Osaka is often celebrated for its bold food culture and laid-back character, but for those with a passion for collecting or building, the city holds other treasures.
Hobby shopping is a special part of Osaka’s identity, with dedicated spaces that celebrate play, creativity and nostalgia. Two stores in particular stand out: Joshin Super Kids Land and Mandarake Grand Chaos Shop, both in Nipponbashi’s Den Den Town.
During a recent work trip to the city, I visited these two spaces to see what insight they offer into how Japan views hobbies. What I learnt is that they are not seen as small diversions but as pursuits that deserve entire floors of retail space and a culture of appreciation.
Joshin Super Kids Land: Vertical world of play
Joshin Super Kids Land is in Osaka’s equivalent of Tokyo’s Akihabara. The store rises over several floors, each dedicated to a particular aspect of hobby culture. The experience begins on the ground floor, where visitors are greeted with towering displays of model kits, many of them Gundam figures from Bandai’s Gunpla line. Shelves reach almost to the ceiling, creating the sense of an endless library of imagination.
Children can often be seen pulling their parents towards boxes of brightly coloured robots, while adult visitors pause in front of rarer kits, considering whether there is enough room in their luggage for yet another model to take back home.
Moving to the upper levels, the focus shifts to other branches of hobby culture. One floor is dedicated to radio-controlled drones and cars, where visitors can watch demonstration races on test tracks. The displays are not only for selling but for encouraging participation, and staff are quick to share advice on how to modify or maintain the machines.
Another highlight is the train section. Japan’s affection for its railway system extends into the miniature world, and here visitors find model trains ranging from sleek Shinkansen replicas to detailed suburban carriages. Accessories, tracks and scenery are sold in abundance, allowing enthusiasts to recreate entire networks in their homes.
What makes Joshin stand out is the accessibility of its collection. The store does not cater exclusively to seasoned hobbyists who airbrush fine details on models. It also welcomes beginners and casual visitors. The signage is clear, the staff are approachable, and the layout encourages exploration. For many, it feels like a museum where the exhibits can be purchased and taken home.
The floors where I felt at home were those that sold small model cars. This year, I began indulging in making Lego cars, which then led me to appreciate the smaller 1:64 scale cars. These little works of art hold so much passion and detail in each centimetre and every attempt to resemble the real things.
On these floors, I found a sea of choices: cars I had never expected to see and others I had been looking for. A family visiting from the US told me it was not their first time visiting the shop. Instead, they stop by on every visit to Osaka to buy the sought-after tiny vehicles.
There is a perception, sometimes a stereotype, that Japan and its people care deeply about the details. This is reflected in everything from the clothes they wear to the food they eat. At Joshin, I could appreciate this attention to detail and participate in it. Most hobby shops might not carry such niche products but here, I was finding items that made me feel understood.
Mandarake Grand Chaos Shop: Rows of nostalgia
While Joshin is about making and building, Mandarake is about collecting. The shop, next to Joshin in Nipponbashi, is part of a national chain specialising in second-hand anime, manga and pop culture-related goods. Its Osaka branch is a labyrinth of glass cabinets, stacked shelves and quiet corners filled with treasures.
The atmosphere is more intimate than Joshin. Lighting is deliberately low, making the displays glow like vaults of precious objects. Rows of vintage manga volumes line the walls. Retro video game cartridges sit neatly in cases. Behind glass, limited-edition figurines from series such as Dragon Ball and Neon Genesis Evangelion are displayed as if they are rare art pieces.
Visiting Mandarake is all about discovery. Prices vary widely, from affordable manga paperbacks to rare collector’s items that command significant sums. Browsing is a big part of the experience, with every aisle offering a new surprise. It is a store that rewards time and patience.
The shop is also notable for its celebration of the niche and the obscure. It does not only stock what is currently popular but preserves the long history of Japanese pop culture. For a traveller, this offers a crash course in the breadth of Japanese media. For local visitors, it is a place to reconnect with childhood favourites.
The staff contribute to the sense of immersion. Many of them wear themed outfits or accessories, and their enthusiasm is infectious. It feels less like a conventional retail space and more like a gathering point for a community of collectors.
Having been to Japan many times, I have been to Mandarake shops before, in Tokyo. But, despite being part of a chain of shops, each Mandarake offers its own unique selection of items.
Here, I was able to find professional wrestling magazines from the 1960s and 1970s which featured names such as Terry Funk and Rikidozan. My wife, on a previous trip, stumbled upon a Japanese poster for an Egyptian film starring Taheyya Kariokka. That poster now sits framed in our living room, reminding us of the joy of finding it hidden among other treasures at Mandarake.
There’s no right way to experience Mandarake. Go in hoping to find something in particular, and you might get lucky. But to truly appreciate the experience, it should be approached like a mystery box. One that will reward you no matter what your passions are.
You don’t have to love manga or anime to appreciate the hobbyist culture in Japan. Whichever kind of media or entertainment you feel attached to, there’s almost always something for you in one of these shops. The process of looking for it is just as rewarding as finding it.
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Pharaoh’s curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
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Teachers’ pay – what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here’s a rough guide as of January 2021:
– top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month – plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated ‘outstanding’ or ‘very good’, followed by American schools
– average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
– it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
– some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
– maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
– at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
– in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniThe specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
RESULTS
6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko
7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O’Meara
9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Killing of Qassem SuleimaniWHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Pathaan
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Key facilities
Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Gulf rugby
Who’s won what so far in 2018/19
Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain
What’s left
UAE Conference
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers
March 29, final
UAE Premiership
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes
March 29, final
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
The years Ramadan fell in MayThe specs
Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cylinder
Transmission: CVT auto
Power: 181bhp
Torque: 244Nm
Price: Dh122,900
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
The biog
Profession: Senior sports presenter and producer
Marital status: Single
Favourite book: Al Nabi by Jibran Khalil Jibran
Favourite food: Italian and Lebanese food
Favourite football player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Languages: Arabic, French, English, Portuguese and some Spanish
Website: www.liliane-tannoury.com
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THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
How to apply for a drone permit
Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request
What are the regulations?
Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
Should have a live feed of the drone flight
Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Zayed Sustainability PrizeMohammed bin Zayed MajlisThe Specs
Engine 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp (542bhp in GTS model)
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000 (Dh549,000 for GTS)
SPECS
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More coverage from the Future ForumReal estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
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