Where should a watch enthusiast go in Japan?
I'm going to Japan this summer. Seiko Museum in Tokyo is on my itinerary. Do you know any other interesting watch related places in Tokyo or Osaka?
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Sotaro
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Member since
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6.50” / 16.51 cm
@Fieldwalker might have some suggestions for you
Hey Sotaro, I get asked this sometimes so will write up some highlights that hopefully anyone who needs can search for. #japan #tokyowatchshopping #tokyo I guess anyone looking for a Tokyo watch highlight tour can mark this post.
@The_Timist - James, you were also asking me about this
Ginza is epic. Can easily loose a couple of days here browsing and seeing every model you've ever wanted to see in the flesh. Every AD you can imagine is in this one neighbourhood.
Prices are excellent for ADs (internationally speaking), as the exchange rate and lack of Tax will result in about the best brand new AD price of any watch anywhere.
I wish I'd bought my last watch at an AD here, but sadly the one I wanted was a limited edition that could only be had at grey market dealer
The Ginza Wako building itself is iconic. Always take in the window display and check out the lobby level rube goldberg style clock that goes off every hour. Second floor is awesome. A little Seiko and Grand Seiko museum among the various items for sale. Some signs in English and some in Japanese. Use the translate function in google if you want to read a plaque that's not bilingual. Also, drink a coffee before going so you need to use the bathroom. It's the nicest, cleanest, most gorgeous bathroom you've ever seen. Japanese gas station bathrooms are clean and bright, imagine a high end department store.
Grey dealers - mostly clumped all clumped at Broadway Nakano. A total dump after you've been to Ginza, but the dealers have mind blowing collections of high end watches. Mix of new and used. Walk deep into the bowels and try some of the upper floors, there are about 2 dozen different dealers spread around inside on different floors. I've bought at Jack and Betty Road, and Timezone had some unique models in stock when I was there a month or so ago. Grey dealers are scattered around central Tokyo as well, I've also bought at a tiny little Japanese dealer called 'Luminous' based in central Ginza.
Clock Tour
Take in the Ghibli Clock and it's little show. Every couple hours it kicks off. Watch Howls Moving Castle as prep if you haven't seen it. Also, it's important you watch Spirited Away before going to Japan, since it's awesome. It's on the second floor BTW, if you are on ground level you're too low down. There is a second floor starbux near the clock as well, so get a fancy Japan only bux to sip while watching a clock show.
Other fun clocks in the city are the famous (as it was destroyed by Godzilla in the '30s) Seiko clock on the Wako building and the water powered Seiko Pendulum Clock in the Shinjuku NS building. There are several more cool clocks around but don't really warrant travelling to find them. Random good luck if you bump into them.
Ueno park is a huge area with several nice museums and great nature paths, gardens and a lake. The National Museum of Science and Nature has a quiet but interesting section on the history of timekeeping in Japan, with a crazy menagerie of old and ancient clocks. Water based, gravity based, season based, all sorts of interesting ideas in early timekeeping.
some random stuff:
Tokyo general - People don't wear sweats, pajamas or colorful jams while walking around the city. You'll be perceived as a clued out tourist or a homeless person. It's a sharply dressed city for the most part. Also, get a portable wifi to connect your phone to and have data. You'll need it to not get lost.
If in Japan for the first time... Eat : any convenience store food - suggest tuna mayo onigiri. Drink : try Calpis Soda
Ok, getting tired of typing! specific Q's DM me.😰
Hey Sotaro, I get asked this sometimes so will write up some highlights that hopefully anyone who needs can search for. #japan #tokyowatchshopping #tokyo I guess anyone looking for a Tokyo watch highlight tour can mark this post.
@The_Timist - James, you were also asking me about this
Ginza is epic. Can easily loose a couple of days here browsing and seeing every model you've ever wanted to see in the flesh. Every AD you can imagine is in this one neighbourhood.
Prices are excellent for ADs (internationally speaking), as the exchange rate and lack of Tax will result in about the best brand new AD price of any watch anywhere.
I wish I'd bought my last watch at an AD here, but sadly the one I wanted was a limited edition that could only be had at grey market dealer
The Ginza Wako building itself is iconic. Always take in the window display and check out the lobby level rube goldberg style clock that goes off every hour. Second floor is awesome. A little Seiko and Grand Seiko museum among the various items for sale. Some signs in English and some in Japanese. Use the translate function in google if you want to read a plaque that's not bilingual. Also, drink a coffee before going so you need to use the bathroom. It's the nicest, cleanest, most gorgeous bathroom you've ever seen. Japanese gas station bathrooms are clean and bright, imagine a high end department store.
Grey dealers - mostly clumped all clumped at Broadway Nakano. A total dump after you've been to Ginza, but the dealers have mind blowing collections of high end watches. Mix of new and used. Walk deep into the bowels and try some of the upper floors, there are about 2 dozen different dealers spread around inside on different floors. I've bought at Jack and Betty Road, and Timezone had some unique models in stock when I was there a month or so ago. Grey dealers are scattered around central Tokyo as well, I've also bought at a tiny little Japanese dealer called 'Luminous' based in central Ginza.
Clock Tour
Take in the Ghibli Clock and it's little show. Every couple hours it kicks off. Watch Howls Moving Castle as prep if you haven't seen it. Also, it's important you watch Spirited Away before going to Japan, since it's awesome. It's on the second floor BTW, if you are on ground level you're too low down. There is a second floor starbux near the clock as well, so get a fancy Japan only bux to sip while watching a clock show.
Other fun clocks in the city are the famous (as it was destroyed by Godzilla in the '30s) Seiko clock on the Wako building and the water powered Seiko Pendulum Clock in the Shinjuku NS building. There are several more cool clocks around but don't really warrant travelling to find them. Random good luck if you bump into them.
Ueno park is a huge area with several nice museums and great nature paths, gardens and a lake. The National Museum of Science and Nature has a quiet but interesting section on the history of timekeeping in Japan, with a crazy menagerie of old and ancient clocks. Water based, gravity based, season based, all sorts of interesting ideas in early timekeeping.
some random stuff:
Tokyo general - People don't wear sweats, pajamas or colorful jams while walking around the city. You'll be perceived as a clued out tourist or a homeless person. It's a sharply dressed city for the most part. Also, get a portable wifi to connect your phone to and have data. You'll need it to not get lost.
If in Japan for the first time... Eat : any convenience store food - suggest tuna mayo onigiri. Drink : try Calpis Soda
Ok, getting tired of typing! specific Q's DM me.😰
Wow, thank you so much for all this information. I've been to Ginza area many time, but never thought of checking out Nakano area. I'll certainly check the area this summer.
Okay this is a stretch but it might help. I've been watching videos of people exploring 2nd hand and thrift stores in Japan and I always see them walk by or give a very cursory glimpse at the watch displays. It seems like they have some good stuff there, but I'm just going by seeing the displays for a few seconds. At the very least you get to see some funky stuff in a cool thrift store.