Want to buy something from Japan? Maybe I can help you!

[maptor]

Have you been dreaming about getting your very own Hattori Hanzō sword from Japan?

Well, sorry. Despite being real, Hattori Hanzō never made any swords.

BUT

If you ARE interested in getting something from Japan from, say - Yahoo Auctions, amazon.co.jp, kakaku.com, or any other Japanese retail site you happen to know - we may have something to talk about.

I'm considering starting a brokerage service between Japan and the rest of the world (you), using bitcoins as the currency of choice but, before getting too carried away - I would like to gauge interest in the general idea.

What do you think?

Would you be interested in something like this?

[1715256374]

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[1715256374]

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[Nicolai Larsen]

What is the most "Japanese" thing you can offer?

[RodeoX]

What is the most "Japanese" thing you can offer?

A proper bow. 

I'll go back to my cave now.

[segabtc]

The real " Iron chefs " DVD for all seasons! love that show.

[greyhawk]

Can you get Dangan Ronpa Plush Monokumas?

[maptor]

What is the most "Japanese" thing you can offer?

Well, there's a number of Japanese things... I'll post a few here just to get an idea.


Chopsticks (of course!):

https://i.imgur.com/GXgzT.jpg Carved from bamboo, case included

https://i.imgur.com/seuNP.gif More modern styling, titanium plated

https://i.imgur.com/5HZea.jpg Unique(!), owl design

Furoshiki - Furoshiki are a kind of all-purpose cloth, typically used to secure Jubako boxes (see below), but also look great on a wall or table!

https://i.imgur.com/o9vi5.jpg Wine Flower on manuscript white

https://i.imgur.com/8qtsX.jpg ..encasing a box

https://i.imgur.com/3B9rY.jpg Chrysanthemum design

Geta - The Japanese clog! Great if you want to annoy your neighbours downstairs

https://i.imgur.com/BHixV.jpg Standard rectangular design

https://i.imgur.com/3ERQW.jpg slightly different design

https://i.imgur.com/W4AgY.jpg braided strap

Hanko - Japanese stamps. In Japan, signatures don't count for much - but your personal seal (inkan/hanko) does!

https://i.imgur.com/7i0UD.jpg Can organise to get a personalised seal for you

https://i.imgur.com/nd7zj.jpg Just for fun

https://i.imgur.com/q5uAn.jpg millions of designs

Jubako - The ORIGINAL bento box - these boxes are typically made using a hard black lacquer finish, but not always.

https://i.imgur.com/IzPnu.jpg Golden petal / vine design

https://i.imgur.com/d8X24.jpg ...in its 3 stages

https://i.imgur.com/hnmto.jpg Spring season wooden jubako

https://i.imgur.com/rQbOF.jpg Rarer, porcelain version

Satsuma Kiriko glass - Glass cut using techniques originally learned by the Satsuma clan. (I can also source original Edo period kiriko glass but it might get expensive!)

https://i.imgur.com/Yeo9e.jpg The pervasive petal/vine theme

https://i.imgur.com/fZeFv.jpg The 'blue' associated with Kiriko

https://i.imgur.com/w4dCP.jpg something more recent

Zouri - The casual cousin of the Japanese clog! They work really well as house slippers - or just after a shower, the texture feels great!

https://i.imgur.com/P0k2S.jpg Woven grass

https://i.imgur.com/KiVEw.jpg Tight-weave, almost textile

https://i.imgur.com/3nGWZ.jpg great for lazing around in

Figurines - There are people who like figurines, and then there are Japanese people. Lots of special editions get released here - plenty of obscure anime characters too!

https://i.imgur.com/42whp.jpg From the familiar...

https://i.imgur.com/kAgq9.jpg ...to the bizarre...

https://i.imgur.com/WkAiJ.jpg ...to the err...

https://i.imgur.com/RupxD.jpg ...well, you get the idea

Osake - There's plenty of good sake out there, but we can specialize! (please note customs usually have special rates for alcohol - typically by the volume)

Sorry folks - combination of having to use courier for alcohol shipments combined with the liquid weight - just isn't viable!


