A Normal Day in Japan Visiting Hard-Off

Today, I want to share something very ordinary for me my daily life in Japan.

This time, I visited Hard-Off, a well-known secondhand store chain found all across the country.
Hard-Off is part of the Book-Off group, but instead of focusing on trading cards, it mainly carries toys, figures, games, and many nostalgic items.

Personally, I don’t really think of myself as “a card shop.”
I prefer to see what I do as something closer to a Japanese souvenir shop.

At first glance, people may assume that sellers are professionals and buyers are amateurs.
But when it comes to hobbies, collections, and memories, I don’t believe in that kind of hierarchy.

What matters most is whether something resonates with the person in front of you.

If someone is looking for a specific card, an old game, or a piece of nostalgia,
I want to listen, suggest, and share that experience together.
That mindset is why I focus on introducing Japan itself, not just selling products.

To do that properly, I believe I first need to enjoy my own daily life.
If I’m not enjoying it, I can’t share that feeling with anyone else.

That’s why I’m always out visiting different shops,
researching the market,
searching for items requested by customers,
and simply experiencing Japan as it is.

Today’s visit to Hard-Off was just one small part of that routine.

I started in the used book section, looking for Dragon Ball Volume 1.

To be honest, I didn’t find it.
They had Volume 3, but not Volume 1, so I decided not to buy anything.

Dragon Ball Volume 1 was originally released in September 1985 nearly 40 years ago.
When I was a child, I actually read it in Weekly Jump, but back then, I skipped over it without much interest.

It wasn’t until I became an adult that I truly began to appreciate it.
The author has since passed away, which makes these books feel even more meaningful to me.
My journey with Dragon Ball is far from over.

After that, I spent some time looking at toys and figures.

Many of them no longer have their original boxes, which significantly lowers their prices.
For people who care more about the item itself than the packaging, there are some incredible bargains.

Next, I moved on to the game section.

There were many nostalgic consoles some fully working, others sold as junk.
Before I started selling trading cards, I actually sold retro game consoles such as the Sega Saturn, Famicom, and Super Famicom.

I used to buy broken units in bulk, repair them myself, and sell them on eBay.
Those were genuinely fun days.

Even now, whenever I talk with customers who love retro games, the conversations never seem to end.
Talking about things you truly love never gets old.

The Famicom game cartridges here are a bit expensive, but they’re filled with nostalgia.
If you clean the circuit boards and polish the shells, they become surprisingly beautiful.
All of the cartridges I own are carefully cleaned which probably says a lot about my personality.

This post may seem simple, but even by looking at products and prices, you can learn a lot.

More importantly, moments like this can become a gateway for people overseas to better understand Japan.

As I mentioned earlier, I think of what I do as running a Japanese souvenir shop.

Of course, I could post only Pokémon card information.
But I want people to know Japan itself especially Fukuoka.

When you understand the background, the cards and boxes you choose feel different.
Instead of buying like a vending machine on Amazon or eBay,
I prefer conversations about condition, pricing, memories, and sometimes things completely unrelated.

That’s why I try to keep this blog free from a strong sales tone.

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I hope I can share another ordinary day in Japan with you soon.

Thank you very much for reading.

Shinobu

Starter Deck 100 Officially Released on December 19, 2025

On December 19, 2025,
the Pokémon Trading Card Game “Starter Deck 100” was officially released in Japan.

This product attracted significant attention both domestically and internationally even before its release.
However, when looking at the situation before launch and immediately after release, several issues have already become a topic of concern.

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Unusual Activity Before the Official Release

Even before the release date, the following incidents were observed:

• On December 17 (before release), unboxing videos and card sales of Starter Deck 100 were already circulating
• On December 18 (the day before release), a Japanese card dealer posted on X (formerly Twitter) that they had opened approximately 1,000 boxes, which caused backlash and controversy

Products that should only be opened and sold after the official release were already being handled in large quantities beforehand.
Naturally, this raised many questions and concerns among collectors and players.

Personally, regardless of whether this was done for views or publicity,
I find it difficult to fully trust sellers who engage in this kind of behavior.

