[Stone]

Any items I should keep an eye out for? Are electronic goods cheaper over there?

[omnivorette]

It is my understanding that you will fall down and faint from the prices of pretty much everything.

[banh cuon]

There are actually numerous bargains to be had in Tokyo. Electronics are not a whole lot cheaper than in the States, even with the duty free discount, although the main draw is that a few models of items such as digital cameras, laptop computers, and ipod-type players which are not available yet in the USA are for sale 6 months to 1 year ahead of their North American release. There are good bargains to be had on things made in japan which obviously are more expensive in the USA as imports. There are really cool stationary items available, in stores such as the Itoya flagship in Ginza and Tokyu Hands department stores, and if you're into nifty pens then you'll be in heaven, and for good prices too. Japanese sweets are also a good deal, both traditional mochi type items as well as european-style patisserie. Small Pierre Herme-type entrement cakes can be had for about 350Y a piece, compared with about 6euro in Paris. High quality japanese tea can also be had for good prices, especially when buying in bulk quantities of 100 grams or more. Strangely enough the best bargain I found was on Manni olive oil, at the Park Hyatt Tokyo Delicatessen boutique, which was going for 3500Y for two 3.5oz bottles (one bottle of "per me" and the other of "per mio figlio"); as this two bottle set usually retails for about 55euro in Paris at Le Bon Marche or else much more by mailorder to the States.

[Sila]

Quote

Are electronic goods cheaper over there?

If you know exactly what you are looking for and the price for it in the U.S. or Europe, then you MIGHT find a bargain in Akihabara or Shubuya, but we found the prices to be comparable to Switzerland. That, combined with the hassle of not having a good instruction book and of getting the electronics into the country, led to our not buying anything.

[flushboing]

For electronics, I agree that you should know what you're looking for before hitting up the shops. If you're looking for the latest models that will not be on the US market for another year, then somewhere like Akihabara is the place.

I do most of my bargain shopping at Okachimachi's Ameyoko area, just below Ueno Park. You can find most anything here. I usually spend a day to find gifts for folks back home. One thing I tend to get here are casual shoes. If you like fashion sneakers and other casual fashions, you can definitely find those all over Tokyo, and especially in places like Harajuku, but Ameyoko will have the best prices.

Here are a couple of websites with photos:
http://www.japan-gui...om/e/e3012.html
http://www.f-banchan.../ameyoko_AD.htm

And here's Ameyoko's website (Japanese only):
http://www.ameyoko.net/