BOOKOFF PLUS Ueno Hirokoji Store — Attraction in Tokyo

This might be one of the best book offs in the area, coming up against the one in Akihabara. The store is split across 3 floors. The most interesting floor is the second (4F) which has a wide selection of music (CDs), non fiction books, magazines, DVDs, Blu-ray's and porn. Addressing the elephant in the room, the porn area sits nearly in the middle of the shop next to the sheet music books, J-pop CDs and only spitting distance from the children's books. If you have young children keep an eye on where they wonder as there were no 18+ signs or any other indication you were wondering into the porn section.

The selection of games here are quite decent with the expected prices for Tokyo used stores. They have some old video games from Famicom to PlayStation 2 alongside newer titles. The section I found some success in was the video game music section which has been logically placed next to the video games themselves. Picking up a copy of the 30th anniversary Zelda CD for just under 1500¥. Also the Pokémon Red and Green music selection CD for a similar price. There are a lot of CDs here, many for just 100¥, with some interesting titles (expect the normal rubbish). The 500¥ section for CDs is where you will find most of the good titles. They have specific sections for metal, J-pop, pop/rock and k-pop, which makes browsing easier.

This shop is tax free if you reach around 5000¥, which can seriously reduce your total.

The staff are pleasant as always with the Off chain of stores. However like someone else stated there are no bathrooms here. The store sits near/around a restaurant that cooks fried fish, on my day of visiting the store this smell had seeped into the building making for an...

BOOKOFF PLUS Ueno Hirokoji is a real treat for anyone who loves second-hand books, comics, video games, and pop‑culture goods. The store is well‑organized, with clear signage and tidy shelves that make browsing easy and enjoyable.

Highlights:

Impressive selection of used books, including Japanese and English titles, ideal for casual readers and collectors alike.

Great variety in retro games and consoles, plus a solid lineup of recent releases, definitely a fun spot for gaming nostalgia. Prices here are very reasonable, and you can often find hidden gems at a fraction of their original cost.

The “Bookoff PLUS” concept brings a slightly more curated feel compared to smaller branches—more variety, better presentation

Room for Improvement:

Some sections, especially the video game area, can feel a bit cramped during busy times, making it hard to browse comfortably.

A few items had noticeable wear or minor damage; it would be nice to see clearer condition labels or more...

Walking into this place feels like stepping into a giant secondhand treasure chest where you never know what’s going to shine back at you. Glass cases glint with Louis Vuitton, Chanel & assorted luxury, while aisles of shoes, bags & racks of fashion span from practical to “did someone actually wear this to a disco?”

I was wandering through the sportswear section when it happened - I spotted it: an older Swallows team jersey. For a fan, it was like seeing a rare bird in the wild. Sure, you can find sneakers & handbags anywhere, but stumbling on a piece of team history? That’s the kind of win only BOOKOFF delivers.

Prices are fair, the staff are efficient & the store is big enough to reward browsing but not so overwhelming you’ll lose a day in there (unless you want to). Whether you’re here for secondhand luxury or quirky finds, this store delivers a true “what will I find next?” adventure.

Five stars, and a Swallows victory in my...