It’s hard to believe that anime and manga were once considered an obscure subculture. These days, Japanese graphic arts have evolved into a global phenomenon, with series such as Naruto, Demon Slayer and Spy x Family attracting devoted followings thanks to their top-notch animation, compelling stories and universal themes.
You only have to visit the long-running Macao Comic Festival to appreciate just how deeply the city has fallen under the spell. And while Macao doesn’t have a shopping district like Tokyo’s Akihabara to cater to otaku – a Japanese word for pop culture geeks – it does have a street that is clustered with anime merchandise shops. Located along Rua Almirante Costa Cabral are stores that sell everything from plush toys to detailed anime figurines. Besides this cluster, there are a number of other noteworthy retailers scattered across the peninsula and Taipa.
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Before heading over to these stores, keep in mind that many of them, especially the non-franchise ones, do not open until well after lunchtime and may even have irregular operating times. Prices for the same goods can also fluctuate from store to store, especially during clearance sales, so those who are looking for a bargain are advised to look around rather than immediately dispensing with their hard-earned cash.
With these tips in mind, here are the top ten places in Macao where you can shop for anime products, books, merchandise and much more.
Ehon (一雄)
Ehon is a local anime merch and manga franchise with two branches in Macao – one in Horta e Costa and another in Travessa dos Anjos. Both stores sell similar imported anime products including Gundam model kits, chibi plush toys, trading cards and figurines.
Mangas and capsule toys can also be found in both stores, although the Horta e Costa branch has a lot more to offer in both departments. For starters, it has an extra second floor dedicated entirely to Hong Kong and Taiwan editions of popular mangas released by leading publishing houses such as Tong Li (東立), Kadokawa Taiwan (台灣角川) and Ching Win Publishing (青文出版).
While the Travessa dos Anjos store does have a row of capsule toy machines lined up on either side near its front entrance, it pales in comparison to its Horta e Costa counterpart, which happens to have a separate offshoot capsule toy store located one shopfront away.
Prices for the miniature toys can range between 30 to 80 patacas, with most machines accepting Macau Pass, Alipay, MPay or WeChat Pay as payment, although some of the more traditional machines will require you to exchange and insert tokens.
Horta e Costa store (嘉伯樂店): Rua do Almirante Costa Cabral 86-B, Edifício Seng Lok, Bloco A, R/C, Macao
Opening Hours: 11 am – 8 pm (Mon-Fri), 10 am – 8:30 pm (Sat), 10 am – 8 pm (Sun)
Travessa dos Anjos store (天神巷店): Travessa dos Anjos 10A, Edifício Iong Kin, Bloco A, R/C, Macao
Opening Hours: 11 am – 8 pm (Mon-Fri), 10 am – 8:30 pm (Sat), 10 am – 8 pm (Sun)
Akihabara (秋葉原)
Established in 2019, Akihabara is a chain that sells a wide spectrum of products ranging from multimedia and lifestyle to electronics and anime. Currently, the company has five branches, although the Rua do Bispo Medeiros store is the one that anime fans should head for, as it exclusively sells anime merchandise and toys.
The Akihabara Toys store opened in 2021 and offers a wide selection of figurines and knick knacks based on anime and tokusatsu (special effects) franchises such as One Piece, Demon Slayer, Ultraman and Kamen Rider.
Non-anime fans, however, need not to fret, as the shop also has a sizable collection of western-style toys and models, including Bearbrick, Lego, Mickey Mouse figurines and even figurines based on famous paintings such as the Mona Lisa and Birth of Venus.
Even if you don’t intend to buy anything, the store is still worth visiting if you are looking to take some photos, as it contains large models of Japanese pop culture characters such as Goku, Naruto, Optimus Prime and Bojji. It is little wonder that the store has been a stomping ground for mainland Chinese video bloggers.
Rua do Bispo Medeiros store (美的玩具店): Rua do Bispo Medeiros 30-C, Edificio Fong Nim, Shop B, Macao
Opening Hours: 11:30 am to 8:30 pm (Mon-Sun)
Toys Kingdom and Hang Lei Toy (玩具王國/恆利玩具)
As a family owned business with over 20 years of operation, Toys Kingdom has established itself as an institution in Macao. Conveniently situated next to the Ruins of St Paul, among various snack and souvenir shops, the shop sells an assortment of anime and non-anime toys, with everything from Super Mario action figures to Astro Boy figurines. The shop is operated by the Yip family and was established after its proprietress found that there was a lack of stores selling high-quality toys in Macao.
“When my son was young, he loved to play with toys,” she said in a 2017 interview with TDM. “Sometimes, I would have to go all the way to Hong Kong just to find the toys that he liked. Later on I thought I could open up a toy shop, which would allow me to buy and import the toys that they liked.”
Toys Kingdom prides itself as a supplier of affordable toys, with a banner adorning the inside of the shop proudly proclaiming in Chinese that it has the cheapest toys in all of Macao.
In addition to the Ruins of St Paul store, the family also runs a second smaller store located in Rua do Bispo Medeiros called Hang Lei Toy, which also sells an array of anime-related toys at relatively cheap prices.
