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NEWS
If you are visiting Japan and looking for graded and high-value Pokémon cards, visit Trading Card Shop YK. Our shops are set up to help international customers shop with confidence. We offer service in at least eight languages, including English, Chinese, French, Korean, and Spanish, and have welcomed buyers from 77 countries. We also carry over 20,000 items and handle more than 2,700 PSA 10 cards a year.
*Figures are as of September 2026.
• You want to enjoy shopping for Pokémon cards in Tokyo, even if you do not speak Japanese.
• You would like detailed advice when buying Pokémon cards.
• You want to find Japanese cards or sealed booster boxes.
If any of these apply to you, Trading Card Shop YK can help you find what you are looking for. Read on to learn more.
One of our greatest strengths is our ability to serve international visitors in multiple languages. More than half of our customer-facing staff are non-Japanese, and we can communicate in at least eight languages. So, no matter where you come from, clear communication in a language you understand helps you shop with confidence.
• Supported languages:
At least eight languages, including English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese.
• International customers:
We have served visitors to Japan from 77 countries.
Many of the trading cards we sell are high-value items. Helping customers buy with confidence requires more than language skills: it also takes careful communication backed by specialist knowledge. This level of multilingual service is hard to deliver, and we believe it is not easy to copy.
• Language skills combined with expertise:
Our communication brings together language proficiency and specialist knowledge.
To make our multilingual service possible, more than half of our customer-facing team consists of international staff. We invest in recruitment and training so that our service reflects not only language skills but also an understanding of international customers’ cultural backgrounds and business practices.
Employing international staff requires additional arrangements beyond routine shop operations, including:
• Obtaining and managing visas and handling immigration procedures
• Working with a licensed immigration specialist (gyoseishoshi) to keep employment compliant
• Maintaining an ongoing focus on recruiting staff with language skills
Our rigorous selection process places particular importance on a love of cards and a shared commitment to offering customers items of real value. By employing multilingual staff who also deliver excellent customer service, we create an environment where customers can shop with confidence.
Our multilingual approach extends beyond in-store service to the information we share. We run a separate English-language Instagram account to introduce our products and shops to international customers. Many customers contact us or visit after finding us there.
• Social media:
Our English-language Instagram account shares product information and highlights what our shops have to offer.
• Wider reach:
Visits and posts by international celebrities and influencers help more people discover us through social media.
With staff who may come from your home country or speak a language other than Japanese, we aim to make every step, from entering the shop to completing your purchase, go smoothly. If an item turns out to have been resealed, we will accept a return and issue a refund if we can review a video of the item being opened. To request a return, contact us by Instagram or X direct message. If you have already left Japan, we will generally refund the purchase price.
*Returns require proof of purchase, such as a receipt.
We make every effort to ensure visitors to Japan can shop smoothly and get good value. As a tax-free shop, we can also offer international visitors better prices.
Our checkout and tax-free processing systems guide eligible customers smoothly through the in-store tax-free procedure. Under the current tax-free shopping system, purchases of ¥5,000 or more before tax (¥5,500 or more including tax) qualify for tax-free treatment. Many customers spend above this threshold and can benefit from tax-free shopping.
From November 1, 2026, Japan’s tax-free shopping system will change to a refund method. Under the new system, customers will pay the tax-inclusive price in store and receive a refund of the consumption tax amount after their purchases have been checked by customs when departing Japan. After the system changes, we will continue to explain the in-store steps clearly.
Pokémon cards are released around the world in different languages, and Japanese-language cards are especially popular with collectors worldwide. However, customers living overseas often find it difficult to obtain Japan-only preorder products on their own, and many products are available only through physical shops.
By consistently stocking these items, we offer a place to discover products you can find only in Japan.
The current weakness of the yen gives international customers a significant advantage when buying Japanese products. Combined with tax-free shopping, it makes our products available at particularly attractive prices for customers from overseas.
Our shops are in Akihabara, an area with many trading card shops close together. This makes them convenient for international visitors who want to visit several shops efficiently during a limited stay.
Trading Card Shop YK accepts reservations for store visits. Booking in advance is a good way to ensure time for a detailed consultation.
▼Trading Card Shop YK Store Visit Reservations
https://ykworld.co.jp/en/store-reservation/
For international visitors coming to Japan to find specific rare cards during a short stay, we closely connect our social media channels with our online store to help them secure their purchases and avoid missing out.
Multilingual consultations before your visit help address the worry that the card you want might sell out before you arrive.
Many overseas collectors and buyers research carefully before leaving for Japan and visit Akihabara specifically to buy particular cards. However, the trading card market moves quickly, and finding that a desired card has already sold out is a major concern. We help address this uncertainty before your visit.
