Moved to Japan - no credit card - where to buy lights?

Hi all,

(If this thread would do better somewhere else please move it)

Wow, what have I missed here in my absence?
I haven't been here for 18 months or so as I went through a lot and have ended up moving to Japan. Of course I brought as many lights as I could with me, although many had to go due to restrictions on how much I could carry through customs. I also sold off/gifted any lights that had "weird" cells in them due to my fear of being unable to acquire fresh cells for a while. That was a sad day

I was making do with the lights I did bring with me - some very nice AA/AAA cell lights - but the bug is biting again and I want to try out some higher powered lights (considering 18650 lights for the first time). However normal stores here do not sell those, or the cells/chargers. I'd like to ask if anyone has any advice on where I could buy nice lights out here in Japan. As a foreigner who has only been living here for just over a year I am barred from applying for any form of credit card yet (I tried), and Japanese debit cards... well, they are strange and only work in Japanese ATMs. Bummer!

Are there any Japanese mail order/online stores that will accept cash on delivery? Japanese language only is fine as my Japanese is good enough to be able to use an online store but I can't seem to find them via Internet searches (hitting my limit on my language skills).

(Incidentally I noticed cash on delivery is very popular here and offered by many online stores, possibly because so many people don't have a credit card?)

Failing that, good old brick and mortar stores would be fine too - I live in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

For when I do finally manage to get a credit card I'd also appreciate any information on how importing foreign goods works here - any warnings or information on how to pay the taxes would be appreciated. In England it was easy - you'd get a card through the door and you'd phone them (to pay the charges by credit card) or enter your parcel number on a website to pay the tax. Your package would then turn up a couple of days later. How does it work here?

All suggestions welcome.

Go to Tokyu Hands in Shibuya. Take the elevator to the top floor, and walk down. Amazing place. Be sure to check out the Hachikō statue at the station. Of course, you'll see the Shibuya crosswalk.

Do you have a PayPal account? Can pay directly from bank account, if you like...no need for a credit card.

Wow, must be a fascinating story, moving all the way to Japan. I've always wanted to visit, but can't imagine what it would be like to actually take the leap and move there. Anyway, welcome back! Like thedoc said, depositing funds into a PayPal account is a good option. I've always imagined selection in Japanese stores would be dizzying, so finding out where the local hardware and sporting goods stores are located could be a good start.

thedoc007 said:

Do you have a PayPal account? Can pay directly from bank account, if you like...no need for a credit card.

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+1 ,free to open,tie in with any bank account...........also protected for purchases

I would think there many Japanese Flashoholics would exist there. They all love their gadgets and electronics. The average person can't own handguns so I would think flashlights would be seriously popular there?

If I were you I'd so be eating sashimi
And Japanese food. Must be an experience for you being there. I've been to Okinawa for two deployments when I was in the military.

I hear it's expensive there in the cities. I honestly can't believe just in the local stores there they don't have some good flashlights? I mean if it comes down to it I can get a functional to pretty decent flashlight at the local cvs or rite aid drug stores that would serve the purpose for not a lot of money if I had to. I don't cause I already have more than I ever use but can't see it being so much different in Japan?




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there at every step electronics stores

I lived there for a couple years great city! I'd take a look through Ogawamachi, the sporting good district of Tokyo. The Japanese are into camping and you should find pretty specialized illumination gear for it. Maybe Akihabara, the electronics district too.

Despite the high prices, I used to love shopping in that city since gear was so district oriented. I used to go Ueno for motorcycle gear, and the stores were incredibly specialized - ie, one shop was dedicated to only helmets, while another only gloves. You could find anything made in the world for a particular niche all within walking distance.

I second Sporting Goods stores and Tokyu Hands. So far, in my 3.5 years here in Japan, I've seen Fenix, Surefire, and LED Lenser; as familiar brands. There are many Japanese brands, but, surprisingly, not very impressive in their technology as I would have thought.

buds224 said:

...There are many Japanese brands, but, surprisingly, not very impressive in their technology as I would have thought.

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Surprising, esp given the country's propensity for natural and man made disaster.

Anyways, I just remembered coming across a post of a Japanese flashlight site that was selling HDS 325's before anyone here on CPF knew about it..... looks like they carry some other nice lights too . Might be worth a look.

Clicky

reppans said:

Surprising, esp given the country's propensity for natural and man made disaster.

Anyways, I just remembered coming across a post of a Japanese flashlight site that was selling HDS 325's before anyone here on CPF knew about it..... looks like they carry some other nice lights too . Might be worth a look.

Clicky

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Very cool link. I wish they had a storefront that we could just walk into.

I've been looking for supplies in case of another major disaster here in Japan, but they seem to not offer much more than what you would typically find in a sporting goods store. Surprising indeed Reppans.

Hi all,

Thank you for your replies! I sure have a lot of information to go on now. I really appreciate it - I was spoiled while I lived in the UK as I had easy access to online ordering.

I did take a look around Yodobashi Camera at Shinjuku briefly before but they only had off-brand lights. I'm after brands like Fenix, Nitecore and other well known brands we often discuss on the boards. I'm not expecting to be able to find brands like 4sevens (as much as I'd like to) I'll take another look incase I missed something. I was surprised at how bad the domestic brands are here for lights though - for example all convenience stores carry a couple of Panasonic branded lights but they focus on being cheap and long lasting rather than bright and easy to carry. A couple of markets I looked at had showerhead lights. Kind of surprising considering how important it is to be aware of disasters living in an earthquake prone country!

