How to go about buying HW in Tokoyo?

[cws101]

How does one go about picking up hardware in Tokoyo? -im guessing it wont quite drop into the same basket as other consumer tech (MDs, MP3s, vid., consoles, etc).

I was hoping people might be able to relate some of their purchasing experiences, and offer advice on how/what/where to do.

Issues that I imagine to be of particular note:

--> International versions of the hardware, i.e. is it english?

This goes not only for the manual documentation (first time build for me, so a must), but i guess language will effect the BIOS (but is easily flashed latter? ..how easy? just off company websites?). Are there other aspects of hardware that will be effected by language? Most important though: how easy is it to just find english versions of hardware in Tokoyo?


--> Is it cheaper to purachase in Tokoyo anyway?

For mainstream consumer goods it's a no-brainer, but for computing HW? I presume so, but i find it a little hard to get yen pricing for goods on the net. Anyone got a feel for what standard components go for? How easy is it to 'haggle' on the price point? (esp. if you dont speak Japanese?!) And lastly, can anyone suggest good stores to purchase from?


Advice on the above, or other, is greatly appreciated,
Cheers,
Campbell.

 

[Mday]

i don't even know where this tokoyo is.

 

[LXi]

Mday: Hahaha... , thats like saying I dont know where New York is.

 

[HD2GO]

Where did you say where Newt Yoork is??

 

[PistachioByAzul]

No, that would be like saying "I don't know where New Yorc is"

 

[LXi]

Oh yea, stoopid me.

 

[cws101]

Ok...ok.
Ill turn off my fonetic spelr.
I actually remember scratching for just a tick on whether i speld it right, guess i didn't.

Anyway, any ideas ppl?

 

[LXi]

I dont recommend buying hardware from other countries. Because usually their version is different and if you have problems the tech support here wont be able to help you.

 

[krays]

here's some info, but you might want to write down the name since it's a bit more difficult than "Tokoyo" (sorry, just had to hehe).

There's a place in Tokyo called "Akihabara" which isn't the name of a store, but an actual district. It specializes in all things electronic from computer stuff to consumer electronics to hardware stuff. It won't be hard to find it because Akihabara is where everybody goes for their computer needs, so all you need to do is ask for directions. If you tell me where you live, I might even be able to tell you which trains to take.

Now on to your concerns:

- On the whole, you're not going to find English versions of hardware nor will you find documentation in English. However, in terms of using the hardware and flashing it with english software or using english dirvers, that is no problem - as long as you know what you are doing. A product in Japan may have a slightly different model number from the same model in the States, so you just have to be aware of what you're buying. But don't expect english drivers or english companion software in the box. If you really must have english stuff, there is one store called "T-Zone" (I think it is an American store actually) in Akihabara that has one floor dedicated to import goods.

- The states is much cheaper for computer hardware, pretty much regardless of what you're buying. You might expect things to cost $10~$30 more expensive in Tokyo. One thing, however, is that Tokyo will usually have the newer models of hardware before the states will have them. Such as the new 800mhz duron chip. Uusally Intel and Amd chips, the majority of Taiwanese motherboards with new chipsets, etc will show up several months in Tokyo before it does in the states.

- Nobody haggles in Tokyo, I guess you haven't lived there very long if you have to ask. The concept is completely foreign to the Japanese. So it won't work no matter how hard you try and you will probably just end up looking like an obnoxious foreigner. On the other hand, tipping is also completely foreign and will be denied, so that's the plus side hehehe.

That should help.

 

[LXi]

What's haggle? You mean negociating for bargain? Hm... I dont think you can do that in the States either. At least not in retail stores like Fry's and CompUSA, except pricematching though.

