My Favourite Used Camera Stores In Japan

In today's video, we talk about my favourite used camera stores in Japan, the exploration process, and how these stores helped me change my mindset about the craft itself. The used marketplace in countries like Japan is incredible, it allows for exploration and growth in a fun and engaging way.
Stamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:23 - Hi!
00:50 - The Opposite Of G.A.S (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)
02:06 - Big Department Stores (Yodobashi & BicCamera)
03:27 - Non-Franchise Stores (Map Camera)
04:57 - Small Local Store (Box Camera)
06:01 - Well Rounded Stores (Naniwa & Kitamura) These Are My Two Favourite Stores
07:44 - Honorable Mentions
08:40 - The Importance Of Used Camera Stores
09:33 - Conclusion
Links To Camera Stores In Japan:
Yodobashi Camera - www.yodobashi.com/
BicCamera - www.biccamera.com/bc/main/
Map Camera - www.mapcamera.com/
Camera Box - camerabox.web.fc2.com/
Camera Naniwa - www.cameranonaniwa.co.jp/
Kitamura Camera - www.kitamura.jp/
Sofmap - www.sofmap.com/
BookOff - www.bookoff.co.jp/
-Check out my online store - www.jperez.ca/store/
-My favourite gear and links! 📸✨ - www.jperez.ca/gear/
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[@123dkwan]

I spent lot of time during my recent two-week Japan vacation in visiting used camera or LP stores. (Can’t do that if I travel with my dear wife). All my current equipment are picked up from Japan’s secondhand markets. In my recent trip, I got my two dream wide angle lenses ; Zeiss 12 mm f/2.8 for my Fuji X-E3, and an Olympus M. Zuiko 12mm f/2.0 for E-M5 MKII (both lens and body are special edition). One good thing about shopping used equipment from Japan is that the Japanese in general use and take care of their equipment very carefully. So most of the time, you can’t see if the secondhand item is really a new or used one. Apart from saving lot of money, using secondhand equipment may probably be more environmental friendly.

[@Photinos]

A very complete and very useful report. Thank you Jorge for sharing your experience.

[@HaiTomVlog]

So glad I found this video - as a new transplant to Japan, I've been trying to find some places to check out for used gear. Perfect timing! 🤙

[@prithvirajpawar7256]

Great video. Thanks for the information!

[@sharpvolt2669]

Used camera box is my dream location ever since i saw it in Japan vintage camera's videos! I hope i can get to japan for education/college purposes and hopefully get to these camera stores! Thanks for the recommendations!

[@Jorge-Perez]

がんばてください！ There's a lot more stores in other areas too, Akihabara, Shinjuku, Shibuya etc. There's a lot to explore, and it helps when you sort of have in mind what you want, makes it like hunting the camera that you want. Which is awesome. Hopefully you get to go, and explore these stores, everyone should! Thanks for watching, and sharing a comment as well! Good luck! 🙌🏼✨

[@rumourandscandal]

Very very insightful!

[@luxdalet]

Fantastic video! Thank you so much for those recommendations. Hoping to visit Box Camera when I get a chance to visit Japan. I unfortunately don't buy used camera gear since I feel uneasy about buying it without testing it my self prior to purchase. I wish there would be more local used camera gear stores in my region.

[@brentbrown51]

I buy only used cameras for three reasons: 1) I love vintage 35mm rigs, especially Minolta; 2) a limited budget; and 3) the "thrill" of the hunt. It's fascinating to me how much interest there is in Japan for photography. Very few camera stores here in the Phoenix metro area. One of the better in the state is Monument Camera in Tucson AZ. Thanks for your video.

[@84hachi]

Minolta FTW!

[@TetsusaigaDrgn]

Thanks Jorge. I’m finally going back to Japan to visit my in law after 3 years of not going back. During this time I picked up 35mm film and this video helped me figure out which stores I want to check out for some used film cameras. Thanks!

