Family Dining · Practical guide

Sofmap

PC Gaming, Used Electronics and Anime Goods in Akihabara

Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.

Quick Facts

Category Detail
Japanese nameソフマップ (Sofmap)
Brand NameSofmap / ソフマップ (株式会社ソフマップ / Bic Camera Group)
Store TypeJapanese retailer of PCs, gaming hardware, electronics, used devices and games/hobby merchandise, with specialized branches and the ReColle! second-hand shopping site.
Target AudiencePC and gaming shoppers, keyboard enthusiasts, anime hobby collectors and buyers comparing used smartphones, tablets, MacBooks and cameras.
Ordering StyleBrowse the relevant branch’s product departments, check a model and price label or ReColle! condition grade and included accessories, and ask staff before any hands-on demonstration. Tax-free checkout is subject to the specific participating store.
Membership Required?Standard store shopping does not require membership; ReColle! online used-product initial-defect support is usually three months for Sofmap members versus one month for nonmembers, subject to the official terms. Eligible tax-free visitors must present identification accepted under the current rules.
Verified Listing Examples (November 12, 2026)Used B-grade SIM-free iPhone 13 128GB, starlight: ¥51,980; new ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (RTX 3050, 16GB/512GB, June 2026 model): ¥199,800; REALFORCE GX1 white 30g rapid-trigger keyboard: ¥26,400; WD_BLACK SN850X 2TB SSD: ¥115,160; Nendoroid Sonic the Hedgehog figure (AKIBA Amusement, released June 2026): ¥6,300. Prices include tax and may change; these are product-page examples, not fixed nationwide ranges. Tax-free purchases generally require ¥5,000+ excluding tax at a participating outlet.
Multilingual SupportEnglish, Mandarin or Cantonese-speaking staff and translated guidance are not guaranteed at every Sofmap outlet. Show the exact model page or a translation when requesting technical details.
Payment MethodsSofmap’s official physical-store payment guide lists Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay and other specified cards, PayPay, d払い, au PAY, Rakuten Pay, J-Coin Pay, Merpay, Alipay+, WeChat Pay and UnionPay QR. Electronic-money and transport-card support may have exclusions by location. The online store has different methods; ask before using gift vouchers or combining payments.
Store NetworkOfficial Sofmap directory lists the Akihabara Station-front building, AKIBA Computer & Digital building, AKIBA Amusement building, Namba store and separate ReCollection Namba outlet, as well as other store/corner formats around Japan. There is no reliable single count here for stand-alone stores plus corners.
A Sofmap store in Akihabara, Tokyo, Japan
Photo: Kure · CC BY-SA 2.5 · via Wikimedia Commons
Inside a Sofmap store in Japan
Photo: Mr.ちゅらさん · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

What it is

Sofmap (株式会社ソフマップ) began in 1982 as a computer-software rental company, opened its first Akihabara shop in 1983 and shifted to new and used PC sales in 1984. Bic Camera made it a subsidiary in 2006 and a wholly owned subsidiary in January 2010. That history explains why its present-day store formats span PCs, gaming, used electronics, software, models and anime merchandise. Its official directory contains several distinct Akihabara shops and different types of outlets in Osaka, each with its own address, floors and opening hours.

In Tokyo, the AKIBA Computer & Digital Building contains eSports Studio AKIBA, three floors of gaming merchandise, Apple products, PC components and used digital gear. The AKIBA Amusement Building instead specializes in games, figures, model kits and entertainment events. Sofmap’s ReColle! (リコレ!) shopping service publishes used-product grades S, A, B, C, D and E (junk) and performs up to 68 inspection steps, depending on the merchandise; those grades reflect condition and basic operation, not a guaranteed battery health percentage or a lifetime warranty. A documented one-month nonmember versus three-month member online initial-defect return policy has exclusions, including batteries as consumables and E-rank junk. Check the actual store and purchasing channel before relying on an online policy for a physical-store purchase.

How to order

Step 1: Choose the Actual Akihabara or Namba Branch

Step 2: Compare Gaming Keyboards and PC Specifications

Step 3: Inspect a ReColle! Used Item

Step 4: Checkout and Japan’s 2026 Departure Tax Refund

What to order first

1. ReColle! Used iPhones, iPads and Apple Devices

2. Gaming Laptops (ASUS TUF, ROG and Other Models)

3. Rapid-Trigger Keyboards (REALFORCE GX1 and Other Models)

4. M.2 NVMe SSDs and DDR5 Memory

5. Anime Figures and Japanese Hobby Collectibles

Payment & practical info

Good to know / Common mistakes

1. Check Windows Language and Keyboard Layout Before Buying

Windows 11 can often install another display language, including English, but this depends on the licensed edition and setup. Check whether the unit uses a Japanese JIS keyboard, and do not assume that store staff will install a language pack during checkout. Ask for the exact model and the availability of any paid setup service.

2. The 2026 Refund Starts With a Tax-Inclusive Payment

Computers, cameras and collectible figures are no longer classified under the former General Goods category for this scheme. Eligible items can normally be used during the visit, but they must leave Japan with the buyer and be customs-confirmed within 90 days. Only participating Sofmap stores can register the tax-free transaction. The refund comes afterward through the seller’s specified method; check details before paying.

3. Protect Figure Boxes and Keep Warranty Evidence

If a figure box matters to you, ask for additional packing: "Hako wo kirei ni motte kaeritai" (I want to bring the box home without damage). Packing materials are subject to shop availability; bubble wrap is not guaranteed. Keep your purchase receipt and any accessories, especially for ReColle! used devices; retailer return policies have short deadlines and exclusions.

FAQ

Q1: Is Sofmap part of the Bic Camera Group?

A: Yes. Sofmap was established in 1982, entered the Bic Camera Group as a subsidiary in 2006, and became wholly owned in January 2010. Sofmap has specialized PC/gaming and hobby stores as well as the separate ReColle! used-electronics service. Group ownership alone does not make every gift card, point benefit or tourist campaign valid at all counters.

Q2: Can I use a gaming laptop bought in Japan overseas?

A: Check the exact adapter’s input-voltage and frequency label, connector, wattage and plug shape. Some adapters are rated 100–240 V/50–60 Hz, but that cannot be guaranteed for every included or second-hand power supply. Check the physical JIS/US keyboard and Windows display-language edition too; a simple plug adapter does not correct an incompatible voltage or wattage.

Q3: How do I receive a Sofmap tax refund under the 2026 system?

A: Buy at a participating tax-free seller, using permitted identification and meeting the eligibility threshold. Pay the tax-inclusive amount first. Within 90 days, finish the prescribed Customs confirmation before checking the goods if inspection may be needed. The seller or its refund operator processes the later refund according to the agreed payout method. Neither a card reversal nor cash at an airport is automatic.

Q4: Is ReColle!’s used-device warranty always three months?

A: No. ReColle!’s online initial-defect procedure states three months for Sofmap members and one month for nonmembers after delivery, subject to exclusions such as E-grade junk, consumable batteries and damage. The retailer usually accepts a return/refund, not an exchange for an equivalent used unit. In-store purchase conditions may be different; examine the receipt and support terms for that sale.

Sources