Nihon's anime cafes are far apart from Hong Kong's... but it's already not bad that Hong Kong has reached this level.
From a proxy-purchasing perspective: Frieren's figure second-hand prices have always been very stable, even trending upwards. Good investment.
Nihon's original art auctions have been getting more and more participants in recent years. Prices keep going up. Buy early, enjoy early.
The venue issue is indeed difficult to resolve. However, ACGHK could learn from Taipei's time-slot entry system to reduce crowding.
Nihon has professional figure repair services, but the prices aren't cheap. In Hong Kong, you can ask at model shops.
When doing proxy shopping in Japan, knowing Japanese is super useful. You can talk directly to the shop staff, and also help friends check info on limited items.
From a purchasing agent's perspective: you must check the store's ratings and history before buying. A newly opened store selling popular items at super low prices is definitely a scam.
Buying Gundam models in Nihon is 20-30% cheaper than in Hong Kong. If you have friends going to Nihon, they can bring some back.
I'm moving to Hong Kong next month, and if I can make it in time, I'd love to join! It's a great opportunity to meet new friends.
Nihon's anime bars usually have Karla OK. If Hong Kong follows, it would be even better.