This document is undoubtedly dated. I considered removing it but since it’s still referenced I thought it’s best to leave it up for historical purposes. If you would like to make any additions/corrections here’s the full URL from which you can request access: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1y4rRNN1fXb1naXlj5uu_10a_29B0XBErAayMAnPrIWY/

Following up on a recent comment I’m providing a list of doll related things to do in Japan. While far from thorough, it covers quite a bit if you’re just passing through.

Shopping:

Tokyo:

If you’ve yet to go to Japan, Akihabara is probably near the top of your list. Head over to Radio Kaikan where Azone and Volks have shops on the 7th and 8th floors, respectively. As you’d expect all the branded stock is what’s available online. However Volks also has consignment items and Azone stocks small quantities of doll-sized things in addition to their own stuff. Elsewhere in Radio Kaikan I have seen dolls in second hand shops but expect YJA prices.

Further down the street you’ll find Volks Hobby Paradise. There’s not much to buy but depending on event space usage you’ll also see dolls on display there.

If you prefer a look that isn’t mass produced, head across the river to Dolk Tokyo where a lot of consignments are sold. The shop appears small (street view) but there’s a second floor with a separate entrance around the corner. On both floors you’ll find various wigs and clothes for BJDs of all sizes.

Searching for something specific? Something long sold out perhaps? Head across Chuo Dori to Mandarake. Be forewarned though, the prices hurt more in person than they do online.

Also worth mentioning:

• Ami Ami - They have a small selection of Azone stuff. Same discounted prices as their web store
• Gee! Store also has a small selection of ⅙ stuff and photo space for ⅙ dolls. They even provide a few outfits in case your doll isn’t dressed for the occasion.
• M’s. They have Libidoll and lots of other … stuff.

For completeness, I’ll list the shops in Osaka and Nagoya. Descriptions withheld to avoid repetition.

Osaka:

Volks         Azone                Dolk

Nagoya:

Azone                Dolk

Of course, there are other shops but these are the most accessible and are listed on their respective websites.

Events:

        Hands down, the best doll-related thing to do is attend events. I’ve attended a few wouldn’t hesitate to go back for another. I’ll add more later but for now I’ll list them and their respective websites:

Dollpa - Held by Volks, often held in Tokyo or Kyoto, venue varies by season. http://www.volks.co.jp/jp/dolpa_portal/index.html/

Dollshow - Not sponsored by any manufacturer but vendors like Azone and Mamachapp among others rent out large booths. http://dollshow.net/

I*Doll - Not as large as the other events but holds events all across Japan from Sendai to Fukuoka. The Tokyo events are still quite large though. http://www.idollweb.net/

*********Old Dollfaq below**********

New Thread Template:

Doll Thread

Last Thread:

DollFAQ for Info, Places to Purchase, etc.

http://tinyurl.[spoiler]c[spoiler][/spoiler]om[/spoiler]/dollfaq

Doll Guide

do work; buy dolls.

Table of Contents

1. Overview

1. About Dolls

1. Average costs
2. Community links

2. Places to Find Doll Photos
3. Types, Sizes and Scales

1. Iconic dolls

4. Skin tones

2. Buying Dolls

1. Primary Sources
2. Aftermarket

3. Buying Miscellaneous

1. Clothing, Accessories
2. Wigs
3. Eyes

4. Doll Care

1. General maintenance

5. FAQs, do / don’t

1. general
2. storage

1. Overview

a. About

Dolls are designed to be customized.

They can change:

1. clothes
2. hands
3. shoes
4. eyes (unless they’re painted on)
5. wig (unless they have rooted hair)

They can either be built from scratch or completed dolls can be purchased as limited releases or standard models.

