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Ask HN: What should I buy in Japan?
About 15 years ago I went to Japan. There I bought some simple precision screw drivers on a whim that I still use regularly. They were inexpensive but seem very well made and have held up great. I’m going back soon and need some ideas for other quality small tools or household items.
- aymaneSennoussi 2y agoSkincare products.
- Mayzie 2y agoHaircare as well :)
- tfwnopmt 2y ago[dead]
- megamike 2y agolacquer Kyoto Teramachi Main Shop just go there https://www.zohiko.co.jp/global/en/ https://www.zohiko.co.jp/global/en/
- dexwiz 2y agoGorgeous. I’ll definitely stop by when in Kyoto.
- anthony_franco 2y agoLightweight umbrellas.
- sam29681749 2y ago* Stationary at places like Itoya in Ginza (if that counts as tools). * Go to Yodabashi camera and just have a look around and you will find things you suddenly _need_. I bought an alarm clock and had literally hundreds to choose from. * Nail clippers, tweezers, etc. you can get from just a general drug store are all very high quality (or so packaging showing them being hand sharpened leads me to believe).
- dexwiz 2y agoItoya is already on my list. I love fountain pens (or rather the inks) and want to get a few.
- mysterydip 2y agoOh man, Bic Camera and Yodobashi Camera were my favorite places to browse! So many cool gadgets. Treat it like a casino, go in with a set dollar amount you're willing to lose, or else you'll keep spending :)
- john_the_writer 2y agoFountain pen. They make some of the best in the world, and if you treat it right it will last your whole life. I've got one that's almost 15 years old. I fill it when it's empty and it's the only pen I use. From an environmental stand it's great because it's reusable. From a writing stand it's an amazing feel every time I write.
- dexwiz 2y agoSailors are popular. Got any other specific brands that might not make it outside of Japan?
- simc 2y agoSailor, Platinum and Pilot are the big three Japanese brands. You can generally get them outside of Japan but there might be Japan exclusives and the prices might be better in Japan.
- dzhiurgis 2y agoSorry to be brash, but a BIC would last me a lifetime too. What do you use your pens for???
- gizajob 2y agoProbably enjoying the act of writing, not just getting the job done. I could get through a BIC in about a week if I really tried, but the ink and the feel are pretty horrible.
- coisasdavida 2y agoWhisky. Japanese cameras from the 1960s.
- syndicatedjelly 2y agoClothes at Uniqlo, the cotton shirts and hoodies are superb Also the second-hand clothing stores are just incredible to peruse
- googledocsftw 2y agoIs it better than Uniqlo in other counties? Uniqlo in Australia is really good.
- mabster 2y agoI think the selection is about the same, but it's cheaper.
- jcrash 2y agoYup went to uniqlo while in Kyoto and bought some pants. They're my favorite pants now
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- yurishimo 2y agoMy uncle got back from a trip to Japan a couple of months ago and they brought me back a very nice blue steel sontaku knife (I hope I spelled that right!) They’re pricy, but it’ll last forever and be wicked sharp. You’ll need it for when you want to prepare delicious meals to remind yourself of the trip ;)
- hnlmorg 2y agoThis is possibly a very naive question, but wouldn’t that be an issue when coming back through customs?
- slillibri 2y agoThere shouldn’t be any issues with customs but as far as security you can bring it in your checked baggage if it is packaged properly and safely.
- mabster 2y agoFor anyone looking at knives (and other culinary tools), have a look at Kappabashi in Tokyo. There's a lot of stores there.
- antif 2y agoI hear the scissors made there are usually pretty great.
- dzhiurgis 2y agoThis came up on reddit recently Hand tools. Ratchets: Ko-ken. KTC. Tone. Sockets: Ko-ken, KTC Wrenches. KTC. Asahi, Top, Lobtex Pliers: Tsunoda, IPS, Engineer Screwdriver: Vessel, Anex. https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/comments/1eeby2w/japanese_items_to_buy_with_the_yen_currently/lfe70oy/ https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/comments/1eeby2w/japan...
- wrp 2y agoYou don't say where you are going, but for shopping, I'll assume it's Tokyo. You might get more out of it by focusing on where to shop rather than what to buy. Tokyo used to have many interesting small shops, the way other major cities did before online shopping. Going around to brick & mortar shops now is time consuming and mostly not worth it if you know what you want, because the selection is so much better online. For many things, there will be importers operating in your country. For example, www.jetpens.com does a great job bringing less expensive stationery items into the USA. I would focus on the unique shopping experiences to be had in Tokyo. If you are into fountain pens, Shosaikan[1] should be near the top of your list. This thread covers more locations.[2] For housewares and small tools, the best browsing is Hands (formerly Tokyu Hands). I love the aesthetics of Japanese home and office goods, but the more interesting things are generally not exported. I have many things that were inexpensive but unique and very nice to have. Just one example, the Japanese "pipe pillow".[3] [1] https://tokyostationpens.com/2020/04/21/shosaikan-a-virtual-tour/ https://tokyostationpens.com/2020/04/21/shosaikan-a-virtual-... [2] https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/368781-fountain-pens-stores-in-tokyo/ https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/368781-founta... [3] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese_Pipe_Pillow.jpg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Japanese_Pipe_Pillow...
- bgschulman31 2y agoIf you're into cooking a Japanese steel knife
- snappr021 2y agoTo refine the question ~ where do japans most notable products originate from, so we can visit the source?
- somishere 2y agoNot a household item so much. But wood block prints. There are stores where you can browse thousands of them, many hidden gems. Perfect for framing and lighting up a wall.
- onlypassingthru 2y agoKitchen knives. Japan still has quite a few small, independent knife factories that produce functional works of art you can use to make dinner. Find a specialty knife store in a major city to get the best selection.
- dave333 2y agoI remember my Dad raving about the good quality and cheap price of a Japanese dial micrometer he had bought in the 1970s when Japanese products had a poor reputation in general in the west rather like everything Temu sells has now.
- Joel_Mckay 2y agoCandy... seriously... Japan has some of the best candy in the world. Also, just about anything made by Mitutoyo is very good quality if not counterfeit. There is also the Pokémon Center buildings toy store for rare gifts. Have fun, =3
- apricot13 2y agoWhen I went I wanted to buy souvenirs that weren't just cute and sat on a shelf so I focused on low cost but cute homeware. It brings me so much happiness each time I use my daiso rice scoop or getting a tealight out of the bag I bought my fountain pen in! and ofc chopsticks because they really do the best ones. If your buying pens don't forget to stock up on ink! If I'd had more money at the time I would have bought better quality but the fact that some things were from the 100y store and are still better quality than stuff bought here says a lot!
- seanmcdirmid 2y agoThere is a Muji still in Portland if you need ink for their pens at least. I’m really surprised it’s still there actually.