The idea that Japan has cheap electronics tends to be a big misconception.  If anything, they overcharge their own people (thanks to the high tarrifs on imports) so that they can undercut the competition overseas.  Add to that the recent boom in the yen's exchange rate, and I'd say your likelihood on finding a deal is close to 0, unless you live in South Africa or something.

Indeed, even used expect to pay far above what you would in your home country (for used). There is a Hard Off that sells stuff, but it's not exactly a bargain for something like a tablet.

I don't think it's some master plan to offset low overseas prices by gouging the home market, but just that luxuries are expensive in Japan in general.

Last edited by Jarvik7 (2011 August 29, 11:32 pm)

Considering the exchange rate between YEN and USD you'd definitely be better off buying electronics in the US. Also, having lived in Europe, US and Japan I can say that the US has by far the lowest prices on electronics.

Have you been to Japan before for travelling? If not it may good if you get some kind of tourist guide (Lonely Planet, etc) so you can learn about places to go to.

Ways of saving money: Cooking for yourself, Yoshinoya and Half-price bentos

Transporation: Get a Suica card at the airport. It was more than 4 years ago and it may have changed in the meantime but I vaguely remember that they had some kind of package including a Suica card and Train ticket from NRT -> Tokyo for a discount price, somewhere at the airport. Again, it may not exist anymore so you gotta look into that. Anyway, get a Suica card once you arrive.

Money Exchange: Yes, there are differences but unless you exchange a large sum of money I doubt it is worth the trouble going to different banks/places. How much money are you planning to bring, and how? Also, there's Citibank in Japan so if you happen to have a Citibank account you can use it here (there will most likely be a foreign usage fee for withdrawing money though).

What kind of visa are you coming on? If it's not a tourist visa get your Foreigner registration card (外国人登録書 ) as soon as possible. You'll need it for almost everything (Bank accounts, contracts, id).

Last edited by ThomasB (2011 August 29, 11:50 pm)

From what I've been told, the airport currency exchanges will rip you off, and if you can, exchanging the money at the post office will get you a better rate.  Note that only large central PO branches will exchange money, not the smaller branches.

i use a schwab bank card, which changes your money automatically at the ATM with no fees and at the regular rate! it's awesome!

but you want at least some money before you leave. i was almost stranded at hiroshima  airports because i had no money... luckily i was able to use my credit card to pay for a bus ticket to hiroshima station, then i walked a few blocks to use the 7 eleven ATM.

the only real faux pas i committed was getting in the changing booth at uniqlo with shoes on. ^^;

On the topic of ATMs, you can withdraw money using a card from an overseas bank at Japanese Post ATMs. I had a Debit Mastercard and had no troubles, another friend who was living there used a Visa Debit.

JimmySeal wrote:

The idea that Japan has cheap electronics tends to be a big misconception.  If anything, they overcharge their own people (thanks to the high tarrifs on imports) so that they can undercut the competition overseas.  Add to that the recent boom in the yen's exchange rate, and I'd say your likelihood on finding a deal is close to 0, unless you live in South Africa or something.

I found this too and I live in Australia (so that is saying something). I found the prices in Yodobashi, Bic Camera etc. to actually be more expensive than what I would pay here once I added the exchange rate in. I noticed that nearly every brand that they sold was Japanese (which makes sense from what JimmySeal said about imports) whereas in Australia we have the usual Japanese, Korean, Chinese and European brands = greater competition.

kainzero wrote:

the only real faux pas i committed was getting in the changing booth at uniqlo with shoes on. ^^;

I did that the first time I went to uniqlo too. The guy looked at me with a semi cringe and just said "Kutsu...." I swear he was about to have kittens.

Last edited by SendaiDan (2011 August 30, 2:39 am)

Are you sure you don't mean すき家?  The one time I ate there, the food was barely edible.

Jarvik7 wrote:

kainzero wrote:

the only real faux pas i committed was getting in the changing booth at uniqlo with shoes on. ^^;

Seppuku is the only way to make up for such a loss of face.

i apparently made up for it by writing my name in katakana

they seemed impressed and not in the お上手ですね fashion but they were whispering amongst themselves and didn't say anything to me



... unless they were blacklisting me

TheVinster wrote:

I have a question relevant to the currency conversation discussion. So I should do half here and half in Japan? I'll order my ticket soon, but I'm pretty sure I'm going. I want to stay for a month, but how/when should I convert my money? I'm thinking of using about $1500-2000 of yen.

I think its a wrong strategy. You're worried about having to pay pennies more for exchange rate and in return risk thousands of dollars in cash. Sounds a bit stupid for me.

Take some money with you (I took around 400$ and it was too much in my opinion, lasted me for 2 weeks or more) and just take a few debit cards + one/two credit cards. Distribute money and cards evenly among yourself, hand luggage and a suitcase. This way even if something happens you'll always have backup. Do the same thing every time you leave your hotel (don't take everything with you) and you're safe.

I found my cellphone to be the weakest link since I couldn't get a backup SIM and I need it for making wire transfers between accounts.