Pilot pens in Kyoto

[holgalee]

Hi all. My colleague is going to Kyoto soon and has offered to help me pick up a Pilot Custom Heritage 91, while she'll be getting a Pilot Decimo herself. I know nothing about Kyoto and she knows nothing about fountain pens. She'll be staying near the shopping district.

 

What's the best place to buy the two pens? Is there someone who can try the pens for her, and are the prices in those shops lower than the recommended retail price? Approximately how much will the pens cost? I don't want her to get ripped off, neither do I want to give her the hassle of buying those pens (she'll be there for only 1 day) if we can get them from brick and motar shops or online for less or about the same price.

 

Edited to ad: I know there are a few threads and websites about pen shops in Japan and even Kyoto, but I'm hoping one or a few kind souls can give me very precise directions, as my colleague is quite senior (in age and designation), so I don't want her to walk around too much and miss enjoying the city.

 

Thank you in advance!

Edited February 4, 2010 by holgalee

[AltecGreen]

Hi all. My colleague is going to Kyoto soon and has offered to help me pick up a Pilot Custom Heritage 91, while she'll be getting a Pilot Decimo herself. I know nothing about Kyoto and she knows nothing about fountain pens. She'll be staying near the shopping district.

 

What's the best place to buy the two pens? Is there someone who can try the pens for her, and are the prices in those shops lower than the recommended retail price? Approximately how much will the pens cost? I don't want her to get ripped off, neither do I want to give her the hassle of buying those pens (she'll be there for only 1 day) if we can get them from brick and motar shops or online for less or about the same price.

 

Edited to ad: I know there are a few threads and websites about pen shops in Japan and even Kyoto, but I'm hoping one or a few kind souls can give me very precise directions, as my colleague is quite senior (in age and designation), so I don't want her to walk around too much and miss enjoying the city.

 

Thank you in advance!

 

 

 

 

Fortunately, fountain pens are easy to find in Japan. Most major department stores and large and medium stationary stores carry fountain pens. Pilot are really easy to find since they are the largest pen company in Japan.

 

 

Given the contraints, the best place to look would the the JR Isetan in Kyoto. This is the Kyoto branch of the Japanese department store Isetan that's located at the central train station. You can't really miss this place. Your friend will likely have to come through this station from the airport.

 

 

The stationery department is on the 10th floor. You may also have to check men's goods on the 6th floor. A lot of pen events are held at this store in Kyoto.

 

 

Edit: most pen places charge full MSRP in Japan. Looking for a lower price will require hunting. There are B&M stores in nearby Kobe and Osaka that have lower prices online but not sure what they charge if you actually go to the store.

Edited February 4, 2010 by AltecGreen

[stan]

Hi all. My colleague is going to Kyoto soon and has offered to help me pick up a Pilot Custom Heritage 91, while she'll be getting a Pilot Decimo herself. I know nothing about Kyoto and she knows nothing about fountain pens. She'll be staying near the shopping district.

 

What's the best place to buy the two pens? Is there someone who can try the pens for her, and are the prices in those shops lower than the recommended retail price? Approximately how much will the pens cost? I don't want her to get ripped off, neither do I want to give her the hassle of buying those pens (she'll be there for only 1 day) if we can get them from brick and motar shops or online for less or about the same price.

 

Edited to ad: I know there are a few threads and websites about pen shops in Japan and even Kyoto, but I'm hoping one or a few kind souls can give me very precise directions, as my colleague is quite senior (in age and designation), so I don't want her to walk around too much and miss enjoying the city.

 

Thank you in advance!

 

As I recall there were two fountain pen shops. We visited one that was about three blocks north (the next big street) and four blocks west of the JR Station. Small shop owned by nice woman. We tried out a ton of her pens, including some that sold for several thousand dollars. It was raining and the street was empty - no customers. I purchased a Pilot 74 with MUSIC nib that I use each day.

 

If you friend is more adventurous than visiting a department store the tourism desk at the station should be able to provide her with instructions how to visit each shop. She should telephone first to verify they are open. The tourism desk will write down instructions for her taxi driver.

 

Expect to pay full list on almost everything.

[Samovar]

Stan is right, try to find some smaller pen shop. It's probably the best part of Japan, stationery stores are everywhere and sometime in the most unlikely places. But you won't get good deals, unless you find a Myu for 3500 yen! ( I doubt you will find a Myu for that price in Kyoto, but you just never know...