Price Movement and Market Reality

The official retail price of Starter Deck 100 is
891 JPY (approximately $5.70 USD).

Two days before release, pre-order listings appeared at prices as high as
7,500 JPY (around $48 USD).

After that, information about key cards such as:

• Mega Charizard Y ex
• Pikachu ex
• Lillie’s Clefairy

started circulating, and many people predicted that prices would rise even further after release.

However, the actual Japanese market price on release day started around 4,500 JPY (approximately $29 USD).
As of December 19 at 7:50 PM JST, prices have settled around 3,000 JPY (approximately $19 USD).

In contrast, on overseas platforms such as eBay,
many listings are still priced around 7,500 JPY, showing a significant gap between domestic and international markets.

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Availability and Store Conditions (Firsthand Experience)

Starter Deck 100 was said to be released at convenience stores starting at 7:00 AM.

On release day, I personally visited around 20 convenience stores.

The results were as follows:

• In some regions, a few people were able to purchase it
• In major cities like Tokyo, however:
  • Large-scale bulk buying
  • Or stores not selling the product at all
    were very common
• In my area, every store responded with “We are not selling it at all”, and not a single box was available

Additionally:

• Pokémon Centers
• Card shops

were reserved exclusively for customers who won pre-release lotteries, meaning no general sales were available on release day.

About a year ago, it was still possible to purchase products by lining up early in the morning.
However, today:

• Long lines cause inconvenience to others
• Stores aim to prevent disputes and crowding

As a result, many shops now avoid same-day sales and rely almost entirely on pre-orders and lotteries.

For this release as well, reports of same-day purchases were limited to a very small number of people.
For most buyers, purchasing on release day was realistically impossible.

Despite this, large quantities of Starter Deck 100 are already being listed on eBay and Japanese online marketplaces.

Key Cards and Current Japanese Market Prices

Starter Deck 100 includes several highly sought-after cards, such as:

• Mega Charizard Y ex
• Pikachu ex
• Lillie’s Clefairy

Regarding Mega Charizard Y ex, there have been claims that
“not a single copy was found after opening 1,000 boxes,”
which I personally find unlikely.

That said, availability is extremely limited, and current Japanese market prices are roughly:

• Mega Charizard Y ex: 35,000 JPY+ (approx. $2,250 USD)
• Pikachu: around 55,000 JPY (approx. $354 USD)
• Lillie’s Clefairy: around 52,000 JPY (approx. $334 USD)

Due to low supply, prices remain unstable.

Important Warning: Please Be Careful

With the previous Starter Deck release, there were serious issues involving:

• Carefully removing the seal using heat (such as a hair dryer)
• Checking the contents
• Resealing and reselling the product

This time, countermeasures have been implemented, and seal reuse is no longer a major concern.

However, a new issue has emerged: weight searching.

Reports indicate that by weighing the product,
it is possible to predict the likelihood of rare card inclusion to some extent
(details will not be disclosed here).

I personally tested this information by opening three boxes, and the results matched the shared data.
Please note that this is not official information.

Because of this, there is a high risk that:

• Weight-searched products
• Boxes with lower hit rates

are already flowing into the market in large numbers.

This is especially important for overseas buyers using platforms like eBay.

Official Announcement from Pokémon Center

On release day, Pokémon Center announced additional production and sales.

From the official Japanese statement, the most important point is:

“We plan to continue additional production depending on sales conditions.”

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About Our Sales

We have already received nearly 110 boxes worth of pre-orders.
Some orders have already shipped via FedEx, while others are awaiting arrival.

To be absolutely clear:

• We do not perform any weight searching
• All products are sourced primarily from direct purchases at convenience stores
• We do not source from large card dealers

We are committed to providing products honestly and transparently.

Contact Information

If you are interested in Starter Deck 100, please feel free to contact us:

Instagram: pokeshopjp
WhatsApp: Click here

(WhatsApp responses are usually faster)

Starter Deck 100 and the “Weighing Issue” What’s Actually Happening in Japan (as of December 19)

Starter Deck 100 has officially been released in Japan, and the market has been moving faster than many expected.
Because the price is relatively affordable and the contents are highly anticipated, demand has surged not only within Japan, but also from overseas collectors and buyers.