• Multilingual consultations before your visit:
We receive many inquiries from overseas through our English-language Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts and our official website.
• Up-to-date stock checks:
Our knowledgeable staff answer specific questions such as “Is this card in stock?” and “What condition is it in?” in a language you understand.
Even if your trip is still some time away, you can pay online in advance. We will hold the card you want until your visit, and you can pick it up in store.
• Secure your item by completing payment:
Tell us which card you want by Instagram or X direct message, or through the contact form on our website. We will set it up for payment on our online store, and once you pay online, the card is secured for you.
• Safe storage in store:
Once payment is complete, we keep your card safely in store until your visit and hand it to you when you arrive. Please note that orders cannot be cancelled once payment is complete, as card prices change with the market.
Pokémon cards are sold worldwide, but Japanese cards and factory-sealed booster boxes are especially popular with collectors worldwide. We carry a broad range of both current and older Japanese boxes that are difficult to obtain overseas.
For international tourists visiting Japan, physical shops such as ours provide a valuable and highly reliable way to obtain Japanese booster boxes.
Japanese boxes are extremely popular worldwide, yet purchasing them from overseas can be challenging. Preordering or purchasing from official Japanese stores, such as Pokémon Centers, often requires a Japanese address, making it very difficult for overseas customers to secure these products themselves. This is why shops where customers can inspect items and buy them on the spot are so important.
We stock our shops so that overseas customers can find what they came to Japan for. Many seek specific older boxes as well as the latest releases, while collectors who buy as an investment place particular importance on whether a box is unopened and retains its original shrink wrap. We focus on both selection and condition to meet these different needs.
• A comprehensive selection:
We stock the latest booster boxes alongside dozens of older ones released over the past several years.
• A focus on original shrink wrap:
For collectors who buy as an investment, we maintain a reliable supply of factory-sealed booster boxes. Individual booster packs are also a core part of our range for customers who simply want to enjoy opening cards.
From top-grade cards such as PSA 10 and BGS Black Label to hard-to-find old back (kyuura) cards, non-retail cards, and promotional cards, our extensive stock caters to collectors’ specific interests.
Pokémon cards make up a large share of the trading card market. Within this category, we specialize in buying and selling premium cards that are both collectible and investment-grade, rather than cards mainly for play.
• Top-grade cards from PSA and BGS:
We offer a wide selection of top-quality cards graded by the market’s most trusted grading companies, including PSA 10 and the even harder-to-achieve BGS Black Label. We handle over 2,700 PSA 10 cards annually. This lets us serve both collectors and customers who buy cards as an investment.
• From old back cards to the latest rarities:
Across nearly 30 years of Pokémon card history, old back (kyuura) cards, which have the original Japanese card back, are especially popular with overseas collectors. We also consistently stock sought-after recent cards in rarities such as SAR, AR, UR, and the even rarer MUR (Mega Ultra Rare).
• A reliable supply of sealed booster boxes:
Sealed Japanese booster boxes with shrink wrap, which can be extremely difficult to obtain overseas, are another core product category. We handle over 9,700 sealed boxes annually.
Even in Akihabara, where many card shops compete, our inventory of over 20,000 items gives customers confidence and a reason to visit.
• A treasure trove for collectors:
Our displays of rare, high-value cards have earned us a reputation among collectors in Japan and abroad as a shop where they can always find something interesting. This also draws influencers and celebrities to our stores.
We carry many popular and rare cards featuring Pokémon such as Pikachu, Charizard, Umbreon, Gengar, Eevee, Mewtwo, Lucario, Rayquaza, and Gardevoir. Each year, we handle more than 1,300 Pikachu cards and 560 Charizard cards (raw and PSA 10 combined).
By applying the Japanese market’s strict standards for card condition, we have established a reputation as a shop where customers can confidently buy Japanese cards in excellent condition.
The Japanese and overseas markets differ fundamentally in how they assess card condition. Japanese collectors tend to inspect cards in minute detail. Even slight surface scuffs or tiny scratches on the back directly affect a card’s assessment, so cards must meet extremely high standards to be sold as in “excellent condition” in Japan. Our quality control, refined by these exacting Japanese standards, delivers an exceptional level of quality.
By consistently meeting the Japanese market’s highly detailed requirements, our staff have developed a very sharp eye for condition.
Our extensive selection of top-grade cards, particularly PSA 10 and BGS Black Label, helps make our shops a destination for collectors around the world who care deeply about condition.
Our reputation as a place to confidently buy Japanese cards in excellent condition has spread overseas through social media and word of mouth. This is why international customers continue to come directly to us in search of that quality.
