Warhammer Osu Store - opening 13/7/2024

[Jye Nicolson]

https://x.com/WH_JPN/status/1802536730438082678

Looks like the long rumoured store is finally opening in Osu! Not sure how they'll go for foot traffic at the location mentioned on their Facebook page but it's not too far from the rest of OSU's culinary and geeky delights so could be very handy. Hopefully they have non-trivial play space.

I think they're opening on AoS 4 release day? Could be double opportunity to pick up some swag.

[The Other Dave]

That's also the next Ichinomiya underworlds day Hopefully it won't affect turnout much. (I think they usually have "opening day" type stuff for pretty much the whole week after opening, so I'll probably head in on the 14th or 15th to see what's what myself.)

(After a little google maps perusal...) Ooh, it's just catty-corner from a little taco place, though, can't hate that!

[Primarch]

Hopefully it introduces a whole new wave of players to the hobby. If they have some proper play-space, it might be a way to get in extra games every now and again.
I just hope that it doesn't impact Meruhen. Joshin scaled back its WH stock a while back and I'm wondering if that was a reaction to this store being planned, or if GW forced them to. Fingers crossed Meruhen is far enough away that they can operate as usual, I like having a discount.

[Konrad]

Interesting! Will have to swing by and check out the toys.

[Jye Nicolson]

Hopefully it introduces a whole new wave of players to the hobby. If they have some proper play-space, it might be a way to get in extra games every now and again.
I just hope that it doesn't impact Meruhen. Joshin scaled back its WH stock a while back and I'm wondering if that was a reaction to this store being planned, or if GW forced them to. Fingers crossed Meruhen is far enough away that they can operate as usual, I like having a discount.

To be honest I suspect Joshin and Yodabashi scaling back is more about their own sales than anything GW might want; some of the kits on their shelves have been in Japan longer than I have (let alone a bunch of now quite useless books).

I'd hope dedicated retailers would be fine specifically because they do have a discount, and thus shouldn't face any threat to their existing clientele of wargaming weirdoes. Our main driver for buying from GW is stuff you can only get direct (including rando merch, I'm quite find of my ridiculous Imperium socks) and maybe politeness if we happen to be gaming there.

My very vague understanding is the stores are seen more as marketing than anything else, so hopefully they will grow the pool. The manager's compensation is likely directly affected by the sales of the store, so someone will care, but that's not the main goal.

[The Other Dave]

Especially here in Japan where hobby shops with space for and the inclination to do demo games are very much not the norm, the standard Warhammer Store experience of a demo game and/or a mini to paint is probably going to be the main draw.

Some organized play for Underworlds and other connections to people interested in non-flagship games is what I'm mostly excited about.

[Balloonacorn]

Does GW still give away a free mini every month?

In addition, someone with good Japanese should go in and tell them about the club so we can get direct referrals. It is what we used to do back home for Blood Bowl.

[Jye Nicolson]

Does GW still give away a free mini every month?

Yes! They also do store anniversary minis/swag, though that requires a purchase.

In addition, someone with good Japanese should go in and tell them about the club so we can get direct referrals. It is what we used to do back home for Blood Bowl.

I'll tell them in bad Japanese, if nothing else.

[me_in_japan]

If nothing else, the staff at the Osu GW should know about this group, so they can recommend it to folks looking for games that aren't doable in-store. This group existing is clearly a benefit to anyone looking to grow a local gaming scene, even if we do play non-GW stuff, too.

Heck, the manger of the store could do worse than make an account here and get posting. Drum up some customer etc.

[TirNaNog]

does anyone know the location ill have to go down and say hello myself