Video Cameras
Camcorders and video cameras are all becoming HD inline with the Japanese TV system becoming digital and higher definition in the near future (read below for further details).
You can pick up a non-HD video camera from 25 – 40,000 yen for an old style DV tape and some reduced hard disk models in Best Denki. A good Sony HD camcorder will probably set you back around 100,000yen (top end models are around 400,000). Most makers have instructions in English either in the product’s menu system, in the box, or delivered in the post.
One area of possible confusion may be the flippant use of similar acronyms. HD means High Definition. HDD means a Hard Disk Drive camera (not tape or memory card). Also, there are several different terms like 720p, 1080p, high vision, full HD, etc which are dependant upon the maker but basically refer to similar things – it looks nicer than older cameras. For the sake of buyer safety, it is recommended to check out English reviews first and then view a video produced on each camera on a TV in a store. The image you see in the live viewer window of a camcorder isn’t always at the same quality as the recorded video itself and can be misleading. Furthermore, even HD camera quality differs greatly between makers and depends on lens quality, microchip technology (number and size of chips), and compression software.
Some good advice for HD cam buyers:
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/shooting-high_def/10-things-to-know-when-buying-an-hd-camcorder-320011.php
Good advice for general vid/cam buyers, if a little old:
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/10-Questions-to-Ask-When-Buying-A-Camcorder.htm#
A final good set of advice:
http://www.jakeludington.com/camcorder/20061016_10_tips_for_buying_a_digital_camcorder.html
Game systems
Japan is the birthplace of the Otaku and many game machines including Sony, Playstation, Nintendo, Sega, etc. If you are wondering whether to buy a handheld system (Nintendo DS or PSP) at home or abroad it may depend what offers you can find around you. DS’s and PSP’s have English language options and can play games from around the world. The new PSP’s can output to NTSC TVs too. DS’s are capable of playing foreign games too and the only real minor issue is having to buy a local power adapter when you get back home with one.
Japanese versions of handhelds may come in different color variations to back home (BAPE design DSs and gold PSPs), which may really be the only other deciding factor after checking out prices. At the time of writing a DS lite is around 15,000 yen and PSP 23,000 yen for the matt bronze value pack (PSPJ20002).
If you are a bit shaky with the Japanese language, you will probably want to buy games from abroad. Japanese games tend to be of a certain variety and many of the sports and shooting games common in the west are replaced by RPGs. Some Japan-bought games do have English language options but unlike DVD videos, it isn’t always clear on the packaging so rather than shelling out cash for something you can’t even understand the instructions on, it is recommended that you buy via the internet. One issue with foreign games however, is that you will most likely have to trade/sell to foreigners since shops don’t generally deal in foreign titles.
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ (Japanese) but you can check out the Japanese games. There are numerous stores (mainly electronics outlets like Bic Camera and Yamada Denki) around Fukuoka that offer Nintendo Wifi Stations where you can download demos and other goodies.
play-asia.com is a retailer of foreign games in Hong Kong that delivers to Japan.
TVs
Depending on what you read, Japan is converting to all digital terrestrial broadcasting. The final day of analog broadcasting is slated as April 11 2011, however local areas may have transferred to a digital signal before then (people living out in the countryside will be affected later than cities).
This basically means that people who rely on set-top or rooftop antennas will need to buy a converter box or a whole new TV. I think most Japanese people will be changing over their TVs but for JETs who inherit old TVs it may cost the first ALTs affected around 20,000 yen to get a converter. So if you are thinking about buying a TV in Japan make sure it has digital reception capability or it will not be worth much in re-sale value in a few years time. (This is a separate issue from whether the TV has high definition HD or not)
Japan region and NTSC
While most games systems these days are region free, DVDs and computers tend not to be. Japan is region: and NTSC video format, so bringing your favourite movies with you may not be a good idea as they probably wont play. One option is to rip them into a different format and put them on portable media like an ipod. Software is available online, but you should make sure whatever you do is legal for your locale.
Power converters
The first port of call for getting a power converter for your laptop power supply needs should be from the manufacturer or their nearest outlet. There are various cheaper manufacturers with universal power supplies out there but to make sure that your power supply and laptop are matched correctly, ask for advice before you leave for Japan. Incidentally, Japan uses the 2 flat pin sockets (15A 100V 50Hz) without an earth component similar to America but because the current is different American products may not work properly.
USB multi-travel plug
If you have any equipment that can be powered by USB, consider buying a multi-country travel plug with USB connection for in Japan and any international travel you may wish to do. It can be a life saver for cameras, mobile phones, ipods etc. Number of countries and socket adaptors vary with maker and product.
An example product on Amazon (untested)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Swiss-World-Travel-Adapter-Port/dp/B000PIXQGC/ref=pd_sbs_ce_title_3/203-5213620-1310315
Japanese Electronic Dictionaries
Back in the old days, dictionaries were made of paper and would take ages to get through. In Japan though, modern dictionaries have everything you could ever want and more than should be found on a dictionary: colour screens, animation, SD card slots, pronunciation examples, tests, quizzes, handwriting recognition panels, and even TV tuners. Such top end models retail for around 40-50,000 yen. (the average price has remained constant for top of the range models for almost 10 years).
It is quite easy to get side tracked from what you originally wanted from a dictionary. One thing that they nearly all have in common is that Japanese dictionaries in Japan are made for Japanese people looking to study English, and not specifically for foreigners wishing to study Japanese. With all the advances, descriptions of Japanese terms tend to be in Japanese kanji and even if you do have a dictionary with the obligatory super jump function to translate any word onscreen, it could still take you ages to piece together the meaning of even simple words.
The top dictionary makers (Note: NONE have English pages!)
Casio http://casio.jp/exword/
Sharp http://www.sharp.co.jp/papyrus/index.html
Seiko http://www.sii.co.jp/cp/
Mobile phone dictionaries
One alternative before turning to a dictionary is a mobile phone. Most companies supply a number of mobiles with English language interfaces and some even have Japanese<->English dictionaries. One possible advantage over a dictionary is that some mobile phones have cameras with character recognition technology so you can aim your camera at any text to find out what it means.
Softbank (The Toshiba 814T claims to have a dictionary)
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/product/lineup/3g/index.html
AU (check models for bilingual menus and other features)
http://www.au.kddi.com/english/index.html
Docomo – Some of these phones claim to be able to translate spoken English to Japanese and vice versa (cannot verify ability or cost):
http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/product/
A further choice in the dictionary market is in PDAs or Smartphones. Japan is lagging behind most western countries in terms of smartphone availability, but makers like HTC and Toshiba have a couple of models available on Softbank, Willcom, and Docomo networks. Although the Windows mobile OS will be in Japanese (one or two have English OS), the icons, general layout, and structure follows the western style so people familiar to Windows mobile should have no trouble adjusting to the Japanese menus. You can download free software such as JWPCE which uses a large dictionary (and has many options for creating your own dictionaries and learning flashcards).
Using a Windows Mobile phone has a couple of advantages:
• They can be easily added to with free or cheap software: dictionaries, games, and more
• Any western software you own will probably display English menus.
• If you have a touch screen, the Japanese system has recognition software for writing kanji and a button for converting typed hiragana to kanji.
Disadvantages include:
• Shorter battery time
• More difficult to take a phone call and translate at the same time.
• Roaming Internet usage plans can be more expensive on Smartphones than regular mobiles.
Softbank’s Smartphone selection:
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/product/xseries/index.html
HTC’s Site in Japan:
http://www.htc.com/jp/
JWPCE Japanese dictionary/word processor freeware for smartphone
www.physics.ucla.edu/~grosenth/jwpce.html
Electronics Stores
Something to consider: If you plan on purchasing multiple electronic items , you may want to obtain a point card which can be used to accumulate a certain amount of points per purchase, depending on the price of the item. If you accumulate enough points, you may use those points to help purchase another product.
Best Denki http://www.bestdenki.ne.jp/ (Japanese)
Kitakyushu Main Branch: Kokurakita-ku, Asano 2-14-3 (behind Kokura station)
TEL: 093-551-1081 Open: M – Thu. 10:15 – 20:00 Fri. Sat. Sun. Holidays 10:00 – 20:00
Fukuoka Main Branch: Chuo-ku, Tenjin 1-9-1 (near Fukuoka City Hall and ACROS Fukuoka)
TEL: 092-752-0001 Open: M – Thu. 10:15 – 20:00 Fri. Sat. Sun. Holidays 10:00 – 20:00
Kurume Main Branch: 3-2-8, Higashi Aikawa, Kurume City. (Near Kurume Daigaku mae station)
TEL: 094-245-3546 Open: M – Thu. 10:15 – 21:00 Fri. Sat. Sun. Holidays 10:00 – 21:00
Bic Camera www.biccamera.com/
Kokura Minami: Kokuraminami-ku, Kuzuhara higashi 2-1-1 (Near JR Shimosone station)
TEL: 093-474-1111 Open: 10:00 – 21:00
Tenjin Store 1: 1-25-1, Imaizumi, Chuo ku. (1 min. walk from Nishitetsu Fukuoka station south exit)
TEL: 092-732-1112 Open: 10:00 – 21:00
Tenjin Store 2: Chuo-ku, Tenjin 2-4-5 (behind Nishitetsu Fukuoka station and Kego park)
TEL: 092-732-1111 Open: 10:00 – 21:00
Deo Deo www.deodeo.co.jp/
Yamada Denki www.yamada-denki.jp/
Yodobashi Camera www.yodobashi.com/
Hakata: Hakata-ku, Hakata eki Chuo Machi 6-12 (1 min. walk from the Chikushi Exit behind Hakata Station)
TEL: 092-471-1010 Open: 9:30 – 22:00