Spent the entire day today at Akibahara, the mecca for all gadget-geeks. It’s everything I had imagined it to be and then some. So here’s the run-down.
I extended my trip for an additional two more days here in Tokyo just to visit and see this famous place among gadget-freaks. I thought a half a day of surveillance and a whole day of shopping would be enough but turns out you’ll need more than just a couple of days to sweep the entire Akihabara district.
Buildings up to 6 floors are all full of gadgets and electronics. My first stop was Yodobashi–Akiba. The place is always packed from morning ’til evening. Each floor has specific categories for electronics — there’s one for mobile, then PC/Mac, home electronics, a floor for games and hobbies, another one for PC parts, then cameras and so on and so forth.
Yodobashi seems to be the biggest one among the IT malls and most complete as well. It’s similar to the Funan IT Mall in Singapore but is more organized since the building is under one brand. Imagine Octagon with the entire Cyberzone just under its name. Then, multiply that 6 more floors. That’s how it would look like.
There are actually a lot of offers and discounts here but since everything is in Japanese, I couldn’t understand what the Gold Points are, which credit cards to use to get additional 5% discount on purchases or when to claim exemption for 5% usage tax (just don’t open the items or use them while in Japan).
The second stop is the SofMap Megastore. It’s almost the same as the Yodobashi but this time, they also offer second-hand items. Some of the ones I can remember are SE Experia X10 (Php12k), iPhone 3G (Php10k), 3GS (Php15k), a Canon S90 (Php9k), an LX3 (Php12k). I almost bought the LX3 only to discover that the manual and menus are all in Japanese, thanks to the English-Translation sales guy who cleared that up for me and canceled the transaction.
The other problem with the second-hand phones is that they’re locked to a carrier (eMobile, SoftBank or NTT Docomo) so you still have to bring it to VirraMall to have it unlocked.
As for the actual prices of brand new items, I was disappointed that they’re practically the same as in the Philippines. Sometimes, I think they’re even more expensive.
I had to go to the iPad/Mac section every once in a while to browse the price list in the Philippines but for the most part, the savings aren’t that big. For example, an 8GB iPod Touch 4G costs Â¥20,800 or about Php11,000USD 187INR 15,891EUR 179CNY 1,365. The Macbook Air 11.6″ costs Â¥88,800 (Php47,200USD 804INR 68,185EUR 766CNY 5,858). The Nintendo Wii seems pretty cheap though (Â¥20,000 or Php10,600USD 181INR 15,313EUR 172CNY 1,315).
The camera lenses seem more expensive too. I think Hidalgo offers much better deals. There are second-hand lenses too but I don’t really trust those very much especially when you’re spending for a Php45k Canon EF 18-105mm L F/4.
Was able to see Kinect for XBox 360 too which is cool. Wanted to buy the set but then again, they kept on warning me about Japanese language on the devices.
The smaller shops that line the streets are also exciting since you get to see the weird gadgets. The second hand laptops are also very cheap here. The best bargain I’ve seen is an old 12″ IBM ThinkPad X60s which sells for around Php12,500USD 213INR 18,058EUR 203CNY 1,551. I think all the other 2nd-hand laptops start at that price.
While the big stores only sell locked phones with 24-month contracts (I thought the Samsung Galaxy Tab was selling for just Php23k but turns out, it comes with a plan too), the street shops offer them mostly unlocked but at a much higher price. Saw the Desire HD selling between Php42k and Php45k while the Desire Z was going for Php36k. I guess the Japanese aren’t that big with prepaid SIMs (or the subsidies are really very attractive).
Pocket WiFi like the one from Huawei seems to be the hot item this season. They’re all over the place (but comes with a contract again) and are oftentimes bundled with a netbook, an iPod Touch or an iPad.
The streets are as interesting as well. Lots of girls in cosplay attire and encouraging people to come into their stores. Lots of arcade halls, anime comics stores, DVD and hobby shops. Vending machines line up the streets, subways, hotels — they’re everywhere. Japan is a like a vendo-country.
Over-all, it was an awesome experience. I think the one and a half day tour of the Akihabara district wasn’t enough but the stay sure did offer a good glimpse of the gadget mecca. At the end of the day, I’ve already ran out of cash and my credit card is maxed out. I’ll blog about some of the items I bought (no big ticket items though) — just the ones that are interesting or not found in the Philippines.
YugaTech.com is the largest and longest-running technology site in the Philippines. Originally established in October 2002, the site was transformed into a full-fledged technology platform in 2005.
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iamspikee says:
wow, nakakahilo bumili dyan
Dante Noe says:
I LOVE VENDING MACHINE!!!!!!
Taz says:
my dream my dream when will I be able to visit Japan… I envy you Abe =)
kyflo says:
Wow, these gadgets tempted me to buy one.
BTW, were you able to get a cheap 1seg device?
Silverlokk says:
“The other problem with the second-hand phones is that they’re locked to a carrier (eMobile, SoftBank or NTT Docomo) so you still have to bring it to VirraMall to have it unlocked.”
