I’ve bought all of my doujinshi in person.  I’m not one for navigating and purchasing them online, but if that’s the only means you’ve got, go for it.  If you’re a big fan, any way you can get your hands on doujinshi is worth the effort. 

Keep in mind some caveats:

• Not every doujinshi is a winner.  For every great find, there’s gonna be several duds.  Doujinshi are sealed in clear plastic, and unless you can sweet talk the proprietor to let you see what’s inside, you’re buying blind.  You can’t see the content and you don’t know what the storyline is, or what genre it falls in.  The only thing you have to help you in your purchasing decision is the cover art, which leads to another caveat.

• Cover art can be misleading.  Nice cover art doesn’t always translate to nice content art.  Sometimes, what’s inside is not art at all, but pure text.  If you can understand Japanese though, power to you.  (And if you do, I got some doujinshi I’ve love for you to translate… ^o^)

• Pairings are hit or miss.  Most doujinshi will specify, but there are some that are frustratingly ambiguous.  Those you just have to gamble on and cross your fingers. 

• Doujinshi are pricey.  I don’t know if it’s because I live in Los Angeles , but doujinshi here go for $12-25 USD each.  This is before tax.  And since most doujinshi are only 30-40 pages, that’s about a dollar each sheet.  Being a fangirl isn’t cheap, that’s for sure.
  

• If you can, research the doujin circles out there.  (I describe and review my own doujinshi collection to minna for this reason).  Even if you don’t know the names of the artists, a lot of the time, you’ll be able to recognize their art right away.  When you see their works, snatch it up.  These doujinshi are guaranteed winners.

• Leave your shyness at the door.  Here in the States, there are only two categories: yaoi or non-yaoi.  If you see a crowd of girls, that’s the yaoi section.  The guys are with the non-yaoi, and yes, that’s the restricted section with all the porn.  Harden your resolve and elbow your way in.  Don’t think about how you stick out like a sore thumb amongst a sea of males and how people probably think that you’re a pervert.  Just chant to yourself that you simply happen to be a girl that likes straight pairings, and there’s nothing wrong with that, damnit!

• Wear breathable clothing.  And don’t forget your deodorant.  Remember, you will be hobnobbing with perverts.  It gets packed in there, and all that body heat will make you sweat.  Okay, this tip was more for my sake.  I’ve put up with too many stinky people.  So make sure you smell good.  Yanno, just in case I happen to be in that crowd with you.  My nose will thank you.  ^^

• Doujinshi tend to be rare.  Doujinshi are created by fans out of their own pocket, and publication is limited.  There’s only so many copies out there for grabs, and if that doujinshi you’re eyeing looks like something you’d enjoy, buy it.  Chances are, you’re not going to see it again, ever. 

• Bargain with the proprietor.  Most places that sell doujinshi in the States are small and self-owned, so this is actually feasible.  This works especially well when you’re buying several doujinshi at once. 

• Bring cash.  If they won’t budge on the price, offer to pay in cash.  If they still won’t budge, ask if they’ll at least waive the tax.  Most will do this if you ask nicely enough.  (If they won’t though, use your credit card, so you can at least get your 3% back, your points, or whatever incentive it is that your card totes.  This way, you’ll have enough cash on hand for the next vendor without running to the ATM and possibly incurring transaction fees.  But if you’re the type that gets into credit card debt, pay by cash, and only cash.  The average APR is 14%, and who needs that?).

How Cin got her doujinshi

Anime conventions.  They’re a good source for doujinshi.  Eventually, you’ll be able to train your eye and figure out the booths that sell them.  If all else fails, just open your mouth and ask.  My very first doujinshi was a Gundam Wing one I got at Anime Expo, 2001.  I also managed to find several Bambi Takada doujinshi that year, and I walked away a very happy fangirl. 

Japan .   This is where the majority of my doujinshi library came from.  I visited Japan back in Spring, 2005, and it was wonderful.  There are two major stores I found that sell doujinshi, K-Books and Mandarake.  Both of these stores are chains with several locations in Japan .  I hit the jackpot in Ikebukuro (a city in Tokyo) , so that’s the place I’d advise minna to visit first.

K-Books and Mandarake specialize in used doujinshi/manga/artbooks/etc, but the quality is still rather good.  If you want to save money and don’t mind getting things second hand, visit these places before you visit any Animate (a full priced anime merchandise and manga store).  Your wallet will thank you.  Seriously.  The savings you’ll walk away with are amazing.  I wished I had visited them first before I plunked down all that money for my artbooks, that’s for sure.  Learn from my mistake.

Doujinshi prices for both K-Books and Mandarake are typically ¥210, ¥420, ¥630, etc.  (Think about $2, $4, $6 USD).  Interesting note, most of my doujinshi went for ¥210.  My Full Metal Alchemist doujinshi went for ¥420, though.  Non-yaoi doujinshi just isn’t popular, which is why the prices are so low.  I didn’t pay much attention to the yaoi prices, but they went higher, with ¥420 or ¥630 being the average. 

Doujinshi are sorted by anime series, and then by coupling.  They are sectioned off by labled dividers that specify what the pairings are.  Print out the Japanese spelling of the series and the pairings you like.  This will really help in locating the section of the store that has the doujinshi you’re looking for.  If worse comes to worse, you can always approach a store clerk and point to the printed Japanese and have her show you the way.  Remember, don’t be shy!  Doujinshi is at stake.  Ask for help if you need it.  Be nice and polite so they won’t mind helping you out.

