Hidden Gem Alert! Attention hobbyists and gift givers: Neo Happyland might just be your new happy place. Circumstances brought me to this unique and fun store that is practically hidden on the first floor of what appeared to be an abandoned mall in Chinatown, the Bamboo Plaza. Had I not known about this store and its location before visiting, I probably would not have entered the plaza. Upon entering, I was immediately greeted by Natalie one of the store owners. I then met with Alan, her husband and co-owner. Both were super personable, friendly and knowledgeable. I overheard them conversing about some of the products with other customers in the store. They really knew their product. The store was jampacked with products from floor to ceiling. I was overwhelmed with how much there was to see. There were so many different model kits to choose from (Pokemon, Bandai, Gundam, etc.). They also had figurines, model paint, books, stickers, Gundam decals, Book Nook and Wonderland items, Pokemon Mini Building Blocks, other building blocks, DVDs and other fun items. Everything was well stocked and neatly organized. I appreciated that most of the items were displayed behind glass so that you could see the actual product vs just looking at the picture on the box. Even though I am an adult, I felt like a kid in a candy store. I did not leave empty-handed. :) If you're looking for a wonderful brick and mortar hobby shop with Asian flair, I highly recommend this shop. read more

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Really Great Store and Hidden Gem I shopped in years every time I visit Los Angeles. Staff there is very down to earth and kind. But this store has a variety of selection such as Chogokins, Gunpla, Prize Figs, Construction Kits, Etc... Prices there are very reasonable too, honestly, I prefer going to this store compared to places like Jungle or Robot4Less due to price reasons. I would absolutely recommend this store for those who are in the hobby or starting to get into a hobby. read more

Neo Happyland - A Kit I bought from them - Toy Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

The pandemic has not been kind to this area. The Bamboo Plaza has had all the shops closed and gone to what used to be so full of hustle and bustle. Except for one store in a corner on the ground floor...Neo Happyland! There was so much to see inside. And the stocks in-store we fairly priced, even cheap! I opted to buy a couple of Book Nooks from Rolife, and when I checked the price online, this store sold it significantly lower! So many model kits to see and choose from...you are only restricted by the credit limit on your card! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! The store owner was very friendly and very knowledgeable on all the items she had in-store. I learned a lot from her about the Book Nook items I purchased. We only come to Los Angeles once in a blue moon. I hoped that we came more often to visit this store. But we will make this a required stop next time we're in the area. (If only they had online ordering...) I hope something happens to the Bamboo Plaza that brings back business to the building. To bring back customer traffic for Neo Happyland. If you're in the area and looking for kits, support this store. It is a "hidden" gem! read more

Came in on a whim since we were in the area, and was so surprised at how much variety and items they had available. Considering this is probably the only store left in the plaza, it still had so much to offer from Gunpla, to Yu-gi-oh model kits, and even some DIY Book Nook kits. The pricing was fair if not cheap compared to online prices. It was so hard to not leave with more, but will definitely come by more when I'm in the area. read more

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I thought that they had a good selection of anime figures and statues and other varieties to add to your collection. They are pretty good with helping you out and service and their value and prices of things are fair and good too. read more

I once bought a Lego car here it looks really cool now that I finished it and also my dad loves gundam and this store is might for him they also have one piece and more read more

I wandered into this (mostly) vacant mall not expecting to find anything at all, but was very pleasantly surprised to discover the sole shining light at the very back: THE best gunpla model kit store I've ever seen in LA! Their selection is really impressive. On our visit we found several non-gunpla kits and figures that we'd never seen before, which is saying something. We've been to every store on the nearby Little Tokyo strip several times over and often find the same tired inventory shared between most of them. This place was such a breath of fresh air. Plus, not only are the prices extremely fair, but they actually have sale items!! Several Mobile Suit Gundam kits from the latest The Witch From Mercury line were going for 15-20% off, something I've never seen at Anime Jungle or anywhere else in LT. I got the HG Demi Barding for $20, an amazing deal. Highly recommend this hidden gem for all your gunpla needs. Can't wait to go back! read more

