The crazy thing is, while prices were inevitably going to go up eventually, the influx of vloggers documenting the locations drove tourists to these locations, which brought prices up faster.

The cat was let out of the bag, and the more locations people vlog about, the more those locations will be priced like the tourist traps.

These prices went up and are crazy because of videos like this that got all the tourists to spend their stronger currency in Japan on the previously fairly priced items (which were cheap to the tourists). Now locals can't afford anything because all the shops are priced to take advantage of the tourist hype and stronger currency

The irony in these kinds of videos is so interesting to me lol

Who knew if YouTubers kept making content people would go buy more and push the prices up. Wild.

10:20 if the labels are written in English you know you're in the wrong place basically 😂

I want to see a series where a bunch of Japanese nerds come to the UK to tour various CEX stores.

I've always dreamed of being a retro game collector for literally my entire life. When I finally reach a point where I'm making money, everything skyrockets. Genuinely fml

Imagine literally finding the Holy Grail from Monty Python on the streets of Japan.

Thanks to vlogs like this is the reason you paying $$$

I’ve been driving around Japan for 3 months and can assure you if yi I want bargains don’t bother in Tokyo , or any main cities like Osaka etc. you need to go out to areas where there isn’t too many tourists and by car.

Love the long form video. Felt like we were there with you guys 👍

It's time to write off my vacation to Japan again!!!!!

4amLaundry will show you the secrets.

They saw the trend and jumped on it. Some people started buying them cheaply and reselling them at much higher prices, and others realized they could do the same. It's definitely difficult for retro collectors who genuinely want to enjoy the hobby but there are some stores out there selling on a reasonable price, just need to have the time to explore. Awesome video!

Yup, retro hunting was amazing prior to 2022. Before the rush of tourists and vloggers came to buy heaps of stuff to only resell in their home countries or display on their shelves, never to be touched again. That's why I never advertise where I go and how I find the real deals. Mercari has also gone to the pits.

So Elliot, what you're telling me is you need that television watch to make a convoluted way of playing video games on it.

5:10 Man I miss the sound of those crosswalks in Asakusa. Instant flashback to happiest time in my life

I was there in Tokyo April of 2025. Managed to find alot of really good deals going into the little shops in Akihabara (aka one with the yellow banner in front of Carl's Jr) finding 38 GB carts for 50 yen each. Also found some GB DMGs broken for around 3300 yen each ($29) over by the Hard-Off. Visit my friend, Jared while there & he told myself & my brother where all to go looking for deals. Ended up buying a small luggage case for 1100 yen, & filled it with games for all different consoles & even a PCE

That surugaya is the best spot and so hard to find. I scored some serious games at that spot and plan on going back this fall. Love the content!

This is next-level content. Kind of glad I am late to the party, as it gives me loads to catch-up on.