geekhack Community > Off Topic
Browsing Japanese Retailers Guide
HaaTa:
All further changes will be to the wiki.
Really should be doing work today, but nah...
Instead I'll write a guide on Japanese retailers for keyboards and mice. The first part will be for online retailers, while the second will be for actual stores.
I've been asked a bunch of times for stores and such in Japan. Might as well make a comprehensive list while I'm still here and the info is still fresh in my mind.
Note: Will be constantly updated for a few days.
Online - 2D
Reading
First off, your best friend is using Google Chrome with the auto translate function. I can navigate through Japanese, but it's still faster if in English (even horribly broken amusing engrish). Anything with a decent auto translate should do though.
Using Google translate directly has mixed results for usability on some sites.
Search Words
If you still run into problems (or can't use the translate function), there are some key words you can look/search for (pronunciation is closer to actual sounds, not the hepburn transliteration):
[*]キーボード - Keyboard or Kii boh do
[*]マウス - Mouse or Mu ah su
[*]トラックボール - Trackball or To ra kku boh ru
[*]メカニカル - Mechanical or Me ka ni ka ru
[*]パンタグラフ - Pantograph/Scissor Switch or Pa n to gu ra fu
[*]メンブレン - Membrane or Me m bu re n
[*]高級キータッチ - "High Touch Key" or something, the last part is kii ta cchi; too lazy to translate the first 2 kanji, but you can think of this as Topre
[/LIST]
Some more complicated terms that may be useful:
[*]型番 - Model/Serial Number
[*]接続 - Interface/Port (e.g. USB, PS/2, etc.)
[*]キースイッチ方式 - Key Switch Type (Kee su ee tchi + hoh shi ki?)
[*]キー配列 - Keyboard Layout
[*]サイズ - Size/Geometry (Sa ee zu)
[*]ケーブル長 - Cable Length (Kay bu ru + Chou)
[*]カラー - Colour (Ka rah)
[*]Nキーロールオーバー対応 - NKRO/N Key Roll Over (N key roh ru oh bah + tai oh)
[*]USB接続の場合はキーの組合せを問わず6キーまで同時押しが可能です - This is a warning about USB only supporting 6 key presses at the same time due to drivers
[*]Cherry MX 茶軸 - Cherry MX Brown
[*]Cherry MX 黒軸 - Cherry MX Black
[*]Cherry MX 青軸 - Cherry MX Blue
[*]Cherry MX 赤軸 - Cherry MX Red
[*]XM白軸 - XM (Simplified Fake ALPS) Switches
[*]CapsLock、Ctrl交換用、黒色「W」「A」「S」「D」交換用キートップ付属 - Message about extra CapsLock, Ctrl, WASD keys being included
[*]交換用キートップ付属 - Extra key caps included
[*]キー加重 - Key weighting (Usually preceded by a ALL45g or something, so easy to spot)
[*]日本語91 - Japanese Layout 91 key (日本 - Is the kanji for Japan/Nihon/Nippon)
[/LIST]
A list of common manufacturers/brands, Kana/Kanji listed if I've seen it used, but since it's "cool" to have a western, names like Logicool aren't usually transliterated to Katakana:
[*]SIGMA - シグマA・P・O (Shi goo ma A P O)
[*]Kensington
[*]Sanwa - サンワサプライ (Sanwa Sa pu ra ee - Sanwa Supply)
[*]Logicool (Logitech in Japan)
[*]Scythe
[*]Razer
[*]OCZ
[*]Belkin
[*]Skydigital
[*]MCO
[*]Elecom
[*]Saitek
[*]テクノツール (Te ku no tsoo ru - Tech Tools?)
[*]スリーアールシステム (Su ree ah ru shi su te mu - Three Systems?)
[*]日本PCサービス (Nippon no PC sah bi su - Japanese PC Service?)
[*]ONKYO
[*]アクロス (Ah ku ro su - Across?)
[*]恵安 - KEIAN (Not 100% but fairly sure)
[*]Buffalo - バッファローコクヨサプライ (Ba ffa roh ko ku kyo sa pu ra ee - Buffalo Supply?)
[*]Apple
[*]UNIQ
[*]UAC
[*]オールエイ (Oh ru eye ee - All Eye??)
[*]Fortec Cyber - フォーテックコミュニケーションズ (Foh te kku ko myu nni keh shon zu - Fortec Communications?)
