Joysticks and Japan
- Thread starter CMDR Pugwash
- Start date
*shudder*
You're right I am a citizen of the fair city of Glasgow, where it is raining as usual.
That is a big hike but, if the the receipt is suitably cryptic, I can put it through as a business expense!
Shhh! Don't tell anyone! Particularly my wife who does the accounts.
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Lived in Japan nearly 20 years and Tokyo for nearly 17 of those.
I live 15 mins from Akihabara, 25 mins by bicycle.
PC gaming is not that big a thing here inJapan, they are more into casual, anime and hentai type games. Very low power stuff.
Most are satisfied with an PlayStation or a few, an Xbox.
Most high spec machines are sold to 3D modellers who variously model architecture or naked, buxom cat-women.
Thus, in Akihabara, as of last month, only one big shop and one small shop were demoing the Vive. And only one shop was demoing the Oculus.
PC, hard core, maxed out Gaming just isnt really a mainstream thinghere, even in Akihabara.
Moreover, of the few high spec machines on sale, you'll find they are all mouse and keyboard or perhaps steering wheel and pedal for COD and driving sims.
Basically, you can find Logitech, (branded logicool in Japan) Saitek and Thrustmaster. You might be able to find a warthog. But that's about it.
Keyboards on the other hand... oohhhh my, are the Japanese fascinated with mechanical keyboards.
My goodness there are a lot.
Rows and rows on display up to about $500 for top spec keyboards, Very small companies and machining them from solid aluminium etc. Bliss.... HOTAS? Not so much.
YMMV as they say over the pond (from the UK)
The thing about Akihabara that makes it a winner is the density... within a couple of blocks there are a plethora of shops, big, small, medium, high tech, general, secondhand and specialist...
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Additional: never buy IT or camera gear from the big shops like Yodobashi and Yamaha denki.
They are located in some of the most expensive real estate hotspots in the world and that is reflected in the pricing. They are popular because many people in Japan still do not trust the Internet for purchasing goods and would rather pay for local service.
They do make hands on testing easy, though and for that, I am glad they are there.
I usually go there, test out a product and then purchase it from one of the knowledgeable back street shops.
Just my 2 yen
よろしくね！
I live 15 mins from Akihabara, 25 mins by bicycle.
PC gaming is not that big a thing here inJapan, they are more into casual, anime and hentai type games. Very low power stuff.
Most are satisfied with an PlayStation or a few, an Xbox.
Most high spec machines are sold to 3D modellers who variously model architecture or naked, buxom cat-women.
Thus, in Akihabara, as of last month, only one big shop and one small shop were demoing the Vive. And only one shop was demoing the Oculus.
PC, hard core, maxed out Gaming just isnt really a mainstream thinghere, even in Akihabara.
Moreover, of the few high spec machines on sale, you'll find they are all mouse and keyboard or perhaps steering wheel and pedal for COD and driving sims.
Basically, you can find Logitech, (branded logicool in Japan) Saitek and Thrustmaster. You might be able to find a warthog. But that's about it.
Keyboards on the other hand... oohhhh my, are the Japanese fascinated with mechanical keyboards.
My goodness there are a lot.
Rows and rows on display up to about $500 for top spec keyboards, Very small companies and machining them from solid aluminium etc. Bliss.... HOTAS? Not so much.
YMMV as they say over the pond (from the UK)
The thing about Akihabara that makes it a winner is the density... within a couple of blocks there are a plethora of shops, big, small, medium, high tech, general, secondhand and specialist...
- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -
Additional: never buy IT or camera gear from the big shops like Yodobashi and Yamaha denki.
They are located in some of the most expensive real estate hotspots in the world and that is reflected in the pricing. They are popular because many people in Japan still do not trust the Internet for purchasing goods and would rather pay for local service.
They do make hands on testing easy, though and for that, I am glad they are there.
I usually go there, test out a product and then purchase it from one of the knowledgeable back street shops.
Just my 2 yen
よろしくね！
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There are a few specialty shops in Akihabara that I've stumbled upon that had quite a few flight control devices for sale. These tend to be crazy expensive over here though.
Have you perused Amazon.jp? You can usually have things delivered to a konbini near your hotel (or wherever you're staying). Sometimes you can find a good deal on-line, but not too often.
Have you perused Amazon.jp? You can usually have things delivered to a konbini near your hotel (or wherever you're staying). Sometimes you can find a good deal on-line, but not too often.