Camera shopping in Tokyo?

[johannes_str_mberg1]

<p>I am going on a 2 week trip to Tokyo in a few weeks and I am wondering about the best places to buy photo equipment in Tokyo (and yes I have heard about Yodabashi)?<br>

I know the prices are not as good as in the US but the prices at Yodabashi are still better than in Sweden. And there is apparently a big market for used goods.<br>

But where do I find these stores and where can I find the best prices and/or most used equipment?<br>

Any help is appreciated!</p>

<p>/Johannes</p>

[ken_i_h]

<p>Bic Camera - Shibuya and Yurakucho are the big shops.<br>

Yodobashi Camera - Shinjuku is the biggest, I suppose.<br>

Prices do not seem good as they include Japanese sales tax (5%) already - you may be eligible for duty-free shopping.<br>

As for used goods, I just googled and there are a few, one of which is "Map Camera" in Shinjuku... Now I have no idea whether they speak other than Japanese there. Good luck! I am sure there are other PNers who will and can help you out, but if you need help on Japanese and such, feel free to contact me (note that I am NOT in Japan now!).</p>

[danny_wong2]

<p>If you are looking for recent used goods look around the used camera and lens shops around Akihabera. (Have Yen cash on hand, most shop will skip the 5% tax if you pay cash)</p>

[rachelle_m.]

<p>I just recently came back from Tokyo and spent some time in Shinjuku browsing camera shops. There are many, many shops around selling used camera gear, but they are not all at street level. Learn the katakana for "camera" and you'll start seeing signs for it everywhere -- lots of little shops on 4th or 5th floors of buildings. Equipment is in great condition, but at least triple the cost of what you would pay in North America (I don't know the prices for Sweden). New equipment goes for about double. </p>

<p>Of course, all this depends on what kind of gear you are looking for.</p>

[johannes_str_mberg1]

<p>Thank you for the replies.</p>

<p>What I am looking for is mainly Nikon lenses, maybe another Nikon DSLR, digital compacts and accessories.</p>

[jens_peter_troelsen]

<p>I'm also going to japan soon - next week :) I have compared prices, and found that prices in Japan and in Denmark are almost identical - the savings is about €20 (I looked at the Canon 100-400L lens), so I guess it could be even more expensive compared to prices in Sweden... Anyway, I'll try to see if I can find the large camerashops in Tokyo, just to see them.<br>

Johannes; have a nice trip!</p>

[johannes_str_mberg1]

<p>Thanks for the info.<br>

I think the prices vary quite a lot depending on what you are looking for.<br>

From the prices I have found so far it seems that new lenses are almost identical to in Sweden whereas used lenses seem a lot cheaper in Japan. Cameras seem quite a bit cheaper in Japan, both new and used.<br>

Example: I saw the Panasonic GF1 with 20mm listed for 85.000 (approx. 6400SEK). The list price in Sweden is going to be 11000SEK so I expect it to sell for around 9000SEK. That is a saving of 2600SEK.</p>

 

[ablyth]

<p>The second hand market might be a bit tough to find. Of course Bic Camera is good, but find lower prices elsewhere, get a photo or brochure from that place that shows the product and Bic Camera will then offer you a better price (so the rumours go, I've never bothered to try it). And you can get duty free if you show your passport. Bic Camera, though, doesn't normally have second hand goods (at least in Nagoya, where I am). Locally, I go to a place called Top Camera, to the third floor of their store, but again, I don't know if there's a top camera in Tokyo.<br>

Here in Nagoya, I've found that the lens prices on the second hand market seem to be about the same, or a little more than the US eBay, and film cameras seem to retain their values, too. However, consumer level cameras have 2/3 of their price wiped off of them withm a year and a half after release.<br>

Have a good trip.</p>

[william hbh]

<p>Johannes, Nikon House in Ginza and it's sister shop Sukiya specializes in used Nikon lenses. Great selections of models and conditions. Here are some shops info:<br>

Biccamera -> <a href="http://www.biccamera.com/" target="_blank">http://www.biccamera.com/</a> <br /> <br /> <br /> Yodobashi -> <a href="http://www.yodobashi.com/enjoy/more/index/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.yodobashi.com/enjoy/more/index/index.html</a> <br /> <br /> Camera no Kitamura -> <a href="http://www.kitamura.co.jp/" target="_blank">http://www.kitamura.co.jp/</a> <br /> <br /> Nikon House / Sukiya Camera -> <a href="http://www.sukiya.co.jp/" target="_blank">http://www.sukiya.co.jp/</a> <br>

<br /> Map Camera -> <a href="http://www.mapcamera.com/" target="_blank">http://www.mapcamera.com/</a> <br>

<br /> 喜久屋 Camera -> <a href="http://www.kikuyashoji.co.jp/camera/" target="_blank">http://www.kikuyashoji.co.jp/camera/</a> <br>

<br /> Lucky Camera -> <a href="http://lucky-camera.com/" target="_blank">http://lucky-camera.com/</a> </p>

<p>Have a good trip!</p>

[daniel_r]

<p>I've heard good things about Map Camera, though haven't been there yet.<br>

I bought my camera at Yodobashi Camera. If you can provide a Japanese address and telephone number you can get a membership card with a credit worth 10% of your purchase. The credit is available to spend from the day after your purchase.</p>