Affordable Japanese Market Exclusive Fountain Pens To Buy

[DjentleDjiant]

Hi guys,

 

Apologies for making another thread with this title. I couldn't really find all that much on this topic...

 

I'll be going to Japan in just over 10 days or so to Tokyo for 5 days and the rest in Osaka. I've created a nice spending budget allowing me to pick up a new pen (or two!). What are some Japan exclusive fountain pen/inks/related stuff you'd recommend to check out?

 

I'll definitely be picking up some Iroshizuku as it's about half what it costs online for me in Japan, and perhaps a Custom 74/Vanishing Point (Pilot appears to be cheaper in Japan). Planning to keep a spending budget of about $200 AUD (assume $200 USD/17000¥) for items (would prefer around the 10000¥ mark though).

 

Lastly, does anyone know of any (slightly more affordable) nib meisters in Japan who speak some English? (My Japanese speaking level is intermediate-advanced, but English is always nice).

 

Thanks for reading my wall of text!

 

Eddy

 

TL;DR

What're some Japan exclusive fountain pens/inks/etc? Budget of about $200 AUD/$200 USD/17000¥

Edited February 5, 2014 by DjentleDjiant

[vikrmbedi]

a member of fpn, whose name I forgot, pointed out this link.

 

list of Tokyo shops.

 

it might be useful for you.

 

happy travelling.

 

regards

 

vikram

[shumanfu]

What he said ^ ^ ..

 

I recently bought a few pens as I am leaving Tokyo in about a week and have found that the best bang for your buck is probably a custom 74, I just got a clear demonstrator delivered from amazon.co.jp for ¥7600 including a con-70.. turn around time was a few days...

 

head down to a department store and try out some demonstration pens to see which type of nib you like... i found the itoya store in ginza to be pretty nice, had some elabos, custom 74s, justus pens with all the different types of nibs for you try to see which one you like. They had a caucasian dude working the counter, which was a bit of a surprise to me, so I guess they get a lot of foreigners there; also on the second floor they have a "nibmeister".. or an old Japanese dude reading a magazine. I have some pictures on my flickr photostream somewhere. Some other shops may have a selection of sailor nibs for u to try.

 

Pricing and Japan only... well.... you're not going to have much luck there.... a lot of the Japan only pens are not going to be in your budget. The custom pens that are commissioned by pen shops are probably around the ¥20000 - ¥60000 bracket... this is one my local pen shop has http://www.mp-creation.co.jp/item_00.html.. Nagasawa has a couple, that may fit in your price range.. http://www.nagasawa-shop.jp/GOODSLIST-180 They seem to have a pretty good selection of inks aswell; maybe u can check it out on your osaka leg.

 

My local shop is also a sailor friendly shop.. so they have few custom sailor pens. not cheap.. I just bought a demonstrator realo for ¥37000 and professional gear slim in blue demonstrator for ¥12,500. Just to give u an indication.

 

You may have more value for money going to somewhere like Kingdomnote and getting a used pen; but even though i never found that place drastically cheaper; just their selection was more interesting. They are more economical if you use their loyalty scheme; which is typical of Japan as most of their retail shopping discounting is via loyalty points and not straight discounts. Online is a lot cheaper though and some places like ameyoko are not bad as well.....

 

Well you never know... have a look around and you may just stumble onto something that fits your expectations... good luck mate.

Edited February 5, 2014 by shumanfu

[Tinjapan]

I fear this is too late for you, but I'd recommend Kingdom Note in Shinjuku. They carry new pens at a bit of a discount if you sign up for their point card, which was free for me when I got it years ago.

 

They also carry used pens, which is what I usually buy. You never know what you may find there, unless of course you check out their website first! They even give you a pen full of whichever ink you choose from their large selection of inks! Great service.

[DjentleDjiant]

Thanks for all the replies!

 

I ended up going to the Itoya branch in Ginza. I was served by an Western dude by the name of Matt who's from America, both being fluent in English and Japanese. As we were able to talk in English, this made my purchase a lot easier! Matt was a super nice guy, he was nice enough to let me try a bunch of rarer pens that I wouldn't be able to find else where, and I was able to fiddle with a Pilot Justus for a brief period!

 

Back on track, after spending about an hour or so, and having tried every nib on the Pilot Capless and Pilot Custom 92, I decided to go with a blue Pilot Custom 92. Also picked up a couple bottles of Iroshizuku as they were about half what I'd pay to get them shipped over here.

 

Completing the purchase, I signed up to their loyalty card program 'Merci' and I was then offered a Pilot pen slip in the colour of choice, and also was offered to get my name engraved free or charge onto the pen cap (in which I took the offer!). To make things sweeter, apparently if I were to return to Itoya within the year or so, I'd get a free pen cleaning as well! Overall, was an awesome experience at the Ginza Itoya branch. Would highly recommend going there (ask for Matt!)!

