Guide: Where To Buy A Nintendo Switch 2 In Japan

If you’re wondering where you can buy a Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan, you have come to the right place.

In this guide, we will tell you where you can buy a Nintendo Switch 2 in Japan, as well as some things you need to take note of.

Japanese-Language System vs Multi-Language System

First, it is important to know the difference between a Nintendo Switch 2 Japanese-Language System (Japan Only) and Nintendo Switch 2 Multi-Language System, as these are two types of systems offered in Japan.

In Japan, Japanese-Language Systems are sold at a significant discount (20,000 yen cheaper) compared to Multi-Language Systems. However, they come with two big restrictions – Japanese is the only system language (meaning, you cannot use the system in English and other languages), and you can only link Nintendo Accounts that have their country/region setting set to Japan (this means you can only purchase games from the Japanese Nintendo eShop).

Multi-Language Systems are essentially the same as systems sold outside Japan, with no restrictions to system languages and the type of Nintendo Accounts you can link to it. It can also be used in Japanese and access the Japanese region Nintendo eShop.

For more information on Japanese-Language Systems, please check our guide here.

If you are a foreign tourist visiting Japan and don’t understand Japanese…

If you are a foreign tourist visiting Japan who doesn’t understand Japanese, we strongly recommend you to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 console in your home country.

This is because the Nintendo Switch 2 Japanese-Language System is the only type of system that is sold at all major retailers in Japan. Given your short stay in the country, you won’t be able to purchase a Multi-Language System on My Nintendo Store, which at the time of writing, has several strict requirements in place before you can apply to purchase it.

Furthermore, the Multi-Language System may be more expensive than what you pay for a Nintendo Switch 2 in your country after taxes.

If you are a foreign tourist visiting Japan and you understand Japanese…

You should first consider buying a Nintendo Switch 2 console in your home country first.

As we’ve mentioned, the Japanese-Language System has two big restrictions – you can only use the system in Japanese, and you can only link Nintendo Accounts that are set to Japan. This means that you won’t be able to access the Nintendo eShop in other countries (such as the United States). This may also be a problem if you have Nintendo Accounts set to other regions.

Another thing to note is that at the time of writing, the Nintendo Switch 2 is extremely difficult to purchase in Japan. Most, if not all retailers are not offering stock directly to the general public, so you will have to first sign up for a lottery. You can only purchase it if you are selected in the lottery, and the chances of getting selected are low. These lotteries last for weeks, which might not be practical if you are staying in Japan for a short duration of time.

The same problem applies to the Multi-Language System on My Nintendo Store, which at the time of writing, has several strict conditions in place before you can apply to purchase it.

If these issues do not bother you at all, then you can consider buying a Japanese-Language System. Please continue reading the next few sections.

If you are a Japanese resident and don’t understand Japanese…

We strongly recommend you to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 Multi-Language System from the official My Nintendo Store website. This will allow you to use the system in your native language and access the Nintendo eShop in other countries.

The My Nintendo website conducts lotteries on a regular basis. These lotteries last for at least a few weeks, and you will be notified by email about the result. If you are not selected, you will be automatically enrolled into the next lottery.

At the time of writing, you must meet all of these requirements in order to apply:

You must have been a Nintendo Switch Online member for at least 1 year
You must have an active and paid Nintendo Switch Online membership (if you are part of a Family Group, you must be the paying member)
You must have at least 50 hours of play time (excluding demos and free software) on your Nintendo Switch as of February 28, 2025
Your Nintendo Account’s country/region must be set to Japan (you can change your country here: https://accounts.nintendo.com/)

Click here to go to the Nintendo Account website to apply (Japanese website).

If you are a Japanese resident and understand Japanese…

We strongly recommend you to purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 Multi-Language System from the official My Nintendo Store website.

The main reason is because, you have a far higher chance of securing a Multi-Language System than a Japanese-Language System (around 50% compared to 3% – 9% or less).

This will allow you to use the system in your native language and access the Nintendo eShop in other countries, something that is important if you have Nintendo Accounts linked to other countries and if you wish to enjoy games that do not launch in Japan.

At the time of writing, you must meet all of these requirements in order to apply:

You must have been a Nintendo Switch Online member for at least 1 year
You must have an active and paid Nintendo Switch Online membership (if you are part of a Family Group, you must be the paying member)
You must have at least 50 hours of play time (excluding demos and free software) on your Nintendo Switch as of February 28, 2025
Your Nintendo Account’s country/region must be set to Japan (you can change your country here: https://accounts.nintendo.com/)

Click here to go to the Nintendo Account website to apply (Japanese website).

If these issues do not bother you, then you can purchase a Nintendo Switch 2 Japanese-Language System (Japan Only). We recommend getting this system through the official My Nintendo Store website, as it gives you the highest chance of securing a set. The same requirements apply.

You also have the option of applying for a Japanese-Language System at other Japanese retailers. Most online retailers are conducting lotteries without any conditions, whereas some do. Generally speaking, lotteries with entry requirements tend to have higher chances of success.

Conditions for entering retail lotteries may change from time to time, so please check the retailer’s website carefully.

Our recommendations for online retailers:

Amazon Japan [website can be used in English]
Yodobashi Camera [Japanese only]
Bic Camera [Japanese only]
Rakuten Books [Japanese only]

Some brick-and-mortar retailers may also carry out lotteries at their in-store locations from time to time. You have the best chances of success at retailers that are located outside city areas such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya. For more information on these lotteries, you have to visit these in-store locations in person and ask the staff.

Here are some retailers that may carry out Nintendo Switch 2 lotteries:

Yodobashi Camera
Bic Camera
GEO
Don Quijote
Toys R Us
Joshin
Yamada Denki
TSUTAYA
Sofmap
WonderGOO

Conclusion

In most cases, we strongly recommend getting the Multi-Language System if you are a Japanese resident, or purchasing the console in your home country if you are a foreign tourist. While the Japanese-Language System may be 20,000 yen cheaper than the Multi-Language System, it comes with restrictions and is much harder to get than a Multi-Language System.