Shopping Watches in Japan, Where to Find Them, and Tips!
After vigorously searching for watches in Japan, I was able to snag 3 watches, one of which happens to be my vintage grail. For those who shopped watches in Japan, what were your experiences?
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Chris
I'm Chris from Clicky Bezel YouTube Channel
San Francisco
Member since
Last active: 38 min ago
My last vacation to Tokyo & Kyoto had me hunting for watches. Alas, I didn't get one due to time contraints. But it's a haven for watch collectors.
I just got back from Tokyo last week. There are watches almost everywhere you look, from Don Quijotes, Bic Cameras, and other places. But the Mecca for watch nerds is Nakano Broadway and the legendary Jackroad and Betty. Extensive selection from budget to luxury, vintage to modern, pre-owned and new. I picked up these two while I was there.
I just watched the video. It was very entertaining! I hope to get a watch from Kuoe in Kyoto some day. Someday you will find a Grand Seiko just for you!
Yo. The algorithm took me to your video out of the blue this morning. Great stuff.
I just got back from Tokyo last week. There are watches almost everywhere you look, from Don Quijotes, Bic Cameras, and other places. But the Mecca for watch nerds is Nakano Broadway and the legendary Jackroad and Betty. Extensive selection from budget to luxury, vintage to modern, pre-owned and new. I picked up these two while I was there.
Wowww!🤯 I. Want. To. Go!… after I finally replace my passport
My last vacation to Tokyo & Kyoto had me hunting for watches. Alas, I didn't get one due to time contraints. But it's a haven for watch collectors.
Agreed! If I had all the time in the world, I don’t think I’d ever leave haha.
I just got back from Tokyo last week. There are watches almost everywhere you look, from Don Quijotes, Bic Cameras, and other places. But the Mecca for watch nerds is Nakano Broadway and the legendary Jackroad and Betty. Extensive selection from budget to luxury, vintage to modern, pre-owned and new. I picked up these two while I was there.
Solid pick ups! Jackroad and Betty was such a doozy. Next time I’ll be back with more time and $$$ haha
I just watched the video. It was very entertaining! I hope to get a watch from Kuoe in Kyoto some day. Someday you will find a Grand Seiko just for you!
Glad you enjoyed it! Kuoe is opening their flagship showroom in May and from the sketches, looks like it’s going to be awesome. Definitely worth the visit. Oh GS! One day 😆
Yo. The algorithm took me to your video out of the blue this morning. Great stuff.
Glad the algorithm is working in my favor hahaha. Glad you enjoyed it 🙏
Wowww!🤯 I. Want. To. Go!… after I finally replace my passport
Make it happen Cap’n.
Solid pick ups! Jackroad and Betty was such a doozy. Next time I’ll be back with more time and $$$ haha
Yes lots of stores at Nakano but Jackroad had the largest selection and felt the most welcoming, probably due to the layout of the store.
I just got back from Tokyo last week. There are watches almost everywhere you look, from Don Quijotes, Bic Cameras, and other places. But the Mecca for watch nerds is Nakano Broadway and the legendary Jackroad and Betty. Extensive selection from budget to luxury, vintage to modern, pre-owned and new. I picked up these two while I was there.
You know the song: Don, Don, Don Quixote!! I love those shops! The one by Higashi Shinjuju was my go to for very late night shopping!
I visited FireKids and bought a watch from them too. Very friendly hospitality.
Great video. I actually came across your page last month and watched the video of you thinking of what to buy for the upcoming Japan trip.
I visited FireKids and bought a watch from them too. Very friendly hospitality.
Great folks there and excellent selection of watches to choose from. Thanks for watching!
Our family is going to Japan this summer. I've recently gotten back into watches and I'm curious to check them out while in Japan. Given this is a big, fun family trip I can't dedicate time only to do this, so I'll have to see what I find along the way, day to day, and can't linger too long in any one shop.
The guy in the video is from the US but did not say anything about customs declarations on returning. Are there fees to declare such purposes (above a certain free limit)? Or just not declare?
I haven't traveled internationally in a while and generally don't buy stuff when I do. But it could be different with watches and Japan!
Our family is going to Japan this summer. I've recently gotten back into watches and I'm curious to check them out while in Japan. Given this is a big, fun family trip I can't dedicate time only to do this, so I'll have to see what I find along the way, day to day, and can't linger too long in any one shop.
The guy in the video is from the US but did not say anything about customs declarations on returning. Are there fees to declare such purposes (above a certain free limit)? Or just not declare?
I haven't traveled internationally in a while and generally don't buy stuff when I do. But it could be different with watches and Japan!
For places that offer tax free in Japan, they’ll need your passport for documentation. After leaving Japan, they’ll scan your passport at the airport if you purchased any goods tax free. From the three watches I picked up, along with a load of other non watch related items from my trip, I did not have to pay any duties. For arriving back into the US, I didn’t need to declare anything. Hope this helps and if anyone else chimes in on their experience, that’ll be great!
Hope you enjoyed the video!
Hey! Just watched the video a while ago and definitely, this is one of your best!
Your best vid. Keep up the good work!
That grand Seiko gray is a true stunner. I'm amazed. Seiko for the money is King
Nice pickup for sure! Did you go to hard off though?
Job well done! We went to Japan (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Hiroshima) in 2020 but unfortunately didn't visit any of the watch attractions/stores. We run out of time. Next time I will take your video as a guide. Thank you so much to put this together! Cheers!
For places that offer tax free in Japan, they’ll need your passport for documentation. After leaving Japan, they’ll scan your passport at the airport if you purchased any goods tax free. From the three watches I picked up, along with a load of other non watch related items from my trip, I did not have to pay any duties. For arriving back into the US, I didn’t need to declare anything. Hope this helps and if anyone else chimes in on their experience, that’ll be great!
Hope you enjoyed the video!
The video was fantastic!
Nakano Broadway blew my mind. About 10 things I wanted but my more sensible son smacked some sense into me ;)
Great video, Chris. Really well produced. You now have a new subscriber! I have been on two watch buying trips to Japan in the last few years and for sure watch lovers are spoiled for choice there. I absolutely love the Kuoe Old Smith, which is on my want list too. Congrats on landing three great watches!
Does anyone know if there is any kind of service to look for vintage JDM watches?
Not all of us will be able to go to Japan and even if we could, can’t possibly look at every store there is.
I have been to Japan 4 times, but never for watches ! I really enjoyed your places to go video, which I thought was really well done and made me want to go even more. ( I haven't been in 20 yrs) I hope to go in the not too distant future, Thanks !
👌watched this yesterday
I wrote this a while ago, you might find it useful https://www.watchcrunch.com/Robin_npy/posts/any-jdm-watches-shops-to-recommend-357751#comment-1461582
This was like watching Rick Steves, but with watches. Awesome video & absolutely beautiful vintage Citizen. Also, busted saying "one of my" grails (plural) on video 😂