Looking for Showa-era retro toys and nostalgic Japanese collectibles in Shinjuku?

Located in Shinjuku-sanchome, GORIMARU Vintage Collection offers a changing selection of retro toys, figures, sofubi, tin toys, character goods, and other vintage collectibles.

The appeal of Showa retro is not simply that the items are old.

Colors, packaging, typography, materials, and designs from the era often have a character that feels very different from modern products.

For some visitors, these items bring back memories from childhood. For others, especially younger collectors, the attraction comes from discovering a style and culture from another time.

Vintage Sofubi and Character Toys

Sofubi, or Japanese soft vinyl toys, are one of the most recognizable areas of retro toy collecting.

Godzilla, Ultraman, classic monsters, and many other Japanese characters have appeared as sofubi figures over the decades.

Collectors may also recognize names such as Bullmark, Marusan, and Popy among classic Japanese toy makers.

Even the same character can look completely different depending on the manufacturer, era, color, and size.

You may also come across nostalgic character items related to Astro Boy, Doraemon, Perman, and other long-loved Japanese manga and anime series.

Chogokin and Classic Robot Toys

Die-cast robot toys are another memorable part of Japanese Showa-era pop culture.

Characters such as Mazinger Z and classic Chogokin toys from Popy remain popular with collectors who remember them from childhood, as well as those discovering them for the first time.

Some people search for a toy they once owned, while others finally collect something they wanted but could not have when they were younger.

Vintage toys may be boxed, incomplete, or show signs of age and play. Those differences are part of what makes each piece unique.

Tin Toys and Vintage Promotional Items

Retro collecting goes beyond figures and robots.

Wind-up tin toys, old promotional goods, company novelties, and vintage character merchandise can also offer a glimpse into everyday Japanese culture from the past.

Old logos, advertisements, packaging, and graphic design often make these items interesting even beyond the characters themselves.

Sometimes the fun comes from wondering where an item came from and how it was originally used.

Nostalgia Beyond the Showa Era

Retro collecting is gradually expanding beyond the Showa period.

Early Heisei toys, character goods, and gaming-related items are also beginning to feel nostalgic to a new generation of collectors.

What feels nostalgic depends on when you grew up.

You may suddenly see something that reminds you of your childhood home, a friend’s room, or an item you always wanted.

That personal connection is part of the charm of vintage collecting.

Explore the Rental Showcases

GORIMARU Vintage Collection features multiple rental showcases, with items selected by individual showcase owners as well as the store’s own selection.

Each showcase can have a different theme, so browsing them one by one can lead to unexpected discoveries.

You may start by looking for sofubi and notice an old robot toy, a character bank, or a strange piece of Japanese memorabilia you have never seen before.

Many vintage items are one of a kind, and the selection changes regularly.

The brands and characters mentioned here are examples and are not guaranteed to be available at all times.

If you are exploring vintage shops or collectible stores around Shinjuku and Shinjuku-sanchome, stop by and enjoy looking through the showcases.

You may find something that brings back an old memory—or something completely unfamiliar that becomes your next favorite collectible.