Junk Vintage Lens Hunting in Tokyo

Japan still seems to be a treasure trove for vintage Nikon cameras and Nikkor lenses but it may not be the same level of surplus that it once was, especially for junk items. Central Tokyo's normal outlets have started to get more recognition for tourists and locals alike hunting for bargains and heres a few of popular stores.

Shinjuku West

There is a cluster of shops called Nishi-Shinjuku Camera district that is just south of the Shinjuku Post Office and near the Yodabashi Camera store.

Used Camera Box
This is probably the top pick of this area but you can miss the entrance to this basement dwelling shop - its entrance is set back from the street and next to the curry shop with a 7 Eleven on the corner.



It is a cramped shop stacked floor to ceiling with a dedicated junk section on the far wall and some assorted junk crates. Prices are a bit high and theres not a lot uncommon Nikkor lenses at the time of visit with manual 50mms.


• Used Camera Market
  A better arranged shop with similar name to the Use CAmera Box but smaller selection of items but limited to no junk.
  
  
  
  Its upstairs above an ABC Mart.
  
  
• Map Camera
  A multi floor shop with dedicated floor-brand layout. No junk at the time of visit.
  
  
  
  
• Five Star Camera
  This store used to have a dedicated junk section but unfortunately that was no longer available with it being repalced with CCD point/shoots in the basement. Upstairs there is other used cameras and lenses but no real bargains.
  
  
  
  

Shinjuku East

• Lucky Camera
  Good selection with some uncommon lenses in good condition - junk bins by the entrance is very limited.
  
  
  
  
• Kitamura Camera
  Good selection over multiple floors and a building that feels much more upmarket but reflected in higher prices for non-junk items.
  
  
  
  
  “Non perfect” items are on the 3rd floor and they’re laid out in cabinets like the rest of the store. Ok selection when I was there but no massive bargains.
  
  

Akihi

• Lemon-Sha
  Small shop upstairs. Not a bad selection of Nikkors with mostly common lenses. The most uncommon lens I saw at the time was a 20mm f4 ais and plenty of 50mm and 28mms.
  
  
  
  
  Staff members speak a little English and accept foreign credit card via Apple Pay
  
  
• Nisshin Camera
  Seems like a specialist place - not many Nikkors although a few vintage good condition Nikon cameras. Very well laid out and everything displayed beautifully. Just around the corner and over the bridge from Lemon-Sha and Yodabashi. Junk bin was fairly empty just after opening midweek.
  
  
  

Nakano

• Fujiya Camera Junk Hall
  This is on the same street as their other 2 stores that sell new and used items but this store is a dedicated "junk" shop. Stock rotates frequently so we can’t judge the junk supply although at the time (right after 1030 opening midweek) there were limited AI/AI-S lenses in the bins and a couple of Nikkor AF-D micro lens for reasonable prices. There are a few cabinets that need the store clerk to open which had a couple of pre-AI 50mm f/1.4 at ¥5000 which had only light fungus but were cheaper than some of the items in the open junk bins.
  
  The store also carries lens caps and used (and categorised) lens hoods for about ¥1500.
  
  
  
  They also had a few of the Japan hobby craft items including grease, lens openers, rubber tools and suction - prices are MUCH better than Yodabashi for these items
  
  Accepts foreign credit cards - paid via Apple Pay although there’s a 7 Eleven with atm across the alleyway

Whilst there are some pickings and some interesting non-common lenses (there was a 15mm f/3.5 AI-S), the junk bins are not plentiful but perhaps to be expected. The other stores such as Hard Off were bare of useful junk so its important to set your expectations for junk hunting in Tokyo.