However, alongside this demand, certain concerns have already surfaced and this is not a “recent rumor.”
As of December 19, this issue is already being actively discussed in Japan.

One topic that has been repeatedly mentioned is the so-called “weighing issue.”

In the trading card world, this is not a new concept.
Depending on packaging and contents, some products can show weight differences that may give hints about what’s inside.
By exploiting this, some sellers are believed to:

• Send decks with a lower chance of hits overseas
• Keep decks with better odds for themselves

These practices have been discussed across marketplaces, private sales, and auction platforms.

In addition, there have already been cases where some card shops or sellers opened products before the official release date and posted the results publicly.
This may have been done to gain attention or engagement, but personally, I find sellers who act this way difficult to trust.

To be clear, not every seller is doing this.
However, two facts remain true:

• The environment makes such practices possible
• Some people are actually doing it

For overseas buyers in particular, this can be worrying.
You cannot physically inspect the product yourself, and it’s often impossible to know how the item was sourced or handled before shipping.

Our Policy Clear and Simple

So I want to be very clear about how we operate.

We do not weigh products.
We do not purchase weighed or pre-selected items.
We do not send any product that has been weighed or filtered in any way.

All Starter Deck 100 units we provide are purchased directly from physical stores such as convenience stores and retailers, and are sent exactly as they were bought.

This is not something special.
It is simply doing what should be considered normal and honest practice.

Trading cards and decks are meant to be about:

• The excitement of opening
• The unpredictability
• The enjoyment of the experience

Short-term profit or attention gained by undermining that experience ultimately damages trust in the entire market.

Moving Forward

This blog will continue to share real, on-the-ground information about the Japanese card market, especially things that overseas buyers may not easily notice.

If this helps even a little in allowing people to enjoy collecting with more confidence, then it’s worth writing.

Contact Information

If you are interested in Starter Deck 100, please feel free to contact us directly:

Instagram: pokeshopjp
WhatsApp: Click here
(WhatsApp responses are usually faster.)

Niformation ONE PIECE Great Pirate Sticker Wafer LOG.13

Today, I’d like to talk about ONE PIECE, not Pokémon.

How many ONE PIECE fans are reading this blog right now?
Honestly, I don’t know the exact number — but recently, I’ve noticed something interesting.
Even without actively promoting it, inquiries and orders for ONE PIECE items have been steadily increasing.

The item I’m introducing today is a popular Japanese snack found in supermarkets and convenience stores.
Each pack includes a wafer snack and one collectible ONE PIECE sticker.

Just like trading card packs, some stickers are parallel versions with different finishes, making them especially desirable for collectors.
In Japan, these products often sell out immediately after release, and this LOG.13 series was no exception I was lucky to secure a batch.

The official retail price in Japan is ¥135 per pack.
It’s very affordable, but as mentioned above, it frequently sells out.
Compared to hunting Pokémon cards, it may be easier — but in reality, it still requires visiting multiple convenience stores, which is quite time-consuming.

I plan not only to sell these, but also to include them as a limited-time free bonus for customers who purchase ONE PIECE products from me
(depending on order volume).

This series is already gaining attention in Japan, and some stickers are expected to become especially popular among collectors.

If you’re interested, feel free to contact me:

📷 Instagram: pokeshopjp
💬 WhatsApp: Click here

Today, I’d like to briefly introduce

Start Deck 100: “Lillie’s Clefairy ex.

Lillie is one of the most popular characters in the Pokémon card world,
not only in Japan but also internationally.
As expected, this deck has attracted a lot of attention since its announcement.

Current situation in Japan

In Japan, pre-orders for Start Deck 100 have already closed.
At this point, most people are simply waiting to receive their confirmed orders.

This is not a product that can be freely picked up at stores.
Distribution has been mainly through lotteries and advance reservations.

