Researched guide · Checked on Nov 6, 2026
Nakano is Tokyo’s anime, manga and collector town, just 10 minutes from Shinjuku. Nakano Broadway, a retro shopping complex from 1966, is packed with shops for manga, figures, retro toys and vintage watches, and the alleys around the station are full of small izakaya and restaurants. Add a quiet temple and a park of philosophy, and it makes an easy half day.
Quick answer
Getting there: Nakano Station (JR Chuo and Sobu lines, Tokyo Metro Tozai Line)
Time needed: Half a day
Best time: Afternoon for shopping, evening for the izakaya alleys
Anime shops: Lashinbang 11:00–20:00, Mandarake 12:00–20:00, both open daily
Good for: Anime and manga, collectibles, retro shopping and casual food
Plan Your Visit to Nakano
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Overview
| Getting there | Nakano Station (JR Chuo and Sobu lines, Tokyo Metro Tozai Line) |
| Time needed | Half a day |
| Best time | Afternoon for shopping, evening for the izakaya alleys |
| Good for | Anime and manga, collectibles, retro shopping and casual food |
Best Things to Do
Nakano Broadway
Opened in 1966, Nakano Broadway is a retro shopping complex known for anime, manga and subculture shops such as Mandarake and Lashinbang, with figures, cosplay goods, old books, retro toys and games. It also has many vintage and luxury watch shops. Hobby shops fill the 2nd to 4th floors, general shops the 1st floor, and there is a supermarket in the basement. It is generally open from 10:00 to 20:00, but hours vary by shop. It is about 5 minutes on foot north of Nakano Station, and there is no parking.
Anime Shops: Mandarake and Lashinbang
Mandarake and Lashinbang are the two big names for anime and manga fans at Nakano Broadway. Neither opens at 10:00, so plan to arrive around midday. The official Broadway directory lists about 200 shops in the building, more than 80 of them under subculture.
| Mandarake | Lashinbang | |
|---|---|---|
| Hours | 12:00–20:00, open every day | 11:00–20:00, daily |
| Where | Many small shops on the 1st to 4th floors | 2nd floor |
| What to look for | Manga at the main shop on the 3rd floor, cards and cosplay on the 2nd floor, anime goods on the 4th floor | Classic and vintage anime goods, illustration books, manga, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays and figures |
| Tax-free | Check at the shop | Listed as available on its website |
Hours are from each company’s website. The Broadway directory shows 12:00 for Lashinbang’s sections, so go after 12:00 if you want every section open.
Nakano Sun Mall
This 224-meter covered shopping arcade runs north from the North Exit of Nakano Station to Nakano Broadway. Along it and nearby are vintage clothing and music shops, cafés, restaurants, game arcades and karaoke.
Araiyakushi Baishoin
Founded in 1586, this Buddhist temple is said to help with eye problems and child-rearing. Its grounds are full of cherry trees in spring, fire (goma) ceremonies are held on the 8th, 18th and 28th of each month, and an antiques fair fills the grounds on the first Sunday of each month. It is open from 9:00 to 16:00, about 5 minutes on foot from Araiyakushi-mae Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line.
Tetsugakudo Park
Founded in 1904 by the philosopher Inoue Enryo, this unusual park has 77 small buildings, statues and spots, each named after an idea from philosophy. Admission is free. It is open from 8:00 to 17:00 (hours change by season), closed December 29 to 31, and about 12 minutes on foot from the North Exit of Araiyakushi-mae Station.
Nakano Central Park
Close to Nakano Broadway, this park is popular with families, and flea markets and food festivals are held here almost every weekend.
Food & Drink
The small alleys (yokocho) around Nakano Station are full of izakaya and restaurants serving sushi, ramen and other classics. A few places named by GO TOKYO:
- Nadai Unatoto serves affordable eel (unagi) dishes, with an English menu.
- Fujun Kissa Dope is a retro café known for ice cream floats and thick Napolitan spaghetti.
- JUKE 80’s is a request bar with about 40,000 songs, mostly from the 1980s.
- TOTOTO Pizza serves pizza and other classic Italian dishes.
See our Nakano restaurant list, our izakaya guide and cafés in Tokyo.
Best Restaurants in Nakano
Affordable eel rice bowls near Nakano Station, with an English menu, open until 22:00 or 23:00.
- English menu
- Reservations: see details
Shopping
- Manga and anime: Mandarake and Lashinbang in Nakano Broadway for used manga, figures and collectibles.
- Retro toys and games: specialty shops across the Broadway’s upper floors.
- Watches: vintage and luxury watch shops such as JACKROAD and Universal Value.
- Cameras: Fujiya Camera near the Sun Mall sells new and used cameras.
- Everyday shopping: Don Quijote near the Sun Mall for snacks and souvenirs.
See also our Ueno and Akihabara guide for more anime shopping, and Tokyo souvenirs and shopping.
Where to Stay
Nakano is a short ride from Shinjuku, Tokyo’s biggest hotel area, on the JR Chuo Line. Staying in Shinjuku puts you about 10 minutes away. See Best hotels in Shinjuku and Where to stay in Tokyo.
Getting There
- Train: Nakano Station is on the JR Chuo and Sobu lines and the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line.
- From Shinjuku: about 10 minutes on the JR Chuo Line.
- From Shibuya: JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku, then the JR Chuo Line, about 14 minutes.
- From Tokyo Station: about 25 minutes on the JR Chuo Line.
- From the airports: about 55 minutes by train from Haneda, or about 2 hours from Narita.
- For Araiyakushi and Tetsugakudo: use Araiyakushi-mae Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line.
New to Tokyo trains? See Trains in Tokyo and How to use Suica.
Suggested Itinerary
An afternoon and evening in Nakano:
- AfternoonNakano Sun Mall
- 5 min walk
- Nakano Broadway
- Walk
- Late afternoonNakano Central Park
- Walk
- EveningIzakaya alleys near the station
Add Koenji, one stop west, for more vintage shops: see our Koenji guide.
Travel Tips
- Hours vary by shop inside Nakano Broadway, so check the shop’s own website if you are going for a particular store.
- Ask before taking pictures inside a shop.
- Going for anime shops? Arrive after 12:00, when both Mandarake and Lashinbang are open.
- Nakano Broadway is closed on the third Wednesday in February.
- Combine Nakano with Koenji or Kichijoji on the same JR Chuo Line.
Comparing areas? See 23 Tokyo neighborhoods side by side in Tokyo neighborhoods compared.
FAQ
What is Nakano known for?
Nakano Broadway, a 1966 shopping complex full of anime, manga, collectibles and vintage watch shops, plus small izakaya alleys near the station.
How far is Nakano from Shinjuku?
About 10 minutes on the JR Chuo Line.
What time does Mandarake in Nakano open?
Mandarake Nakano is open 12:00–20:00 every day.
Where is Lashinbang in Nakano?
On the 2nd floor of Nakano Broadway, about 5 minutes on foot from the North Exit of Nakano Station. Its website lists daily hours of 11:00–20:00.
Is Nakano Broadway good for anime fans?
Yes. It has large shops such as Mandarake and Lashinbang for used manga, figures and collectibles.
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Sources
Information comes from the official sources below (checked October 19, 2026; anime shop details checked November 6, 2026). Shops and hours change, so please check before you go.
