Hello all,

I have a good friend who has moved to Japan and is willing to purchase DVD's and send them to me. I know I can probably do this research on my own but I thought I would ask for your help with the following:

1. Do you think the cost will be cheaper or about the same having her purchase and ship the DVD's to me rather than buying titles on the various Japanese/Asian websites?

2. Does anyone have suggestions on which stores to buy DVD's? She lives in Tokyo.

3. Are some stores more competitive in their pricing? (Like a Best Buy)

4. Finally, I do as much research as my new baby allows but if anyone can recommend some titles it would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!
Andre

I have read that the price differences from DVDs bought online to DVDs bought at retail stores is not that much. One option for you would be to have your friend look in stores that sell used DVDs cause they usually run much cheaper than new DVDs and these stores are very strict on the quality of the DVDs that they buy back. From what I read, nothing less than flawless is accepted at these kind of stores.

its difficult to say on japanese shop prices.... also : you dont have a location for yourself so its also difficult to think about options for you to buy online. theres cdjapan.co.jp - relatively expensive as you pay postage as well. there yesasia.com : bases in USA and UK and free postage / no VAT or duty to pay on these items... recommended. also some people use amazon.co.jp i believe ... its probably possible to "send an item to a friend" from your friends amazon account (like you can in the USA and UK... also its not always necessary to buy japanese issues (and most dont have subtitles anyhow) as you get occasional HK (try dddhouse.com or layoyo.com) or koreand releases (try koreandvds.com)...

In Toyko you can do very well with a Yodobashi Camera Gold Point Card and shop at Yodobashi Camera. They have a fixed 10% off Retail, then you get 10% again off with the card, and you get points on the card, which give you effectively another 10% off.

You can also save a bit by using the second hand stores, the second hand market in Japan is large. Any thing with a 'A' quality is virtualy indistinguishable from new, and you can pick up new releases 2-3 weeks after initial release date for around 25% less than new

I lived in Japan for 10 years and have recently moved back to the States. Here's what I've done and do now:

1. Discount pricing is different in Japan. The most you'll find is about 20% off total. As was pointed out shops like Yodobashi Camera, Bic Camera, etc will give you 10% off and the 10% in points you can use on your next purchase.

2. Amazon.co.jp has become quite competitive with 20% off new titles and free domestic Japan shipping for purchases over 1500 yen. This was the option I used rather than spend train money and time to get to a store to buy.

3. Used shops are good. There was one close to me and I used it alot. It's used so you never know what's going to be in stock. The longer you wait, the price will go down.

4. I assume you live in the States so I will tell you my situation now. Amazon.co.jp all the way. I obviously do not get the free shipping but I do not have to pay 5% Japanese sales tax which you will pay if you order on the net or in a shop. I believe the cost is 900 yen and 300 per disc shipped. I pay a small amount more than if I had someone get on a train (money!), go to the post office and mail it (more money!) and get it faster. Shipping says 2 or 3 weeks but I have never waited more than a few days. My last order shipped August 2nd and I received it on August 6th. I live in Los Angeles so I'm sure that helped but this is easier in my opinion.

4. If you are looking for Japanese movies, the prices are outrageous. Western movies are decent and these are what I buy. DTS is a priority for me and I buy a huge amount of movies from Japan. Also my wife is Japanese so subtitles help.
If you are looking for Japanese movies, try Hong Kong sites. The prices are much cheaper. You can find links in this section.

I hope this helps and if you have any more questions feel free.

Another vote for Amazon Japan. 20% off new releases is a better deal than most stores in Japan (and the shipping isn't bad, and something you would have to pay anyway if your friend ships them to you). The best store price-wise in Japan is Yodobashi Camera, as already mentioned (they've got nice prices on toys and electronics too. I love those stores!).

Does anyone have any info on good second hand stores in the Tokyo-Yokohama area? I haven't really found any great ones yet. On my next trip, I'm planning on spending a day just wandering around Akihabara, but if someone can recommend any specific stores for used stuff, I'd appreciate it.

In Akihabara I recommend all the stores along the strip that sell used DVDs, particularly Liberty. There are I think 5 Liberty stores just on the main strip, and they are all a little dfferent.

When buying new, I use Bic Camera. But if Yodobashi camera is effectively 30% off [with card], then that's worth changing too. I'll see where they are the next time I have money to buy DVDs, right now I don't, I need the money for BS-hi.

Also worth checking out is Nakano Broadway, a mall/shopping arcade type thing near Nakano station. You have to go through another shopping arcade to get there, but Nakano Broadway has lotsa of stores for all your DVD, poster, CD, military paraphenelia and other hobby needs.

Thanks for the tip. There are so many damn stores in Akiba, it's impossible to hit them all, but I'll keep an eye out for Liberty.

On a kinda related note, anyone know any good stores in the Tokyo area that sell movie memorbilia (posters, programs, charashi, etc)?

Disk Union, which is located in many areas,
Ochanomizu, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, etc carry used DVDs at all their stores. That should help out. Shinjuku's store also carries non-region 2's also, but they are pretty expensive. (Y6200 for a Criterion DVD etc)

I appreciate all the recommendations and suggestions...many thanks!

A

I still think you cannot beat the prices of Amazon.jp.They are huge and also HMV.But sometimes they have high prices on some normal dvd.On Saturdays and Sunday at the Electronic stores in Shinjuku they have time sale on DVD's and the prices go for around US$10 even for the new releases.

Here's an idea. Have your friend buy the titles you want, have them take the outside amaray covers off and ship the disc with the paper materials. You could buy a lot and have her send them EMS (express mail service). The discs are guaranteed up to 100,000 yen and it is really cheap if you buy a lot and she puts them in protective packaging.

Also, if she buys from amazon, hmv, or tower shipping within Japan is often free.

Does anyone know where i might be able to find 90210 season 1 online or off. I know it was out in Japan a few years ago.

That is exactly how I usually manage it... if I am going to Japan I will take advantage of the free domestic shipping and have them sent to my brother-in-law's address in Japan and pick them up personally. If he is organising a parcel of things my wife needs, I will do the same and get him to place them in the parcel.

You mean this one?
http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/...477977-9832216