[@richardsimms251]

Great video. I have heard that a tourist can be promised a TAX REFUND at the departure airport for camera equipment bought in Japan. At the airport, the tourist does NOT receive the TAX REFUND for silly bureaucratic reasons. The tourist loses the money permanently. RS. Canada

[@jamesprivet]

Superb review thank you!

[@richardsimms251]

Very enjoyable

[@alexianicolle849]

Thank you!! this video its very helpfull. I will go to Japan soon and I want some new cameras

[@davepayne8500]

Another great video Jorge! I'm living in Kita-Urawa, Urawa-ku, Saitama-shi. Used camera stores are one of the hidden treasures of Japan! I went to the official Leica store but my Japanese wife made me surrender my cash and credit cards before going in😵‍💫🤣😵‍💫🤣‼️

[@Jorge-Perez]

LOL, the Leica stores are something else... Especially the one in Kyoto, its like a temple, highly recommend you visit it at some point. It's what dreams are made of haha. Thanks for watching and sharing a comment as well! I really appreciate it! 🙏🏼😁

[@deniswalks]

Thank you for great video! Will be visiting Japan late November and for NY holidays, made my list! Hope to find some vintage Zeiss / Cosina for Nikon :)

[@veda3450]

CameraBox looks interesting to me. I hope I will experience this in Japan next a few months. Thanks for your video.

[@Jorge-Perez]

I hope so too!m Keep me posted if you do end up going there! There's more stores as well, those were just the ones that I have experience with. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to share a comment as well! Stay safe while travelling 🙏🏼✨

[@veda3450]

@@Jorge-Perez I am gonna keep watching it. I am planning to live there for about 3 years also working there. But I need the pass the test first. Looking forward to see more experiences from you.

[@skipper4114]

Cheers from Kyushu Japan but from Canada. Great Video. Unfortunately due to covid I was not able to travel to these stores, yet but hoping in the near future.

[@Jorge-Perez]

Oh no! stay safe out there, whereabouts in Kyushu are you located? I think the best option/location for camera hunting would be Fukuoka, hopefully you're close by. Thanks for watching and taking the time to share your thoughts as well, and stay safe out there. Cheers 🙏🏼😁

[@marioh5172]

Super cool video. So happy to have found your channel. I know Kitamura in Tenjin and will visit shortly. Do you perhaps have any other recommendations for Fukuoka? I would prefer to only visit stores.

[@claudiogibert737]

Muy bien Jorge, una buena recomendación

[@JohnOpie]

Map Camera is my absolute goto in Tokyo!

[@taoufikkirchaoui89]

Hi...very helpful...going to tokyo next february...hunting for grade a or ab fm3a...

[@thecosmicbook]

going to japan in a couple of days, thanks for this video, been checking YT for any and every camara guide before going any reco for places/store that has big varity of FILM camera/roll? TIA

[@gabrielvazquez6037]

2ndhand use buyer since my very first film camera back to 2005

[@8daichi]

Hello Jorge I know it's an old video but it's worth trying to ask. Does map camera do in-store trade-in? I currently work here in Japan and would be visiting Tokyo in a few months. Tyia

[@aleksp2851]

Do you mind sharing those pinned location maps? :)

[@roundingcorners]

i know this is 2 yrs old now but can you comment on how those more niche shops are able to speak any english if any? I find at least Bic and yodabashi has some staff that have some english conversational skills

[@unknowns1480]

hi jorge it is possible to get a tax return if i buy a second hand lenses?

[@thisulakagunaweera2958]

Are any of these stores located near Mito, Ibaraki?

[@Jorge-Perez]

I happen to know that there is a Kitamura in Mito, but hard to say the rest, do a quick google maps search and try to see if there's others as well. Thanks for watching and sharing a comment as well! And good luck! 🙏🏼

[@thisulakagunaweera2958]

@@Jorge-Perez Thank you very much for the reply! ✨️

[@mdlahey3874]

Nice video, but I have the distinct impression that you are a Japanese speaker... How might the experience be different for a non-Japanese speaker? 🤔

[@cstpa1]

many tourists go to those camera stores. /im coming from the film community that discusses camera hunting in japan. most people have an agreeable time.