Mars New York

I hate this place.
It would be funny to leave my review like that, but you need explanations!
As someone who probably knows too much about animé goods (I would never admit this aloud), you should very rarely buy any goods from this store. It’s RIDICULOUSLY overpriced. Go to Kinokuniya next door! You will literally find some of the same items, but for some reason, they cost more here. A huge difference when the MOST a normal strap should really go for is $ 10, but they’re over $ 10 here. It really annoys me because they have some goods not found in Kinokuniya, but I could never bear to spend money on something I know could be cheaper. Kinokuniya, please carry through for me!
Most items are from China. Meaning I could go to a 99 cents store and find the same things at a much cheaper price. I’m not sure who falls for it, but… sorry. This applies to the hair accessory section you’ll see when you walk in, and most of their toys.
For a store at Mitsuwa, it sure has more Chinese and Korean goods than Japanese ones…
They still have silly bands lol. They cost more than $ 1 lol. They’re dusty and faded with age lol. A metaphor for the sadness reflected by this store.
There are AMUSE brand stuffed animals! Like Alpacasso, Wooly sheep, and recently, I’ve seen the hamster, shiba inu, and Tsuchineko! They’re all very cute, but I’m just not ready to drop $ 20 on them yet. They seem legit to me, but I’m not exactly an expert, so be prepared in case they’re good rip-​offs.
Why are their animé clear files cheap? Because they’re not from Japan. I know, that’s a silly thing to make a big deal about, but Japanese clear files are a bit different. The print is higher quality for one thing, and they don’t have that ridiculous crunchyroll (was it crunchyroll? it was something like that; I forgot) symbol on the back. I was so hopeful!
The expensive Sanrio ones are actually from Japan. But if it’s not the incredible 5 pocket ones, you can get one at Kinokuniya for $ 1.95, so don’t bother with these.
Their stationery section is small, and generally overpriced. I wouldn’t buy any of it unless you were desperate to gift something to someone.
Their kitchen/​bento things appear to be decently priced. Except if you walk to Mitsuwa marketplace, you might find the same thing for a dollar less. Serves me right for trying to give this store another chance.
Two stars because recently, service has gotten better. Those kids there now are trying their best, so I don’t want to give them only one star for their effort. It’s not their fault they have to work here.
For future visitors, who may pass by because of the summer festival, PLEASE THINK REASONABLY. Could you possibly find this item at a cheaper price? YES, SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR PURCHASES.

The nicest thing I can say about Mars is that they occasionally beat nearby stores like Kinokuniya, but this is extremely rare. Some of their smaller figures and blind boxes are cheaper than you’ll find elsewhere in the metro area, but for the most part they are preposterously expensive.
They are also either incompetent, or devious. At least when it comes to gunpla (a portmanteau of Gundam plastic models).
You see, they have quite a selection of mecha models. It’s no Gundam Planet, but I’d say they come somewhat close to Image Animé or Dashop Corp. The problem, dear Unilocalers, is how they price these model kits.
By way of example, I will use the Perfect Grade Gundam Zeta model kit. Already retailing at wallet-​punching $ 240, Mars sells this kit for $ 460, nearly double the retail price. Perhaps you’re thinking, «well jeeze, it’s a big kit and they probably had to import it from Japan.» Well this is why I call them either incompetent or devious.
Approximately fifteen minutes away, you can purchase that exact same kit for a mere… two-​hundred and forty dollars. That’s right, MSRP, not an insane markup.
So one day, I ask a clerk why the kits are so heinously expensive, despite the fact that you can buy the same kits elsewhere, within a fifteen minute drive, for the regular retail price. The gentleman proceeds to walk me over to the kits, plucks one from the shelf, and thrusts his finger at the place where it gives you the price in Yen. He then confidently declares that they double the Yen price, and then stick a decimal point in front of the last two zeroes. Before I have the opportunity to point out how astoundingly dumb this is, he informs me that this is just how everyone prices gunpla… despite the fact that I had been referring to exact prices that I’ve paid for kits, purchased at shops mere miles away.
Thus, I conclude that there are two possibilities, or perhaps two-​and-​a-​half.
I suppose it’s possible that he thought I was lying as a way of trying to haggle, in which case they actually think their prices make sense. Hence, incompetence!
The other option is that he knew better, but was sticking with their usual lies, just in case anybody who didn’t know any better was listening. Devious!
Either way, despite the selection (and they have some cool stuff I’ve never even seen online), no one should ever purchase gunpla from Mars, unless they suddenly decide to either learn what they’re doing, or quit trying to fleece tourists.
I did get a great price on some Build Model Gundam (the capitalization is deliberate, that’s what the particular line is called) figures, though! Five bucks each, and that’s cheaper than Kinokuniya. That and the handful of rarities are the only things that earn this place a second star. Basically, if you’re going to be at Mitsuwa anyways, it can be worth looking into this shop, because you might be surprised to find something (that isn’t gunpla) that’s both cool and reasonably priced.
Also, as a side note, they share a space with another store that sells lots of dishes. The two shops are in the same space, meaning they share a door, but the place with the dishes is otherwise completely walled off. It’s kind of hard to explain, but you’ll see what I mean when you walk in. Anyways, the place with the dishes has a nice variety ranging from cute to classy, and the prices over there seem to be at least somewhat reasonable.
But seriously, avoid the gunpla at all costs, unless you just want to see a few rarities you probably won’t find in any other store in the States. Maybe treat it like a museum, but with price tags and curators that always think you’re going to steal stuff.