For collectors searching for a special card of their own, we operate two easily accessible street-level locations in Akihabara: Store 1 and Store 2.
• Core product range:
We regularly stock top-grade cards such as PSA 10 and BGS Black Label, old back (kyuura) cards, recent SAR and AR cards, and sealed booster boxes popular with overseas customers, as well as individual booster packs.
• A space to enjoy the experience:
We value approachable customer service. Through conversations with our staff, you can take your time searching for the card you came for, old back (kyuura) cards, or the latest rare cards.
• Entertainment with original mystery packs:
Our store-created mystery packs, known as “oripa,” let customers experience the fun of opening cards and the joy of collecting, helping make our shops a destination for collectors.
1. Trading Card Shop YK Akihabara Store 1
Address: 1F, Dai-2 Nagashima Building, 3-2-3 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
Hours: Daily 12:00–20:00
Our shop is located at street level in Akihabara.
The shop carries over 20,000 cards, including graded and rare cards.
2. Trading Card Shop YK Akihabara Store 2
Address: 1F, 4-6-10 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan
Hours: Daily 10:00–21:00
Store 2 is also located at street level in Akihabara.
The shop carries over 20,000 cards, including graded and rare cards.
Follow these steps to make your purchase.
| Step 1 | Choose the item you want from the display case and ask a staff member for assistance. |
|---|---|
| Step 2 | A staff member will take out the item. Please check the condition of the card and its case. |
| Step 3 | Pay at the register and collect your item. For tax-free purchases, we will check your passport and complete the in-store tax-free procedure (see Q3 for details, including changes from November 1, 2026). |
Once you have selected your items, the purchase process usually takes about five minutes per card.
*The time required may vary depending on the number of cards and how busy the shop is.
Present your passport in store. Purchases of ¥5,000 or more before tax (¥5,500 or more including tax) qualify for tax-free shopping. For purchases made on or after November 1, 2026, you pay the tax-inclusive price in store, and the consumption tax is refunded after customs checks your purchases when you leave Japan.
Our checkout and tax-free processing systems guide eligible customers smoothly through the in-store tax-free procedure.
Yes. If your visit is still some time away, tell us which card you want by Instagram or X direct message, or through the contact form on our website. We will set it up for payment on our online store. Once you pay online, we keep the card safely in store until your visit. Please note that orders cannot be cancelled once payment is complete, as card prices change with the market.
You can shop with confidence even if you do not speak Japanese. More than half of our customer-facing staff are international staff, and we offer service in at least eight languages, including the following:
English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese
We accept the following payment methods.
| Card payments | Visa, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, UnionPay, and contactless card payments |
|---|---|
| Electronic payments | iD, Rakuten Edy, QUICPay, nanaco, WAON, transit IC cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPay, Yucho Pay, Bank Pay, Alipay, WeChat Pay, and UnionPay QR |
We recommend choosing a shop that meets the following three criteria.
1. Multilingual service backed by Pokémon card expertise
Multilingual service is essential for international visitors who want to buy Pokémon cards smoothly and with confidence. Receiving explanations about prices and condition in a familiar language helps you make an informed choice and enjoy shopping. It is also important that staff have specialist knowledge of Pokémon cards. This expertise enables them to answer your questions accurately and offer appropriate advice when you buy. Knowledgeable staff who can address your uncertainties and questions are essential to a confident purchase.
Trading Card Shop YK actively recruits international staff and offers service in at least eight languages. We also prioritize a love of cards when hiring, so our team has extensive Pokémon card knowledge. This combination of multilingual service and expertise has helped us welcome customers from 77 countries.
2. Tax-free shopping
To save money, choose a shop that offers tax-free shopping. Japan’s consumption tax rate is 10%, and purchases of ¥5,000 or more before tax (¥5,500 or more including tax) qualify for tax-free treatment. The more you spend, the larger the consumption tax amount becomes, so shopping at a store that offers tax-free purchases helps you make better use of your card-buying budget. From November 1, 2026, Japan’s tax-free shopping system will change to a refund method. Under the new system, customers will pay the tax-inclusive price in store and receive a refund of the consumption tax amount after their purchases have been checked by customs when departing Japan.
Trading Card Shop YK uses checkout and tax-free processing systems to guide eligible customers smoothly through the necessary tax-free procedures.
3. A wide product selection
Choosing a shop with an extensive range is also important when you want to find the items you are truly looking for. Comparing a variety of options makes it easier to choose products you will be happy with.
Trading Card Shop YK carries over 20,000 items and offers a wide selection of Japanese booster boxes, from the latest releases to past favorites.
