The Japanese market is an odd one. They sell differently in the Home Islands than elsewhere.

It's not until the recent opening of the market that we get to take advantage.

By example, a 1/16 Tamiya RC Full Option kit generally runs about $100 less in Japan and includes a radio, receiver, battery and charger. The batt and charger are no great shakes, but the Futaba Attack Tx/Rx is worth about $150. If you buy the same kit outside of Japan, you get a big empty spot in the box, but the instruction still tell you how to set it up, just to rub it in. Once a Japanese HS opened up for overseas sales, even with the $90+ EMS 2nd day air, you still come out way ahead.

Second example, the latest Iwata AB I bought was a HP-TH. In the States it's called a Kustom, sold in a fancy metal case with a grip moisture trap. When I was looking, the best price was well above $400. Ordered the exact same brush from Japan, minus the metal case and moisture trap...$147 shipped. Yeah the manual is in Japanese, but who cares?

So, if my son and I went to Japan, we'd be coming home with bags stuffed with Bandai, Iwata, Anime, etc. 

LOL, I'll keep that in mind G!  Let them worry about the strange looking ganjin in the helmet as long as I'm safe.

Gamera

 

Tanker - Builder

Hmmm;

 Probably a new missus !  T.B.

 

 

 

 

LOL 

 

Really, I'd love to just poke around some of their hobby shops and look over all the cool stuff they don't export. 

 

Gamera, if you ever do get a chance to go, be sure to wear a helmet so your head does not explode!  I have been there enough times so I switch between US and Japan modes without thinking, but the sensory overload the first time can be quite a shock.

Tanker - Builder

Hmmm;

 Probably a new missus !  T.B.

 

LOL 

Really, I'd love to just poke around some of their hobby shops and look over all the cool stuff they don't export. 

You would probably have some trouble as soon as you meet the big guy. 

Godzilla, although I would probably have some trouble with the big guy at the airport.

Some Pachinco games.

As my young neighbour used to teach English in both countries, he would bring home from South Korea, Kimchi, which flavour of the pickled cabbage I don't know though. He has written a book about his time out there called 'Kimchi With Everything' his name is John Mayston. The book is available online and is very funny in places.

He now teaches English in Oxford.

I would like to visit tamyia not sure if you purchase anything from them so would bring back the memory.

Jay Jay

A couple of Geisha Girls  

A couple of Geisha Girls  

Hmmm;

 Probably a new missus !  T.B.

Not sure if I would buy it for that much $. I watched a Youtube video on it and you have to cut away from the part anyway. I want a new one but probably something more afforable.

It's available on Amazon for $47US.

I'd bring Miyuki home...

For Japan, Mineshima's "God Hand" sprue cutters.  Stupid expensive at $40, but worth it.  Very hard to find though - I came up empty when visiting Akihabara, and found only one outside of Tokyo, at the Volks Shop in Funabashi.  Paints and glues might not be a good idea, as there are restrictions against taking these onto airplanes.

What I usually do now is to buy only kits and accessories that are hard or impossible to get from home.  Non-paint/glue supplies like metric drills or unusual tools too.  But you really have to know what you are buying, to avoid the cheap junk.  And of course the usual impulse purchase, just because the kit's new or long OOP.

HTH