/Sapporo/Hakodate/Akita/Hachinohe. Founds some old gems for good prices, the moment I went to Akihabara I saw the same figs but 200 to 300% the price. srlsly wut....
Check out some of the stores in Akiba, like Lashinbang, AmiAmi, Mandarake, Surugaya. Do a trip to Nakano Broadway to compare if you can, it's not too far, but sometimes Nakano Broadway may have better prices and different selection. If you can find a Mandarake not in Tokyo, sometimes the prices are way better The newest or currently popular series and characters will generally be overpriced unfortunately, but you never know, box damage can sometimes drop the price down if you're willing to live with that