YH
Ying Hobbies & Toys
Your haven for Gundam, anime models, and hobby passion in Chinatown.
4.8(5 reviews)
retail-store
$$
Your haven for Gundam, anime models, and hobby passion in Chinatown.
Ying Hobbies & Toys is a beloved, niche store in San Francisco's Chinatown, specializing in Gundam model kits, anime figures, and hobby supplies. Run by a passionate enthusiast, the shop offers a curated selection of rare and popular kits, Mr. Hobby paints, and displays of completed models that inspire creativity. It's a welcoming space for hobbyists of all levels to explore, learn, and connect with like-minded fans in a cozy, authentic setting.
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Wide selection of Bandai Gundam kits, including rare premium editions, for building and collecting.
Diverse range of figures from series like Dragon Ball, One Piece, Naruto, and Miku for display.
Mr. Hobby paint pots, tools, and accessories to support model building and customization.
View completed kits and works-in-progress throughout the store for ideas and appreciation.
Limited stock of Hong Kong DVDs featuring concerts, movies, and TV shows for enthusiasts.
I’ve only visited Ying’s once, many months ago. I only purchased a small introductory Gundam model. I am not by any means a model enthusiast or even much of an anime fan (anymore). But Ying’s is the wonderful type of place that this city used to have more of, and I wish San Francisco got back to. A small specialty shop with a passionate owner and abundant stock, serving a passionate niche. Going in there is like a wonderland of awesome models of Gundam, Dragonball, One Piece, Naruto, and many many more. For me, some great childhood memories. It’s tucked away in an alley in Chinatown and such a treat. I’ve been meaning to revisit since my first foray. My little gundam now sits on my bookshelf and I look at it often with fondness, something I made with my own hands, a calm respite from the fast pace of life. I hope you visit and do the same!
Do what you love and love what you do seems to be the motto for this place and it really shows. The owner is ultra nice and friendly and isn't the type of person that bugs you or annoys you if you walk around the store looking at all the sights to see in his small and quaint little shop. It's small but this place is packed to the brim with models,toys,and kits. You can see all the models and kits that the owner himself has finished and some in progress all strewn about the shop,it's always an adventure going in there and trying to see all the models and whatnot on display. Miku,kaiju's,sentai,dragon ball, and of course gundam are just some of the models you'll see here. The selections for the gunpla are pretty good. He carries Mr.Hobby paint pots of various colors that are located near his register counter. Like others have mentioned,there's really no banner or anything outside the shop that marks the store, I usually remember the store location by it being in an alley ,near the chinatown park,and the color green painted around the building lol. Just like the store front,it's not flashy nor pretentious, it's a store for hobby enthusiasts by a hobby enthusiast.
Ying Hobbies & Toys used to be on Sacramento St. seven years ago. They have a good selection of Gundam models at a reasonable price. It is nice to see those kits in person. Their advantage is they sometimes have rare premium Bandai kits available. It is nice to walk inside a hobby/toy store nowadays because most are extinct. The store itself is a mess. There are kits in-progress everywhere. They also have a limited selection of Hong Kong DVDs of concerts, movies and TV shows.
Awesome store for any Gundam lover. There is a great selection of model kits available and a huge display of completed kits that are fun to look at. The owner was very attentive without being over bearing and seemed very laid back. Prices seemed fair and reasonable. I only gave four stars because it was very cluttered and hard to see everything available. Great place, would reccomend to anyone looking to find some good Gundam kits. There were some model kits for other things available but definitely a majority Gundam!
Lovely store that will instantly let you feel the passion of the owner the minute you step in. Literally hundreds of displays all over the store and some work-in-progress on the workbench. If you are a gunpla enthusiast, you'll immediately relate because if you had a large room all dedicated to your collection, this might be how it'll look like. Definitely a store worth visiting :)
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