Toys Kingdom: Rua da Ressurreição, Edifício Yek Fat, No. 7, R/C, Macao
Opening Hours: 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm (Mon-Sun)
Hang Lei Toy: Rua do Bispo Medeiros 33, Edifício Mei Tek Kok, Macao
Opening Hours: 11:30 am to 8 pm (Mon-Sun)
Skytoys Trading (福昇)
Originally located in Pereira Plaza, which has a capsule toy store on its second floor and a claw machine area on its fourth floor, Skytoys Trading has moved to Rua Almirante Costa Cabral, where it is closer to other anime toy businesses in the district.
Although Skytoys Trading is a relatively small store, it makes full use of its limited space by stacking its shelves chock full of anime figurines and chogokin (die-cast super robot toys), which are its main area of specialisation.
While the store caters mainly to anime fans, those who are into major American franchises such as Star Wars and Marvel are also in for a treat, as the shop offers a decent selection of figurines based on such properties.
The store also regularly puts different products on discount, so those looking for a bargain should visit the store or keep a close eye on its Facebook or Instagram pages.
Address: Rua do Bispo Medeiros, Edifício Fu Ming, Shop 57A, Macao
Opening Hours: 2 pm to 8 pm (Mon-Fri), 1 pm to 8 pm (Sat-Sun)
Chong Seng Shopping Centre (中星商場)
Chong Seng Shopping Centre is a must-visit for anime fans due to the sheer number of anime toy stores clustered on its two floors.
Admittedly, the plaza bears the scars of its twenty plus years of history and appears to be somewhat rundown. However, inside, you will find at least a dozen shops that sell anime figurines, trading cards, knick knacks and capsule toys.
Some of these shops do not have regular operating hours, meaning that in some cases, you will have to either try your luck or contact the owner via the WeChat QR code and/or telephone on the front door.
Other businesses do have fixed opening times, including Toys Rider (超人), which is open daily from 2:30 pm to 8 pm (except Sunday), Model Friends (模型友), which operates every day between 4 pm and 8 pm, and All Blue (動漫精品大集合), where business hours are 3 pm to 8 pm, Monday to Sunday.
The shopping centre is also worth visiting for its wide selection of claw machines where you can win anime plush toys, figurines and even more expensive prizes such as a Nintendo Switch or an iPad.
Address: Avenida do Almirante Lacerda, Centro Comercial Chong Seng, Macao
Opening Hours: Varies from store to store
Pirate Ship Toys (海盗船玩具)
Pirate Ship Toys is a must-visit for fans of the popular pirate anime and manga series One Piece. True to its name, the shop offers the most comprehensive selection of One Piece figurines in the city, featuring fan favourite characters such as Luffy, Zolo, Nami, Zoro and Chopper. There is also a diverse selection of One Piece themed paraphernalia such as magnets, keyrings, plush toys, books and stamps.
The shop is also worth checking out for followers of Demon Slayer, as it has a considerable amount of toys based on the hit anime series, with some of them on discount. Visitors will also find a decent amount of mecha (robot) figures, as well as toys based on anime such as Digimon, Bleach, Ojamajo Doremi and Hunter X Hunter.
To order particular toys from Japan that are featured on the Pirate Ship Toys’ Facebook and Instagram page, you can visit the store in person or do so by adding their WeChat account (pirateshiptoys01). Inquiries about in-store stock can be made at the store or through their other WeChat account (pirateshipmacau).
Address: Rua do Almirante Costa Cabral 61, Edificio Chun Hang, Macao
Opening Hours: 1 pm to 8 pm (Monday to Sunday)
San Long Toys (新龍玩具)
San Long Toys is a local toy store that has decades of history and is one that is etched into the childhood memories of many locals. Much like most other local toy retailers in Macao, the store is relatively small compared to the likes of franchises such as Toys “R” Us. However, it maximises its available space with shelves stacked full of anime toys and items mounted on the side as hangsell displays.
There are many treasures to be uncovered in San Long, including Gundam and Saint Seiya plastic model kits, Dragon Ball Z figurines and plenty of Pokemon plush toys. The shop also has many collectible cards that are sold in sets, with everything from Yu-Gi-Oh to Sailor Moon.
One section of San Long is dedicated entirely to model cars, planes, tanks and other vehicles, complete with the tools and paints needed to assemble them. Another part of the shop is dedicated entirely to video games, with many games based on anime series such as Dragon Ball Z, One Piece and Pokemon.
At the front of the store, there are over a dozen coin-operated capsule toy and card machines that are a good way to spend your money should you find the items in the store too pricey, which can be the case, as many of the plastic model kits can cost between 100 to 500 patacas.
Address: Rua do Almirante Costa Cabral 68, Edifício San Fat, Macao
Opening Hours: 11 am to 8:15 pm (Mon-Sun)
Tung Keng Tou Mono Shop (東京都)
Tung Keng Mono Shop is another popular stomping ground for local anime aficionados, especially those who are into Gundam plastic model kits, which the store has plenty of. Fans of these model kits will be pleased to know that the store has Gundam models of all sizes, including limited edition Real Grade kits that are extremely detailed, as well as Perfect Grade kits that are of the highest possible quality.
