The world revolves around technology nowadays. With the continuous advancement of technology and modernization, more and more people are becoming reliant on their gadgets. The younger generation is now quite adept at using the newest gadgets while the older generation is trying to adapt with how electronics work these days. Various companies all over the world are doing their best to further innovate for the progress of technology.
Among the leading countries in the world that produce the most advanced technologies is none other than Japan. Hence, it is no wonder that the country also houses numerous electronics store nationwide that sell different kinds of high-quality gadgets. In fact, several tourists fly to the Land of the Sun with going to electronics stores as past of their to-do list. Not only do electronics stores in Japan sell gadgets of great quality but also sell them at good prices.
The Best and the Biggest Electronics Stores in Japan
Because there is a huge number of electronics stores in Japan, some people might get a bit confused as to which ones are the best places to visit and purchase their gadgets from. One of the best and biggest electronics stores in the country would be Yodobashi Camera. Even though the name suggests that it only sells cameras, Yodobashi Camera actually offers a plethora of gadgets of a wide variety. Among its selling points is its staff who are quite knowledgeable when it comes to gadgets. Hence, even newbies who still have no idea what kind of gadget would be best to their liking can ask the staff for recommendations.
Another feature that Yodobashi Camera has is their “Functionality Lists.” This feature serves as a guide and helps in comparing different items and ranking their best-selling products based on categories. This is especially helpful for people who are on the fence and cannot decide which product is better and worth buying. Furthermore, Yodobashi Camera also sells at considerably low prices as it competes with other electronics stores to offer the lowest price. With more than 20 stores across Japan, most of them are located in the Kanto region. However, probably the best branch is its Shinjuku Nishiguchi store due not just to the great quality of the products but also to the sheer amount of items that they offer there.
Second on the list of the top electronics stores in Japan would be Bic Camera. Similar to Yodobashi Camera, some people might mistake this store as only a seller of cameras due to its name. Bic Camera would probably the best option for foreign tourists shopping for any kind of appliance or gadgets, given that this electronics store chain was actually the first electronics retail shop that offered a special service just for foreign customers. There are even some Bic Camera electronics stores in Japan that have interpreters in their shops all-year round.
Furthermore, another great quality about Bic Camera electronics stores is easy accessibility as most of their shops are either situated in front of a station or connected to one. In addition, a lot of their stores located in Central Tokyo also offers duty-free shopping and shipping services to airports in Japan such as the Narita Airport, the Kansai International Airport, the Haneda Airport, and the Chubu International Airport, in just a single day. Hence, Bic Camera truly caters to the foreign tourists of Japan. One of its most popular stores is a joint store with Uniqlo, a Japanese fast fashion brand. With the combination of both fashion and electronic gadgets, this joint store is highly popular among the masses.
As for the biggest electronics store in all of Japan, it would be none other than Yamada Denki. Due to its size and fame, Yamada Denki caters not only to Japan but to other parts of the world as well. Having a huge product lineup tagged at reasonable prices, the store also offers discounts for old items; hence, Yamada Denki is a great option for people who are tight on budget. It also owns one of the most popular stores across the country, known as their LABI1 Nihon Sohonten Ikebukuro.
Based on the concept of health, entertainment, and environment, this branch of Yamada Denki is highly popular in the country. Not only electronic appliances are being displayed and sold in the wide sales floor of the shop but also other items such as model railroads, detergent, computers, and about a hundred thousand books. Moreover, a restaurant floor also exists within the shop, which is great for shoppers who have gone hungry for food after perusing their products for a long period of time. A futsal court is also available for customers who want to move a bit after a long day of shopping.
Another electronics store that would also be a great option for tourists who just traveled for the sake of finding the most affordable electronic gadgets would be KS Denki. Aside from offering electronic gadgets, KS Denki also sells computers. While most electronics retail stores have a point system wherein one accumulates points for every purchase, KS Denki does not offer this. Instead, they offer great discounts right on the spot, which is great for foreign travelers who do not have point cards. With more than 445 stores situated across Japan, KS Denki is known to be more concentrated in suburban areas.
With more than a thousand shops in the country, another great electronics store would be EDION. While most of its shops are located in the prefectures of western Japan, one of its specialties is catering to the different needs and lifestyle of the customers depending on its location. EDION also sells its own electronics brand called KuaL aside from the typical electronics brands. Some of these items include microwaves and air-conditioning units. Only one store of EDION exists in Tokyo, which is located in Akihabara. Among its services include duty-free shopping and SIM card availability for foreign tourists.