Because of that:

• New reservations in Japan are no longer available
• Finding it easily at retail price is quite difficult

This reflects the current on-the-ground situation in Japan.

This post is for introduction purposes

This blog post is not meant to focus on pricing
or to create unnecessary hype.

The goal here is simply to share
what the current situation looks like in Japan,
from a local perspective.

That said

If you are interested, feel free to contact me

If you are:

• Looking for the Japanese version from overseas
• Interested in availability after release
• Wanting to discuss condition or sourcing

You’re welcome to contact me directly.

Depending on timing and availability,
I may be able to assist or advise on possible options.

Contact information

• Instagram: @pokeshopjp
• WhatsApp: Click here

Recently, the weather in Fukuoka has suddenly turned cold.
The minimum temperature is around 7°C (about 45°F).
Compared to other countries, this might not sound very cold, but winter in Japan feels a bit different.
It’s a kind of sharp, city-style cold even people who are used to colder climates sometimes say,
“Something about this feels different.”

As usual, after checking card shop prices and market trends, I stopped by a 100-yen shop ($0.64 shop).

Recently, I’ve been shipping not only Pokémon cards, but also sealed boxes, One Piece products, and even Gundam model kits overseas.
Because of that, I’ve been putting more effort into improving packaging quality.

Some people think 100-yen shops are used only because they are cheap, but that’s not how I see it.
When shipping internationally, keeping packages compact is essential.
Shipping costs have risen significantly mainly due to fuel costs and global conditions and during the holiday season, special surcharges apply as well.

Anyone can try to make a package lighter, but weight alone is not enough.
You also have to consider strength and durability.

That’s why I carefully choose packaging materials.
They don’t have to be made specifically for trading cards.
For example, I often use everyday storage cases like the ones shown in the photos.
They come in many sizes, so I can match them to different cards or boxes while keeping them protected.

After that, I stopped by BOOK OFF to look at used books.

People often say that old things have value, and Japanese anime and manga truly do.
One title that is very special to me is Dragon Ball, which is also a big part of my own childhood.

I regularly search for early editions of the Dragon Ball manga.
This time, I didn’t find any in good condition, so I didn’t buy anything.
Finding early prints is not easy but that’s part of the fun.
The joy of searching itself has become a kind of hobby.

I’ve written about my daily routine a few times now,
and I feel like some of you may have started to notice my patterns. 🙂

Today, tomorrow, and every day, I continue checking Pokémon Center releases, card prices, and overall market trends from home.
All of this is done so I can support customers with accurate information and confidence.

Of course, enjoying Pokémon itself is important.
That’s exactly why I focus on building a solid foundation — learning, observing, and understanding the market so Pokémon can be enjoyed properly, not just collected blindly.

Looking Back at McDonald’s Pikachu

On August 9, 2025, McDonald’s Japan ran a limited three-day campaign.
Customers who purchased a Happy Meal received a McDonald’s Pikachu promo pack.

From the very beginning, this card became known as one of the most volatile Pokémon promos of the year.
Recently, however, discussion around McDonald’s Pikachu has noticeably cooled down.

That makes now a good time to step back and review:

• how the price moved from release to today
• what was happening in the market at each stage
• and how we might think about its future from here

Release Period (August)

PSA10

In late August, PSA10 prices moved extremely fast.

• Aug 21: ¥22,944 ($153)
• Aug 25: ¥32,076 ($214)

At launch, there was virtually no PSA supply in the market.
Prices were driven by pre-listings and expectations rather than real circulation.

This pattern is common with new releases:
the first PSA10 listings often appear at unusually high prices, sometimes before anyone knows who will actually buy at that level.
Those early prices then become the reference point for the market.

In this case, the theme was exceptionally clear and appealing:
McDonald’s × Pikachu.

At that stage, nobody knew how many PSA10s would eventually enter circulation.
Buying pressure dominated, creating a textbook early hype market.

Single (Raw) Card

• Aug 19: ¥1,971 ($13)
• Aug 26: ¥2,590 ($17)

Singles did not spike as aggressively as PSA10.
Instead, demand came from collectors who simply wanted one copy in hand.

