My Experience from a Pinoy Proxy in Japan

Last June 2020, I ordered Gunpla kit for my birthday through a Filipino proxy in Japan. I ordered a pair of Gundam Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics kit. The Filipino proxy sells it for 1,300PhP per kit (2,600PhP total). After I placed my order and paid half of the items, he confidently affirm that the arrival of the kits will be on the second week of July. As the month of June ends, he informs me that the arrival of the kits will be moved to End of July. But after days of follow up, it was moved again to August, and moved again to September. According to the proxy, the boxes was apprehended by the Japanese Customs because of vast number of toys inside the box and they have to pay penalties, otherwise, those boxes will be confiscated.  It finally arrived in our office this October after 4 months of waiting. 

The GunPla kits I ordered through a Pinoy Proxy

Filipino residents in Japan are considering it as a sideline on top their work and I believe it does earn a lot, as they convert 1 yen as 1 peso. Meaning a 1,300JPY Gunpla kit is 1,300PhP! A 100 percent profit! By the way, they don't limit in selling toys and collectibles, they also sell branded goods and beauty products as well. These Filipino proxies are using the Balikbayan boxes in sending the items to the Philippines. As every OFW knows that they can squeeze items inside the box regardless of size and weight, as long as the goods can fit inside with a fixed shipping fee. I think there are some Pinoy proxy is having a hard time in filling up the boxes, deferring deliveries as supposed to be.

My advice to collectors in the Philippines is to check the reviews of the proxy. Some of them might be a bogus proxy and putting up bogus social media page. Check the prices online such as Yodobashi and BicCamera. Some proxy may overprice the items by more than 100 percent, Google is your friend! And a lot of patience in waiting as there might be logistic difficulties during transit, especially at this time of pandemic. This will be my first and last transaction with a Pinoy proxy, I would rather buy thru Mandarake's online shop or Buyee, as they are more faster than Pinoy proxy.

Megasize Gundam in All Nippon Airways color

In my post six years ago (July 2013), I made a blog regarding to the High Grade (HG) Gundam RX-78-2 in All Nippon Airways (ANA) color. This time I bought a Megasize (1/48 scale) version of the same Gundam that I got online. The Megasize is the biggest scale of all Gunpla kits created by Bandai. I hope that ANA and Bandai would collaborate for another Gunpla.

Manual from kit

Without decals

Applied decals and topcoating

Shield with ANA decal

Buying Online at Mandarake!

I have been an Ebay buyer for more than 10 years. Ebay has been my site to buy video games and figures for my collection whose sellers are from Japan. For the first time, I tried the Mail-Order service of Mandarake. Mandarake is a well-known store in Japan where you can buy vast items of video games, figures, costumes, and toys. I have been to Mandarake store in Akibahara and Shibuya branches and they never ceased to amaze me.

Mandarake's English website

I saw a Megasize Gundam RX-78-2 ANA Original Color Ver. for 7,000.00 JPY. Before I check out the item I sent an inquiry to the item and they sent a response less than 12 hours. Before checking out be sure that all items you are buying are the on the same store just be sure. Although, never tried it, they might charge you an additional shipping fee due to different store location of the item and they might send it separately. Upon check-out in their online store, they will asked your preferred payment and shipping mode. After confirmation, they will check the location of item of its availability. Because most of the items listed in the website is being sold at their stores as well. If availability of the item is confirmed, they will sent the total cost. I opted to pay thru Paypal and EMS (Express Mail Service). In less than a week, I received the item.

EMS tracking from Mandarake to our office

Received the item!!

Good thing that Mandarake offers worldwide shipping. Other shops like Suruga-ya has online shopping only on selected Asian countries and US buyers. Another good point for Mandarake is that they have multi-language website for English, Korean, Chinese, and Spanish. Unlike Suruga-ya is limited to Japanese and you have to use web translation for those buyers who can't read and understand Japanese. When I received the item, the parcel is securely packaged to prevent from damaging the item and the item is wrapped with bubble wrap. I am looking forward to buy another items from their online store.

Before buying anything online be sure to ask the seller if they missed out some description or verify the item and always pay securely.

What I bought in Japan 2019

Last March 2 to 8, 2019, I went to Tokyo, Japan for a week long vacation. During my stay I have visited and revisited places in Tokyo. Of course, it will be not be complete if I didn't buy BEMANI merchs.

It seems figures are the biggest number that I bought. I never thought I would be able to get the 1/8 scale figures and the DAC (Desktop Arcade Cabinet) of jubeat copious. There is also a DrumMania V6 DAC for sale but more expensive than jubeat.

Next are the BEMANI Artist albums and the Game Softs. I was lucky that I able to get hold of TËЯRA's first album, RЁVOLUTIФN and BeForU's 2nd album. The reason I bought Game Soft is to replace my scratched copies due to my PlayStation 2 slim makes circular scratches on the discs which makes unreadable in the future (I dumped my annoying PS2 Slim for 700Php to an online buyer).  

I also bought Gunpla kits such as the Expansion set for my v Gundam Ver. Ka and the limited edition 7-11 HG RX 78-2 Gundam kit. Buying Gunpla is not in the to-buy list though.

The interesting item I bought is an unopened Google Home mini speaker for only 1,950 JPY in their BookOff Shinjuku branch. I was reluctant to buy one because it might not be compatible with Apple products (Apple fan? LOL) but it works! Bic Camera in Shinjuku sells it for 3,000 JPY. They slashed 50% from the 6,000 JPY retail price.

I went to Japan

Last June is my birthday month. On the day of my Birthday, I went to Japan by myself. Its a 5 days / 6 nights experience in Japan's capital, Tokyo. The trip was memorable and fun. Had the chance to travel alone and see the places that I want to see. Hoping to return next year for the Sakura Festival in Spring.

My flight going to Tokyo

Philippine Airlines' Economy Class Inflight meal. A bit tasty though.

Cruising in the Pacific Ocean

Finally! Narita International Airport (NRT)

No time to lose! Time to browse the city!!

Tried in the infamous Coke Clear!

Most of my omiyages came here, in Don Quijote!

Akihabara Station

Ticketing system in Japan is organised and advanced. I hope the Philippines will have more of these

Time to buy some BEMANI stuff!

Eat.Eat.Eat

Buy more stuff!!

In Ueno at night

A glimpse of the Imperial Palace

Tokyo Station

Clean and peaceful. No squeezing during off-peak hours

Birds eye view in the hostel

Scramble Crossing in Shibuya

Shibuya Station

Hachiko's monument in Shibuya

Hachiko's monument in Shibuya

The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo. Located in Shibuya.

Sensoji Temple in Asakusa

Thank you deity.

Oishi!!!

Sumida River 

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Tokyo SkyTree

The Pokemon Center in Tokyo SkyTree

1:1 scale Unicorn Gundam. 

Royce Chocolates!!!

Check-In counters in Haneda International Terminal (HND)

Planespotting

Planespotting

Last meal before going to Manila (MNL)