Crazy fun in Japan - part 1

Looked at a few thousand watches.

Toured Grand Seiko Shizukuishi studio and made friends with one of the watchmakers there.  Will do a separate post for GS studio.

Not sure how to do this… I’ve got way too many pics for a post - is it ‘safe’ to give a google photos link on a public forum like this?  Appreciate any expert opinion on that.  
 

Some fun highlights:

-Looked at tons of crazy nice JDM automatic watches in 1k to 5k range - citizen has some great Lux automatics!

- Campanola and Seiko Galant are gorgeous in person, crazy complex, and a bit too tall for me at 15mm ++ 

- I toured the : Seiko Museum, Science and tech museum (that has complete history of Japan watch and clock history) the GS studio, and a whole whack of ADs  

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- popped in to the odd love hotel.  not focused on watches on those occasions  🙂

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a sailormoon sneaker? nice 👍👍

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Do they give public tours at the Grand Seiko Shizukuishi studio?  I currently live in Japan and I would love to go up there for a tour.

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Thanks for the share, i miss shopping in the streets of Ginza and 2nd street. I’m not sure if you can, but try to find a Seiko SBDC163. I heard from Seiya it’s quite difficult to locate even in their local market 

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Wow!! Thank you for Sharing this is awesome if I can save this post I would have by now the pics are awesome!! 
 

that Citizen!!’ And Credor!!

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Awesome!

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M.addd

Thanks for the share, i miss shopping in the streets of Ginza and 2nd street. I’m not sure if you can, but try to find a Seiko SBDC163. I heard from Seiya it’s quite difficult to locate even in their local market 

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That looks great!  A 6R35 and around 1100 I’m guessing?  I belIeve I saw that exact model in a green colorway?  

I’m back now in Vancouver now but wifey and monkey (daughter) are there another week or so. I’ll get her to take a look.  She knows she may be under orders to secure another watch for me b4 returning 🙂

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Unholy

a sailormoon sneaker? nice 👍👍

Amazingly, there was several sailormoon options and color options.  😂🤘

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cabarbhab

Do they give public tours at the Grand Seiko Shizukuishi studio?  I currently live in Japan and I would love to go up there for a tour.

You can email them through the GS Japan website to apply for a tour.  I should mention - getting there is fair a bit of effort unless you happen to be nearby and can drive yourself.  

public tours are just starting up again after being closed for Covid last few years 

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Fieldwalker

That looks great!  A 6R35 and around 1100 I’m guessing?  I belIeve I saw that exact model in a green colorway?  

I’m back now in Vancouver now but wifey and monkey (daughter) are there another week or so. I’ll get her to take a look.  She knows she may be under orders to secure another watch for me b4 returning 🙂

Yes, theyre the spb143 equivalent and in Green? Wow. do u have pics pls? Please share more Japan pics :)

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Would you by chance be able to read and write in Japanese?  I need help with Seiko paperwork that isn't in English.

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Ichibunz

Wow!! Thank you for Sharing this is awesome if I can save this post I would have by now the pics are awesome!! 
 

that Citizen!!’ And Credor!!

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Velomax

Would you by chance be able to read and write in Japanese?  I need help with Seiko paperwork that isn't in English.

I speak it with some proficiency, but reading Kanji is on my wife and daughter.  If it’s something not too long - fire me a pic or link and I’ll get her to translate 

Or, Another option - download google translate and use camera to translate.  It sometimes sucks but often gets the gist of things correctly. ( I use it for checking ingredients of weird food when I’m in Japan )

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I miss Japan! Can’t wait until they open up to foreign individual travelers. 

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artman

I miss Japan! Can’t wait until they open up to foreign individual travelers. 

they're just in the process of opening again!   
keep in mind Japan is super conservative, so they are staying closed at border much longer than most countries.  Also, they still have 100% mask wearing for indoor places, and even outside where it’s no longer mandated. 

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Beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing.

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cabarbhab

Do they give public tours at the Grand Seiko Shizukuishi studio?  I currently live in Japan and I would love to go up there for a tour.

If you are in the GS9 owners‘ club they offer some tours to owners…I do believe it is a lottery though since more applicants than available slots but I only joined the GS9 club 3 days ago 😂 

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Nobody.Tokyo

If you are in the GS9 owners‘ club they offer some tours to owners…I do believe it is a lottery though since more applicants than available slots but I only joined the GS9 club 3 days ago 😂 

I am not a member.  I tried joining the GS9 club, but they would not let me because I purchased the watch in Japan and not the US.  I check the Shizukuishi Studio reservation site everyday, but the tour reservations fill up before I can register. 

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cabarbhab

I am not a member.  I tried joining the GS9 club, but they would not let me because I purchased the watch in Japan and not the US.  I check the Shizukuishi Studio reservation site everyday, but the tour reservations fill up before I can register. 

Hi the JP GS9 should work.

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Nobody.Tokyo

Hi the JP GS9 should work.

Somehow I dunno how to give you the link…

gs9club.jp 

they also have other events that only japan resident gs9 members can take part in. 

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Nobody.Tokyo

Somehow I dunno how to give you the link…

gs9club.jp 

they also have other events that only japan resident gs9 members can take part in. 

Thanks.