Oedo Antique Market

The Oedo Antique Market, held regularly in Tokyo near Yurakucho station, is like a lot of other events in Japan. Most booths feel like they're manned by the same people every time, and whereas you can find some neat stuff, finding a deal is another thing. Of course you can bargain, so there's a chance you might walk away with something good for a decent price.

This particular market, held outdoors in front of the Tokyo International Forum, seems to be popular with tourists. The goods are a mix of vintage Japanese and imported items, from all up and down the antique gamut: glassware, knickknacks, curios, clothing, statues, and the like.

There are a few vendors selling toys, but again since most are professional sellers, I don't see much advantage over shopping at stores. Still it's a free event and an easy way to pass an hour or two before heading on to other parts of the city.

More pics from the market, after the jump:

Kamen Rider Drive Convenience Store Lottery Items

Here's a look at a lottery sale for Kamen Rider Drive goods.

Here's what's left from the sale.

You pick up one of these tickets and take it to the register to pay. The cost is 520 yen per try. Every ticket wins one of the goods on display.

Board showing which goods are remaining.

 More after the jump:

Bandai Tamashii Nations Exhibit Feb. 2015

Here's a look at the latest exhibit of current and upcoming Bandai figures. Quite a range of stuff, including Star Wars, One Piece, Ultraman, Kamen Rider, The Avengers, and lots more. Not much I can add with words this time, so I'm just going to let the photos do the talking.

 More after the jump:

Vintage Discoveries #3: Henshin Ninja Arashi Mini Notebook Sets

I don't know about you, but when I was a kid, I loved little game books, activity sets with stickers and illustrations and all that fun stuff. Likewise in the 70s in Japan, there was all kinds of cool stationery, from pencil boxes to notebooks of every size to tape rolls, erasers, etc.

Today I came across two really cool Henshin Ninja Arashi mini notebook sets. They're a few inches by a few inches across, and they pack in all kinds of stuff.

Here's the first one:

These sets were made by Banso, an excellent company that made books, stationery, and toys.

Opens as a tri-fold with lots of nice illustrations

 More after the jump: