Anyone Bought Tackle In Tokyo B4?

[Matrix]

My gf and I are scheduled(but not confirmed) to go to Tokyo during our summer holidays (not at the same time though). Last time we were there, we looked no further than electronics and clothes, this time focus will be on FISHING GEAR

Has anyone bought gear whilst in Tokyo? Anyone have any pointers? Ideally I'd like to pick up a rod (or two), something like a Megabass or similar. Have come across quite a few rod brands whilst looking at Japanese lure sites. Have also done a bit of homework in regard to tackle stores but I need as much info as possible so I can try to make arrangements prior to arrival AND try not to get rorted. Not to mention the fact I will have to buy a good quality rod tube b4hand.

So please let there be some tackle rats be on this site

Matt

[landlubber]

My gf and I are scheduled(but not confirmed) to go to Tokyo during our summer holidays (not at the same time though). Last time we were there, we looked no further than electronics and clothes, this time focus will be on FISHING GEAR

Has anyone bought gear whilst in Tokyo? Anyone have any pointers? Ideally I'd like to pick up a rod (or two), something like a Megabass or similar. Have come across quite a few rod brands whilst looking at Japanese lure sites. Have also done a bit of homework in regard to tackle stores but I need as much info as possible so I can try to make arrangements prior to arrival AND try not to get rorted. Not to mention the fact I will have to buy a good quality rod tube b4hand.

So please let there be some tackle rats be on this site

Matt

Mate i have not bought tackle in Japan before, but i have lived there and been there for business about half a dozen times. I have never had problems with being rorted in Japan, which is a major contrast to other countries in Asia where it is a favourite pastime.

Good Luck with the shopping and let us know how you go!

Cheers

Rob

[Matrix]

"Rort" was probably the wrong word to to use cos that might imply intent What I probably shoud've said "find the best places with the best range and with the best prices". Truth be told, in the times we've been to Japan we've found the Japanese to be extremely honest.

[Sharky]

If your after a bass rod Japan has a great range of Battlers by daiwa . The range was designed by the top 10 jap anglers and they are awsome good rod for bassing heavy deep water breaming and of cource spinning for jewies i hope this helps

[Matrix]

Thanks Sharky, I'm already quite familiar with the Battler rods but its Megabass I'm after

[pogo]

I get up there a bit,

Its the only place I've ever struck that if you leave without picking up your change in one of the little family restaurants, they come out the front and follow you down the street to give it to you.

That doesnt happen at the larger more western places but Japan is one the most honest places Ive ever been.

Ive never been in to Tokyo, but I know were there are tackle shops near Narita Airport. Im going back on saturday and will go out to them again, and will write down directions if you want. I know how to get to them but would struggle to tell you how right now

The other guys I go up with know a couple of 2nd hand golf shops that are great value and I would love to find a place that carries 2nd hand fishing gear, so if any one knows of one or finds one let me know

Edited October 19, 2005 by pogo

[landlubber]

You wouldnt be Airline crew would you Pogo?

Aside from 2nd hand golf stuff, another winner in Japan is 2nd hand high end watches...some real bargains to be had there

[Matrix]

I get up there a bit,

Its the only place I've ever struck that if you leave without picking up your change in one of the little family restaurants, they come out the front and follow you down the street to give it to you.

That doesnt happen at the larger more western places but Japan is one the most honest places Ive ever been.

Ive never been in to Tokyo, but I know were there are tackle shops near Narita Airport. Im going back on saturday and will go out to them again, and will write down directions if you want. I know how to get to them but would struggle to tell you how right now

The other guys I go up with know a couple of 2nd hand golf shops that are great value and I would love to find a place that carries 2nd hand fishing gear, so if any one knows of one or finds one let me know

Directions and name of shops would be a godsend Pogo, thanks for that . The shops in Narita might even know where to get the best stuff and good prices in Tokyo? Let us know what kind of gear u see too (Megabass and Evergreen Rods) . Have a good flight on Saturday

About ur golf clubs, some of the big department stores in Taiwan that I've often gone to carry a huge range of clubs(Callaway,Taylor Made, Ping) and if u go at the right time, the discounts are pretty substantial. I've also had friends who have bought knockoffs from Taiwan and Hong Kong, where even my keen golf eyes find it hard to discern the fakeys from the originals. AND shipping costs in Taiwan is also quite cheap, so if u ever wanted a set I can ship it off to you My Callaways were bought from the US cos my dad goes there on business quite often, and boy were they expensive. Still a little cheaper than Aussie prices tho.

In regard to honesty, I spoke to an old fella whilst we was waiting for my bags in Narita airport one time I was there, and he told me he had left a 5000USD camera in the back seat of a cab (speaking of cabs, love the automatic doors ) after being dropped off at his hotel one morning. End of shift, the cab driver drove all the way back to the hotel on his own accord/expense to return the camera, and would not accept one solitary yen as a reward. Absolutely incredible

Matt

[Hiramasa]

Matrix,

With my wife being Japanese and all, I tend to buy all my tackle in Japan, especially in Tokyo.

The easiest two places to go are located near Shibuya train station. They are are SANSUI and JOSHUYA JUMBO. SANSUI is the better of the two, being a better stockist of quality gear. JOSHUYA is a middle bracket store, though having said that it would beat most tackle stores here in Australia.

http://japantackle.com/tackle_shops_in_tokyo.htm

The above link shows you where SANSUI is. Ask the shop assistant for JOSHUYA. It's only 5 min away.

My first experience in a japanese tackle shop was overwhelming. You could literally spend a couple of days looking through all the great kit. As the shop assistants don't speak English, you may want to prepare well in advance (e.g. go to the Megabass wedsite) and write down all the rods you want to look at and show it to them, otherwise it really is like the duck talking to the chicken.

I wouldn't bother tacking a rod case as you can get one very cheaply when u get the rod, and the rods always come in their own box anyway. A few t-shirts and towels to wrap them up should do u fine.

Good Luck

[Matrix]

Thanks Hiramasa, I've checked those places out already thru the japan tackle site. Sansui seems to be the carrier of the best stuff. I know that Megabass or Evergreen rods etc arent going to be cheap, but are Sansui's prices good? (if i end up getting stuff from there, then someone goes such and such a place sells at half the price, and its just the next suburb down the Yamate line, I will absolutely go postal!)

Just curious tho, when u say "it would beat most tackle stores here in Australia" do you mean in regard to prices? I think its safe to assume the RANGE is probably greater than most Aussie tackle stores.

Abt the overwhelming bit...I know! No matter how many times I go to the US(for example), I get a headache as soon as step into the malls and outlets, so many things to look at and never enuff time (even tho I was there for a whole month )

Language wise, it wont be a problem. I've done Japanese 1 at uni therefore I am an expert. NOT! My gf is very good though, might be a bit rusty but she wont take long to refresh her japanese.

[Hiramasa]

Thanks Hiramasa, I've checked those places out already thru the japan tackle site. Sansui seems to be the carrier of the best stuff. I know that Megabass or Evergreen rods etc arent going to be cheap, but are Sansui's prices good? (if i end up getting stuff from there, then someone goes such and such a place sells at half the price, and its just the next suburb down the Yamate line, I will absolutely go postal!)

Just curious tho, when u say "it would beat most tackle stores here in Australia" do you mean in regard to prices? I think its safe to assume the RANGE is probably greater than most Aussie tackle stores.

Abt the overwhelming bit...I know! No matter how many times I go to the US(for example), I get a headache as soon as step into the malls and outlets, so many things to look at and never enuff time (even tho I was there for a whole month )

Language wise, it wont be a problem. I've done Japanese 1 at uni therefore I am an expert. NOT! My gf is very good though, might be a bit rusty but she wont take long to refresh her japanese.

Matrix,

Re - Prices at Sansui

I find Sansui very competitive. I huess it just depends whether it is sale time. I bought my Certate 3500HD for approx 30,000 yen a couple years back. I know the Megabass rods range from 25,000-60,000 yen, but regardless, I think you will come out on top, especially given $1 AUD is $86 yen at the moment.

Re - "it would be most tackle stores ...."

I find both the range & prices better than what is on offer in Australia. Of course you won't find any Alvey sidecasts, but bear in mind the way the shops are totally built around the 5-6 forms of angling in Japan. My personal favoriate is the ISO section.

Re - Japanese language

My wife is Japanese, but we still struggle when it comes to getting the technical terms right. E.g. blank descriptions, action, components and terminal talk

[pogo]

Heh Heh

Yep I'm the QF 21/22 specialist, a yen man.

Language is the biggest hassle, tha guys in the Tackle shops round Narita speak very little english and I can order beer ( Sapparo/Asahi ) and order dinner (Shisen men Gyozo) and say hello and goodbye and thanks.

However do take up some fish pics if you have some or a couple of old fishing mags with plenty of photos

They love em

I'm never there long enough to make the trip from Narita to Tokyo (sleep is the priority) but thanks for the tips on the stores I'll keep them in mind if I ever get a longer layover.

The 2nd hand golf shops are suposed to be great, the japanese golfers always want they latest greatest stuff so they turn their good gear over. Im definitely NOT a golfer, but I imagine the same mentality applies to their fishing gear and I would love to find where they sell their superceded model Stellas etc

[Matrix]

Thanks Hiramasa, thats a load off, knowing that Sansui is actually quite competitive in price. The price range for the Megabass rods seem to be pretty broad. I wonder if the 25000yen Megabass is a rod called "Toothpick" Again,many thanks for the information

Pogo, u have ur bases covered haha, beer, food and common courtesy