 

The following day, I trekked it to Yodobashi in Shinjuku and checked out their pen range and watches. Having spent another substantial amount of money at Yodobashi, I conveniently noticed a 'Kingdom Note' sign, so I made my way up there. They had a substantial amount of pens, but unfortunately I was severely over budget, making me unable to make any more purchases! Though, if I recall correctly, I remembered seeing a used Pelikan M600 for about $175 AUD (what I paid for my my Custom 92).

 

Towards the end of my trip, I had withdrawn more money than I probably needed, so I felt an urge to spend! So I made my way down to Itoya at the South Osaka Grand Front Tower. Though, this time I was in a bit of a rush, as I was going to Kobe that day to meet up with some friends. Unfortunately the Itoya store was a little smaller than the Ginza one, though service and selection didn't suffer at all.

 

I quickly tested out a Pelikan M200 demonstrator and a blue Pilot Capless Decimo. After about 10 minutes of question asking and doodling, I decided to pick up the Capless. I quickly picked up another bottle of Iroshizuku and headed straight to the train station.

 

I managed to stumble across Nagasawa in Kobe, albeit I was just passing through. Seemed to have a fairly decent selection of pens as well!

 

All in all, had an awesome time trying out pens in Japan. Definitely looking forward to going back and picking up a couple more pens. Linked below are a bunch of photos I took at Itoya, Kingdom Note and Yodobashi Camera in Shinjuku.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/1jk2dywcb37zyye/EJnCSSIEBg#/

 

http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv194/edwinquan/IMG_20140311_180812_zpsd542d5fb.jpg

[mikefromsac]

Nice, and fun photos on Dropbox.

[zerotester]

That's truly super. I need that pen shop list. I'll be going late next week. Though I have told myself repeatedly that I won't buy any pen - I won't buy a pen, I am not sure my good my self-control is going to be once I step in Itoya. Perhaps a Platinum #3776 may not be too much of a 'sin'

[DjentleDjiant]

Nice, and fun photos on Dropbox.

 

Thanks! I would've taken more, but it would've been a little awkward! Nevertheless, crazy fountain pen shopping in Japan. Though I had to refrain myself from checking the displays in department stores and such.

 

That's truly super. I need that pen shop list. I'll be going late next week. Though I have told myself repeatedly that I won't buy any pen - I won't buy a pen, I am not sure my good my self-control is going to be once I step in Itoya. Perhaps a Platinum #3776 may not be too much of a 'sin'

 

Thanks! Feel free to give me a PM if you want to ask me anything! I'd also recommending keeping your passport on you as you should be able to claim 5% tax (assuming you are a tourist). Just don't loose the receipt like I did .

[zerotester]

 

Thanks! Feel free to give me a PM if you want to ask me anything! I'd also recommending keeping your passport on you as you should be able to claim 5% tax (assuming you are a tourist). Just don't loose the receipt like I did .

 

Thank you for your advice. I will keep my passport with me all the time , and I know they give you back the 5% on the spot rather than in the airport where you need to queue up for half an hour to get the receipts chopped, and then post them back to the vendor before your credit card is credited probably two weeks later

[DjentleDjiant]

 

Thank you for your advice. I will keep my passport with me all the time , and I know they give you back the 5% on the spot rather than in the airport where you need to queue up for half an hour to get the receipts chopped, and then post them back to the vendor before your credit card is credited probably two weeks later

 

Indeed they give you 5% back on the spot! Well to claim your tax for the Ginza store, I was instructed to head to the non fountain pen store and to go to a particular floor where they have an info desk in which you can claim your tax there (2nd or 3rd floor, can't recall).

 

Lastly, I'd probably recommend taking cash over card, as I found not all (smaller) places accept card. Though you can always cash out at ATMs/7-Elevens etc.

[zerotester]

 

Indeed they give you 5% back on the spot! Well to claim your tax for the Ginza store, I was instructed to head to the non fountain pen store and to go to a particular floor where they have an info desk in which you can claim your tax there (2nd or 3rd floor, can't recall).

 

Lastly, I'd probably recommend taking cash over card, as I found not all (smaller) places accept card. Though you can always cash out at ATMs/7-Elevens etc.

 

Thanks! I also notice cash is still very popular in Japan.

[shumanfu]

Love the Osaka Spiderman...

[ander75it]

Thanks for the great report! Something to remind when travelling to Japan... Allocate a budget

[ander75it]

a member of fpn, whose name I forgot, pointed out this link.

 

list of Tokyo shops.

 

it might be useful for you.

 

happy travelling.

 

regards

 

vikram

 

Thanks, this is going to be useful to me sooner or later!

[DjentleDjiant]

Thanks for the great report! Something to remind when travelling to Japan... Allocate a budget

 

No worries! Indeed! Though I'd probably recommend allocating a little bit more than what you want to spend! Given the price of some things are a lot cheaper to buy in Japan! Luckily I have some friends in Japan returning soon, meaning hopefully I can get a couple more bottles of cheap Iroshizuku!

[ander75it]

I'd probably buy a couple of modern kimonos to go with the one I already have (extremely comfortable to wear at home), lots of ink to try at home, and probably a Pilot to match against my Sailor pens (and exquisite nibs). But I don't think I will have the chance to go there until next year. Too bad!