A hands-on workshop where you take apart a vintage Game Boy — the original DMG-01 or the wide-screen Advance — fit a bright backlit IPS screen, choose your colors, and rebuild a one-of-a-kind console — yours to keep.
In the heart of Akihabara, you’ll do something most travelers never get to try — open up a real Game Boy with your own hands and bring it back to life as something uniquely yours.
Our English-speaking guides walk you through every step, from the story behind Nintendo’s legendary handheld to the satisfying click of the final screw. No technical experience needed. You leave with a fully working console you built with your own hands — the best souvenir Tokyo can offer.
Book the original Game Boy that started it all, or the wide-screen Game Boy Advance. Both include a bright backlit IPS screen, a custom shell and buttons, and everything you need — no experience required.
The monochrome icon that started it all. Take it apart, fit a backlit IPS screen, choose your colors, and rebuild it by hand.
The wide-screen handheld with a full-color library. A little more hands-on — includes some soldering — for an even deeper build.
A relaxed, near one-to-one pace — beginners finish with confidence every single time.
Start with the history of the Game Boy — how a monochrome screen and a focus on battery life beat flashier rivals, and why the original DMG-01 became a cultural icon. Real consoles on the table, not just slides.
With the right tools in hand, you’ll open the shell, free the motherboard, and disconnect the original screen. Careful, guided, and genuinely fun — this is the moment you realize you can do this.
Choose your shell, buttons, and screen surround, then fit a crisp backlit IPS display — a huge upgrade over the original. Mix and match until it’s unmistakably yours, and rebuild it piece by piece.
Power it on, watch the screen light up, and hear that startup chime. Then load a classic cartridge — Pokémon, Zelda, Tetris, Final Fantasy and more, for both Game Boy and Game Boy Advance — and play your brand-new console on the spot.
Glow-in-the-dark, crystal clear, pearl, sparkle or solid — pick a shell, then match your buttons and screen surround for a build no one else has.
A fully working, personalized console you built yourself — original Game Boy (DMG-01) or Game Boy Advance — yours to take home and keep for life.
A bright, crisp, modern display upgrade fitted during your build — a world apart from the original screen.
Screwdrivers, shells, buttons, parts and a clean work mat — everything is laid out and ready for you.
Patient, passionate guides at a near one-to-one pace. Ask anything — they love talking Game Boy.
Original Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles — Pokémon, Zelda, Tetris and more — ready on site to play before you head out.
Each Game Boy is fully checked before your session, so you can relax and focus on the fun of building.
A few words from people who built their Game Boy with us in Akihabara.
“Lots of fun, and educational. The guides were super helpful and really friendly!”
“Playing the console we made ourselves with the nostalgic games was an experience to behold! Would absolutely recommend people do this.”
“So much fun making our own Game Boy together with my 2 boys (8 & 11). Very easy for them to follow, and a great memory of Akihabara. Thank you!!!”
“The guys are super sweet, patient and knowledgeable. They have amazing options in colors too. Definitely a must-do if you love anything gaming.”
“Surprised the two teenagers and my husband with this on our last day. They had an absolute blast and proudly showed off their designs. 110% recommend!”
“Such a fun way to experience a bit of Japan’s game history while making your own customized Game Boy. I was smiling the whole way through.”
Real guests, real smiles — holding the one-of-a-kind Game Boy they just built by hand.
Mod Tokyo is run by a small, passionate team of English-speaking guides who could talk about rare cartridges and 90s hidden gems for hours. The pace is near one-to-one, the vibe is friendly, and there’s a repair-savvy host on hand the whole time.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or completely new to this, you’ll be in good hands from the first screw to the final power-on.
The workshop is on the 7th floor of Le Nid Kanda (#701) — 15 Kanda Kitanorimonocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0036 (神田北乗物町15). At the ground-floor entrance, enter 701 on the intercom keypad and press call; our staff will unlock the door, then take the elevator to the 7th floor.
A 10-minute walk from Akihabara Station, or just 3 minutes from Kanda Station. Please arrive about 10 minutes before your start time.
Both — choose when you book. The original Game Boy (DMG-01) is ¥50,000 and takes about 2 hours; the wide-screen Game Boy Advance is ¥52,000 and takes about 2.5 hours (with some soldering). Both include a backlit IPS screen and a fully custom shell.
Not at all. Every step is clearly explained and fully guided, and each Game Boy is pre-tested before your session. Complete beginners finish successfully every time.
English and Japanese. Our guides are fluent, English-speaking gaming enthusiasts.
About 2 hours for the original Game Boy, or about 2.5 hours for the Game Boy Advance — including the history, the build, and time to play your finished console.
The workshop is open to ages 6 and up. Participants aged 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The accompanying adult doesn’t need to book or pay — supervising for free is perfectly fine. They only pay if they’d like to build their own console too.
Yes — non-participating companions, including parents supervising their kids, can watch for free with no booking needed. If you’re bringing three or more companions, please email us at info@up-eight.net after booking with your booking date & time and your name.
Absolutely. The fully working, customized console you build is yours to take home — the ultimate Tokyo souvenir.
Small groups of up to eight, for a relaxed, near one-to-one experience. Private sessions are available too.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before your start time for a full refund. Please arrive on time — late arrivals can’t always be accommodated.
Choose an available time below. Instant confirmation — no technical experience required.
Mod Tokyo