Tokyo Character Street—and Where to Shop in Vancouver

If you mean Tokyo Character Street, the character-merchandise shopping area is in Japan, not Vancouver. It forms part of First Avenue Tokyo Station, outside the station’s ticket gates on the Yaesu side. The operator describes it as a collection of shops featuring popular Japanese characters. Official Tokyo Station guide

For a Vancouver trip, choose a local shop by what you want to browse: Artbox on Robson for character gifts and stationery, or Hobby Bee on Renfrew for anime figures and model kits. These are individual shopping stops, rather than a character-shopping street.

Artbox Robson: the simpler downtown stop

Artbox’s operator, Amuse Ground, lists its Robson Street shop at 1248 Robson Street, Vancouver. This is the practical first choice if you want to fit a browse into a downtown or West End day rather than make shopping a separate excursion. Store location

The retailer’s catalogue includes plushies, bag charms, blind boxes and stationery. Its brand directory lists Sanrio, Pokémon, Snoopy and Studio Ghibli, making it a useful starting point for small character-themed gifts. Those listings describe the retailer’s range, not a guarantee that a particular item is on the Robson shelves. Product categories · Brand directory

Suggested plan: allow 30–45 minutes for browsing, then continue your existing downtown outing.

If you are already visiting Burnaby, the same operator also lists Artbox Metrotown at Metropolis, 4700 Kingsway. Choose the branch that fits your day; there is little reason to visit both unless you have confirmed different stock. Branch directory

Hobby Bee: a deliberate stop for figure collectors

Hobby Bee is at 3735 Renfrew Street, Vancouver. Its shop lists Nendoroids, scale figures, action figures and model kits, so it is the more targeted choice when you want a display collectible rather than stationery or a plush gift. Shop catalogue and contact details

As of October 27, 2026, its published hours are 11am–6pm Monday–Friday and noon–6pm Saturday–Sunday. The retailer separates in-stock items from pre-orders: check that distinction, and confirm store availability before travelling for one particular figure. Store hours · In-stock and pre-order listings

For a car-free visit, enter the Renfrew address and your starting point into TransLink’s Trip Planner, which shows journey time and transfers. Treat this as its own shopping stop rather than assuming it belongs on a downtown walking route.