ok outernational bargain hunters! Going to be in Tokyo for a few days soon. What should I buy and from where? I have a mate who can receive mail order stuff for me before I arrive.
My thoughts:
- robot vacuum?
- DAC / headphone amp
- General weirdness.
Appreciate heads up on any known bargains.
Cheers,
MrDixit.
I hate you… totally not in the market for new headphones, but did some reading and looks like I'll need to get a pair of these. http://www.head-fi.org/t/621063/the-jvc-ha-s500-appreciation…. No idea what I'm gonna do with them…
Your new commuting headphones :)
Domokun
JAV blurays or anything from a vending machine.
hmmmmmm sniffs
Seriously there are not that many crazy vending machines around Japan. They are mainly just drink machines. They don't even hardly have snack ones like we do. I was quite disappointed. They do have heaps of booze ones tho
Must be the area you were in? I've seen heaps of snack ones, even hot food ones.
I found this weird small circus tent set up along a busy road with nothing but grass and brush around one day when I was exploring. I had a look inside and there were rows and rows of vending machines full of porno, sex toys, underwear etc.. it was rather surreal.
The booze ones are awesome though. Large bottles of Beam and all… can you imagine them in OZ? LOL they wouldn't last 1 second here in Australia… haha
Saw a shed by a lonely country road full of porn vending machines. There are many types of items from vending machines… flowers for wives after drunken night, umbrellas (but there are always ones left at railway stations in my experience)
Ermmm… Thanks?
If you're after electronics go to Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara and bring your passport as you get 5% tax off.
Same crap we can get here tho. To check out the scenery don't waste your time in electronic shops
Same stuff as sold here…. sometimes a few years later! Japanese love data & know the upcoming models specs - so reserve cameras etc before released. Display stock has release date - so be aware that not all stock is available. (Won't see that at HN!)
I picked up a Logicool Windows 8 wireless touchpad for 6300 yen… same device would cost me $99 at JB-Hifi…
Rice Cooker in Aki
Uniqlo?
Second this.
Have so much uniqlo stuff lol from my asia trips.
Opening in Oz!
Uniqlo's sister brand - G.U.
Quality is OK to good - but unbelievably cheap. The packaged stuff (undies & socks) are practically are the same as Uniqlo but about 30% cheaper.
Go to the Uniqlo U.T. Store in Harajuku. It is pretty much the best clothing store in the world.
Stuff from the 100 yen store!!!!
Daiso is $2.80 here, so you'd be saving $1-something. That's good enough for an Ozbargainer (and the selection!)
I've been about 4 times in the past 2 years. Japan electronics isn't really cheaper anymore now we have internet shopping, so best to look for stuff unique to Japan rather than strictly cheaper.
Quite a few choices in 100¥ shops.
And electronics is not cheap. Aussies buy on price, but most Japanese buy on quality & latest features.
I have been told there is no word for free, but say "zero Yen" & the eyes of most Japanese light up.
Love Japan! Back in a few months for a 1240 year old Shinto festival. And that's my name on Kanji just to the left :-) (found on my T-shirts, namecards, etc)
There is a word for free, it's 'tada' (no, not pronounced tada!, just ta-da :). It literally means free of charge.
Also when something is included free as an extra (often with meals) they use the word sa-bisu (from the English word 'service).
Zero yen will most likely be used in the context of mobile phones, and is exactly the same as our "free on contract" sales term.
Thanks for that :-)
As the Japanese were talking in English, I should have said that was how they expressed themselves when talking to a person with little grasp of their language.
Many Japanese excitedly told me of zero Yen Onsen and the like while showing me around. Such hospitality. Was given a lift while hitchhiking in Shikoku - by a group of volunteer tour guides in training. 1 traveller with 11 guides taking turns teaching me about an area I wanted to learn about. At the end of 2 wonderful days spent with them learning about the history of a mountain area, given the best room in the hotel & everything paid for, drinking & eating together they gave me an envelope containing $200! Unbelievable place & wonderful memories.
I saw muryou (無料) more often..
Impress your friends with your shiny new C and D size Eneloops - only available in Japan.
…and the ozbargain community drools.
Really impress your friends - bring back a Geisha Girl…
Give Japanese a Koala as present first.
Bloody AQIS always takes my best presents. I've stuffed them in PVC tubes lined with coffee this time, hopefully will get through…
Buying a Doonah. I am convinced that mattress means rock in Japanese. Doonah on the other hand, seems to mean fluffy cloud that keeps you toasty warm.
Interesting. Will investigate fluffy cloud availability.
There is an inappropriate comment about Japanese clouds that best not be made here…
Dragonball?
