Aomori has one card shop worth visiting. Most collectors never go. That's the advantage.

The Great Yorozuya Aomori Ono (4/5): decent Pokémon selection, solid prices. Not worth a detour alone, but worth a visit if you're already in the area.

Less foot traffic means less competition. Cards that disappear in an hour in Akihabara might sit in Aomori for days.

Sequence it: Sendai (Poke-do 5/5) then Aomori. A legitimate two-city Tohoku card leg. #Pokemon #Aomori #JapanTravel #Collecting

Mega Dream packs in Japan: where to find them at retail.

Card Shop Allium Osaka: 13,000 yen, no reservation, Tax Free. No friction.
Pokémon Centers: per-customer limits block scalpers. Hit multiple PKCs across multiple cities early.
Konbini (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart): packs at MSRP. Check the card rack near the registers.

Western markets inflate Mega Dream significantly. Japan retail access is wider than it looks from outside. #Pokemon #PokemonTCG #JapanTravel #Collecting

Japan Tax Free changes November 1, 2026. What it means for Pokémon collectors.

Currently: show passport at checkout, get 9% deducted immediately.

After November 2026: pay full price at checkout, claim refund at the airport before departure. Keep every Tax Free receipt organized. Budget extra airport time. Bring enough yen to cover full price upfront.

The refund amount doesn't change. The logistics do.

Go before November if you want the simpler system. #Pokemon #JapanTravel #Collecting

Corgi R Ikebukuro: 4/5. One of the better browsing experiences in the district outside Card Secret.

Nice selection, fair prices. The Nagoya branch (3.5/5) was still building stock, but staff were exceptionally warm and gave me a free pack for a Google review.

Japan card shops vary a lot on how they treat foreign visitors. Corgi R leans into genuine hospitality at both locations.

Natural next stop after Card Secret on any Ikebukuro circuit. #Pokemon #Ikebukuro #JapanTravel #PokemonTCG