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Is shopping electronics in Tokyo similar to the US or different? Are Japanese electronics shops expensive or is it because they sell more next generation products such as 8k cameras for example?
I would say that the whole "futuristic" thing is a dated stereotype, and probably was started in the 80's when Japan was very much ahead of much of the world, but now with the aging population and slow economy, I would say technology is very comparable to the US, if not worse. This is a country where fax is common, debit cards are seldom used, and the vast majority of schools do not use or teach computers.
With that said, stores like Yodobashi Camera or Bic Camera are frequent in big cities and have pretty much all you need in terms of electronics, with a lot more choices for things like massage chairs or headphones, but a lot less choices with things like TVs and video games. Foreign electronics like Samsung and Xbox are not super widespread. TVs are on average way more expensive than in the West, and much smaller, however, I do not know why because Sony, etc. are located in Japan so this does not make much sense. Computers and computer parts are way more expensive and most families do not have a desktop, and just use iPhones for pretty much everything. Apple is king and costs the same or similar as the US, as far as I know. Android flagships like Galaxy are not very common.
Hope this answered your questions, I answered broadly because of the vagueness of the question. If you have any more questions, ask away
The difference in tax rates in an US state and Japan have to be known first.
As a reminder, you can get a tax refund if you are visiting Japan.
Residents of japan have to pay taxes when they buy things.
I would say that the whole "futuristic" thing is a dated stereotype, and probably was started in the 80's when Japan was very much ahead of much of the world, but now with the aging population and slow economy, I would say technology is very comparable to the US, if not worse. This is a country where fax is common, debit cards are seldom used, and the vast majority of schools do not use or teach computers.
With that said, stores like Yodobashi Camera or Bic Camera are frequent in big cities and have pretty much all you need in terms of electronics, with a lot more choices for things like massage chairs or headphones, but a lot less choices with things like TVs and video games. Foreign electronics like Samsung and Xbox are not super widespread. TVs are on average way more expensive than in the West, and much smaller, however, I do not know why because Sony, etc. are located in Japan so this does not make much sense. Computers and computer parts are way more expensive and most families do not have a desktop, and just use iPhones for pretty much everything. Apple is king and costs the same or similar as the US, as far as I know. Android flagships like Galaxy are not very common.
Hope this answered your questions, I answered broadly because of the vagueness of the question. If you have any more questions, ask away
Thank you. It is very informative.
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