MESSE SANOH
+ AKIHABARA, TOKYO

I know this article is going to solve a lot of problems, and make a lot of people smile. You know who you are. Where can I buy English video games in Tokyo? Finally, there’s a decent, respectable English video game retail store in Akihabara, Messe Sanoh. To be quite honest, it was the easiest place to find, and only because it looked like they just opened. I’ve been searching for one since I got to Tokyo, and not to shrug off my own Japanese language education, but because Japanese RPGs present some truly complicated/difficult terminology that my textbooks just don’t cover(or won’t considering how bad the language probably is…). Thus, we have a savior with Messe Sanoh, a small but convenient English video game haven.

Messe Sanoh is located, like all smart little electronic shops, in the back allies of Akihabara. If you’re already familiar with tech shopping in Aki, you’ll know that there are no deals on the main road, and the real treasures are down the back streets. In fact, if you’ve been to Akihabara more than twice, you’ve probably walked past it by now while exploring(or right into it if you were on the same mission I was on). They cover many systems from the Sony PSP, Nintendo DS, and PS2 to PC games such as Warcraft and the likes. There are also some classic games for the PS1 and Gameboy Advance. Not the widest selection, but there’s a good chance you’ll find just what you were looking for. They even stock products like game controllers, carrying cases, and playing cards, mostly English. The big shock for me, beyond finding this place, was the little box of antique Nintendo “Game Packs” cards for 200 yen a pack. I used to buy these when I was a kid, and these are the original English packs of cards, not a Japanese version. I bought a few Zelda packs which I’ll send home as gifts later.

Game prices are all over the board, cheap oldies being around 2,000-3,000 yen with new games from 5,200 yen and up depending on system, game, genre, etc. Final Fantasy III for the Nintendo DS, new, was about 6,000+ yen. Don’t get put down by these prices though, you’re only other alternative is either the Laox Duty Free shop across the street from Akihabara station, or an online site. Laox slaps a heavy markup on all of their games, even with their “Duty Free” passport discount. I didn’t mark Laox on the map since there’s no way you’ll miss it. Messe Sanoh, in my opinion, is the way to go if you want a quick fix and can’t figure out complicated Japanese-language-only sites like this.

Messe Sannoh
Relevent store information is almost non-existant, please follow the map. Once I locate store information I will post it. In the meantime, please assume they operate at normal business hours similar to the surrounding shops(the standard 10AM-8PM).
URL(Japanese language only): www.messe-sanoh.co.jp

(2 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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