What to shop in Japan?

Z

zero_cool

Forerunner
Hi everyone, I am planning a trip to Japan in the coming weeks and since the Japanese have a knack for unique electronics and several other goods that are hard to come by in India, I am seeking suggestions from the members on what can be a good purchase, new or used, that I can keep on my shopping list. In my admittedly limited research, I have decided to check out a few items and might purchase if they won't burn a hole in the wallet. Not a camera or music production fan so lenses or keyboards won't make it to my list

  1. Cheap Polaroid camera (as a souvenir)
  2. Sony smartphone
  3. DIY radio set
  4. Anime figurine
  5. Analogue watch with Japanese movement
 
I have an acquaintance in Japan and frankly didn't see a lot of value in getting electronics, unless you are into collectibles. Global electronics is more expensive there.

You can pick up stuff meant for domestic consumption which you have listed above like the Seiko JDM models, which I did not as I know it will just lie around in a drawer.

Similarly, the modern Sony Android phones are expensive and a bit of a commodity anyway if you pick them unlocked. Getting Keitai flips is a better option but not of much use practically since they are mostly based on Android version 5-6.

Would mostly go for retro tech stuff just for the collection that you can pick up at Akhiabara or Shinjuku. Side note - snacks, stationary, clothing, alcohol, rice cooker, ceramics, knives.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zero_cool
  • You get great prices on pre-owned technology items in Akihabara in Tokyo. Processors ram hdds Apple accessories etc. I’ve bought 6-8tb preowned drives with little use for 5-6k. Prices for new units are comparable to india
  • Don Quijote stores are multi brand deep discount stores
  • Royce chocolates are relatively much cheap in japan
  • Onitsuka tigers shoes are also 50-70% of India prices
  • Luxury clothes accessories and watch brands are also decently cheaper there.
  • Premium whiskeys and single malts are also cheap compared to India. I’ve bought royal salute and blue label for 13k in Tokyo. Don’t expect to find any decent alcohol on departure terminal, by whatever you want before getting to the airport. Japanese whiskeys were one not available at any of the shops and were priced similarly to India so I didn’t buy those (Hibiki Yamazaki etc)
 
  • Like
Reactions: cisco_tech, blr_p and zero_cool
Not too sure about specific items but if I'm not wrong, as a tourist you're able to buy any item and get a tax refund on it upto like a huge limit if I'm not wrong (above a lakh or something). I don't remember the details but it's real. Personally from all the vlogs I've seen, if it's old, you'll definitely find it there in some prefecture in Japan (especially those watches!)
 
  • Like
Reactions: zero_cool
m0h1t said:
  • You get great prices on pre-owned technology items in Akihabara in Tokyo. Processors ram hdds Apple accessories etc. I’ve bought 6-8tb preowned drives with little use for 5-6k
  • Don Quijote stores are multi brand deep discount stores
  • Royce chocolates are relatively much cheap in japan
  • Onitsuka tigers shoes are also 50-70% of India prices
  • Luxury clothes accessories and watch brands are also decently cheaper there.
  • Premium whiskeys and single malts are also cheap compared to India. I’ve bought royal salute and blue label for 13k in Tokyo. Don’t expect to find any decent alcohol on departure terminal, by whatever you want before getting to the airport. Japanese whiskeys were one not available at any of the shops and were priced similarly to India so I didn’t buy those (Hibiki Yamazaki etc)
Click to expand...
Don't see much point in getting Japanese single malt as they are overpriced compared to their refinement. Sake, sochu, umeshu are better options but then not palatable for everyone.

But picking up used products (most Japanese users are meticulate about their items) for cheap is the best option. Hard Off specialises in that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zero_cool
Japanese watches sold domestically are better quality. Even for cheap quartz Casio watches, I've learnt that if there is an integrated metal bracelet, the Japanese version has a better solid link bracelet and the Indian version has a hollow link bracelet. (S108D vs S108YD for example)
 
  • Like
Reactions: zero_cool
Rezep said:
Not too sure about specific items but if I'm not wrong, as a tourist you're able to buy any item and get a tax refund on it upto like a huge limit if I'm not wrong (above a lakh or something). I don't remember the details but it's real. Personally from all the vlogs I've seen, if it's old, you'll definitely find it there in some prefecture in Japan (especially those watches!)
Click to expand...
It is only about 10% VAT though as they have low rates. I believe it is JPY 500,000 for each eligible category but item must not be opened.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rezep
t3chg33k said:
Don't see much point in getting Japanese single malt as they are overpriced compared to their refinement. Sake, sochu, umeshu are better options but then not palatable for everyone.