At the same time, sellers on overseas platforms like eBay underestimated demand.
Supply fell behind, leading to widespread order cancellations and negative feedback issues.

September

PSA10

Price movement remained intense:

• Sep 8: ¥31,406 (≈ $209)
• Sep 13: ¥36,678 (≈ $245)
• Sep 30: ¥21,884 (≈ $146)

This was the period when initial PSA results started returning.
As supply increased, the market began to price in future availability.

Speculative buying slowed, and prices shifted down to a lower range.

Single (Raw) Card

• Sep 9: ¥3,561 ($24)
• Sep 30: ¥3,699 ($25)

Interestingly, while PSA10 prices fluctuated sharply, singles continued to rise steadily.

Many buyers felt PSA10 had become too expensive, but singles still looked reasonable.
Real demand supported the price.

October

PSA10

• Oct 17: ¥19,900 ($133)
• Oct 26: ¥14,715 ($98)

October marked a clear downward phase.

As PSA population numbers continued to rise, oversupply expectations were reflected in pricing.
Short-term traders largely exited the market during this period.

Single (Raw) Card

• Oct 7: ¥3,533 ($24)
• Oct 26: ¥2,942 ($20)

Singles also corrected, but far more gradually than PSA10.

During this time, counterfeit McDonald’s Pikachu cards and tampered packs began appearing on eBay.
This uncertainty caused some buyers to step back temporarily.

November

PSA10

• Nov 2: ¥13,038 ($87)
• Nov 16: ¥11,117 ($74)

November appeared to be a price discovery phase.

Prices continued to soften, but there was no panic selling.
The market tone shifted from speculation to evaluation.

Single (Raw) Card

• Nov 9: ¥2,537 (≈ $17)
• Nov 23: ¥2,288 (≈ $15)

Singles followed PSA10 downward, but again avoided any sharp collapse.

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Current Market (December 2025)

PSA10

• Dec 14: ¥8,500 (≈ $57)

Single (Raw) Card

• Dec 14: ¥2,129 (≈ $14)

Compared to launch highs, PSA10 has adjusted significantly.
However, a clear demand zone has formed around ¥7,500–8,500 ($50–57) in Japan.

Buy orders, shop buybacks, and private trades are concentrated in this range.
Short-term flipping has almost completely disappeared.

The current market is supported mainly by:

• domestic collectors
• overseas buyers with a medium-term view
• businesses valuing PSA10 slabs for repack products

This is no longer an emotionally driven market.
It is a role-based market, supported by function and demand.

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What PSA Population Data Tells Us

Current PSA data shows:

• PSA10: ~153,000 copies
• Total graded: ~172,000 copies
• Gem rate: ~88.79%

This clearly indicates that McDonald’s Pikachu is not a scarcity-driven PSA10.

Price appreciation cannot rely on rarity alone.
This reality must be acknowledged objectively.

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Thinking About Future Price Movement

(Singles + PSA10)

Short Term (Next Few Months)

Unless PSA submissions decline sharply, major price swings are unlikely.

• PSA10: ¥7,500–8,500 ($50–57)
• Single cards: around ¥2,100 ($14)

This is a consolidation phase.

Mid Term (1–2 Years)

If buyers increasingly choose well-known, low-risk Pikachu cards, gradual reevaluation is possible.

• PSA10: around ¥13,000 ($87)
• Singles: room to return toward ¥3,000 ($20)

Long Term (Around 3 Years)

Assuming PSA supply growth slows and the market matures:

• PSA10: ¥15,000–17,000 (≈ $100–113)
• Singles: higher and more stable levels than today

“Everyone knows this Pikachu” becomes a stronger advantage over time.

Final Thoughts

Prices have fallen, but this remains a strong card in my view.
Rather than being overly pessimistic, I hope this card is remembered alongside the experience of August 9, 2025 and carried forward into Pokémon’s 30th anniversary in 2026.

If you’d like to follow my daily updates, research notes,
or occasional behind-the-scenes from Japan, you can find me here:

Instagram: pokeshopjp
WhatsApp: Click here to contact me directly

Shinobu🇯🇵

Thank you always for reading my blog.