[*]MCO
[*]マスタードシード (Ma su tah do shii doh - Mustard Seed??)
[*]SUNTRUST
[*]DECA
[*]Microsoft
[/LIST]
Just because it's listed above, doesn't mean the company makes good boards. I've included companies that make crappy boards/mice as well so you know what to avoid. Also, Japanese like to ALL CAPS NAMES IN ENGLISH, it means the same thing in general... And when you do see actual English, expect Engrish, and that there are most likely mistakes.
Any of the translated names with a '?' indicates that I just made a reasonable guess, and it is not the company's actual English name (if they have one).
List of known Mechanical/Topre manufacturers/brands:
[*]EZ-DigiX - イージーデジックス (Eee gee de ji kku su)
[*]PFU - ピーエフユー (Pee Ef You)
[*]Fujitsu - 富士通コンポーネント (Fujitsu kon poh nen toh - Fujitsu Components?) [Erm, Libretouch and Peerless...ugh]
[*]HHKB
[*]μTron
[*]RealForce
[*](Super) ALPS
[*]Dharma Point
[*]Steel Series
[*]Das
[*]Diatech
[*]Majestouch
[*]Topre - 東プレ (東 - Toh; プレ - poo rei)
[*]Cherry
[*]Owltech (Pretty sure they have some mechanical keyboards)
[*]Filco - フィルコ
[/LIST]
List of known Trackball manufacturers/brands:
[*]Kensington
[*]Sanwa - サンワサプライ (Sanwa Sa pu ra ee - Sanwa Supply)
[*]Logicool (Logitech in Japan)
[*]Microsoft
[*]Cherry
[/LIST]
Online Retailers
I'm sure there are a lot more sites you can order keyboards from in Japan, let me know if you find some decent ones.
Also, most websites don't ship outside of Japan by their usual forms, so make sure to contact the store by email if you want to buy something from them (and they probably don't understand English, but you never know :).
[*]Yodobashi-Camera
[*]Cleverly
[*]SofMap
[*]T-Zone (PC DIY)
[*]Personal Media Corp (Tron)
[*]ShopU
[*]Plat Online (IT Professionals Only, so really only for reference, has over 2000 listed keyboards though)
[/LIST]
Supplier Sites
[*]Diatech
[*]Personal Media Corp
[*]Scythe
[*]PFU Fujitsu
[/LIST]
Auction Sites
I don't use these much, so some assistance would be nice...
[*]Yahoo Auction
[/LIST]
Stores in Japan - 3D
Stores
*Not Exhaustive, I've been to most of the shops in Akihabara though*
There are often multiple stores (same company) in the same area, SofMap and Yamada-Denki are good examples in Akihabara.
Yamada-Denki stores are hit and miss for mechanical keyboards, sometimes you'll find a couple; the stores are quite common in Japan though.
Aichi
[*]SofMap - Nagoya Station Store
[/LIST]
Akihabara (Tokyo)
[*]Cleverly
[*]First Store
[*]Second Store (Biggest selection of keyboards in Akihabara)
[*]Internet Hall
[/LIST]
[*]T-Zone (DIY Shop)
[*]SofMap (All Locations Info)
[*]Main Store
[*]PC Store (Used I think)
[*]Mac Store
[*]General Electronics (Mostly PC though, Used I think)
[*]Second Store (Used) (This one has a Pre Windows 98SE OS expert apparently :P)
[*]Used Mobile/PDA Shop
[*]Entertainment Shop (Think games, music, anime, etc.)
[*]Music CD Shop
[*]Anime Centric Shop (DVDs, Music, Games, etc.)
