Where to Shop in Japan?

BudgetAce on 02/11/2018 - 15:27

Hi All,

I know it's not a total new topic and I have read through some of the older threads here about travelling to Japan and stuff. But couldn't find what I was looking for so would like to ask the experience globe trotters here for some advice.

I'm going to Japan (Osaka and Tokyo) in 2 weeks time and would like to take the opportunity to do some shopping there. Would appreciate any advice on where would I find the best bargains for these items over in Japan ?

Clothing and accessories - Guess, Polo Ralph, Stussy, Adidas Originals or Tubular, etc. Is there any place like those in the USA Factory Outlets where they have last seasons or overstock items for really good bargain prices ?

Sunglasses or Glasses - Ray Bans, Armani, etc. Even prescription glasses ?

iPad or Microsoft Surface Pro - Export set or English edition if possible ?

Lenses and Gimbal for my Panasonic G7 and Gimbal for my Samsung Phone ?

Obviously if the deals are better here than in Japan. Do let me know as well :)

Thanks in Advance :)

Travel

Comments

  • GG57 on 02/11/2018 - 15:32
    +10

    Rather than shopping for Euro/US brands in Japan, why not look for some Japanese brands?

    • BudgetAce on 03/11/2018 - 09:46

      Thanks for your reply. What Japanese brands would you recommend ?

    • ribenaboy on 10/12/2018 - 16:01

      Most euro/US branded clothing are more expensive in Japan than in Australia.

  • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2018 - 15:43
    +1

    Electric city Akihabara for electronics. Ginza for overpriced fashion brands. Shibuya/Harajuku for Japanese fashion.

    • altomic on 02/11/2018 - 16:04
      +8

      Harajuku is a tourist trap.

      • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2018 - 16:57

        Did you ever have the sweet pumpkin halloween only convenience store drink, black carton with a jack-o-lantern?

    • QW3RTY on 02/11/2018 - 16:08

      Akihabara is a must if you're in any way electronically inclined.

      • SydStrand on 02/11/2018 - 18:27
        +1

        It's fun to visit, but lousy for shopping. The big chains like Bic or Yodobashi are in every major city (nor particularly cheap), and the boutique shops like Super Potato have been picked clean years ago, and know exactly how much their stuff is worth. I visited Amiami, and their retail prices were actually higher for some products I've bought from their online store (even removing tax).

        • plmko on 02/11/2018 - 21:37

          Yes Akihabara (main street) has been killed by tourists, generic asf. There are still a few niche stuff in outskirts, but I will never share those secrets!

        • Tech5 on 03/11/2018 - 03:02

          I think Yodobashi has the cheapest headphone/earphones I have ever seen. Over 20-30% off international prices

  • Matego on 02/11/2018 - 16:06
    +3

    Go to Yodobashi Camera for electronics. They are almost everywhere.

    You can go to Don Quijote for random stuff. Don Quijote open 24 hours.

    PS. When the counter call you to pay, just show your passport as sometime they have a separate line for tax refund.

  • evol on 02/11/2018 - 16:11
    +3

    BIC Camera
    Yodobashi Camera
    Don Quijote
    Akihabara area
    Souvenir snack shops that have all sorts of snacks in one shop
    Muji
    Tokyu Hands
    Uniqlo
    Even 7-11, FamilyMart, etc. have cool stuff :)

    Most of the stuff you've listed above will be cheaper in Australia. Let alone before you factor in Ozb deals, TRS tax refund, poor AUD exchange rate… However, Japan has a far wider range of cool/quirky/technologically advanced goods (omg their rice cookers!) and gadgets that you'll never be able to source here - this is what you should aim to hoard back ;)

    • jjjaar on 02/11/2018 - 17:27
      +1

      I agree with all of the above, I just want to add:
      Loft

    • BudgetAce on 03/11/2018 - 09:34

      I always wondered what is so special about the Japanese rice cookers that people flock there to purchase ?

      • SydStrand on 06/11/2018 - 16:43

        Just high quality rice cooker from companies that make little else, like Zojirush, and they're often quite expensive here.

        • Archi on 12/11/2018 - 13:16

          need to be careful with voltage as some of the appiances are not international models or are only 100-110V

  • altomic on 02/11/2018 - 16:12
    +5

    Clothing and accessories - Guess, Polo Ralph, Stussy, Adidas Originals or Tubular, etc. Is there any place like those in the USA Factory Outlets where they have last seasons or overstock items for really good bargain prices ?

    Not really, there are brandname second hand stores but they are not cheap. also if you are over 175cms or weigh more than 80kgs then it is difficult to find clothes in Japan. I'm 183cms, 85kgs, wear US11 shoes - it is nearly impossible to find clothing in my size.

    Sunglasses or Glasses - Ray Bans, Armani, etc. ?

    No, same price, if not cheaper, in Australia. buy here and take advantage of TRS

    Even prescription glasses

    yes, prescription glasses can be incredibly cheap. a high percentage of Japanese wear glasses so optometry shops are plenty and inexpensive - from 3000yen.

    iPad or Microsoft Surface Pro - Export set or English edition if possible ?

    same price, if not cheaper, in Australia. buy here and take advantage of TRS

    Lenses and Gimbal for my Panasonic G7 and Gimbal for my Samsung Phone ?

    same price, if not cheaper, in Australia. buy here and take advantage of TRS

    Have a look at the electronic stores as suggested above. but prices aren't "bargain" prices.

    My tip for buying stuff in Japan - buy unique japanese stuff. get your whisky from a supermarket - 800yen will get you a bottle of inexpensive but decent Japanese whisky.

    Source - I lived in Japan for 4 years and frequently go back.

    TL:DR - everything will be more expensive in Japan (than Australia) except prescription glasses

    • virhlpool on 23/01/2019 - 01:48

      Any cheap prescription glasses shop/ chain that you would recommend?

  • samp e on 02/11/2018 - 16:15

    Gotemba Premium Outlet is worth a trip outside of Tokyo.

    • Cluster on 02/11/2018 - 16:45

      I visited Gotemba last month as part of a trip to Mount Fuji. Are those stores really worth a 2 hour train trip one way from Tokyo?

    • virhlpool on 23/01/2019 - 01:48

      Why go if they're more expensive than Australia anyway?

  • bargainhunter87 on 02/11/2018 - 16:16

    the airport

  • boomramada on 02/11/2018 - 16:18

    Most major stores such as Yodobashi, things are slightly more expensive than in Australia, just like MYER here. I found most electronics are cheaper here but they have latest models or items that you can't buy here, things that you should look for.

  • Cluster on 02/11/2018 - 16:51

    The nice thing about going shopping in Japan is buying all the unusual items not available here (at least not easily/cheaply). About the only thing I found to be much cheaper in Japan than here is the alcohol and cigarettes. Japanese whiskey is about 1/3 of the Australia price. Dassai 23 sake is $125 here, but $60 over there. $5.50 for a pack of 20 smokes.

    • crentist on 02/11/2018 - 19:00

      yea whiskey is super cheap. and comes in 6litre jugs.
      I found Kirin Fuji Sanroku in a local supermarket for under $20. Dan Murphy has them for $100 (seen them up to $150)

  • Jimmycfc on 02/11/2018 - 18:10
    +6

    They have these awesome places called Soapland, it has all your body needs.

    • petestrash on 02/11/2018 - 19:02
      +1

      But most won't serve westerners

    • plmko on 02/11/2018 - 21:39
      +1

      But don't we have The Body Shop here? No need to travel just to get the same stuff.

      • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2018 - 01:03
        +2

        The difference is The Body Shop is retail.

      • onevstheworld on 03/11/2018 - 11:48
        +4

        Soaplands are more of a "service".

  • z10cvbnm on 02/11/2018 - 18:19
    +1

    For prescription glasses, look for brand called J!NS. They are almost everywhere and really good. Plenty of choices and price ranging from 6,000yen (maybe they have something cheaper) to 10,000 yen and up to 20,000yen (Japan made glasses).

    These prices include the lens as well. You can ask for thinner lens (1.67 lens index) for free. At least when I went there last time (2 years ago). I bought 3 pairs when I went last time!