I usually try to update it every night (Japan time), but sometimes I fall asleep before I can finish writing.
Some people think I might be an AI, but if I were AI, I’d be able to post every hour without getting tired!
In reality, I’m a very analog human being I open Google Translate for every tricky expression and it often takes me two hours to finish something others might write in thirty minutes.

But maybe that’s exactly what makes this fun.
A human-written blog carries the writer’s pace, personality, and breath.
And that’s part of what connects me with all of you overseas.

Today, I want to share a small piece of my everyday life.

◆ Pokémon Center Fukuoka Feeling the “Air” of the Market

I visit Pokémon Center Fukuoka almost every day.
It’s not just shopping it’s market research, and also part of my service for overseas customers.

On this day, the purchase limits were:

• Mega Dream ex: 1 pack per person
• Tera Festival ex: 2 packs per person

Japan’s Pokémon market is built on “difficulty of access” lotteries, long lines, strict purchase limits.
This inconvenience is ironically what makes it attractive to collectors overseas.

And for some reason, the boxes I buy tend to pull more hits.
Completely random, of course but once these small stories accumulate,
they become a reason for customers to choose me rather than a store.

Business isn’t only logic.
Sometimes “story capital” is what makes someone return.

On this day, I also picked up plushies and snacks requested by customers overseas.
I walk through the store trying to deliver not just items, but also the atmosphere, the crowd, the energy as if I’m carrying a small piece of Fukuoka to another country.

◆ Kasuga Toy Distribution Center The Value of Nostalgia

Later, I took my daughter to the Kasuga Toy Distribution Center.
It looks like a normal toy store from the outside, but inside, it’s something completely different.

To purchase items, you simply pay a ¥300 ($1.90) membership fee at checkout.
There is no fee to enter.
And once you pay the fee once, you can shop normally on your next visit.

Inside, you’ll find:

• snacks that feel straight out of the 1990s
• retro items that remind you of old candy shops
• crane-game-style toys and wholesale-style shelves

It’s a miniature time machine.

My daughter’s eyes were sparkling the entire time and honestly, so were mine.
But even here, I automatically start thinking from a business perspective.

Nostalgia has value that goes beyond price.

Pokémon cards are the same.
People aren’t drawn only to “strong cards” or “old cards”,
but to the memories and stories attached to them.

Kasuga’s shop reminded me of that once again.

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◆ Closing Thoughts Business Isn’t About Selling, It’s About How You Show Up

I don’t operate a big online store.
I don’t list hundreds of items on my website.
And yet, every day, I receive many DMs from overseas and new buyers appear naturally.

Why?

Because I’m not only sending products I’m sending my daily life, the scenery, the atmosphere of Japan.

What looks ordinary to me a photo of the street, the toy shop, the Pokémon Center feels completely new to people overseas.
Sometimes they say,
“I can’t believe you showed that part of your daily life!”

That’s when I realized something important:

I’m not just selling Pokémon cards.
I’m delivering a piece of Japan.

It reminds me of a philosophy often mentioned by Japanese business leaders:
“People don’t buy products. They buy meaning.”

Maybe that’s true.

So I will keep taking photos today, tomorrow, and the next day hoping that someone out there feels a little closer to Japan,
and eventually thinks,
“I want to buy from this person.”

That is the kind of business I want to build simple, warm, and human.

◆ Contact

Instagram: pokeshopjp
WhatsApp: Click here

Understanding the Position of the Hikakin Promo in the “Start Deck 100 Battle Collection – CoroCiao Ver.”

The Start Deck 100 Battle Collection – CoroCiao Ver. will be released in Japan on December 19th (1,280 JPY).
The biggest topic surrounding this product is the inclusion of a special promo card featuring Hikakin, one of Japan’s most influential YouTubers.

However, there are already many misunderstandings circulating online.
This article explains:

・What the Hikakin promo should and should not be compared to
・How the market will likely treat it
・Its long-term value
・The correct way to view it from an investment perspective
・And finally, how to purchase Japanese cards safely through Shinobu

1. Why Comparing the Hikakin Promo to Ishihara GX or Ms. Sachiko Is Completely Incorrect

First, let’s clear up the biggest misconception.