More to the point, are those GSM phones? Far as I know, Japan has a different standard, although I’m willing to believe the carriers have also installed GSM networks.
pdpla says:
@Silverlokk. Sometimes it depends on the manufacturer. Japan too has GSM but not all and if you want phones that can be unlocked, you must be specific with the brand and the model.
IC DeaDPiPoL says:
@Curry shop
/drool
deuts says:
Good thing you don’t look like Japanese. Otherwise they could have sold the items to you regardless of the Japanese menus. The manual you can easily download, but not the menus…
-Sent via YugaTech Mobile App
Aos says:
I have a relative who visited there in Japan last year. As I was told, it was more expensive to buy electronic stuff in Japan than here in the Philippines. He almost bought a Mac that was cheap only to learn it was already second-hand. One factor that i have heard is that all the best quality products are sold locally, while those “pwede na yan” are the ones exported. Another factor is the cost of living, as Japan has a high one.
Besides, some people would just visit residential areas and look at their trash for electronics. Believe it or not, they just throw their electronics even though a minor repair can be done (e.g. i heard one story that they threw the entire TV just because of a loose button).
Sir yuga, maybe you should try looking into this hehehe.
Jamie Z. says:
How are the Japanese? Are they kind/hospitable etc. ? I heard that they have ”subtle racism” in Japan? Can you comment Sir Abe?
laben8 says:
For brand new items, price range from gadgets here and Japan are relatively the same. It was not the same say some 5 years ago. For Apple product, they have generally the same price range anywhere in the world and in Japan it is also kind of marquee in prices and they don’t resell Apple well below there worldwide prices. So don’t expect good buys in brand new items from here.
For cellular phones, you can’t really find prepaid or non-contract phones in Japan. By law, prepaid phones are not allowed. And even if you want a prepaid phone, you would still need to show the reseller your alien residence card for purchasing a phone with or without the contract. The japanese outlawed prepaid i think 3 years ago as they say that it is a source of crime. Having all numbers in contract means they can monitor all the movements of everyone, specially phone numbers use for crime. So it’s not really a good idea to buy a GSM phone in Japan and they also have a different network. Some phones though could be use for GSM and can be unlocked in Greenhills.
For laptops, another consideration is the OS language. Even for 2nd hand one. You don’t want to have a spanking new laptop but Windows is in Japanese. They say you could re install an English OS version and use the license of the OEM Windows, maybe for Dell or HP laptops. But well it’s quite difficult. Another issue is the keyboard. The Japanese jeyboard layout is a little different from the English keyboard layout. Yes the ‘@’ is not found in the shifted key of ‘2’. At the Apple store you can request for a change of keyboard layout for no extra cost. And the MAC OS X has different languages within the OS so you have no problems with the MAC, except that they are generally price the same as compared to that in the Philippines.
I think the real score of gadgets in Japan are the digital cameras. That is if you don’t mind the Japan branding of the camera. They generally are the same camera except that they have a different name. Like the IXUS which is IXY in Japan and Powershot in the US. And yes Yodobashi and Softmap prices for brand new items are somewhat more expensive, you can find more bargains on the little shops in Akihabara, if you know where to look.
For lenses, brand new one have generally the same prices, it’s the 2nd hand market you are after. For me my choice of 2nd hand lens shop is in Shinjuku. A shop known as MapCamera. This little shop just behind the plethora of Yodobashi in West Shinjuku has high quality 2nd hand lenses and tons of cameras. They sell lots of Leica RF cameras and other medium-format cameras. Leica lenses (2nd hand) will cost more than your brand new Canon 60D.
kebb says:
gusto ko ung secondhnd shops nila… murang mura talaga…
Wakocoke says:
my cousin bought me a second hand nintendo ds from japan for 3,000php only! and that was 3 years ago :D
tgsr says:
yodobashi is expensive, actually any giant electronics retailer is expensive in japan cause they include points.
the gold point is a point card system in most retailers, usually you will be given 10% points of the amount you purchase.. you can buy again items using those points.
frankly though, i think you went to the wrong stores to look for bargains. small shops tend to have bargain prices…
like the pentax kx i bought was 20k kit lens… but then again you only had a short time in akihabara.
when i compare prices in the philippines though, i still find the items in japan cheaper most of the time.
you might want to check http://www.kakaku.com its like cgena of japan..
cultaware says:
dude, baka wag masyado wide open ang aperture para di blurry yung mga photos. F8 or F11 oks na.
manaka_junpei says:
doon maraming ANIME Merchandise, from DVD, Manga, pati Figures at Nenderoids, at magandang benta nang electronics at a reasonable price, pati electronic parts na parang katulad sa OHMS electronics dito sa amin, meron doon
Mr Z says:
Hey Abe, don’t worry about the language barrier if you want Kinect – just make sure your actual GAME runs in English. You can search on NTSC-J compatibility, if you have an NTSC (US spec) console, like me.
Actually looking forward to a HK or Singa visit in the near future, will let me get a 220V power supply for my 360 slim. Microsoft took good care of me in Singa :D
Abe Olandres says:
@cultaware – I used the miniaturized feature of the S95 to get that effect.