Wife?
Not really a bargain. The running costs kill you…
Speaking of wives, japan has an impressive array of haircare and beauty products. (Some of which don't work and are snake oil, but they will impress your significant other anyway).
i got husband from there running costs are a killer. but still worth it.
Wife?
Maybe he meant Geisha..
Clothes and go to the kitchen market in Osaka i think to buy ramen bowls, cutlery.
Some good Chef knives.. Thats what id be looking for
a wife.
Got a Couple from Philippines, much cheaper and harder working
Electronics are no longer more affordable in Akihabara, don't bother. The Chinese rule the roost these days, go there if you want cheap stuff.
Clothes are less expensive over there. I always make sure to buy business shirts for about Y300, and a few pairs of slacks for Y600 or so. Silk ties are only Y300.
Furugi (Japanese: old clothes) stores sell a lot of Japanese vintage stuff, such as happy coats, haori jackets, and yes, kimono. Good presents.
I always stock up on snack foods. Kombudashi (kelp broth) is a great seasoning. Gomashio (sesame salt) is a great accompaniment to rice dishes. Dry powder sachets of Poccari sweat are good too. Basically stuff that is compact and easy to carry on the plane.
Booze is a lot cheaper there as well. The biggest bottle of booze for your buck is Suntory Red Whiskey. Its 2 litres, whereas your alcohol allowance is 2250 mL, so it fits well. From memory its only about Y1500 yen or so from the supermarkets.
Holy crap. Those prices are unbelievable. Quality ok? I've heard some good things about more expensive Japanese scotch, was thinking of giving a bottle a spin. No idea what to look for though.
That's expensive compared to some countries like Myanmar. (700ML local whiskey $2 & cheap imported, cigarettes are 2c each.)
Cheap Sake is sold in cardboard cartons like we sell milk. A Japanese friend complained about expensive cigarettes there, so was stunned by our prices. Lucky I don't smoke.
Quality varies. Sometimes I bust out of one of the Y300 shirts, but most of them do the job.
The only booze to watch out for is the really cheap shochu and nihonshu in the paper cartons. It seems cheap at Y600, and it is, but by God that stuff tastes foul.
Most tasters in a double blind test can't tell Grey Goose vodka from Stolli, I think expensive booze is a whimsy for those who can afford it.
I always end up drinking too much over there. The convenience stores all sell tallboy cans of Suntory Strong Zero for about Y120 a can. It has about three standard drinks in a can so is just the right amount to make you pleasantly tipsy, and all for about a buck.
Skip electronics, food and alcohol is where its at.
I normally stock up on whiskey - Jack Daniels sells for $18 (Y1800) a litre there.
mild 7 cigerretes
ahh the mild 7's… Yes was my brand of choice when I resided in Japan. 250Y a pack. Back then, 10+ years now, no idea what they are now.
Tax increased recently on cigarettes.
they aren't even called mild 7 anymore! mevius <3
Uni-Qlo T-Shirts!
Colourful, but in Oz soon.
but better to stock up overseas cos it's gonna cost twice the price here
Depends on your luggage costs. I have a $420 return flight from Gold Coast Sept-Oct. This will be my first carry on flight to Japan, as Jetstar wants $120 for luggage!
Besides Uni-Qlo is only good if you are a bit thinner than I am. I am a L here, but their largest size is a bit snug on me.
Don't buy anything, just enjoy foods which you couldn't find anywhere in Australia.
I agree. Also, go visit the restaurants of the Iron Chefs:
Sakai's "La Rochelle" in Shibuya
Kenichi's "Shisen Hanten" in Akasaka
Michiba's "Kaishoku Michiba" in Ginza
They were all excellent. I missed Sakai by 5 mins, and very luckily got to meet Michiba-san when I went.
Yeah, also, don't forget to enjoy Maid coffee, seafood in Fish market (Tsukiji) and Kobe beef (pricey!!!)
100-yen sushi train~
Soapland
Japanese Horse Riding/Thrusting Fitness Machine, you'll be the envy of all your friends!
Have seen and am in mechanical love.
Kitkat with wasabi, kitkat with taro, Kitkat with with…. may different varieties of your simple kitkat. I know this is weird but some of the things you can never get anywhere else other than Japan.
Actually transitted through narita airport recently and smashed a big box of green tea and cherry blossom kit Kat…
Buy sushi
And ramen noodles
Good luck getting sushi through customs
i dig jap curries. maybe you should buy ninja stars and bring them back here to sell to the millions of teenage boys who want ninja stars
I have been busy recently buying used watches (grade 'A' or 7.5+) off Yahoo Japan. They look new and are priced at half the best retail price. Treat yourself to a Royal Orient auto or a Grand Seiko quartz. I use FromJapan to bid/buy. The Seiko luxury line, Credor, is definitely worth a look, as well. Chrome auto translates Japanese.