Doujinshi buying tips in Japan

• Carry cash, and lots of it.  These stores don’t take credit cards. 

• Bring a backpack to carry your loot.  Doujinshi, manga, and artbooks get really heavy after a few hours.  

• Some stores like Mandarake have lockers by the entrance where you’re supposed to put away your things before you enter.  Make sure to take your wallet with you, and your printout of Japanese spellings. 

• Again, if you see it and like it, buy it.  K-Books and Mandarake are second hand stores, and won’t necessarily carry the same goods.

Directions

It’s been over a year since I’ve visited Japan , so take these directions with a grain of salt.  Don’t hurt me if you get lost (though if you’re with a friend, getting lost is actually a lot of fun.  I recommend wandering around Shibuya ^o^.  Just remember to wear comfy shoes). Next time I visit, I’ll be sure to take pictures to post here so minna can see exactly what to look for.  And if you visit these stores and would like to share directions, please do!

For minna looking for non-yaoi doujinshi, Ikebukuro is the city to go.  Visit K-Books first. 

Ikebukuro (shout out to Ale-chan for these directions)
(Note: Map from K-Books website. Photoshopped it a bit)

Be prepared for a long walk.  From the JR station, take the East exit and walk towards Sunshine City (a gigantic landmark building).  You’ll pass Bic Camera (a electronics shop).  Walk until you see a traffic light.  On the other side of the light will be a street with a Lotteria (a fast food restaurant).  Walk down that street with Lotteria on your left.  It’s a long road, and you’ll see other fast food chains and cinemas.  Tokyu Hands (a gigantic house goods store) will be on your right.  After this, cross the dark green road on the map and walk until you see the AM/PM (a mini-mart).  Somewhere down this street is Mandarake.  

You will see another traffic light, and a big car showroom (I think Honda).  To the right will be Animate (the store sign is written in blue lowercase letters).  Close by is the K-Books with gadgets.

To the left is where you really want to go, if you’re doujinshi hunting.  Walk about 5 minutes until you see the second K-Books store.  It’s not on street level, you’ll have to go up.  Right across the street should be a convenience store. 

Mandarake
You’ll see this place first.  It has a white stairway and you walk down to the glass doors.  I remember that the place wasn’t as organized or as maintained as K-Books.  I also had a harder time finding things, but it was worth it in the end.  Each aisle has a directory of the series found on their shelves.  Take advantage of this.  It will save you time and headache.  Among other things, I found really old GW doujinshi here (and doujinshi from Lady Orla!), stuff that I would never be able to find in the US. It was great. 

K-Books
There are two K-Books in Ikebukuro (see above map). The K-Books with doujinshi is two stories (I've never been to the other one, so I don't know).  The 1^st story has the manga and artbooks.  The 2^nd story is where all the doujinshi are kept.  It’s like fangirl heaven.  Take a basket and have fun.  Even if you can’t read Japanese, you can find the series you like because they’re displayed above the shelves.  Popular series like Prince of Tennis will take up a whole aisle.  In comparison, the non-yaoi POT section is pathetically small, and is located all the way near the end of the aisle around the bottom shelf.

K-Books has a card points system.  According to Ale-chan, membership is ¥100, and it never expires.  Each yen equals to one point.  If you rack up enough points, you’ll be able to earn free doujinshi.  The clerk will ask you if you have a card or would like to join when you reach the register.  If you plan to visit Japan again, it would probably be a good idea to join.

Akihabara (shout out to Sayochama for identifying these stores)

Don’t go hunting for doujinshi in Akihabara unless you’re a complete pervert.  But if you’re a dude who just wants smutty doujinshi, this is the city for you.  The whole town is filled with it, that and electronics.  Get off the JR station, and go to the K-Books across the street to the right.  It’s on the 2^nd floor, above a computer/electronics store.  Search for a yellow sign with black lettering.  It’ll say ‘K-BOOKS’ in English.  If you’re looking for it, you can’t miss it.  Once you’re in the store, you’ll see shelves and shelves of manga.  The corner straight across from the entrance has a lot of anime art books.  The store is sort of divided in half.  The other half to the right is where all the hentai doujinshi is. In this K-Books, the doujinshi are actually not sealed (maybe because they're new?). You can peruse them if you want. Cin wasn't brave or perverted enough to want to, though *lol*.

I can’t remember which street, but one that is parallel to the station exit: if you keep walking down the whole street, you’ll find other places that sell doujinshi.  They’re normally on the higher floors (I remember one on the 6^th floor).  These places sell new doujinshi for like, ¥1,000 and up, and they are all hentai (and unsealed).  If you like that kind of stuff though, go for it.  >.>

Interesting note, if you go far enough, you’ll find a multi-level store that sells cosplay outfits.  You can tell just by the windows outside, from across the street.  I didn’t go inside, but I wish I did!

Other store names to look for (remember, the doujinshi in Akihabara are not recommended looking at unless you’re a complete perverted loser *lol*):

Animate: 6 floors of goodies ranging from manga, anime, merchandise, artbooks, cds, doujinshi, etc.  All new, all full priced.  Don’t go down to the basement if you want to keep your virgin eyes.
Comic Toranoana: doujinshi.
Gamers: for gently used toys, doujinshi, and assorted nifty stuff.

For minna curious about my time in Japan, here’s my account: 1st part 2nd part

Key of terms:
APR – Annual Percentage Rate
ATM – Automated Teller Machine
USD – United States Dollars
¥ - Yen (I’m used to a double crossbar on the Y, so this symbol doesn’t look right to me, hence why I’m putting it here for clarification)