Job Discussion Forums

[mushroomyakuza]

In a week's time, I'll be touching down in Tokyo. My apartment comes with a few basics, but some essentials, such as a TV, heater and microwave are sadly lacking.

Basically, I am posting this thread to try and get a rough idea of the cost of these above items, either new or used. At the moment I'm looking into buying a fan heater and a TV (20inch I believe, 2x HDMI slots) for 52000 yen total. Perhaps this is good, perhaps this is bad. It certainly sounds a lot to me, but judging by amazon.jp, televisions are generally a good deal more expensive in Japan than they are in England.

I want a small but decent sized TV with HD - am I likely to find it much cheaper than 40,000 yen elsewhere? What about a heater, and how much of a necessity is one in Tokyo?

Basically, I'm just looking for an indication of the right price for these items, and to know if I'm being taken for a ride or not. And if so, where a good place might be to get these items instead?

EDIT: I also need to get hold of a microwave, as my apartment only comes with a grill/stove and the standard hobs.

Thanks to all.

[seklarwia]

If you can find a Cainz Home you should check them out. I just saw a 30-something inch HDMI TV in there for less than 40,000 and they have in the 20's inches for a fair deal less (also with HDMI) but I'm not sure how many HDMI slots they have. They do good deals on everything you might need in the home and then some. Microwaves can be had for a few thousand. I've never looked at the heaters but I'd imagine you could get your heater, TV and microwave in there for your 50,000 budget.

I'm considering getting the larger TV since the the super elite xbox I'm picking up in the UK next week will have HDMI.

[Apsara]

Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera are the places to go for things like heaters and TVs in Tokyo. I don't know that I've ever seen a Cainz Home here.

The prices you have listed sound reasonable. Make sure you get a digital TV- analogue TVs are really cheap now but from next year you will need a digital tuner if you don't have a digital TV.

Yes, you will need a heater- it snowed in Tokyo on Monday and overnight lows are still not much above zero degrees. It's looking warmer next week but temperatures can vary hugely at this time of year and it's not unknown for it to snow at the end of March. Houses here tend not to be well insulated for the most part. There won't be much choice in heaters unfortunately because of the season, although you might get lucky with sales! Basic microwaves go for about 6,000 yen.

Just a question- is there no air-conditioning unit in your place? A/Cs here are usually combined heating/cooling. If there is no A/C there you might be going to have an uncomfortable summer.

[Lyrajean]

Be sure to check out recycle or second hand shops. Just about everything except maybe the digital TV can be picked up there.

Do check prices first though as some second hand stores have good deals and some seem to want almost as much as you'd pay new.

I'd probably buy the AC and TV new.

[seklarwia]

[Threnody]

If you're not especially picky or in a particular hurry, also be sure to check out the local gaijin classifieds. There are lots of household-item steals to be had for even cheaper prices than the recycle shops.

[Apsara]

Bic Cameras are in central areas- there's one in Shinjuku (very near the Yodobashi), and one in Yurakucho right outside the station, I think one in Shibuya, and others as well.

[Glenski]

Electronic shops can often be pricey. Perhaps a home amenity center (like HOMAC) would be cheaper. It also has plenty of household goods (soap, dishes, utensils, rugs, cheap drawer sets, etc.

[MrCAPiTUL]

If you want a TV, have you considered trying to find somebody selling a used one on the cheap in the classifieds or online?

For everyday household items, try to find a Daiso (surprised that we have them here in Taipei! Somewhere, there is a Jusco, too, though I haven't seen it yet, only saw the shopping bag in the garbage~).