Hi.
I have been to Japan for 2 weeks on holiday
(Youtube clip of day 1 of Japan - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaAP_QixvXs )
Electronic side most if not ALL items are Available in USA/UK/Australia/NZ
Sony has a couple of Sold only in Japan items. GO CHECK OUT THE SONY BUILDING in Tokyo!!! (Even if you dont buy anything)
My recommendation would be anime figures bought from Akihabara and Sake.
I wouldnt recommend buying anime from Japan as it will be in RAW format and its really expensive. I didnt find any place in Japan that sold subbed anime.
Maybe if your into console games, some Japan only releases
eg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Japan-exclusive_video_g…
Be sure to take a truckload of photos and if you have a video camera , record heaps
Kitchen knives - Japanese steel is amongst the best
I lived in the cosmetic stores over there. When I wasn't in a random chemist I had wandered into off the street, I was in Bic Camera in their health and beauty section at 10pm looking at the same stuff. Needless to say I don't have to buy any make-up products for the next 5 years or so.
MrsDixit will be please.
a Geiger counter
Too soon?
It might sound silly, but rice cookers! I went to Japan earlier this year and so many people were bringing rice cookers back on the plane. It was only then that I researched and found that Japanese rice cookers are among the best in the world and cost a fortune to buy overseas.
When I was there, we went to South Korea as well, I'd say nearly half the flight on the way to SK were buying rice cookers, lol. It's cheaper to fly to Japan, have a bit of a holiday maybe, and buy a rice cooker than to buy that model in Korea… Crazy.
Rice cookers ,
jeez the last one I bought was 18 $ in K mart…
In addition to Uniqlo, H&M are also really good for clothes.
Can I have a JDM DC5R? I'll tip ya.:)
Luggage allowance might be an issue… :)
KITKAT green tea :)
Green tea oreos. Friends bought some for us. Stronger green tea taste than the kit kats.
Burberry Blue Label. It's only available in Japan
Optical media is often cheap in Japan, especially quality Japanese made brands like Panasonic.
Japanese fountain pens are good - Sailor, Pilot, and Platinum are the brand names. I recommend getting a fine or extra fine nib.
Also, Japanese gel pens are good and can be hard to find in Western countries, or if you do they are overprices.
Crap! Accidental neg! How to revoke?
Daiso is much cheaper there.
Try to find green tea pocky as its difficult to find anywhere else (not to be confused with green tea moose)
Make sure you have the tonkatsu there. The pork in Japan taste different to the one in Australia
Im sure green tea pocky can be bought in Sydney.
And about tonkotsu, what about Ippudo/Gumshara/all the top ramen joints in Sydney?
Found a lot of the sushi was tastier at good restaurants here, probably due to the fish. Even Japanese ramen chains are setting up shop here. Can order good cheap Hakataya Ramen from a Hiroshima chain in suburban Brissie. But service in a good restaurant in Japan is amazing.
tonkatsu is much better in japan, tonkotsu is pretty good here too though because i think of the difference in pork,it will never taste as good as it is in japan too.
Visit Tokyu hands for random electronic goods like electronic cat ears that move based on your brain signals. Great for Bento / kitchen goods as well and it's cheaper getting it there than online.
Stationery. They have lots of interesting pens there that you can't get anywhere else in all sorts of colours.
100 yen store is a gold mine. Great for souvenirs.
Visit Don Quixote close to Shinjuku station exit. It's open 24 hours and has lots of random things like pacman beanies. Or full suit teddy bear pjs etc.
Branded handkerchiefs. Make great gifts for anyone who still uses them.
If you can find one, an Asahi beer pouring robot! Back around 2005 they were part of a promotion but it's occasionally possible to find one on Yahoo auctions :)
possible to find one on Yahoo auctions :)
Yahoo auctions :) is that even a thing, maybe they use it only for things from 2000s.
they don't have ebay. yahoo auctions is the equivalent there.
Last time I went I bought one of these
Would come in handy when the aliens invade. Stocking up on Eneloops for now.
Gold
check out the 88yen shop. like the 100yen (Daiso) shop but….12yen cheaper. JPBargain.
just walk around random department stores and you will find interesting stuff. my favourite thing from japan was bratwurst made by Homoyoshi company. they unfortunately shortened the name on the packaging —"Homo sausage"
Gold Gold…
JVC HA-S500