Book Off Super Bazaar Kawasaki Minatocho: Mega Store Guide

What Is Book Off Super Bazaar Kawasaki Minatocho

Book Off Super Bazaar 409-gou Kawasaki Minatocho (ブックオフスーパーバザー409号川崎港町店) is one of the largest second-hand mega-stores in the greater Tokyo-Yokohama area. According to the Book Off official site, the store spans 4,740 square meters of sales floor — roughly the size of a large supermarket — combining four of Japan's "Off" brand stores under one roof.

The four brands inside:

• Book Off (ブックオフ): Used books, manga, CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, and video games
• Hard Off (ハードオフ): Used electronics, musical instruments, cameras, and audio equipment
• Off House (オフハウス): Used clothing, bags, furniture, and household goods
• Hobby Off (ホビーオフ): Figures, trading cards, model kits, toys, and collectibles

This matters because most Book Off stores in Tokyo are single-brand locations — just the books and media. The Super Bazaar format gives you access to everything in one visit. The store also carries used sports equipment (surfboards, snowboards, skateboards) that smaller locations do not stock.

The store is in Kawasaki, not central Tokyo, but it is about 30 minutes by train from Shinagawa — an easy side trip for anyone staying in the Tokyo area.

What You Can Buy: Categories and Price Ranges

Books, Manga, and Media (Book Off)

The core Book Off section carries used manga, novels, art books, CDs, DVDs, and video games. Manga volumes typically start from ¥110 (~$0.70) for older titles and common series. Complete manga sets in good condition command higher prices but are still well below retail. Video games range from ¥100 for older titles to several thousand yen for recent releases in demand.

The selection depth is the key advantage over smaller stores. With 4,740 square meters, the manga and game sections alone are larger than entire standalone Book Off locations.

Electronics and Musical Instruments (Hard Off)

Hard Off carries used electronics, audio equipment, cameras, musical instruments, and computer parts. Japan's second-hand electronics market is exceptionally well-maintained — items are graded by condition and priced accordingly. Minor cosmetic scratches that would go unnoticed elsewhere can mean significant discounts on otherwise functional equipment.

Musical instruments (guitars, keyboards, drums) are a particular strength of Hard Off. Prices are substantially below new retail, and the selection often includes Japanese-market models not exported.

Clothing and Household Goods (Off House)

Off House covers used clothing from Japanese and international brands, bags, shoes, kitchenware, and small furniture. Designer items from brands like Porter, Issey Miyake, and Comme des Garcons occasionally surface at steep discounts. The clothing section is organized by type and size, making browsing manageable despite the volume.

Figures, Trading Cards, and Collectibles (Hobby Off)

Hobby Off is the destination for anime figures, Gundam models, trading cards (Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh), and vintage toys. For collectors, the appeal is finding discontinued items and limited editions that have cycled out of mainstream retail.

How to Shop: Layout and Navigation Tips

The store spans at least two floors. While a detailed floor map was not available in sources, visitors on Tokyo Cheapo recommend checking both floors thoroughly, as each has unique inventory beyond the obvious book and media sections.

Practical shopping tips:

• Visit weekday mornings for the best selection and fewest crowds. Weekend afternoons are busiest.
• Check condition ratings carefully. Items are graded by condition (A, B, C or similar). The grading is honest — a B-rated item in Japan would be considered excellent condition in most Western second-hand stores.
• Bring extra luggage space. Manga, games, and figures are compact, but electronics and clothing add up quickly.
• Sports gear peaks in October. The store specializes in used surfboards, snowboards, and skateboards. Sellers offload last season's gear before winter, and prices for snowboards range ¥4,000-70,000 (~$27-467) depending on brand and condition.

Tax-Free Shopping for Tourists

According to the Book Off official site, the store offers tax exemption for overseas tourists. Japan's consumption tax is 10%, so the tax-free option provides a meaningful discount, especially on higher-value electronics or multiple manga purchases.

How it works:

• Bring your passport to the register
• The 10% consumption tax is deducted at checkout
• Minimum purchase thresholds may apply (typically ¥5,000 for general goods)
• Items purchased tax-free should leave Japan with you

Not all Book Off locations offer tax-free service — this Kawasaki store specifically targets inbound tourists.

Getting There from Central Tokyo

By train (recommended):

From Shinagawa Station, take the Keikyu Main Line to Keikyu Kawasaki Station, then transfer to the Keikyu Daishi Line. The nearest station is Suzukicho Station (鈴木町駅), a 5-minute walk to the store. Total train time from central Tokyo is approximately 30 minutes.

Alternatively, Minatocho Station (港町駅) is 0.5 km from the store.

You can also walk from JR Kawasaki Station — about 25 minutes on foot.

By car:

The store has parking for 388 vehicles with up to 2 hours free for store visitors, even without a purchase.

From	Route	Time
Shinagawa	Keikyu Main Line → Daishi Line → Suzukicho	~30 min
Kawasaki Station	Walk	~25 min
By car	Free parking (388 spaces, 2 hrs free)	Varies

Store hours: 10:00-21:00 daily, no regular closing days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Book Off Super Bazaar Kawasaki Minatocho from Tokyo?

From Shinagawa, take the Keikyu Main Line to Keikyu Kawasaki, then transfer to the Keikyu Daishi Line to Suzukicho Station (about 30 minutes total). The store is a 5-minute walk from Suzukicho. You can also walk from JR Kawasaki Station in about 25 minutes. By car, there is free parking for 388 vehicles with 2 hours complimentary.

Is tax-free shopping available at this Book Off?

Yes. The store offers tax exemption for overseas tourists — bring your passport to the register and the 10% consumption tax is deducted. This is not available at all Book Off locations; the Kawasaki Minatocho store specifically supports inbound tourist shopping.

How big is this store and how long should I spend?

The sales floor covers 4,740 square meters across multiple floors — one of the largest Book Off locations in the Kanto region. Allow 2-3 hours for a thorough browse of all sections (books, electronics, clothing, collectibles, sports gear). The store is open 10:00-21:00 daily.

What should I buy here that I cannot find at smaller Book Off stores?

The scale is the main difference. Hard Off electronics, Off House clothing, and Hobby Off collectibles are all under one roof, which standalone Book Off locations lack. The sports gear section (surfboards, snowboards from ¥4,000) is a specialty not found at typical locations. Stock depth in manga, games, and figures far exceeds smaller stores.