  • humdingaling on 02/11/2018 - 18:20

    Rinku outlet
    https://www.premiumoutlets.co.jp/en/rinku/
    several stops from osaka (kansai) airport

    use your passport to get voucher booklet for each % off on various stores

    EXCLUSIVELY FOR OVERSEAS VISITORS GREAT SAVINGS WITH FREE COUPONS
    Premium Outlets is offering a coupon for extra savings in addition to the normal discount prices.
    Present your passport at the Information Center.
    *Only one coupon per person
    *Coupons will be the same as the Visit Japan with Visa coupon.

    not everything is cheap so there will be some hunting required
    you will soon find out if/where the clearance items are

    **YMMV for levels of savings
    even if something is discounted…it may not actually work out cheaper than buying locally

    ***some places have tax back some don't
    check signage to check

    if you have access to Alipay then most places have further discount as well

    • Archi on 03/11/2018 - 00:14

      Was here 2 weeks ago.. wasn't impressed with the prices. We went to the rinku town centre where there is a giant local supermarket that sells lots of everyday things.

      Osaka is cheaper for most things than Tokyo.

      There is a liquor in kuramon market they still have a good range of whiskey and about 10% cheaper than Tokyo.

      We liked
      * Tokyo hands.
      * Rinku supermarket.
      * Sierra
      * Bic camera was cheaper than yodobashi. The one in Ginza is pretty big.
      * Kids like yodobashi.. cause they lay out lots of the toys for you to try and play. opposite Osaka station.
      * Obaiba has heaps of malls.
      * 109 in shinjuku
      * Wego in harajuku
      * Asakusa at dusk.
      * Mega Don Quijote shibuya
      * Bought all my whisky from kuramon market Osaka and bic camera in odaiba

      • humdingaling on 06/11/2018 - 14:28

        shrugs
        timing of sales are important too i guess

        we all came back with 2-3 bags full each
        mainly shoes

    • BudgetAce on 05/11/2018 - 14:20

      Thank you. I'll be sure to check this out when I'm in Osaka.

  • Godric on 02/11/2018 - 18:34

    Nakano Broadway

  • crentist on 02/11/2018 - 19:08
    +4

    I've been living in Japan for a little bit. It's cheap for daily stuff, meals & whiskey etc. Pretty crap for shopping though. You can get decent generic essentials (I have a 10year old suitcase, $50 and still kicking), but brand stuff isn't cheap and sales don't seem to be a common thing. I miss ozbargaining stuff, and it's kinda a bummer seeing electronics and Japanese stuff like Sony headphones consistently cheaper in Australia

    Not a great shopping destination. But the quality of stuff is always good, and goes super high. Instead of looking for clothes etc, maybe go to the bottom floor of a department store and get some super expensive fruit and other food. Try a $300 rockmelon. Or $10 for a pack of pure white strawberries (and then tell me what they are like, too expensive for me). Then go up to the top floor and get an awesome kobe steak for $100 (and also tell me what thats like)

    • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2018 - 19:33

      Rockmelons are $3 here this week, but no box or ribbon…and round :p.

      I sort of want to try the legendary Hokkaido snow crab buffet, but I think I'd need a doggie bag at the price.

  • 2jzzzz on 02/11/2018 - 20:55
    +1

    I want to buy quality Transformers

    • SydStrand on 06/11/2018 - 16:42

      Buy online. Seriously, Amiami's online store has MP Transformers at exactly the same price as retail (or higher). There are some shops with rare pieces, but they know how much their stuff is worth and often sell on eBay too. The days of picking out rarities is over.

  • rainbow612 on 02/11/2018 - 20:57

    For clothes: Bape and Comme des Garcon…get stuff from there

  • DarthAntz on 02/11/2018 - 22:29

    In google maps, search 'second hand clothes ueno' and you can find a lot of good clothes shops that are selling the clothes you want for the prices you want. Japan isnt china, so youre not going to get knock off prices. Its probably more expensive.

