Electronics

Japan sells every conceivable electronic gadget and gizmo you could ever think of and plenty you couldn’t imagine. You need to look no further than the average Japanese toilet seat to see the country is enhancing the electronic age.

Most of the major cities have electronics districts like Akihabara or Shinjuku in Tokyo and Den Den Town or Nippombashi in Osaka but you will find electronic devices for sale just about everywhere, from the huge electronics department store to the street market. With the turnover of so much new technology there are also many second hand dealers around the electronic districts where you may pick up a real bargain.

As the average Japanese person has a fairly small living space compared to much of the western world many of the popular gadgets are small items, mp3 players, mobile phones, digital still and video cameras, organisers or electronic toys and trinkets are among the most popular. Hi Fi equipment, television and computers are starting to become the one multi function product and this is due to living quarters size.

One of the new growth markets are the introduction of robot toys and helpers. Still in their early days it is hoped these robots in years to come will become companions and helpers to people. Today many are still novelty items but technology is rapidly increasing.

Unlike most of Asia products are marked with price tags and there is usually no bargaining, although if asked with respect and politeness you might be able to request a 5 or 10% discount from your sales person.

Remember to check the product before purchase for compatibility with home, many items are made for the Japanese market only and may only have buttons or instructions in Japanese. The 110 voltage is different to many countries and some items including mobile phones, DVD’s and radios may not be 100% compatible in many countries. It is worth visiting some of the bigger department stores for these types of products as many stock overseas models and you can usually get them tax free and with foreign warranty. Remember to take your passport to claim the duty free.