Soooo overpriced. The profit margins must be astronomical. I’ve been to Japan numerous times and they are selling stuff for way more than necessary to compensate for import costs. My jaw dropped numerous times as I picked up plushies and toys that would cost under $ 10 in Japan and they had stickers for $ 45-​$ 55 on them. Its borderline robbery! I’ve been to Japanese toy shops in NYC that sell the same products for 1.5−2x the cost in Japan…5−7x is just not justifiable. For example, check out Toy Tokyo in Manhattan instead!

I was so excited before even walking in the store — you can see all the goodies from outside!
There is a lot of variety to choose from but everything is a bit pricey. T-​shirts go for about $ 40, the keychains I saw about $ 8, cups $ 10 – 20. You can also get kimonos in the back for $ 400.
I did like some of the zodiac things they had behind the counter.
I would definitely stop by again but don’t know how much I will actually buy.

Very kawaii store! Every time I come in
I end up buying cute stationary. They sell lots of plushies, animé figures, and a lot of traditional Japanese accessories too. A very nice store that you must visit if you come to Mitsuwa!

This store is a bit overcrowded with a bit of everything. I love all the toys and baby products and kitchen items!

If you take the shuttle bus, it stops in front of Mars New York. This tempts you to enter the store, because it is so inviting. They can buy kimonos, slippers, toys, sushi shaped little erasers, stickers in 3D, miniature room and food set, pokemon cards, clothing, and etc. They sell utensils, such as chopstick sets and fork and spoon sets. They also sell Japanese painting and sculpture. It is like a 99 cent store that has everything, but with a 500% increase in price. I really didn’t buy anything, but miniature set was very tempting as a collection.

A lot of space filled with Asian stationery, knick knacks, furniture, and kitchen ware. Since I love cute, Asian things, it was heavenly to look around. The only problem is that it’s a bit unorganized and crowded in there because there are lots of browsers and narrow aisles. There’s not necessarily any order to how everything is laid out, so it’s difficult to find things, especially if you’re going in with something precisely in mind to buy.

I don’t like this place anymore, they treat people like thieves. And I’m not the only, as I can see in one of the comments.

This store was located right across from the Mitsuwa’s marketplace. I love coming in here cause this place carries so many different kinds of things. This place isn’t small so they hold A LOT! of wonderful things!
They got some bags which aren’t that special to be honest. But! it’s okay because they got a lot more things that you can check out.
There’s a small section of shirts that are supposedly really good (material wise), I don’t know about that since I haven’t brought myself one. But the designs are really cute that you can’t /​or can hardly find in Manhattan and Flushing (and wherever else)
The best thing are all the toys around!!! They are just so cute and adorable I can hardly contain myself. Yet I must XP
Mars even have some classic/​old school toys that «older» people would remember .
They also carry notebooks and pencils cases– at low prices. I recently got myself a cute pencil bag/​case for only 6 $. I know for a fact in Flushing and Manhattan it would usually be triple that price, which was why I never get one. When I planned to hang at mitsuwa I knew the price would be way cheaper. Same goes for the books and everything else.
They have so much more !!! Too much to write… for me anyways. Just check it out when you are around edgewater/​Mitsuwa. Mitsuwa is an awesome place anyways.

Cute store with loads of Hello Kitty stuff.
They have home decoration pieces, cutsie school supplies, stuffed animals, shirts, etc. Overall, the prices were leaning towards the higher end. Employees were pretty neutral. If you decide to browse around a bit longer, don’t be surprised if an employee starts to follow you.
Good shop to visit if you’re looking for a gift.
This store is right beside Utsuwa-​No-​Yakata.