[*]Place to sell used electronics to SofMap
[/LIST]
[*]Yodobashi-Camera (Akiba/Akihabara)
[*]Labi (Yamada-Denki)
[/LIST]
Chiba
[*]SofMap - Bo Store
[/LIST]
Hiroshima
[*]SofMap
[/LIST]
Hyogo
[*]SofMap - Kobe Store
[/LIST]
Ikebukuro
[*]SofMap
[*]Main Computer Center
[*]Store
[/LIST]
[/LIST]
Kanagawa
[*]SofMap
[*]Yokohama Store
[*]Lazona Kawasaki Store
[/LIST]
[*]Yodobashi-Camera
[/LIST]
Kyoto
[*]SofMap
[*]Kyoto Store
[*]Shijo Kawaramachi Store
[/LIST]
[/LIST]
Nanba Nihonbashi
[*]SofMap
[*]Zaurus 1
[*]Zaurus 2
[*]Nihonbashi First Store
[*]Nihonbashi Second Store
[/LIST]
[/LIST]
Niigata
[*]SofMap
[*]Yodobashi-Camera
[/LIST]
Okayama
[*]SofMap - Okayama Station Store
[/LIST]
Osaka
[*]Yodobashi-Camera (Umeda)
[*]SofMap
[*]Umeda Store
[*]Tennoji Store
[/LIST]
[/LIST]
Saitama
[*]SofMap
[*]Kawagoe Store
[*]Omiya Store
[/LIST]
[/LIST]
Sapporo
[*]Yodobashi-Camera
[*]SofMap
[/LIST]
Shinjuku
[*]SofMap
[*]Main Store
[*]Second Store
[*]Third Store
[*]Place to Sell Used Equipment + Repair
[/LIST]
[*]Yodobashi-Camera
[*]West Exit Shinjuku
[*]East Exit Shinjuku
[/LIST]
[/LIST]
Tokyo
[*]SofMap
[*]Machida Store
[*]Tachikawa Store
[/LIST]
[*]Yodobashi-Camera
[*]Ueno Store
[*]Kichijoji Store
[*]Hachioji Store
[*]Machida Store
[/LIST]
[/LIST]
One thing to remember in Japan, they don't name streets, they name intersections. So trying to find places by number is an exercise in futility. If you have the address (in Kanji) just pump it into google maps, and it will give you a very good approximation if the address is correct (e.g. 東京都千代田区外神田3-13-2 for Cleverly).
If you can find a store location/contact us page on their website, you can usually find the street address line. Do not include the postal code in the Google Maps search (e.g. 〒321-1258 or 321-1258), as it will barf, and find nothing.
Asking Questions
Really, my advice here is to learn Japanese. It's hard enough saying the question properly; trying to understand the reply, is a completely different matter.
But if you really have to ask, have a picture or item point and ask "Ah ree ma ssu ka?" (raising your voice at the end, just like in English), which is "Do you have?". That part's easy.
Decoding the response is more difficult.
Something like "Hai!" (Ha ee), means yes or "Ah ree mass~". Usually something agreeable sounding means yes.
For no, "ee eh", "ah ree mass sen", or shaking of the head. They will usually apologize at that point for not being able to serve you. Some complex phrases come to mind, but I'm lazy, go buy a Japanese phrase book or something.
If the person is taking way too fast, mention "Yu kku ri" (which means take it easy/slow down), so you can understand.
Browsing
Stores are often packed...this sucks. Try weekdays instead of weekends, usually works quite well, though not as many shops may be open.
Many stores in Akihabara have a "No Notes or Camera" policy. So you can't take pictures or write notes (to help with your purchase). The signs are usually fairly visible, and are often found in places where they have Motherboards on display.
In these cases, try to follow the signs, it's polite especially if it's wall to wall people. Though if you really want a picture, just do it inconspicuously and act like a "dumb gaijin" (dumb foreigner, though this exact phrase is actually racist :P, gaikokujin is a much better term) if caught (act like you didn't know any better). It's really mostly enforceable for circuit boards/motherboards, keyboards and mice aren't a problem really.
If a sales clerk is following you around and you want to be left alone to browse, just say, "Ke kko de ss~". Sort've means "I'm good thanks", and the clerk will leave you alone.
Buying
This is easy, for keyboards and mice. Just bring what you want to the counter, and pay for it.
If you have to ask for something, you'll need to learn how to say things in Japanese. Even things that use the "same" name in English still must be said like a Japanese person would say it for the clerk to understand.
Now for things that have a warranty like a monitor, it gets more difficult as you have to fill out stuff like an address card and such. Or if you buy a display item, and want a box. Learn a bit of Japanese if you plan on getting to this, it helps a lot.
Shipping
Shipping within Japan is cheap, reasonable, and fast. Shipping to North America and Europe, expensive. Australia is not too bad, but still a bit pricey.