Sensu - I'm sure you have all seen these before - synonymous with Japanese culture, the folding fan

https://i.imgur.com/SIGXC.jpg Solitude of a mountain lake

https://i.imgur.com/UCAc5.jpg minimalistic calligraphy-style artwork

https://i.imgur.com/HGRtV.jpg a chicken.

OK so obviously there are a lot more traditional Japanese products out here than this, (not least of which kimonos, swords/weapons and the like) but I've chosen these kinds of products for now as things that could fit in to current lifestyle as an ornamental piece or talking piece (or aren't going to require special permits to ship). They are all at the very least Japan-centric and might help get an idea of what is actually out there.

There are of course Japanese versions of all things modern too; toys, bizarre things, gadgety things, etc which I haven't covered in this post.

Hope this helps a bit!

[maptor]

Can you get Dangan Ronpa Plush Monokumas?

Could you give me any further information on the bears you are looking for?

I have managed to locate a number of people selling plush bears (monokumas) that were included with the dangan ronpa game (or something along those lines).

There is also a soft vinyl version of monokuma available.

[greyhawk]

I have managed to locate a number of people selling plush bears (monokumas) that were included with the dangan ronpa game (or something along those lines).

That's exactly what I'm looking for.

[maptor]

The real " Iron chefs " DVD for all seasons! love that show.

So sorry! I love this show too but I can only find the Japanese version on VHS(!) out here.

I think you will be better off searching for this in amazon.com. (plus they will have English dubbing!)

[Nicolai Larsen]

I'm very interested in some the chopsticks carved from bamboo and a Hanko.

What about those fancy beds you use on the floor? What's the name?

[maptor]

I'm very interested in some the chopsticks carved from bamboo and a Hanko.

What about those fancy beds you use on the floor? What's the name?

Hi Nicolai.

I will PM you with a selection of chopsticks to choose from, and some details about the hanko.

The beds on the floor are called Futon. I would recommend against shipping from Japan, as the postage cost will be prohibitively expensive.

[aznjack31]

greentea kitkats

[maptor]

If you ARE interested in getting something from Japan

Small-scale alive Godzillas?  

Sure. They are sold in packets here:

http://auctions.c.yimg.jp/img257.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/users/6/9/1/6/ht195300-img400x300-1341922832akotin36766.jpg

But please remember - you will need to put them in water, and you may need a magnifying glass to see them.

[maptor]

greentea kitkats

Great choice!

It's this you are talking about right?:

http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/itohkyuemon/cabinet/910kit-matcha.jpg?_ex=300x300&s=0&r=1    http://thumbnail.image.rakuten.co.jp/@0_mall/e-nestle/cabinet/souvenir/121001_9416056_s1.jpg?_ex=300x300&s=2&r=1

Please PM your budget so I know how many to source.

[kwoody]

There are so many unique products available in Japan, I fully support this idea.
Japanese candy is awesome!! What about neruneruneru, or happy kitchen hamburger?? morinaga hi-chew fanta?
I think there would be an excellent market for food products you can only get in Japan, especially Candy and Drinks.
Plus they are consumable items, so your customers will keep ordering more!

[BitcoinCoffee.com]

Please PM me.

I'd LOVE to get some sake

Also, do you know of any japanese guarana soda drinks?

[squid]

Yamazaki 25 Years Old (actually maybe not.. what its $1000 usd?? xD)

Though some Japanese Whiskey would be nice if the price is reasonable.

[RodeoX]

greentea kitkats

Great choice!

It's this you are talking about right?:

   

Please PM your budget so I know how many to source.

I tried those when I was in Kyoto just for the novelty, but they are actually good!

[jborkl]

Real Japanese ninja warrior anything. Takeda, nagano

Anything, huge fan of the real show from Japan. Not the junk here

I don't know how popular it is there though?

Let me know i would be interested

[jwzguy]

Absolutely a demand for this. Are you a native speaker? Would you mind telling us a little more about yourself?

[BitcoinCoffee.com]

OP where did ya go?

[Serenata]

maptor, I like your idea

Japan is one of my favourite countries, so most probably I might be interested in your service. Do you have any estimation about the cost of sending the items to Europe? How about your cut? Would it be a percentage if the item's price or a fixed price? I'd appreciate any info you could provide us.
Thanks

[maptor]

Yamazaki 25 Years Old (actually maybe not.. what its ?? xD)

Though some Japanese Whiskey would be nice if the price is reasonable.

