Job Discussion Forums

[GoLeafs]

I was planning on purchasing a digital camera before heading to Japan. Is it worthwhile to wait until I get to there? I know some things are more expensive compared to Canada, what about electronics?

[tjpnz2000]

Here is my 2c (as usual),

Price here is lower on electronics but it is not THAT much cheaper. Depends on what you want, where you buy etc.

The big advantage here is that last generation technology is usually heavily discounted and the generations turn over reasonably fast.

The big disadvantage is that sales staff don't usually speak English. If you know what you want and the specs this is no problem. But if you want to ask `Can it do X?` you may have a hard time. Remember you are probably asking some very technical stuff.

[Mike L.]

Don't buy it in Canada. You get old models at hefty imported prices.
The unbelievable rally of the Canadian dollar will help you on the exchange rate too.

Japan is the source of all the gadgets. Like the previous poster said buy an older model.

If you are going to be in Tokyo, go down to Akiharbara and go to LAOX where they speak English. Find what you like then walk around and compare prices.

Just make sure you get an English model. All lot of electronics products come with multi-lingual manuals these days. 8)

[GoLeafs]

That's what I wanted to hear, hopefully I will score a good deal. Thanks.

[BenJ]

is this same for computers? is it MUCH cheaper than other western countries to buy for example a laptop computer in Japan as opposed to bringing one over?

You mentioned Tokyo for english language goods - are these at all prevalent in less populated areas (e.g. Okayama)?

[Mike L.]

I'd say for laptops it might be more tricky depending on what country you live in.

I think, a lot of it has to do with the strength of your domestic currency and how much it costs to import parts or entire units for resale. If the components are made doestically or can be imported cheaply, like Japan, costs are generally lower than in countries where they must import everything.

I bought a laptop in Canada and clearly payed more than I would have in Japan for a simmilar model. Not to mention mine seemed to be 6 months behind the technology wave.

A friend also bought a laptop from DELL in America and it was really cheap!

Software is also an issue. You can get Toshiba laptops with English software here.

Desktops built in Japan can handle English software, English keyboards are 800yen, but it may void the warranty.

Good luck!

[Mike L.]

Sorry, I forgot to anser your question about English service availability. I doubt you'd find much outside of Tokyo, Osaka and a few other big cites. Certainly not in Okayama.

[aziraphale]

What about power adaptors? I noticed that outlets in Japan are two-prong only. How are outlets grounded, or are they?

Also, I think that the A/C voltage is similar to Canada and the U.S., with a similar frequency, but are they similar enough? Coming from Canada, would I need to find an adapter cable? I'm shipping my region-free DVD player, and I'd like to know...

Cheers!

[Celeste]

Circuits are grounded with a ground wire that you attach to a screw in the electrical outlet. I have not seen extension cords here with any grounding, though. I have also seen the ground plugs sawn off appliance plugs so that they can be plugged into an extension cord. YIKES!