Takkyubin
Even though it isn't really related, if you have to move something within Japan (like luggage or something) a Takkyubin service is highly recommended. The one that I use (and is most common) is KuroNeko (Black Cat) Takkyubin. For example you buy a large PC, haul it to a Takkyubin outlet and have them send it to your hotel/airport/etc.
They ship door-to-door nearly anywhere in Japan, fast, and the fee is quite reasonable.
Pretty much every 7-Eleven is a Takkyubin outlet, which are everywhere... They also do pickup, pay on delivery and will hold the bags in one place for up to a week. You can even have it sent to a convenience store for pick-up (if the store has room...).
Just look for the burglar cat logo.
[*]Yamato Transport - Kuro Neko Takkyubin (English)
[/LIST]
TODO Form filling guide (Quick Guide)
They also do international shipping, but you're really better off using Japan Post at that point (I also don't know how it works).
Japan Post
Japan Post is probably the easiest way to send something (your new keyboard) out of the country, if it's not fitting in your luggage.
[*]Japan Post (English, but not all of the Japanese info is available)
[/LIST]
There are 4 main methods for sending packages:
[*]EMS (Fast, expensive)
[*]Airmail (Expensive, same as EMS I think but not express)
[*]SAL (Cheaper, but not as fast, uses a combination of transportation types)
[*]Parcel Post (Cheap, but it goes on a boat, which is slow)
[/LIST]
The estimates I gave to ripster (April 2010):
--- Quote ---For a 5 kg box its 4 000 Yen for parcel post (i.e. 2 months) to California or 8 500 Yen EMS (express post, probably a couple of weeks).
--- End quote ---
The fee calculator is not in English, so you'll have to use an auto-translate browser (Google Translate barfs).
Finding a Post Office is relatively easy, just look for one of these symbols:
.
〒 is the most common symbol, and it is only used for post offices, so you don't have to worry about mixing it up.
You can buy boxes at the post office, but they really suck for keyboards, so it would be best if you could get the store you bought the keyboard at to pack it for you (or find a different box).
Rather than teach you the proper phrase, and have you mess up horribly, I'll just teach you the method I used last time at the post office.
Have the items you're sending in hand, go up to a clerk, point to the items you are carrying and say "Ha ko, ku da sa ee" or Box, please. If it looks like they didn't hear you, just repeat "Ha ko" and point to the items. If they still don't understand, look for a cardboard box, and point to it, you should be good then.
TODO Form filling guide (JP Quick Guide)
The forms are available at the clerks desk.
Once you fill out the form, just hand the box and form to the clerk. As long as you didn't screw up the form they'll just queue in the register and ask you for money. And you're done.
There'll be a long number on the receipt with the tracking number (it's 13 digits).
Japanese post offices are often open on Saturdays and Sundays, though the hours can vary depending on lots of things. The post offices in cities (i.e. in Akihabara) are usually open later. But my advice is to check the post office you are going to use. The times are post on the outside of the door usually. The times posted online can be used as a guide, but there is no exhaustive list (you'd really just have to phone, but that requires some Japanese conversational knowledge).
The earliest they close seems to be at 3 PM for rural offices.
Used Hardware Shops
Used hardware shops are everywhere in Japan, especially in Akihabara. There's no real hints when it comes to these places, just that you have to look at all the nooks and crannies to make sure you're not missing an awesome deal/find. Usually you find some cool stuff along the way. So it's all in all good times to thoroughly check these places out.
If anyone has info to add please post below, and I'll add it to the guide. Please let me know if any links go dead.
*If you got the 2D/3D joke, I shake my head at thee. If you don't think it's funny, then you didn't get it and lack Japanese culturing :P
*Super Alps is a grocery store chain in Japan :P
itlnstln:
Seems pretty comprehensive. Good work, HaaTa.
trievalot:
this is great! well done.
HaaTa:
Dunno about tomorrow, but I'm gonna add more pictures. It's hard to read that much text.
I have a bunch more data to add as well. Like filling out postage forms (actually quite simple). It'd be neat to embed some google maps stuff for locations, though if that doesn't work, I'll just link to the proper google map searches.
Hmm, I may also do a recommended section (where you should go). Though that may get out-dated rather quickly.
EverythingIBM:
Are there any good spots to sell model Ms you find in recycle depots or dumpsters? Kishy could make a lot of money if he went to Japan: "this is my keh-boh-ru-du I get from dump-stu-ru"
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