💔 Ishihara GX and Doug Ferguson GX

These cards were created to feature The Pokémon Company’s president and executives, making them corporate historical items.
They were:

• Extremely limited
• Distributed only internally or at special events
• Never intended as “regular promos”

They belong to a completely different category and cannot be compared to the Hikakin promo.

💔 Ms. Sachiko

This card’s value comes from pure scarcity.
With extremely low distribution numbers, it also does not belong in the same category as the CoroCiao Hikakin promo.

2. The Only Proper Comparisons Are “General Celebrity Promos”

The Hikakin promo belongs to the same family as Japan’s past celebrity-related cards, such as:

✔ Detective Yoshida (Ken Watanabe)
✔ Abareru-kun
✔ Fukuyoka Musician promos
✔ Movie / TV collaboration promos

These cards all share the same traits:

・They receive little hype at release

・They have almost no overseas demand

・They are treated domestically as “topic cards”

・Some gain value years later due to nostalgia and rarity in circulation

Therefore, the Hikakin promo should be viewed in this category only.

3. How Celebrity Promo Cards Actually Behave in the Market

This is where people misunderstand the most.

The realistic movement is:

 ⭐️ They do not skyrocket, but they quietly gain value over time.

Typical behavior:

• At release: Not highly praised
• After several years: Seen as a nostalgic item from that era
• PSA 10: Occasionally sells for strong prices, but not explosively

Unlike popular Pokémon species (Pikachu, Charizard, etc.) which have massive global demand,
celebrity promos rely on:

→ Small but steady long-term demand + limited survival rates

The Hikakin promo is expected to follow the same trend.

4. The True Position of the Hikakin Promo: “Short-Term Hype, Long-Term Quiet Value”

The card’s identity can be summarized in two points.

① Short-term: A pure “topic card”

• Zero international demand
• Buzz occurs mainly on Japanese social media
• Strong memory appeal for children and YouTube viewers

It is not meant to compete with high-rarity cards.
Instead, it serves as:

“A cultural snapshot of Japan in 2025.”

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② Long-term: Quiet but stable collectible value

Just like past celebrity promos, it has the potential to:

• Hold value steadily over 5–10 years
• Occasionally achieve strong PSA 10 sales
• Become a nostalgic icon of its release era

But to be clear:

 ❗️It is not a card that will explode in value.

 ❗️It is a cultural promo, not a speculative investment card.

5. Investment Perspective – The Correct Understanding

This is the most appropriate way to view the Hikakin promo:

✔ Not affected by overseas speculators → Stable market
✔ Strong memorability and unique design
✔ Potential for long-term PSA appreciation
✔ Will remain part of the “Start Deck 100” historical series
✔ Ideal for collectors rather than short-term investors

6. Final Thoughts

The CoroCiao Ver. Hikakin promo is not a short-term investment piece.
It is a card designed to be enjoyed as part of Japanese Pokémon culture.

The fact that “a major YouTuber was officially featured on a Pokémon promo”
is something that will undoubtedly remain in the history of the hobby.

As time passes,
nostalgia × moderate rarity
will shape its value just as it has for past celebrity promos.

It may quietly become one of those PSA cards that collectors recognize years later as a unique piece of Japanese Pokémon history.

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⭐ For Collectors Wanting to Purchase Japanese Pokémon Cards Safely

My name is Shinobu, and I specialize in helping international collectors and investors
secure authentic Japanese Pokémon products with confidence.

I currently work directly with collectors in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia
via Instagram and WhatsApp.

I handle:

• Japan-exclusive promo cards
• Start Decks & special boxes
• High-grade singles suitable for PSA submission
• Newly released Japanese products (launch-day shipping available)

If you want guaranteed authentic Japanese items through proper domestic channels, feel free to contact me.

Please note:
I am not accepting tourism questions, store guides, or travel-related inquiries.
I only handle messages related to card purchases and transactions.