Neo Happyland - A Zaku II sets the stage for a transcendent, wall-to-wall gunpla kit shopping experience! - Toy Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My favorite stop in Chinatown and my favorite shop to get Gundam model kits in the world. I literally refuse to buy from anywhere else because I tell myself, "You can wait until you go to Neo Happyland." Tucked away in a plaza that has no other open stores, this store is the light of my life. Their workers are very knowledgable, the model kits have the best prices I've ever seen (compared to Little Tokyo in LA, Japantown in SF, and other model kit shops,) and there are so many great options to choose from. They don't have an online store, but they do have an Instagram where they mention their new shipments! That's another thing that makes this place special. It's a brick and mortar that you have to go see, especially if you're in need to make your inner child happy again. read more

The store is literally a hole in a wall situation. They have a good selection of gundam model kits, kotobukiya kits, and third-party builds. The store is clean, and when I inquire about a specific kit's availability, they always deliver. The prices are equal to Amazon, but I don't have to wait for delivery or worry about my package getting lost or stolen. If you're wondering, just go. They have parking, and they validate. read more

If you're a Gunpla fan in Los Angeles, I'd definitely recommend keeping this place on your radar. The store is well-kept and nicely arranged, tucked away in a relatively quiet shopping center. Just enter from Hill Street, and you'll stumble upon a treasure trove of brightly colored plastic models and figurines tucked away at the back. read more

Great hobby store, love the people who run the shop. kind of tucked in inside the bamboo plaza in chinatown. has been my go to shop for the past 10 years and will continue going here. Owners are amazing and consistently update their instagram with restocks and new kits. please if you have the chance to visit this hobby store in chinatown, i heavily recommend them read more

extremely cool hidden gem, glad places like this exist still. awesome selection of model supplies.

Hard to say anything good when it's closed... but hard to say anything bad as well. Below is a picture of me exhausted after circling the building twice just to try and Find some sorta entrance. I can't blame the company tho. Looks like the building itself was closed. Big bummer man, wanted to see some toys... idk if I'd buy anything though, kinda strapped for cash. But boy oh boy if they had something special I might've had to use my credit card... I'm in debt. read more

Neo Happyland has been a fixture of Chinatown since probably before I first visited back in the early 2000s I will always hold this business responsible for my obsession with all things Gundam when I walked by their window display on my hunt for Pokemon cards and saw all the beautifully painted Gunpla for the first time. Bamboo Plaza has seen better times but through it all, Neo Happyland perseveres. Besides the nostalgia factor review, their model kits selection is amazing, and competitively priced. There are many P-Bandai models, as well as some interesting third party kits. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Their social media presence has probably helped regulars and first timers alike find out what new arrivals have come in. All around awesome. Check them out! Support this hidden gem of Chinatown! Then go get a piece of strawberry sponge cake from Phoenix Bakery to celebrate your newest model purchase. You deserve it. read more

Best assortment of Gundam on the West Coast. Outstanding. Easy to find, easy to park, and mind-blowing.

Inconsistent operating hours. Prices are high. Not very helpful. I do not recommend this place.

~GUNPLA GALORE~ I grew up building Gunpla, but my work was choppy from improvising tools with what I could find around the house. This store caught my attention because they sold tools, accessories and paints along with model kits. During my visit, I was immediately greeted and as quickly as she said hello, she left me alone to shop. Love it. I picked out a Gunpla kit and made my way to the counter to ask about tools. She suggested the basic toolkit which came with nippers, tweezers, a file/chisel and a panel lining pen. I had a wonderful experience and will come back again. That weekend I followed their Instagram (@neohappylandcompany) and saw from their highlights the Metal Gear Rex model kit. I did not want to be rude, but I really wanted to know if it was still available. I DM'd for availability and got a reply the same night saying it was still available. I fucking died. Made my way back and could not believe I was able to take home such a rare item. Follow them on Instagram! They post whenever they receive new stock and provide updates! Shoutout to the employee there. I appreciate her help and friendly attitude :) read more

Neo Happyland - Metal Gear Rex 1/100 model kit - Toy Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I searched for a Sanrio store because I wanted to buy Hello Kitty. This place came up. Does not have any Hello Kitty. They should not pop up in Yelp. They have a huge selection of anime. read more