Hi squid - 25 years old suntory - well, I did check for you, and yes if you have about 1200 dollars worth of bitcoin lying around...

In all seriousness though, I am thinking liquid-weight might be a bit of a difficult problem to overcome in terms of shipping.

I have made a chart here which details the costs of shipping by courier from Japan: (no other option for alcohol)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnJrxTNZFpu6dGc0UHNSNEJza1h4c0VCMjBYYXMzbnc

I made it import the BTC price from bitcoincharts JPY data, so those are today`s theoretical shipping rates.

With that in mind, might be cheaper for you to get it from a local distributor (who imports by the cargo-container!) Sorry!

[maptor]

Real Japanese ninja warrior anything. Takeda, nagano

Anything, huge fan of the real show from Japan. Not the junk here

I don't know how popular it is there though?

Let me know i would be interested

Hi jborkl. I did some searching around for you... this show is one of the many spinoffs from the kinnikubanzuke series (筋肉番付 - literally 'muscle ranking').

I have found many more products related to the muscle ranking series in general, but specific to the sasuke (ninja warrior) show though are these two things I found:

1) A playstation (1) game called "Road to Sasuke"
Youtube vid of the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CliRFJ3ATZw

2) A game unit that plugged directly into your tv:
http://epoch.jp/gt/taikan/sasuke/item.html

Sorry they are so random. Have you ever heard of 'Muscle ranking'?

[maptor]

There are so many unique products available in Japan, I fully support this idea.
Japanese candy is awesome!! What about neruneruneru, or happy kitchen hamburger?? morinaga hi-chew fanta?
I think there would be an excellent market for food products you can only get in Japan, especially Candy and Drinks.
Plus they are consumable items, so your customers will keep ordering more!

Thanks for your support kwoody! I think sweets might become a real winner too!

I can get hold of any of the candy you mentioned - I will write something about them more definitively later for everyone else.


I also found a supplier for this crazy kit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr-qewC-4gY

PM me anyone if you want to try it!

[maptor]

Absolutely a demand for this. Are you a native speaker? Would you mind telling us a little more about yourself?

Hello jwzguy - I have been working out here in Japan for 5 years now so, pretty established! Started as a teacher at schools, still teaching now too but, for corporate clients/adults mainly these days. I've been studying Japanese since the beginning - I'm not a scholar or anything but I can hold my own during conversations (easier) and reading through websites/magazines, etc isn't a problem anymore (unless it's on something particularly specialist - then I need my dictionary!).

Long history of selling online at auctions/forums (in UK, where I am from, and in Japan too) - can give you some of my feedback etc, no problem.

Let me know if there's something you would like in particular. I remember how hard it is to see what's out here from afar but, if there's anything at all you've seen or been interested in please just ask - I will do my best to explain/help.

Cheers!

[maptor]

OP where did ya go?

Doing my best I promise! Just juggling a lot of things (and a different timezone!) at the moment - also, I PM'd you - thanks!

[maptor]

maptor, I like your idea

Japan is one of my favourite countries, so most probably I might be interested in your service. Do you have any estimation about the cost of sending the items to Europe? How about your cut? Would it be a percentage if the item's price or a fixed price? I'd appreciate any info you could provide us.
Thanks

Hello Serenata - thanks for expressing your interest.

I am currently in the process of drawing up some charts to work out shipping costs worldwide - there are many considerations alongside just the weight (in some cases, certain shapes of packets can be shipped at cheaper rates, for example)

As a start I have made one for EMS COURIER rates (the fastest/easiest to insure) in google docs here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnJrxTNZFpu6dGc0UHNSNEJza1h4c0VCMjBYYXMzbnc

Like I say, I am working on some cheaper shipping rates at the moment but I have to translate the details from Japanese first. (shipping by sea is always the cheapest but, depends how patient you feel! I will get around to finding all rates though)

As to my cut, I am still gauging interest in this idea at the moment, so for the time-being I am just sourcing products for people based on the budget they allocate for an item (please find me x for budget y). If the transaction is successful, purchaser is happy etc - then I am thinking to basically add that item to a 'catalogue' so others can see it and buy one for themselves if they want. Anyway sorry it's so loose for now - this idea is still on the runway at the moment!