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⭐ What I Provide as “Shinobu”

I focus on:

• Accurate card condition descriptions
• Safe and reliable international shipping
• Support for collectors unfamiliar with Japanese
• A consistent, trustworthy long-term buying relationship

As an independent seller, I take responsibility for every single order.
This is what defines the Shinobu brand.

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⭐ How to Contact Me

• Instagram: @pokeshopjp
• WhatsApp: Contact

Feel free to send me a message if you would like to purchase directly.
I will personally assist you.

✨ A Little Day-in-the-Life Update from Fukuoka

Today was a beautiful day here in Fukuoka, so I headed to the post office to ship a large batch of EMS packages.

I always load everything into my car and bring it directly to the post office because, in my experience, the real information from postal staff is often more reliable than what you’ll find online.

For example, just last month I learned from the post office that Japan Post had temporarily suspended shipments to Canada due to a postal strike there.
Most people wouldn’t think to check Canadian postal news, so hearing it directly helped me adjust quickly and avoid delays.

📍 Checking Card Prices at BookOff

After the post office, I stopped by BookOff to check the latest prices and card movement.

I’m not trying to compete with shops, but in many cases my own prices tend to be lower.
What I’m really monitoring is:

• Which cards are gaining traction
• What’s selling
• Inventory movement
• Early signs of price changes

By visiting multiple stores almost every day, you naturally start to feel the “flow” of the market.

There is always a reason for price movement.
Researching the “why?” later is one of the most enjoyable parts of this business.

Occasionally, I even find old-back or rare cards at surprisingly good prices, and when that happens… I never hesitate.

Many foreigners ask me,
“What’s the best card shop in Japan?”
But realistically, there is no single best shop.

Every Japanese card shop has its own personality.
If you’re visiting Japan, I strongly recommend exploring 5–10 shops to feel the differences.

Because your time in Japan is limited,
focus on exploring rather than buying right away.
Just observing is already a huge learning experience.

🛒 A Stop at the 100 Yen Shop — A $0.64 Treasure Chest

Next, I went to a 100 yen shop to restock shipping supplies.

20 years ago, many items there were low-quality imports.
But today the quality is remarkably high.

Foreign tourists often buy tons of stationery, stickers, and cute small items to take home.

My favorite section is the shipping materials:

• Bubble mailers
• Cardboard boxes
• Protection sheets
• Perfectly sized packaging for Pokémon cards

I’m sure many of you have experienced this before…

Sometimes you receive a package that makes you think:
“Did they just use household trash as packing material?” 😅

For me, packaging is part of the service.
Since this is a business, cutting corners is not an option.
I’m very particular about packaging and always pack with great care.

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🌏 Working Within Global Time Zones

Japan’s daytime is nighttime in the US and Europe.
So while most of you are asleep, I’m:

• Shipping orders
• Doing market research
• Restocking supplies

Then in the evening, I shift to writing BLOG posts or Reddit articles.

Recently, thanks to Reddit exposure, my BLOG is now appearing in Google search results, and I’ve begun receiving messages from card businesses around the world.
It has led to many great connections.

And of course individual collectors are always welcome.
Many people reach out even for a single card, and I genuinely enjoy the daily communication.

I write this BLOG not just for updates, but so you can also feel a bit of our daily life here in Japan.

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👤 A Late but Proper Introduction

I realized I had never properly introduced myself, so:

My name is Shinobu 🇯🇵
I’m based in Fukuoka, and I run my store together with my wife.

• Reddit posts
• Instagram captions
• Every BLOG entry

These are all written by me.

Please feel free to call me Shinobu when you DM it makes me happy.

Also… just a fun fact:
I’m very passionate about retro video games and the Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32).
If you ever bring up the RB26 engine, I can talk forever 😄

I’ll gradually share more of these small personal stories in future BLOG posts too.

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📩 Contact Information

If you’re interested in cards or have questions, feel free to reach out anytime:

Instagram: @pokeshopjp
WhatsApp: Click Her
※ WhatsApp replies are usually faster.