I do have a paypal account but it is still registered to the UK so I could make a new account in Japan. I didn't think it would work as I don't have a normal debit card (just J-debit) but I will take another look.

I didn't think of going to specialist sporting goods stores - I'll take a look around the many places mentioned (thanks everyone!) and see what I can find.

As for the experiences I have had here so far, I think those will have to be posted in the Cafe forum. So much has happened since moving here and I don't regret any of it. The food here is excellent too - and surprisingly it costs less to dine out and eat good food here in Tokyo than it does in London.

5S8Zh5 said:

Go to Tokyu Hands in Shibuya. Take the elevator to the top floor, and walk down. Amazing place. Be sure to check out the Hachikō statue at the station. Of course, you'll see the Shibuya crosswalk.

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Amazingly I have yet to actually look around Shibuya properly. I think that might be my first destination as it is right next to me (as I live in the west of Shinjuku, a 15 minute walk to the local supermarket I usually use lands me in Shibuya!)

For anyone finding this thread later, I'd like to confirm that the store mentioned by reppans (Pro Light Japan) does accept cash on delivery as a payment method. Plus they have lots of juicy high end lights.....

(Hmm, why has my wallet run off!?)

zipplet said:

Amazingly I have yet to actually look around Shibuya properly. I think that might be my first destination as it is right next to me (as I live in the west of Shinjuku, a 15 minute walk to the local supermarket I usually use lands me in Shibuya!)

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You must walk right through Harajuku. That place is a trip. Another place where you might check is Akihabara, aka electric town. Anything and everything electronic. I found a ramen shop with one of the best katsu ramen (miso) I've ever had. It's on the Yamanote loop, which goes round and round, either CW or CCW.

You should be able to link your Japanese debit card to PayPal. Surprisingly, internet commerce is not that easy in Japan. We've tried to buy some things for my mother-in-law and it never works out - it either gets hung up because we're using a foreign credit card or some other odd reason. Surprising because logistics are so good in Japan. The site noted by reppans is cool and they have some great lights. But I've never seen a decent light in a brick and mortar store. Tokyu Hands is a good suggestion. Harajuku and Ueno are great for a lot of things, but I've never seen a decent light. We stayed near Shinagawa station last new years and there 10 ramen shops under the station that compete. We ate at 5 of them and they were all good and inexpensive. Tsukiji is another interesting place - besides fish, they have stores that sell everything from t-shirts to restaurant supplies. But I didn't see any decent lights there either. I don't know the rules about importing goods. I have an issue in Switzerland - the Swiss Post opens boxes looking for invoices and there are only a few vendors that under declare and don't include an invoice. I would never ask a vendor to lie on the declaration - if they are willing to do that, what else are they doing? But some vendors do it without asking.

I spent 5 years in Japan when I was young. I had a great time and met my wife. Enjoy every moment and be open to any experience.

yoyoman said:

Tsukiji is another interesting place - besides fish, they have stores that sell everything from t-shirts to restaurant supplies.

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Tsukiji is also infamous for being one of the subway stations where people were struck by the cult's sarin attack in 1995.

Also take a look at this thread.. I gave some suggestions. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...hts-in-Japan&p=4282273&viewfull=1#post4282273

Regarding Tokyu Hands, I went to the Shinjuku store a couple of months ago, and was a little upset... only a very meager amount of flashlights at premium prices. Only watched the racks for a few minutes and left! Don`t think I will ever go back there.

Although MBI doesnt have a street-store, you should check out his website! He lives in Japan
He also has a few huge threads here on CPF. 1, 2, 3.

another big seller is Holkin, who has a lot of mainstream flashlights.

Another thing I would like to mention, is that in some cases (like a few other big electronics companies) you only need a Japanese address. They allow you to pay at the convenience store in cash, and they will deliver it to your door. (quite a handy system).
Depending on your situation, it might be hard to get your hands on a credit card as a newcomer!!

Oh, and if you need a guide for your visit to Akihabara, I know that area as my back-pocket! (especially for cameras and battery related stuff )

Thanks everyone. I also discovered that Amazon Japan have many Fenix and Olight flashlights, sadly no 4sevens though.
A package or 2 may have been delivered this weekend from amazon, and I might have a couple of new lights to play with :devil: but sshhhh don't let my wallet know. Wow, things have moved on since I last bought a light 3 years ago. I finally replaced my main pocket EDC light - an ageing lummi raw NS (all of my batteries were worn out :mecry with an olight S10R. I can't believe how powerful it is for the size!

ChibiM said:

Oh, and if you need a guide for your visit to Akihabara, I know that area as my back-pocket! (especially for cameras and battery related stuff )

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Hmm, I may have to take you up on that offer when we have the time! It would be great to see the best places.

How did you pay your Amazon stuff? COD or at a convenience store?

It`s gonna be quite a work out! Ill guarantee you to be walking for a few hours

A few years ago, I`ve spent 9 hours there... searching for camera stuff... comparing prices, trying to find new and interesting shops. These days I usually walk 1 route, starting from Akihabara station, down to Suehirocho, which usually still takes 2-3 hours.

The problem though is that the place is changing rather quickly. Something you`ll walk into a building where they sold this or that, and now its something totally different.

At the same time, the amount of electronics shops seems to be decreasing. More and more restaurants are opened, as well as manga,maid cafes, etc.