Manga Souko: The Ultimate Treasure Trove in Okinawa
Living in Japan allowed me to learn a lot more about the country. We all think we know what Japan is like, but we don’t have any idea. Once I had the opportunity to live there for three years, I realized it was a dream I didn’t even know I ever had. Okinawa had so many things to do and see that I wouldn’t have expected.
As I shared in my previous blog about Okinawa, I fell in love with the country during my time there. The food was unbelievable, the views of beautiful seas and lush greenery were spectacular, and the overall experience was freeing. This may surprise you, but what I miss most from my time in Okinawa was my favorite thrift shop, Manga Souko.
I know it’s a little odd, but hear me out. If you’ve been there, you understand. For readers who have never been or even heard of the place, it’s anime lover heaven, and they have so much inexpensive clothing, luggage, shoes, and more. You were able to get anything there. It can be a little bit of sensory overload with the items all in one place and shoppers playing arcade games in another, but it was seriously my favorite place to kill time.
So, what is Manga Souko?
In Japan, they refer to it as a recycle store where you can find anything. It was a franchise that could be found throughout Japan. They sell household goods, anime figurines, manga, electronics, and more. It was my place to buy Christmas presents and even buy clothes to create cosplays. It’s what I call heaven on Earth.
What can you find there?
Seriously, everything. I mainly visited Manga Souko to fulfill my nerdy side of life. I’ve bought a lot of geeky things, such as anime figurines, Disney puzzles, manga, and more. I’ve also bought clothes that I wore regularly, as well as some cosplay/Halloween costumes. Since the store carried second-hand clothing, I was able to buy clothing that I could disassemble and create new costumes for upcoming events.
With the wide range of items available at the shop, I also bought many travel items from there, including my large backpack that I used to help ease luggage needs when I traveled in Asia. Electronics were also a centerpiece for Manga Souko. It was the first section you saw in most of the locations. The store sold various devices, from gaming systems to audio accessories, which would be a great addition to any household. I found myself lost in this section and have purchased a lot of tech, such as my Nintendo 64, my first DSLR camera, and a surround sound system I had for years.
Showcasing its wide selection, Manga Souko provides items for any hobby. In addition to my geeky and tech obsessions, I often found myself in the music section. My best friend pulled me into the vinyl record hobby, and I started my vinyl record collection at Manga Souko. I found renowned records, including my favorite Michael Jackson vinyl, Off The Wall, Culture Club’s The World of British Power, Wham’s Make It Big, and many more.
What was my favorite find?
Honestly, everything that I bought from Manga Souko was my favorite. Bringing these items back to the U.S. has always been perfect since I could always have a piece of Okinawa in my house. Some highlights from my trips that I always keep close from the thrift shop are the Michael Jackson Off The Wall vinyl record, the K-2SO figurine, my Nintendo 64 and the kimono I purchased. These items will always remind me of my time in Okinawa.
As Manga Souko is located throughout Japan, I recommend anyone traveling to the country to make sure they have space or to buy a suitcase from the thrift shop because they will be leaving with many things when entering the store. It is a must for your Japan itinerary.