 

[cws101]

Thanks for the info Krays.
I dont live in Japan, hence the miss-spell (if i can use that as an excuse
I'll be travelling through the states late Nov, and Japan in early Dec. I hope to pick up bits and pieces along the way and click 'em together in a box when i get back home.
From your advice, it looks like i'd be much better off just buying in the states, less hassel and better price. Even for things like a Plextor burner?
Do you think their will be DDR based mainboard availible in the states by late november? And what is the extra cost going to be compared to a sdr mobo + RAM combo (ddr ram is like 5-10% more $ than sdr i think, but are mobos going to be ~same price?)

Cheers,
Campbell.

 

[krays]

Hi, I'm really not sure about the DDR motherboards, but from what I've heard is that they will be surfacing in the US Jan/Feb next year. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. If that's true, you might see DDR based motherboards in Japan by this xmas.

Your question about the comparitive cost of SDR and DDR motherboards might deserve its own thread and get more exposure than the current one. In other words, I have no idea! hehe

 

[unclebud]

krays, you right on the money on all that. but i didn't know about t-zone. i will check that out when i get back. in akihabara, you say? you know anything about where to buy video games(especially saturn)? all i found to my liking pricewise was the mall in ebisu...

 

[krays]

Yeah, there's a large t-zone in Akihabara, and also one in Shibuya right above HMV (but it's only 2 floors). The one in Akihabara has the floor dedicated to import goodies.

Oh, definately if you want video games or software, then Akihabara is the best place to get them. I don't know how much Saturn games cost since I don't have one. But I was there this summer and just for comparison, in Akihabara, I bought my PS2 games for about Y5,500 and everywhere else they cost something around Y6,800. You can also find import games in this one store in Akihabara called "Messe Santo" on the 2nd floor. You can't miss it - it's one of two bigger stores that has various consoles out for people to demo (the other one is Sofmap, I believe). The prices for the games are pretty much in-line with the Jap games, maybe only about $5~$10 more.

 

[beat mania]

Don't forget, import games in Messe Santo is actually American games
I like that store sometimes because they give out special stuff (other than the obligatory poster) when you buy new games that the other stores don't have. Their prices are also very good.

I don't suggest that you buy hardware in foreign countries because i) you'll have to pay duty to bring it back in anyway ii) if the HW is new, the drivers for Jwin isn't gonna work for you, and being new, you won't find a driver for your OS.

I don't think there's one 2nd hand game store that doesn't sell Saturn games. Just don't try to look for new ones.

 

[LXi]

Whats the point of buying American games in Japan. Thats pointless. American console games suck anyway.

 

[beat mania]

I dunno. They're just there. I was quite puzzled when I saw them.
Once in a while the American version of a game is released first over the Japanese version. Mabbe like Mortal Kombat or something. Not that I'd buy it.

 

[LXi]

As far as I know, Japanese made games will always be released in Japan first. US games will also be released in the states first. I dont think Mortal Kombat is made by a Japanese company right?

 

[beat mania]

yeah but you'll have to be pretty deranged to want to import MK

 

[LXi]

Haha... I know. I'll remember to bring a good load of cash when I have a chance to go to Japan. Im sure Ill return without a penny.

 

[krays]

Hey I'm all with you: american console games suck. The only one that made it real big was Crash Bandicoot for Sega, but I didn't get into that either.

I like Messe Santo too - I remember back in my hardcore SF2 days, I bought one of the SF2 series and it came with a holographic SF2 telephone card. I thought it ruled back then. Come to think of it, it still is pretty cool hehe.

MK is a joke. Remember "Sub-Zero" who practiced chinese ninjitsu? wtf?

 

[LXi]

WTF?? I never know that the Chinese practiced ninjitsu, that BS. There is just no such thing as Ninjas in Chinese martial arts. However, Sub-Zero was my favorite character, not because of ninjitsu, because of those ice.

 

[beat mania]

I pratically spent all my money in Akiba when I was there, besides the daily living expense ...

Console games should be left to Japanese software houses. Tomb Raider proves it

 

[krays]

Double-take: was it Messe Santo or Messe Sanno? Kinda popped in my head, now I'm not sure. I know I've still got one of their plastic bags though, but I'm not that desperate to know hehe.