Finding Electronics Stores in Tokyo, Kobe, and Yokohama
Probably the best place to look for electronics stores in Tokyo is in Akihabara. With hundreds of electronics shops just about everywhere, ranging from small stalls to huge electronics retail stores, Akihabara is definitely the place to go to for the tech savvy people. Items that are being sold in various electronics stores in Akihabara range from the newest computers, mobile phones, televisions, cameras, and even electronic parts to electronic junk and even second-hand items. While there is a plethora of choices all over the country, it is important to note that some devices on sale may only be used within the country because of the voltage and other technical differences in comparison to other countries. On the other hand, there are still electronics shops that offer international models for overseas use.
As expected, there are Yodobashi Camera and Yamada Denki electronics stores in Akihabara. Open from 9:30 in the morning to 22:00 in the evening, the Yodobashi Camera store in Akihabara does not have any closing days. Hence, customers can relax knowing that they can access the store any day of the week. Opening just in the month of September in the year 2005, this store is situated on the east side of Akihabara Station. Some items that they offer include computers, cameras, games, and watches. They also offer international and tax-free items.
As for the Yamada Denki store in Akihabara, it is open from 10:00 in the morning to 22:00 in the evening. Similar to the Yodobashi Camera electronics store, the Yamada Denki electronics store in Akihabara also has no closing days. Their LABI store is situated just across the street from JR Akihabara Station, Akihabara Electric Town Exit. The store is specialized in items such as personal computers and its accessories and household electronics.
With more than 10 shops operating in Akihabara, another great electronics store is Sofmap. Generally open from 11 in the morning to 21:00 in the evening though this may be different depending on the branch, it is highly popular among the Japanese people. One of the features of Sofmap is its specialty branch, wherein these branches offer a specific type of item that may not be typically available in other electronics shops. They also offer used computers and camera aside from the usual brand new items that most electronics shops offer.
Another great option for electronics stores in Tokyo would be Laox. Opening at 10:00 in the morning and closing at 19:00 in the evening though this may be different in other branches, Laox is also among the top picks for places to go to for electronics. With three branches in Akihabara, the store has no closing days so people can visit the shops any day of the week. Two of their stores called the Main Store and the Pocket Plus One store offer tax-free items while the Musicvox branch offers musical instruments. As for hobby and game-related items, their Asobitcity branch is the place to visit.
Another part of Japan known to many as Kobe also houses a number of electronics stores that one can visit when in the area. These include Seiden, Joshin Sannomiya 1 Bankan, Sofmap Kobe Harborland, and Janpara Sannomiya Ekimae. While Kobe is not exactly the greatest place for electronics, their electronics stores still offer a great variety of products at an affordable price. As for people who are staying in a hotel within Yokohama, Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera also has branches located there, offering electronic pieces tagged at an affordable yen.
Second-hand and Used Items Sold at the Cheapest Price in Japan
Generally, a number of huge electronics stores in Japan offer not just brand new items but also second-hand gadgets for people who are on a tight budget and willing to use second-hand items. If one is looking for great earphones albeit second-hand, try searching for a pair at E-earphone. While the store also has some brand new items that they can offer, most people visit this electronics store for their second-hand items. Even though these are also used products, they are still great to use and in a good condition. These earphones are also available for trial so one can truly check out if a pair of earphones is the best for one’s ears and to one’s liking.
As for people who are into watches, march on over to Plus One Watch. Despite it being a store of second-hand items, the atmosphere of the shop itself is not bad and is actually inviting and feels a bit upscale. Their display of watches are usually of the second-hand kind but the looks of these items do not look old that much. The watches seem to be taken care of well and fetch a good, reasonable price. Some would even find the prices of the used watches being sold in Plus One Watch a steal. Hence, this is the place to be for watch aficionados.
Buying Electronic Gadgets Online in Japan
While most people in Japan actually go to electronics stores to purchase the products that they want, another option would be just buying them online. Some people prefer to go to the actual shop to get a feel of the product and to get recommendations from the staff, but not everyone has enough time to do this. Hence, some people prefer to go online shopping instead. Several electronics stores in Japan already offer this feature as they recognize how busy some Japanese are. In order to save time in traveling to the actual shop and perusing the numerous products that the electronics shop has to offer, one may just go to their online store.
Many consider Japan to be the haven of electronic gadgets and one can see clearly the reason why. Not only are their products guaranteed to be of high quality, but their services are truly impeccable. Furthermore, these electronics stores also offer some of the best prices out there, which just goes to show that not every great product should come at a steep price.