For more information, please read the following article:
How International Visitors Can Choose a Pokémon Card Shop in Tokyo
Japanese card shops offer a wide range of products, including:
• Japanese-language cards
• Booster boxes released for the Japanese market
• Rare early old back (kyuura) cards
• Cards graded by PSA, BGS, and other grading companies
• Japan-exclusive promotional cards
The Japanese market also tends to apply strict standards when assessing card condition. As a result, shopping in Japan may give you access to cards in exceptionally fine condition.
Trading Card Shop YK stocks a diverse range of products, including items that are difficult to obtain outside Japan.
Examples of products we stock
| Japanese-language cards | Pikachu, Charizard, Umbreon, Gengar, Eevee, Mewtwo, Lucario, Rayquaza, Gardevoir, and more |
|---|---|
| Japanese booster boxes | Dozens of boxes released over the past several years, including the latest releases *Many are factory-sealed. |
| Rare cards including old back cards | Old back (kyuura) cards, non-retail cards, and promotional cards |
| Cards in various rarities | Recent sought-after cards in rarities such as SAR, AR, UR, and the even rarer MUR (Mega Ultra Rare) |
| Graded cards | Top-grade cards such as PSA 10 and BGS Black Label |
Check the following points in advance to enjoy shopping with peace of mind.
To buy authentic products with confidence:
• Who checks authenticity, and how do they do it?
• Is there a guarantee if an item turns out to be counterfeit?
For a smooth and reassuring purchase:
• Is multilingual service available?
• Will staff with Pokémon card expertise assist you?
At Trading Card Shop YK, about 10 dedicated authentication staff with experience examining vast numbers of cards carry out reliable authenticity checks.
If a product you purchased from us is confirmed to be counterfeit, we will accept a return and issue a refund in accordance with our store policy.
If an item turns out to have been resealed, we will accept a return and issue a refund if we can review a video of the item being opened. To request a return, contact us by Instagram or X direct message. If you have already left Japan, we will generally refund the purchase price.
*Returns require proof of purchase, such as a receipt.
We also actively recruit international staff who love Pokémon cards and can provide service in at least eight languages. Their enthusiasm brings extensive knowledge, so please feel free to ask them anything.
To avoid disappointment after your purchase, check the following:
• Shrink-wrap condition:
Check the tightness and feel of the shrink wrap and whether it has air holes. Also look for warping, gaps, or unnatural creases in the box.
• The shop’s reliability:
Check not only the shop’s transaction volume but also reviews from people who have actually visited.
• The policy on resealed items:
Check the shop’s official website or social media, or contact the shop directly.
In addition to our customer service staff, Trading Card Shop YK has about 10 dedicated authentication staff who professionally inspect both the shrink wrap and the boxes themselves.
We sell a large selection of sealed booster boxes and handle over 9,700 boxes annually.
If an item turns out to have been resealed, we will accept a return and issue a refund if we can review a video of the item being opened. To request a return, contact us by Instagram or X direct message. If you have already left Japan, we will generally refund the purchase price.
*Returns require proof of purchase, such as a receipt.
Trading Card Shop YK provides service in at least eight languages, including English, Chinese, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Korean, and Japanese, and has served customers from 77 countries to date. We also carry over 20,000 graded and high-value Pokémon cards and handle more than 2,700 PSA 10 cards annually. Visit us to see the distinctive selection offered by a shop specializing in premium, investment-grade collectible cards.
When making a purchase, please let us know if:
• You are concerned that an item might have been resealed.
• You would like advice on which product to buy.
• You would like a detailed explanation of a card’s condition in your native language.
Please feel free to share these or any other concerns with us. Wherever you are visiting from, our staff will do everything they can to help you shop with confidence.
Our store opening hours are as follows:
Trading Card Shop YK Akihabara Store 1
Daily 12:00–20:00
Trading Card Shop YK Akihabara Store 2
Daily 10:00–21:00
Trading Card Room Akihabara
Daily 12:00–20:00
*Actual opening hours and service availability may vary. Please check our official X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram account before visiting.
▼X
https://x.com/collector_2023
▼Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/tradingcardshop_yk
Trading Card Shop YK accepts reservations for store visits. Booking in advance is a good way to ensure time for a detailed consultation.
▼Trading Card Shop YK Store Visit Reservations
https://ykworld.co.jp/en/store-reservation/
You can also ask about products and other matters through our contact form or by phone. If there is anything you would like to check before visiting, please feel free to contact us.
▼Contact Form
https://ykworld.co.jp/en/contact/
▼Phone
+81 50-5530-0772
CONTACT
For any inquiries or requests regarding our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Contact us