I totally wanted to buy that Domo bag! And a bunch of other Japanese trinkets. This place, located in the shopping center of good ol’ Mitsuwa, has some awesome Japanese toys. I was contemplating of whether or not I should drop some serious dough on Gundam models, Samurai swords, and kimonos. In the end my adult side kicked in and told me to chill. It’s these kinds of moments that make me feel like a kid again that truly excites me and Mars gives it up in style. I mean come on they actually sell wooden sandals, oh sorry I meant to say sandaru, like the ones that ninjas and samurais wore back in feudal Japan. Can you imagine my inner nerd kicking in. I was instantly transported to another time and place where my battle with the Wolf of Mibu was taking place (anybody know who I’m talking about?). After what seemed like hours inside this place, I walked out with a small Vincent Valentine figurine that sits proudly on my computer desk! Worth every penny.

So I totally used to love this place as a kid. I loved checking out the little trinkets.
My boyfriend and I decided ti check it out after indulging in some delish food at mitsua marketplace.
I wanted to show my boyfriend around the place and we laughed about the old school (for us!) multifunctional pencil cases. you know the hard ones that used to pop open in different ways depending on what button you pressed? He was really amazed that he just figured out where the little asian girls in his old grammar school got hose cool mechanical pencils. LOL!
I gave this place one star, because the two guys that worked there as their makeshift security or help or whatever they were, followed us around. Everywhere. Okay, so I’m asian and my boyfriend is black. *looks around as if I don’t know that my own boyfriend is black* It was so obvious that they feared we (or he) would steal something, that it was uncomfortable. What was uncomfortable was the fact that they tried to strike up multiple conversations AFTER the fact that we walked away multiple times. I mean, we were so nice to them, and it wasn’t until I was three seconds away from being ready to leave that I realized why they kept following us around… RACIAL PROFILING.
Won’t be coming back, and I’m going to make sure that others know.

I NEVER go to Jersey… Well I can’t say that cause Jersey has Sonic, Mitsuwa and this place… Mars New York has of mix of things for everyone. Vases and tea sets for your mom and Aunt. Purses, wallets and handbags for your sister. Toys, plush toys, action figures and stickers for you little brother. This is definitely a place to find everything.
This is right next to Mitsuwa, so after grocery shopping you can come by here and take a look around.

I wish this store was a little cheaper! They have a lot of Japanese knick knacks that I adore such as the domo dolls and various stationaries. If you’re anything like me, you will probably find something that you don’t need but absolutely gotta HAVE!

A general household goods store in Mitsuwa Marketplace that sells a bit of just about everything. Don’t expect extraordinary quality, it has more of a bargain market vibe, although prices are high as a lot of their items are imports. Mars is adjacent to a ceramics shop, sharing a front entrance with a walkway between them further in.
Right up front are some tatami mats and seat cushions, followed by t-​shirts and western style apparel. On the right wall are shelves and some crowded galleries of Japanese animé/​manga character goods. On the left are bags, wallets, then more small character goods. Down the center are aisles of goodies that include toys, stuffed animals, cell phone accessories, stationery, and decorative stuff. They have a decent selection of Miyazaki character goods in the center that constantly changes. Beyond this is a kitchenware area, stocking Japanese utensils, plateware, cooking utensils and other tools, along with a large display of knives. There are more expensive display items, paintings, and calligraphy equipment including paper and brushes. By the cashier are a large assortment of fabric-​wrapped decorative items and accessories like coin purses, pocket mirrors, and small dolls. In the back, more traditional Japanese goods are stocked, including apparel (yukata, aprons, tabi, geta, haori, etc), furniture (tatami mats, zaisu tatami chairs, paper lamps, tansu), and noren (door curtains), not to mention some shinai (bamboo kendo sword).
All in all, a treasure trove and great place to search for Japanese goods.

this is a cute shoppe, with a large variety of items! when you first walk in to your left you’ll see a variety of bags, purses and some clothing (ton of buden akindo) most of which actually brought back from japan. if you see something you like and there is only one, i suggest you buy it because the owner may not get another one in (she gets stuff every couple of months)!
there is also a nice selection of memopads and sundries, mainly san-​x and q-​lia. you’ll also see lots of plushies and charms, all of the aforementioned moderately priced. in the back of the store there are some various household items and random stuff, tatami, kimono (i believe they do custom orders too), swords (yes swords), lamps etc.
the staff is friendly, the owner is really helpful and if you’re looking for something in particular, she’ll take your number and contact you when it comes in… there is also usually some jpop playing the background (last time it was koda kumi HAH!). the prices aren’t bad at all, so if you’re at the marketplace this is definitely a must-​see, you’re bound to find at least one cute charm.
(also note, connected to the store is a great table/​dishware store that’s worth visiting too!)