This is the place to go for Gunpla. They have a huge sectional of model kits. Prices are very reasonable. Staffs are super nice and they are willing to give you tricks and tips on building model kits. This is a most go for Gunpla fans. read more

Been there a few years ago and just recently went there today. They re-organize the place to be more open and less clutter. Prices are reasonable. The building its in is pretty dead. I wouldn't trust parking in the parking lot up top since the elevators looks to be in bad shape. I usually park in the church street on the opposite side and walk over. read more

I think if you're into Gunpla in LA, this place should definitely be on your radar. The shop is neat and organized, and tucked away in a rather empty shopping center. Enter from Hill Street and find the oasis of brightly colored plastic models and figurines in the back. read more

Love this store, good selection, they stock new stuff regularly and the staff has always been super helpful. Park in the garage, they validate and there is tons of parking. read more

Quite hidden but a nice hidden treasure of gunpla! Great selection and awesome displays read more

If you are into Gundam models or Sanrio plushy toys, this is definitely the store for you. There's tons and tons of it. I used to come here a lot when I was a kid and it was the legit place to get any anime merchandise. While they do have unique stuff that you would not see at your local Hot Topic or Boxlunch stores, it's definitely not the same as before. While most of the unique and new merch is near the cashier area, the back of the store has random knick knacks that most Chinatown stores have, and I was really disappointed to see leftover anime scrolls/posters that I recognized from way back when; like a sad memento. Located on the bottom floor of Bamboo plaza, it's the only store that survived this now dead zone. At least they do have ample parking that you can get validated at the store, so you don't have to search for one on the streets. Unfortunately, looking at the state of this place made me realize that there's not much (for me at least) to come back to. read more

Neo Happyland - Entrance - Toy Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Between their recent remodel and massive restocks, this is my go to Gunpla hobby shop in SoCal.

It is the only store open in the back corner on the ground floor in a deserted shopping center. Clean and organized store. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Selection is nice with a lot of High Grade kits. I purchased a kit that had a price lower with sales tax than an online store with shipping plus tax. I would definitely visit the store again when I am in the area. read more

Great selection of Gundam and other anime parts. My friend is a Gunpla enthusiast and has gone to dozens of similar stores in the area, Neo Happyland has many items that aren't easy to acquire elsewhere. We saw rare and uncommon figurines that are normally difficult to get outside of Japan. Staff was really friendly. The place is tucked inside a mall in Little Tokyo with other Japanese stores so you can definitely check out multiple in one trip. All sales are final read more

I was impressed with the huge selection of Gundam models. Seems like this is what the store is focused on. Also found the price points to be pretty good. read more

This place had some of the most honest prices I've seen in LA county. I saw some figures that you would find for double the price at other stores. Great hidden gem read more

A terrifying location, but an absolutely delightful location filled with the cream of Japanese imported goodness.

They are very good and friendly but what they have in stock and what they price some of their things leave much to be desired.

I came in this past Sunday (pro tip: free street parking on Sundays if you can find a spot). I left with 3 MGs: Gundam Wing VerKa, Freedom 2.0, and Eclipse. Pricing: Pretty much the price of shipping and the package themselves if you were to buy online. This place is your one stop shop for mainly gunpla and plamo. They also have some lego-like sets which are so cool! Unlike other hobby shops, this one is definitely gunpla heavy (really hard to look for), whereas other shops usually include a mix of Japanese related stuff (ie figurines, pins, funko, etc). They also have some runners, paints, and tools too for your customization needs! Check out their instagram for more stock updates. Plus side, this is a family owned shop! Support your local businesses! read more

This place is just as cool as the name, hidden in empty shopping plaza. I found some anime figures for my kiddo to score some easy cool dad points. Too much awesome stuff to list. read more

Small store, but they had a good variety of kits. They post new arrivals on their IG and the woman at the front was really nice.