Gundams are not the only toys that the store has on offer, as there are also plenty of merchandise related to classic anime characters such as Doraemon, Crayon Shin Chan and Pikachu. Depending on your purchase, an item at Tung Keng Tou Mono Shop could cost you anywhere between 20 to 1500 patacas.
There are also some capsule toy machines in front of the store, with each attempt costing between 20 to 30 patacas.
Address: Rua do Almirante Costa Cabral 116, Edificio Veng Yun, Macao
Opening Hours: 10 am to 8 pm (Mon to Sat), 4 pm to 8 pm (Sun)
Sai Fong Toys (世灃電玩)
Sai Fong Toys is another great place to visit if you are around Rua Almirante Costa Cabral, as the store offers a wide selection of anime figures, ranging from high-end products that can cost several thousand patacas to cheaper items that cost only several hundred. A top quality Jujutsu Kaisen model, for example, can set you back at 4,100 patacas, while a small, chibi Gundam costs only 120 patacas.
A word of caution if you’ve got children with you: unlike most of the stores on this list, Sai Fong Toys also stocks more adult-oriented figures, with well-known anime characters in suggestive poses and costumes.
The store has a well-maintained website and social media pages that list its current stock, in addition to ones that can be ordered.
Address: Rua do Ultramar 2-A, Mei Tek Kok Edifício, Macao
Opening Hours: 2 pm to 9 pm (Mon), 12:30-9:30 (Tues-Sun)
Toys City (玩具城)
With one store located along Macao’s “Philippine street” and another on Avenida de Horta e Costa, Toys City is a decades old local brand that many locals are familiar with.
While the Horta e Costa branch is the bigger of the two stores, both of them feature a large stock of products that cater to both young and old anime enthusiasts, as well as glass displays near either side of the front entrance that showcase some of their merchandise.
Regardless of whichever store you choose, you will find Gunpla models of varying grades, as well as collectible figurines, plush toys, trading cards and other various anime-related items.
For those who are looking to purchase Gundam Plastic models, take note of the fact that not all the model kit boxes have prices listed on them and you will need to ask the front counter to quote a price. Those who wish to purchase limited edition or rare figures should also look elsewhere as Toys City tends to have more conventional offerings.
Lego lovers should also consider visiting the shop as there are many lego box sets on sale, although most are not based on anime, but rather popular Hollywood franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel and Harry Potter.
Store 1: Rua dos Cules 15A, R/C, Edifício Vai Seng, Macao
Store 2: Rua de Fernão Mendes Pinto 35, Edifício Heng Fai, Macao
Opening Hours: 2 pm to 9 pm (Mon), 12:30 pm to 9 pm (Tues to Sun)
Miku (通販)
As the only major anime merchandise and manga store near the Border Gate, Miku is definitely worth checking out if you find yourself in the area. The store is relatively small, spanning two floors, with the first floor mainly dedicated to the sale of anime figures, many of which are based on characters from Japanese light novels (young adult fiction) and virtual assistants such as No Game No Life, Date a Live and the store’s eponymous Hatsune Miku. The first floor also has over a dozen capsule toy machines where you can try your luck for small chibi figurines of characters from Pokemon and Demon Slayer.
Miku’s main specialisation, however, is in the sale of Hong Kong and Taiwanese editions of manga and light novels, of which it has a sizable collection on its second floor. There are mainstream manga such as SpyXFamily and Sandland, as well as more niche offerings, including the ever so popular Boys’ Love manga whose female and male readers are known as fujoshi and fudanshi respectively.
If visiting the store isn’t convenient, you can also check out Miku’s website and social media accounts to browse the items and books that they currently have on offer. Orders can also be made via the store’s website.
Address: Avenida da Longevidade 36c, Edifício Lai Va San Chun, Bloco 1, R/C Macao
Opening Hours: 2 pm to 7 pm (Mon-Sat, closed Sunday)
Gacha Point (扭蛋專門店)
While capsule toy machines can be found in the various anime stores across Macao, as well as at Don Don Donki, very few can match Gacha Point in terms of the range and scope of toys available. Currently, the brand has stores in three locations, namely Rua do Almirante Costa Cabral, Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida and Lisboeta Macau.
All three stores are open 24/7, meaning that those who are suddenly overcome with the urge to do some late night anime merch shopping will always have a place to visit.
While all three stores have a wide selection of machines to choose from, die hard fans are advised to visit the store on Avenida Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, as it is by far the biggest out of the three, with two floors that house around a hundred capsule machines.
The toys cover a broad spectrum of anime and Japanese pop culture characters, including Cardcaptor Sakura, Godzilla, Conan and Sanrio icons such as Hello Kitty and Pompompurin.
Most toys are priced at around 30 patacas, although some may be 20 or 50 patacas.
Opening Hour: 24 hours
Store 1 Address: Avenida Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida 16A, Edifício Tai Yin, Shop B, Macao
Store 2 Address: Rua do Almirante Costa Cabral, Edifício Fu Wo Kok, R/C, Shop D, Macao
Store 3 Address: Lisboeta Macao, Store No. R80, Taipa, Macao
