Cheaper Buying From Nagoya?

[cll]

Dear all,

 

I am going on a trip to Nagoya on business in Sept. I know Nagoya is no Tokyo or Osaka when it comes to pen shops but I have read I can go to some places there to look around.

 

Just wondering if it will be cheaper to buy pens from there as compared to Ebay or Global Rakuten? Pens in consideration are in manner of Pilot Custom 743 or 912 and the likes of Platinum pens.

 

Thank you

[Intensity]

In my experience, seeing prices at pen shops in Tokyo and Sendai just a few days ago, no, it's not cheaper to buy pens in shops. I did not look closely at Pilot pens, unfortunately, but Sailor and Platinum were similar enough to on-line prices--and on-line you will have more options. Unless you stumble upon some limited edition that they have at a shop that is not easily found on-line. The price is approximately similar to on-line import prices, and at times you can even get some pens for less on-line imported. Japanese inks are cheaper in stores, however, especially if you can save 8% consumption tax with a foreign passport (5000 yen + purchase to get the tax refund, and not all stationery stores offer it--check individual store first).

Edited June 16, 2019 by Intensity

[cll]

Thank you very much. Will look out for inks then.

[gerigo]

Japan's retail is very different than anywhere else. There are the full price stationery stores that have extensive product selection, great service and exclusive products. The sales associates give you the undivided attention you want. They will attempt to help you to the best of their abilities and also their command of the language. Then there are the discount stores that sell everything at 20% off but has very limited range and all lower end. At these stores, you are probably not going to find KOPs, Custom Urushis, Namikis or Nakayas.

 

Every city has a version of these stores. If you pick up a copy of the Shumibun Bunku Backo magazine, it has the Nagoya stores listed at the back. There is no real advantage to shopping in Tokyo except for more stores concentrated in one city with higher levels of specialization. Unless you were quite specific in your wants, IE special requirements outside of mainstream products, the stores in Nagoya will probably serve you well.