But picking up used products (most Japanese users are meticulate about their items) for cheap is the best option. Hard Off specialises in that.
Click to expand...
Alcohol preference is one subjective and second depends on affordability. Hibiki Yamazaki and Hakushu are some of the best whiskeys and single malts out there, especially if one is bored of the glens and macallans. Going to stop at this, without going any more off-topic
 
  • Like
Reactions: blr_p
folks who have been to Japan, is there any cuisine for vegetarians there? would love to try out the local cuisine there but everything is catered towards non-veg from what I can look up, I am planning a trip there and catch the Suzuka GP as a bucket list item
 
altair21 said:
folks who have been to Japan, is there any cuisine for vegetarians there? would love to try out the local cuisine there but everything is catered towards non-veg from what I can look up, I am planning a trip there and catch the Suzuka GP as a bucket list item
Click to expand...
Wouldn't comment on the cuisine but a point to remember is that getting to Suzuka is neither cheap, nor fast from any of the major cities, not considering the ticket prices themselves. Best to plan very well in advance.
 
t3chg33k said:
Wouldn't comment on the cuisine but a point to remember is that getting to Suzuka is neither cheap, nor fast from any of the major cities, not considering the ticket prices themselves. Best to plan very well in advance.
Click to expand...
yeah I am considering landing at Nagoya (Chubu?), book kintetsu in advance and stay near the station, from looking at hotel prices online, they seem pretty reasonable to me specially since I am not looking at luxury and just need a place to stay, only issue I cant figure out is the transportation from the circuit to the train station, from peeps I talked to, shuttles are there but with the crowd, it can easily be a 2 hour wait for them, so I am considering walking the distance (around 45m)

Do note, these plans are very nascent for now, since its just planning, I'll flesh them out a lot more in the coming months
 
If you plan to pick figurines check prices on Hobby Link Japan.

A lot of touristy areas like Akihabara and Asakusa sell at higher prices but you get everything from vintage film camera, old video games, watches and scale models.
 
  • Like
Reactions: zero_cool
Wow! So many suggestions. Thanks a lot folks.

t3chg33k said:
Don't see much point in getting Japanese single malt as they are overpriced compared to their refinement. Sake, sochu, umeshu are better options but then not palatable for everyone.

But picking up used products (most Japanese users are meticulate about their items) for cheap is the best option. Hard Off specialises in that.
Click to expand...
I will definitely try Sake and Umeshu but to carry back, I guess I will need to do it from duty free shop for the least hassle. If I purchase a bottle in a usual store, I guess it will need to go in the check-in baggage, which could be stolen in the name of a security check.

roadrash99 said:
Japanese watches sold domestically are better quality. Even for cheap quartz Casio watches, I've learnt that if there is an integrated metal bracelet, the Japanese version has a better solid link bracelet and the Indian version has a hollow link bracelet. (S108D vs S108YD for example)
Click to expand...
Agree with this and I don't plan to purchase something like a VFM Seiko or Citizen.

t3chg33k said:
It is only about 10% VAT though as they have low rates. I believe it is JPY 500,000 for each eligible category but item must not be opened.
Click to expand...
Yes, the tax is just 10% and it is not a great bargain on new electronics unless it is something hard to obtain elsewhere so basically, one saves on the shipping and import duty.
 
visit their stationary store , japanese thrift store for anime figurine

onitsuka tiger /asics /mizuno shoes other shoe brand

japanese knives /katana /toot set

cellphones ( japanese exclusive phones) sharp aquos is the phone from which we got onto slim bezel phone

try to look out for JDM watches automatic pilot watches.

and the most important Japanese Souvenir EKI stamps are must
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: zero_cool
burntwingzZz said:
visit their stationary store , japanese thrift store for anime figurine

onitsuka tiger /asics /mizuno shoes other shoe brand

japanese knives /katana /toot set
Click to expand...
Will that not be any issue on flight while returning ?

I know most sharp object if covered or in box ( check-in bag)should be okay but better to get it clear with airlines.
 
burntwingzZz said:
while boarding the flight from india you can verify the same .ideally the knife should be in mainbag and not the carry bag
Click to expand...
That's right.
I mentioned check-in.
@op. Just have an email confirmation with Airline.

When I was carrying my Ice Axe . I made sure they emailed me that it is okay to carry it.
Nahi toh bohat drama karte hai .
 
Things I bought or considered when I went there.
1. Fountain pends made in Japan. I bought Platinum 3776 and Pilot custom 74 and Iroshizuku ink bottles. 3776 is a great souvenir. 3776 being the height of mount Fuji. I bought it after climbing Fuji.
2. Climbing gear was good price. I bought some Mammut gear but its not made in Japan. Then again its cheaper in US if you can shop there.
3. Nail cutters and specialty cutters are really good quality. I bought from a brand called Greenbell. Really good stuff. https://greenbell.ne.jp/en/product-list/
4. Anime figurines and all are always great.
5. Made in Japan mechanical keyboards. HHKB Professional 2 is a classic and its still my main keyboard. HHKB Bluetooth is something I wanna get in the future. Next would be Filco Majestic Touch keyboards.
6. And weird items like Evangelion themed soldering iron.

Cameras and Lenses were more expensive than duty free pricing in say Singapore.

All I could remember.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cisco_tech and solo_wing
Top Bottom