Dolls can be broadly split between:

• Anime-like appearance dolls        

• Dollfie Dream, Azone, etc.
• Made of Vinyl/PVC

• Asian traditional BJD style dolls

• Super Dollfie
• Mostly made of Resin

Silicone dolls

• Molded bodies over wire frames (no ball joints)
• Meant to be dressed in lewd lingerie or left naked
• Not suitable for reposing often, since it creates wear on the wire frames
• Both anime-like and traditional looking styles are available

i. Average Costs

On average, dolls are more expensive than the typical collector’s hobby. Discretion should be made with your purchases.

Note: If you are finding it hard to afford your first doll you may want to reconsider your purchase. Doll costs grow exponentially

Currency Exchange Calculator

• Typical doll price ranges (direct purchase, before shipping)

• ⅓ - ¥40,000 to ¥70,000
• ⅙ - ¥10,000 to ¥15,000
• - ¥6,000 to ¥8,000

• Factors to consider

• exchange rate
• deputy costs
• Accessories, outfits, and furniture

• Aftermarket

• Aftermarket prices for well sought out dolls are notorious for their high prices
• Some popular limited Dollfies go for upwards of ¥200,000

ii. Community links

IRC : #doll, #DollfieDream on Rizon.net

Forums : Dollfie Dreams | Den of Angels

        Flickr : DD Flickr group | Azone International Flickr group

b. Places to Find Doll Photos

2ch Doll Thread Archives:

• http://may.nijiura-doll.info/fullmirror/latest/
• http://futalog.com/index.php?mode=ttl&s_word=%83G%83%8D%83h%81%5B%83%8B

Blog Roll

• http://ameblo.jp/blog-dd/
• http://ameblo.jp/precia9/
• http://ameblo.jp/shioji
• http://ameblo.jp/oosm
• http://blog.yam.com/hololo
• http://blog.livedoor.jp/azure_toy_box/
• http://holoblog.seesaa.net/
• http://www.taitan-no.net/
• http://kutsuneko.blog93.fc2.com/
• http://azoneakiba.blog45.fc2.com/
• http://7neko2011.blog.fc2blog.net/
• http://hanakobato.com/
• http://momonotane.seesaa.net/ http://momo-man.net/
• http://ameblo.jp/keita441/
• http://sea.ap.teacup.com/doll/
• http://whitemania.jp/dwarf_foto/
• http://blog.livedoor.jp/teaoevo/
• http://blog.ap.teacup.com/nersury/
• http://montatta.blog62.fc2.com/

c. Types, Sizes and Scales

Note: There too many doll types/scales to list. Only /jp/ related ones have been listed.

⅓ Scale (55-60cm)

¼ Scale (40-50cm)

Not pictured: Parabox 40cm dolls

⅙ Scale (20-30cm)

Not pictured: Obitsu ⅙

1/12 Scale (10-15cm)

i. Iconic dolls

• From time to time there are dolls that stand apart from the rest, this section is for the most notable ones.

d. Skin Tones

No standardization exists for skin tones. All doll manufacturers have their own systems and naming conventions.
Age, environment and even different batches of dolls from the same manufacturer are known to create slightly different skin tones.

The following comparisons are approximate (Source: Tokyo Doll):

2. Buying Dolls

a. Primary Sources

Different companies have different ways they sell their dolls.

• Volks Japan (International) | Volks USA

        Dolpa Portal for Upcoming Releases (see left side)

Makes : Dollfie Dream, Super Dollfie, Mini Dollfie Dream

Standard models are sold on the website.

Clothing sets are sold at events and on the website.

Limited models are usually sold at events, and by lottery on the websites. Pre-order campaigns happen sometimes.

                Lottery: Short entry period (shortly after end of event), followed by payment and shipping after that.

                Pre-order: Long entry period, followed by payment, several month delay for preparation before shipping.

                Standard models: usually available and restocked often

• Azone International

Makes : Azone 50cm dolls, Pure Neemo, Picco Neemo

All Azone dolls are limited releases.

Clothings and accessories are also done in limited releases.

Almost everything is sold via retailers such as HobbySearch, AmiAmi, etc.

