Brick and Mortar stores in Japana

[Smirak]

My son is going to Japan in June. I want to send him with a “pocket full o cash” for JDM stuff. Does anyone know any good B&M stores in Tokyo/Osaka he should hit for me?

 

Kevin

[Glenn]

Lure1Ban in Osaka!

 

 

[webertime]

Tackle Shack TX on YouTube is in the middle of a series of fishing Biwa and tackle shops in those areas.

[FishTank]

When my daughter went to Japan, she picked me up some stuff from Sansui.  She said it was fun and intimidating but the staff was a big help. 

[Darth-Baiter]

my friends wife went to Johshuya in Tokyo.  i think it is a chain?  not sure, but she bought me a Zillion from there and brought it back to me.  friend got a Zillion and a Triza rod.   

[Hogs_n_Logs]

I only have knowledge of stuff in the Tokyo/Saitama/Kanagawa area, but:

 

Joshuya is the most easily accesible chain. They have a ton of locations in the Tokyo area, including some of the most popular areas of Tokyo. Puts 99% of US tackle shops to shame, but is middle of the road in Japan, they have all the JDM essentials but not much rare gear or from smaller companies, and their rod selection can sometimes be lacking outside of big names like Shimano. Staff at all locations have been extremely professional in my experience, with each staff member usually specializing in a species. 

 

CASTING is kind of like Joshuya but generally considered to be inferior in most ways. Still better than almost all US shops, but no reason to go since Joshuya exists IMO. 

 

Tackle Berry is a chain that specializes in used gear that he will def want to check out. Again, tons of locations from small satellite cities to the most crowded parts of Tokyo. However, quality of selection is heavily dependent on the particular store. Google reviews can be a good way to weed out the less stellar ones. 

 

Sansui is a chain but they are generally alot smaller than the others but have more curated gear selection focusing on fly fishing and premium tackle for bass and saltwater. 

 

BanBan is another chain and the best tackle shop I've ever been to. Basically Joshuya on steroids.  They are in less-accessible areas typically on the outskirts or more "suburban" parts of the Greater Tokyo Area, hard to access without a car. Literally have everything you could ever want, from the basic JDM staples to more rare items like DRT TK's, bass puzzle etc. Rod selection superior to Joshuya. 

 

 

 

For efficiencies sake, assuming your son cant take a full day to shop for fishing gear, going to a Joshuya and Tackle berry should be more than enough and the most efficient and easy to get to. If he is in Ikebukuro when in Tokyo, the Joshuya, Tackleberry, and Sansui locations are all within 100 yards of each other and are a 5 minute walk from the train station. Be forewarned that for some reason they are nestled in a mini-red light district, with sansui being next door to a brothel lol, but its completely safe if you avert your eyes. 

[Smirak]

Thanks for that advice! I’ll definitely tell him to check it out. He’s graduating HS this year and is traveling over there with a few buddies from school for 3 weeks. He’s been saving for years. He’s a rock climber and nerd, so the brothel wouldn’t bother him one bit!