Building A PC in Japan

E

Epilon

n00b
Joined
Jul 1, 2011
Messages
49
Has anyone attempted this? I'm moving there for a year next month and will finally have a decent income to build a PC. I've looked and there isn't any type of newegg Japan, even though there are numerous sites selling hardware.

My primary concern is if I get a part I need to RMA, that sending it back wont be a huge deal. So one vendor for everything is preferred.

Also, is there anything else I should keep in mind/think about besides the PSU voltage?

Thanks!
 
Where are you staying? There's Yodobashi camera, a chain store similar to Best Buy but without the terrible service and prices. They have stores in Akihabara, Fukuoka, Shinjuku, etc. Also the Amazon Japan site sells computer hardware just like they do in the states.
 
You'll probably be able to find a B&M store. There are plenty here in Taiwan, although parts tend to be more expensive.
 
Im out in the boonies in Kyushu. ALthough Its relatively close to Fukuoka so I'm glad to hear there is a Yodobashi there.
Won't they just rape me on prices though?
 
Possibly, specially since you're a 外人 though hardware is expensive regardless over there.
 
Would it be better to try getting it shipped form a western retailer? Parts are looking pretty expensive.
 
Epilon said:
Would it be better to try getting it shipped form a western retailer? Parts are looking pretty expensive.
Click to expand...

If you don't mind the potential warranty and customer support issues as well as the costs and perils of shipping an entire PC across the Pacific ocean, then get the parts from a U.S retailer if you want to save some money on the PC itself. Then again, shipping costs to the Japan may end up kill the savings you may get.
 
I have experience with building PCs in Japan. For the first one, I bought some of the parts at Akihabara and ordered a bunch of parts online through Kakaku. Seriously, the prices aren't bad. It just seems that way because the U.S. dollar is very weak compared to the yen at the moment. For the second computer, I ordered all of the parts from PC Depot's online shop.
 
I lived in Japan for three years. Best bet is to buy your parts here and bring them with you. Buy everything here except the case.

If you have some sort of orientation in a major city when you arrive, that would be a good time to visit an electronics shop.

Best place to buy parts is at the electronic stores in the major cities. They are like best buys but they also tend to stock a huge variety of parts and such.

Alternatively, you can do what I did. Bring a small matx or itx computer with you as carry-onin the airplane, then get a monitor when you arrive.
 
I visited Fukuoka earlier this year. There is a Dospara near the Hakata JR station (close to the Yodobashi I think). They specialize in system building components, although I found the store small and the selection rather lacking. The components section of Yodobashi is a little better than your typical Best Buy but not by much. I think you would be better off figuring out how to order online.

I was really hoping to be able to walk into a store and check out some cool Abee cases and SFF-type stuff. But I think that is still a very niche market even in Japan.
 
there gota be a store like tigerdirect/newegg/++++usover there. just gota find it.

pros you can get some parts that is only out for the Asian markets
 
Hazelrah said:
I visited Fukuoka earlier this year. There is a Dospara near the Hakata JR station (close to the Yodobashi I think). They specialize in system building components, although I found the store small and the selection rather lacking. The components section of Yodobashi is a little better than your typical Best Buy but not by much. I think you would be better off figuring out how to order online.

I was really hoping to be able to walk into a store and check out some cool Abee cases and SFF-type stuff. But I think that is still a very niche market even in Japan.
Click to expand...

Lame. I was hoping to just go and get all the stuff I need at the same place.
 
Yodobashi camera stores near where I lived all had component selections on par with MicroCenter here. Not sure what Yodobashi other posters went to (I frequented Akiba and Shinjuku stores). There is also a chain called Softmap which sells pc parts as well. Sadly, yes parts are more expensive in Japan. It is mostly due to the ridiculous sub 80 yen/$ exchange rate. But, trust me you'll love that exchange rate when you finally come back to the US :)
 
I'd say B&M stores have better selection than they do in the states, and prices make more sense, but prices are generally higher, and that was when the yen:dollar rate was about 120:1. B&M stores also seem more common, but not so much in the countryside (although HardOff will sell common, used items like mice and keyboards).

So I'd definitely carry your parts on the plane with you or ship them from the states. It's a hassle but it's worth it.

Electricity will probably be a lot more expensive too, so a power efficient PC would be a good choice, as would turning off your PC at night.
 
Electricity was actually pretty cheap in the greater Tokyo area. I would spend maybe 3000 - 4000 yen when not having to run the heat or a/c 24/7 (about 10,000 yen max when a/c or heat was running all the time). It's LP gas that you have to watch out for :( My bills were always at least 10,000 yen for gas (hot water and my glorious single burner stove).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top