Best Places to Buy K-Pop & Anime Merch in Seoul & Tokyo

If you’re obsessed with K-pop and anime, then Seoul and Tokyo are basically paradise. Imagine walking into a store filled with shelves stacked with your favourite albums, photocards, and light sticks, or discovering rare anime figurines you never thought you’d see in real life. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, if you're heading to these two cities, it's time to make that dream a reality. Here’s your ultimate guide to scoring the best K-pop and anime merch while exploring Seoul and Tokyo!

Also read: Ghibli in Real Life: Must-See Places in Japan That Inspired the Iconic Films

Seoul: the ultimate K-pop shopping experience

1. Myeongdong underground shopping center

Image credit: Jezael Melgoza | Unsplash

Let’s start with a spot that’s budget-friendly but still packed with goodies—Myeongdong underground shopping center. Located right under the bustling streets of Myeongdong, this place is a goldmine for affordable K-pop merch. You’ll find everything from posters and keychains to fan-made goodies that you won’t see anywhere else. If you love collecting bias photocards, this place has plenty of them, often at a steal.

📍 Location: Myeongdong Station (Line 4, Exit 6)

💰 Price range: ₩5,000 – ₩50,000 (₱210 – ₱2,100)

2. Ktown4u

Image credit: Ktown4usph | FB page

If you're after official albums with exclusive pre-order benefits, Ktown4u should be at the top of your list. This place is well-known among hardcore K-pop stans because they often have signed albums, rare photocards, and even tickets for fan meetings. Plus, they ship internationally, so if you fall in love with something but don’t want to carry it back home, you can just order it online.

📍 Location: Dongdaemun Hyundai City Outlets

💰 Price range: ₩10,000 – ₩60,000 (₱420 – ₱2,520)

3. SMTOWN &STORE

Image credit: SM TOWN | FB page

SM Entertainment fans, this one’s for you. If you stan EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, or aespa, you need to check out SMTOWN &STORE. From stylish hoodies to exclusive artist-designed items, this store is packed with official goodies you won’t find anywhere else. Even if you’re not a hardcore SM stan, it’s still worth checking out just to see the cool displays.

📍 Location: Coex Artium, Gangnam💰 Price range: ₩15,000 – ₩100,000+ (₱630 – ₱4,200+)

4. Hongdae street shops

Image credit: Seoul Korea | Flickr

Hongdae is the place to be for indie and fan-made K-pop merch. The street shops here sell everything from aesthetic tote bags and enamel pins to trendy K-pop-inspired clothing. If you want something unique that screams “I’m a K-pop fan but make it fashion,” Hongdae won’t disappoint.

📍 Location: Hongdae Shopping Street

💰 Price range: ₩5,000 – ₩30,000 (₱210 – ₱1,260)

Tokyo: a haven for anime lovers

1. Akihabara – the anime capital

Image credit: Y S | Unsplash

If you love anime, Akihabara is going to feel like home. This district is packed with anime stores, gaming arcades, and maid cafes, making it an experience on its own. Mega-stores like Animate and Mandarake have everything from Blu-rays and manga to exclusive merch that you can’t find outside Japan. If you’re into figure collecting, get ready to spend hours browsing through limited-edition pieces.

📍 Location: Akihabara, Chiyoda City

💰 Price range: ¥500 – ¥50,000+ (₱190 – ₱19,000+)

2. Ikebukuro’s Otome Road

Image credit: Tagstock1 | Canva Pro

Otome Road in Ikebukuro is perfect for fans of BL (Boys’ Love) anime, rare doujinshi, and collector’s items. This area has stores like K-BOOKS and Mandarake that specialise in niche anime merch. Even if you’re not a hardcore collector, it’s still fun to browse through all the unique finds.

📍 Location: Ikebukuro, Toshima City

💰 Price range: ¥1,000 – ¥20,000 (₱380 – ₱7,600)

3. Shibuya PARCO – Nintendo & Pokémon store

Image credit: Thao Nguyen | Flickr

If you're into gaming and anime, then Shibuya PARCO is a must-visit. It’s home to the Pokémon Center, where you can grab exclusive plushies, accessories, and even limited-edition collabs. Right next to it is the Nintendo Tokyo store, where you can find rare Nintendo Switch accessories, Mario merch, and everything in between.

📍 Location: Shibuya, Tokyo

💰 Price range: ¥1,500 – ¥15,000 (₱570 – ₱5,700)

4. Nakano Broadway

Image credit: camknows | Flickr

Nakano Broadway is a hidden gem for anime and manga collectors. This multi-level shopping complex is packed with small anime shops selling vintage manga, figures, and rare collectibles. If you love the thrill of finding old-school anime merch, you’ll love this place.

📍 Location: Nakano, Tokyo

💰 Price range: ¥1,000 – ¥30,000 (₱380 – ₱11,400)

Also read: 10 Real-Life Anime Locations in Japan Every Filipino Otaku Must Visit

Final tips for K-pop & anime shopping

• Check for limited editions – Some items are only sold in specific stores, so if you see something you love, grab it before it’s gone.

• Bring cash & cards – Some stores prefer cash, while others accept credit cards or IC cards (T-Money, Suica, etc.).

• Shop early – The most popular merch sells out fast, so arriving early gives you a better chance of finding what you want.

Whether you’re in Seoul hunting for your bias’s latest album or in Tokyo searching for a rare anime figure, these cities are packed with must-visit spots for every fan. So, which one’s on your travel bucket list?