    Electronics - dont bother with buying a surface pro or ipad. the tax rate on electronics is higher in japan. theres not much chance you'll get something at an electronics store and save money duty free (8%, and you'll have to line up behind 100s of other tourists for ages).

    prescription sunglasses or glasses you can get in a lot of places for around 5000 yen and 30 minutes, if your head is small enough. Japanese people dont wear sunglasses (its not as common as in australia) so you wont be paying good prices. i get all my sunglasses from aliexpress. Colleseum (? spelling) brand is awesome.

    buy Japanese foods and snacks and things you can share with people. for the rest of it, its easier to buy online to save money and luggage space. if youre female you will have an awesome time in both of those cities becasue the shopping for women is amazing. buy japanese brands of clothing and find something unique you havent seen before to spend your money on.

    i went outlet shopping in hokkaido last christmas and the prices were bogus. the place was filled with tourists on buses. was not enjoyable.

    • virhlpool on 23/01/2019 - 01:54

      Do sellers on AliExpress sell prescription sunglasses? I didn't know. Any recommendation?

      • DarthAntz on 23/01/2019 - 10:32

        a search on prescription brought up 2788 results. Ive never bought prescription sunglasses from aliexpress, so i cannot recommend.

        My wife reckons i should take the frame for some of the cheap sunglasses i bought and get the optometrist to put prescription lenses in them. Ask your optometrist if they can do that.

  • kickling on 03/11/2018 - 00:12

    Make sure you bring back a nice kitchen knife and some Japanese whisky!

    A shop called Jikko opened up at Sky Mall / Sky Tower for knives… whisky, you can try your luck for aged stuff anywhere in the supermarkets.

    Also, they (Japan) have like 20 different flavour KitKats

  • EyesWideOpen on 03/11/2018 - 02:24
    +1

    Get thermal flasks! Tiger and Zojirushi brands are at half prices, and jap knives, tableware, seiko watches, Tokyo banana (cake).

  • pantsparty on 03/11/2018 - 06:36

    I don’t really think you will be able to buy any of those things cheaper in Japan. Cheap clothes - Uniqlo

  • onevstheworld on 03/11/2018 - 11:52

    In terms of electronics, if you get get it in Australia, it's generally not worthwhile but in Japan. And PC's and parts are actually more expensive there.

    However, they do have a big second hand market there. And the quality is pretty high, the Japanese generally take good care of their stuff. You'll need to look into the smaller stores though.

  • DazMon on 04/11/2018 - 09:57

    Osaka has a small version of Akihabara, Den Den Town.
    Also America Mura for clothes.

  • Archi on 05/11/2018 - 11:10

    my wife bought a hairdryer from japan last week but the local model is 100V and rated 1500 watts

    can anyone recommend a good or/and reliable transformer so that we can use the hairdryer

    • [Deactivated] on 05/11/2018 - 18:57
      +2

      Nooo. That many watts is hardcore for stepdown transformers and not cheap. Jaycar have 1000 watt (not enough) stepdown for $369. It's also inefficient so you'd be using a ton of electricity.

      • Archi on 06/11/2018 - 14:13

        thanks

  • TheProcess on 07/11/2018 - 16:29

    I found the majority of shopping to be slightly more pricey than here (mainly due to exchange rate). However, my missus gave me a whole list of skincare products, (toners, facemasks, creams etc) which (according to her) are much cheaper than buying in Aus!

    Something to consider

  • kenchan12311997 on 28/11/2018 - 14:46

    hm… personally, i would express source from that bzbargain can buy even cheaper than in Japan, I am from Hong Kong, often tour Jpaan, when we buy such multinational brand. People buy from Japan due to wanting the most update product from Japan brand. In Japan, the best item and most latest item would sell only locally first unlike most of the countries where export first or sell locall and export in the same time. For example, Blu-Ray, the very beginning newly launch that can only buy from Japan, that's try, must buy frrom there. Afterward, surely not.
    I would personally suggest suppose try the Asahi beer there even a lot of the beer in Australia, it can taste what means all the best that Japan would sell locally, even the same brand same product same specification, the taste in Japan get much fresh than any export countries else.

  • noddyc43 on 30/11/2018 - 08:00

    Any recommendations for vinyl records around Osaka/kyoto?

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