Abiel says:
I’d go for the manga’s and action figure!!!
Yeah… the Japs got a world on their own!!!
wreek888 says:
yes ive been to this place during my tour to japan in december 1985. ang uso pa nun mga sony walkman at cassette deck. i remember buying walkman with tv tuner na pwede mo i tape ang shows sa tv station, and the one that i bought which was very cheap at wala pa nun sa pinas ay ang triple cassette tape player with bass expander na you can copy 2 tapes at the same time.
Mr. Panda says:
Prepaid mobile : http://mb.softbank.jp/en/prepaid_service/
I disagree that electronics in Japan are the same price as in Manila. I’ve lived in Tokyo for 2 years before coming to Singapore and I can definitely say the prices are lower there.
English laptops costs more than their Japanese counterparts (by a large margin). Yodobashi doesn’t have the best deals in laptops, you have to go to that Duty Free store along the main road of Akihabara. Its got good deals on laptops.
Digicams – Yodobashi has some good deals, some with tempting packages and freebies.
Paolo says:
Japan sells the cheapest quality gadgets. It is better to buy a gadget made in Japan. My digicam, Canon A710is was made in Japan. Using it for more than 4 years. It still works well.
Also try to go to Nippon Bashi.
Destron Commander says:
Be careful what model of second-hand laptop you buy. It may be a model that is available only in Japan and trying to convert it to English might mean you can’t even find the drivers to make it work.
anonymous says:
normally companies with manufacture products in Japan or based there (like Canon, Sony, etc) generally make products only for local consumption hence the all Japanese menu but there are some exceptions, a good tip is to try the gadget first, you can request that from the sales person
those products (the locally released ones) are also cheaper compared to the ones available in Manila
a tip in buying 2nd hand items – generally those are still very good items, you can find most of them just have a crumpled box or a minor scratch while the functionality is still 100% while the price is almost down 30 – 50%
jox says:
wow sarap mag shopping jan!!
lolo tasyo says:
I stayed in Tokyo for 3 months some 6 years ago. I spent all my weekends in Akihabara, and yet I was not able to cover it all, or see everything. The place is so huge, its offerings virtually endless. Can’t wait to get back there.
ECE Board says:
May vending machine po ba ng cellphones dyan?
ECE Board says:
sir yuga may vending machine po ba ng cellphones dyan?
vance says:
Kakaingit! Hopefully, 1 day, I can visit Japan! and this street hehe..
ettenoj says:
haha. ngayon ko lang nabasa ito. buti naman naka visit ka jan. i live in japan thats why alam ko ang akihabara. nice one
Daytron says:
In Yodobashi, the 5% discount is for unionpay cards – to encourage Chinese tourists to spend. Bic Camera (Ueno is closest to Akiba) is generally cheaper than Yodobashi and also has a point card system.
I’ve not found any electronics much cheaper than elsewhere – the japanese market is very closed (hence contract phones etc) by language and you’ll find for example SONY products Japanese language only and more expensive than the english language version sold in say, Singapore.
GSM network in Japan very limited, 3G mostly UTMS 2100 so compatible but 90% of the phones you see there won’t work well elsewhere even if unlocked (and doubtful anyone outside Japan would have a clue how to unlock). Lots of carrier specific software although many have english option.
light says:
someday. T_T
Phil says:
Sir when you came again here in Japan we can assist you in Akihabara, Bic Camera, Yodobashi Camera, Dice etc…., actually karamihan ng benta dito for domestic use kaya manual is in Japanese, but wait there is a language setting of LX3 and others gadget you can set it on English. Most Japanese salesman although they can speak English but they do not know that there is a language setting, Of course default setting is in japanese that is why they insist it is not in English hehehehe. That was my experience before, then now I enjoy buying here and sell them on line after setting up to english menu.
bluemary1014 says:
Phil is correct but certain brands like Sony are producing their products exclusively for Japanese use recently. Because they found out that tourists can save money from buying the same items back at their country, like us. The only known brands that have still dual language support are Canon and I think, if not Olympus, its Nikon.
Also, Second-hand items in Japan is like Brand new if you compared it here. One friend of mine bought an Iphone 4 in sofmap this year, when she opened the box, the plastic wrap of the Iphone is the only wrap that has been opened. all the wraps are intact including the twist ties of the usb cable and earphones are left untouched. Only thing is when she got back here, she had it unlocked.
Another thing on cellphones in Japan, Sim phones aren’t popular there because their signal is CDMA. Their phones doesn’t use Sim cards to work.
Sim phones generally use GSM network. Its not a popular and common signal for them. Also, their mobile phone numbers are registered on its respective owner. This is to avoid theft.
One provider which offers sim phones is Softbank. So everything with sim can be unlocked here in the Philippines.
(Ref: I was in Japan in 2008 for 3 months, worked in a project for IHI Corporation. Most of my weekends were spent in Akihabara but there were places I wasn’t able to go to yet. If have the chance I want to visit the place again.)