I keep a small list of where to buy Japanese train supplies in my wishlist. A recent visitor told me that he bookmarked that page, not because he was interested in what I wanted (why not?) but because of that small list.
Here then is a considerably larger list of places you can purchase Japanese model trains and supplies, with some commentary. This is a list of on-line retailers that will ship worldwide. Compiling a list of brick-and-mortar shops in Japan would take considerably more effort.
The pricing entry for each seller gives the ratio of the sellers price to MSRP. So, 90% means a 10% discount from MSRP, where 110% means a 10% markup over MSRP. The shipping entry indicates the shipping options the seller offers. EMS is the fastest and most expensive (like USPS Express Mail or FedEx Overnight); from Tokyo to St. Louis (my personal experience) takes about three days from order placement to knock on my door. SAL is airmail (like USPS Priority Mail), and is considerably less expensive than EMS, but can take up to four weeks. My experience is that orders typically arrive in just over a week. Surface means putting your order on a container ship, and can take months, and so few overseas sellers offer this option, but at least one does offer it.
In North America
There are a few North American retailers who deal in Japanese stock, but not many. Typically, you will be paying a premium for the convenience of dealing with a fellow American (or Canadian).
- Newhall Station I have never bought from them, but I hear from others that they are very knowledgeable about the products they sell. Moreover, they have easily the largest selection of any North American vendor, including some otherwise hard-to-acquire items. However, their markup is, frankly, ridiculous—importing directly from Japan could save you considerable money, unless having a native English speaking staff to help you out is of paramount importance.
Pricing: 115%–220% (!!)
Shipping: USPS Priority Mail (inside North America), EMS (worldwide) - Kato USA The American wing of the famous Japanese company maintains a small selection of items—about half a dozen—listed for sale on its website. Occasionally, Kato USA will take preorders for Japanese prototype items being advertised that month. The selection is very limited, and the window for ordering is likewise. You have to keep checking their website to see if a new preorder window has opened. But, you get to buy directly from the manufacturer, which may reassure many.
Pricing: 105% (hey, they are the M in MSRP, after all…)
Shipping: UPS (worldwide) - The N-Scale Division Their selection is mostly of older products, and much of what they list is sold out, but they do have stock. The prices aren’t terrible, either.
Pricing: 100%–115%
Shipping: USPS Priority Mail and Express Mail (USA)