Some limited release dolls have 2 versions. One version is sold via Azone mail order; the other is sold via the official channels.

• Obitsu Plastic Manufacturing

Makes : Obitsu 60cm, 50cm, ⅙, 1/12

Obitsu primarily makes doll bodies and parts. These are sold as base bodies and option parts in HobbySearch, AmiAmi, etc.

Sometimes they release limited edition dolls with a full set of body, eyes and clothing.        

Obitsu limited dolls are purchased via their website exclusively.

• Mamachapp Toy

Makes : Mamachapp ⅙, 1/12

Based on Obitsu bodies. (This means Obitsu is where you want to find your replacement doll bodies and option parts)

New releases are purchased via mail order. You will need a deputy. (Orders are shipped after ~6 months)

b. Aftermarket

For that one doll that was released months or years ago that you’re willing to pay [999k](sometimes a lot) more for.

Also check out community sources for people selling.

• Yahoo Japan Auctions Dollfie Dream Section

One of the best sources for everything doll. Check the listings for details before buying.

        You will need a deputy to help you bid for items on YJA.

• Mandarake -         Japanese store that sells pre-owned stuff. Check the listings for details before buying. Ships internationally.
• eBay - Use this as last resort. Worst prices here usually. Shipping depends on seller.

3. Buying Miscellaneous Items

Major Manufacturers/Retailers

(Some of the) Smaller Shops

More Small Shops

• Mimi Collection
• Dollmore
• SQ Labs
• Ajumapama
• Nine9 Style
• Alice's Collections
• The Junky Spot

4. Doll Care

General Maintenance

Vinyl Dolls

• Vinyl absorbs dye easily and leaving strong colored clothing on them sometimes lead to the vinyl picking up some of the color. (This is called staining)

• Dark coloured articles are the main offenders of staining. Use a wig cap when using a dark wig.
• Light colours are usually safer and won’t stain

• Stains can be removed with zit cream (2.5%/5% Benzoyl peroxide cream) or a product called “Remove Zit” (Not a zit cream)

• For Benzoyl peroxide creams:

• Apply cream, wrap with plastic wrap (optional), and leave the piece under a warm lamp

• See this blog post for Remove Zit instructions

• Unlike resin dolls, Vinyl do not yellow
• Vinyl dolls have no problem with water and being wet. Be sure to dry them completely so your doll won’t become mouldy!

Resin Dolls

• Resins yellow overtime but this process can be hastened if you leave your doll in direct sunlight
• Strung resin dolls should be restrung if they become loose

PVC Dolls

• PVC dolls generally are not made up of parts (except hands).
• If something breaks, you will need to buy a new body. (Luckily they are cheap)
• PVC will yellow under direct sunlight

Wigs

• Wigs can be washed in lukewarm water with shampoo
• Fabric softeners or wig oils can be used to help styling
• Don’t use heat to style (hair dryer, flattening irons), since it destroys the fibers

Clothes

• Treat them the same as human clothes (but much more delicately)
• Can be hand washed, but does not come with a tag explaining what they can handle

5. FAQs

General

Q: Which doll is that?

A: If you don’t know which doll it is, you might be able to find her in the limited model list or the standard model list

Q: I want to get into dolls, but I can’t afford it. Is there a cheap solution?

A: You can purchase the smaller dolls, or build a custom one. One thing to remember is that clothing, accessories, etc. easily adds up in cost over time.

Q: I missed the sale for doll X. Will there be a re-release?

A: Re-releases are not usual for Dollfie Dreams. Some popular Azone limiteds have had second production runs; but your best bet is probably the aftermarket.

Q: What are some deputy services that I can use for purchases?

A: Here are some : FromJapan

Storage

Q: Where should I put my dolls?

A: Short answer: Detolfs that won’t be under direct sunlight. Avoid storing the dolls wrapped in colorfast fabrics and if you’re going to store them for long periods of time it’s preferred you remove their wig and clothes.