Anime and video-game shop tour in Osaka

For lovers of anime, manga and video games, a guided route through the shops of Shinsaibashi and Nipponbashi is the most efficient way to make the most of your time in the two pop-culture districts of Osaka. A specialist guide takes you through the key shops according to your interests: from Animate (the largest chain of official anime merchandise in Japan), through Mandarake (second-hand manga, figures and cosplay at unbeatable prices), to shops specialising in a single universe such as Gundam, Evangelion or Pokémon. In Nipponbashi, the guide helps you navigate the dozens of shops of Otaku Road, with tips for finding the best bargains in second-hand figures and exclusive Japanese editions. The tour can also include stops at maid cafés or collectible-card-game shops. The prices of the guided tours are around 40-60 euros per person for small groups; many shops do not require admission and the additional spending depends on what you buy. Most shops open at 11:00. Get cash in yen before the tour: many small shops do not accept cards.