It all started on one lazy Sunday afternoon that I found myself trying get into Gunpla so I searched a nearby Gunpla shop and this place was the real deal! Ever since I will always go here to get my kits. It's true that you may be able to save some $ if you get your Gunpla from Amazon but the additional $1 to $2 you are to pay in this store is worth it since you can have it at the same day. :) Overall, I highly recommend this Gunpla store. Tip: You can park at the Bamboo Plaza's parking lot and the store can validate your parking. read more

Neo Happyland - The iconic pose of RX 78-2 (MG RX 78-2 The Origin). - Toy Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My brother who lives out in Cali recommended this store while I was in town for Botcon, the annual Transformers convention, and it was a pretty good suggestion! First of all, don't let the practically closed down shopping center facade fool you. The store is still up and running, and they carry up to date Gundam models. It's a bit crowded but they have a good selection and the prices are decent. At least compared to Japantown Collectibles in San Francisco. If you're lucky you might even find a model on sale like I did. I found the Thunderbolt Gundam for $27 USD and it costs 2700¥ in Japan! :D They also carry a very good selection of paints including Gundam markers, which I picked up, and supplies, yet again, all at very good prices. I would've given them a 5 start rating but like I said, they carry more up to date models and nothing usually less than a few years old. Either way a great store that I recommend. read more

Neo Happyland - The store entrance - Toy Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My boyfriend and I love this shop so much. We 100% prefer it over Jungle in Little Tokyo. They have such a wide stock of gunpla (cheaper than jungle most, if not all of the time). They also have anime figures that jungle doesn't even have in stock or sell anymore (older figures that are hard to find). They are an authorized Sanrio retailer and have Pokémon plush/items too! I've bought some cute colored pens and stationary from them as well. This store seems to family owned and they're always so nice and helpful. They even validate for the buildings parking garage! Much better than driving around little Tokyo scavenging for street parking, if you ask me. We'll continue to buy from here as we want this shop to thrive read more

Neo Happyland - X-Wing model kit! - Toy Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place is freakin awesome for those model builders in your family. Plus they got some great tools too They don't just sell the models but the tools as well to build it! Get your nerd on here. read more

This place is a hidden gem. It is literally hidden inside a plaza that most people pass when entering Chinatown. I found this place through google while searching for Gundam model kit shops here in Los Angeles. After looking through reviews and pictures, I decided to check it out within the next hour with my wife. After entering the store, I was overwhelmed with excitement. My other half described it as feeling "like a kid in a candy store" (she was right). After being greeted by the staff, I was stunned by the masses of boxed model kits in front of me. I did not know where to start first. Their prices are very competitive with online retailers that I buy most of my model kits from. The gentleman in glasses was very knowledgeable, approachable, and friendly. I appreciate the display models that they had all over the store, it's what made me purchase a kit I wasn't going to buy originally. This place seems to have everything. I'm talking anime figures, wall scrolls, playing card, Japanese nik-naks, modeling equipment, model kits, the list goes on. I highly recommend this place for the Gunpla folks and anime fans alike. A word of advice before coming here, have one or all of the following: an income, an inheritance, a sugar daddy/mommy, or your life savings. You will not likely leave this place without buying something, unless you have the self control of a maxed level grown up. "I want this! I need this in my life!" went through my head so many times while visiting. It's become a habit to come here during my days off from work. R.I.P. wallet. read more

Neo Happyland - Toy Stores Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Such a great toy store located in Chinatown! I think its been around since like forever because I remember coming here when I was growing up in Chinatown and when Empress Pavilion use to be busy. They offer many action figures ranging from Gundam, Dragonball Z, One Piece, Anime Figures, and many more. Plushes are also available with a whole lot to choose from, and many accessories as well origami papers. Price is ok if you check beforehand and make sure you know what you want. Sometimes you may find some cheaper online for the figures, but the plush were a pretty decent price even for the big ones. Sometimes they will eventually reduce the price or put some of the items on sale so maybe you should wait to get them in your next return to Chinatown or ask to see if they can give you a bit of a discount! Location: Empress Pavilion, around Lollicup, and is basically at the end of Chinatown or in a corner of Chinatown where it is really quiet and where nobody walks around to check out, so it is a hidden toy store where not many people know about. Parking is better if you paid for the meter parking around the plaza or area. Overall, it is a awesome toy store, so if your ever around Chinatown, drop by and take a look at all the stuff they have. You never know what you might find that you may like! read more

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