Hope it makes sense! (sorry it's 1am here now. ) Please PM me if you have any questions, etc

[jwzguy]

Hey maptor, that's very cool. There are many specialty car parts that are only available in Japan. Some of them are just not exported by the companies that make them, and some of them were produced decades ago for vehicles now considered "classic" and are hard to find outside of the Japanese yahoo auctions. A few years ago I made some deals through a guy who was paying a friend (who was stationed in Okinawa and was fluent) to do exactly what you're offering to do.

My car projects are on hold due to some major life changes I'm about to make, but when the dust settles I will very likely have some things to ask you to look for. I hope you stick around!

[Unuser]

Are there any comic/manga/collectible/videogame stores near you?

I'm interested in a few items:

1. "Persona" collectibles/figurines (Shinjiro or Akihiko)
2. "Akira" t-shirts

[jojo69]

how much for a 1KZTE ?

[jborkl]

Real Japanese ninja warrior anything. Takeda, nagano

Anything, huge fan of the real show from Japan. Not the junk here

I don't know how popular it is there though?

Let me know i would be interested

Hi jborkl. I did some searching around for you... this show is one of the many spinoffs from the kinnikubanzuke series (筋肉番付 - literally 'muscle ranking').

I have found many more products related to the muscle ranking series in general, but specific to the sasuke (ninja warrior) show though are these two things I found:

1) A playstation (1) game called "Road to Sasuke"
Youtube vid of the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CliRFJ3ATZw

2) A game unit that plugged directly into your tv:
http://epoch.jp/gt/taikan/sasuke/item.html

Sorry they are so random. Have you ever heard of 'Muscle ranking'?

No, but Sasuke is correct. I am looking at the plug in system..  trying to translate it piece by piece lol

[maptor]

Are there any comic/manga/collectible/videogame stores near you?

I'm interested in a few items:

1. "Persona" collectibles/figurines (Shinjiro or Akihiko)
2. "Akira" t-shirts

Hello Unuser, thanks for your interest.

I did some research on what you were looking for. There are many stores within reach - I tend to search/capture online since it takes less time and expense!

As to your requests, I understand the Akihiko figurine that you are referencing - they come up about once a month or so at auction. (they have been getting increasingly expensive lately - the averaging around BTC5.34.

I can't find any references to a Shinjiro figurine yet though, sorry.

Due to the cult following of Akira, the T-shirts are sought after and are fetching relatively high prices. I think because the film was made in 1988, they are starting to creep into the 'vintage' category. Please PM me if you would like to know more.

[maptor]

how much for a 1KZTE ?

If you are talking about the engine-block, please PM me.

[Jello]

Hey maptor,

I was wondering if you've ever come across Riska corn potage or meiji Chelsea espresso mix. I've found them in the Kyoto region, if that helps.
http://i45.tinypic.com/2hic7wi.jpg and http://i46.tinypic.com/i4k58o.jpg

Thanks!

[aznjack31]

I'm very interested in those kitkats. what would you charge for shipping?

[maptor]

Hey maptor,

I was wondering if you've ever come across Riska corn potage or meiji Chelsea espresso mix. I've found them in the Kyoto region, if that helps.
http://i45.tinypic.com/2hic7wi.jpg and http://i46.tinypic.com/i4k58o.jpg

Thanks!

Hello Jello!

I think I can help you!

If you are interested in a big box of those chips (recommended), I could get you something like this:

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51X9f%2Bm-XsL.jpg

It contains 33 x 20g packs. I can get it to you via economy shipping (~2 weeks) for $40.

If you are interested in smaller amounts, please let me know!


As to the chelsea espresso mix selection - my research suggests they were a one-off special edition released around August last year? All places I checked so far are out of stock just now, but I will keep trying to track some down!

Let me know how you would like to proceed! (via PM)

[maptor]

I'm very interested in those kitkats. what would you charge for shipping?

Completely happy to oblige aznjack - Please PM me with your desired quantities so I can work out shipping costs.