Tokyo ski shops - staff and prices

[sunrise 0]

Anyone recommend ski shops in Tokyo with knowledgable staff that speak English? If I'm buying new boots (and skis) this year I want to make sure that I'm advised to get the right ones for me and not something I'm not happy with.

 

Also, how do the prices on gear in japan compare with overseas?

 

Thanks.

[damian 0]

Good luck, I found it a crappy experience... shopping for this gear, first time buyer, language barrier, salesman just wanting to make a sale.

 

I bought boarding gear.

 

I did notice though that my visits to ski shops revealed more english speakers than boarding shops (and less ganster rap crap).

[Lama 0]

i found the prices to be a bit expensive.... around 20-30% more than Autralia

[jared 0]

do your research online and find out what you want (get a couple of options) then go look for the best price. I have yet to get any good info I can believe from anyone who wants to sell me something. prices here are a bit more expensive than NZ for the latest stuff but way cheaper than NZ for anything that is last years.

[Antonio 0]

I just bought all new gear last week (arrived in Takkyubin yesterday - mmmmm!) from a shop called ICI in Jinbocho. They had one guy who could speak reasonable english but i pretty much knew what i wanted in skis and bindings - it was just lots of boots that i had to try on. They were patient and attentive when i was there.

 

Good advice re buy from last years stock. That's what i did - wait for new season stuff to arrive then go ready to haggle!

 

Also, if you really don't know what you want, skiingmag.com, the webpage for skiing magazine, has an online guide to skis etc for different types of skiers which you might find useful (at least they did last year.)

[sunrise 0]

Thanks for all the info, Antonio. I think I can probably figure out skis with that and other online help, and last years skis on sale sounds like a good idea, I'll check it out.

 

It's the boots that I'm the most concerned about. I've never been able to get the right boots. I'm worried that even if they let me try on lots of different types, I'm still not going to get the best ones for my level of skiing, correct alignment, etc without assistance of someone who is very knowledgable in this field. Do you think the people there would qualify?

 

Bindings - uh oh, there's another thing to research....!

 

Where does everyone else living in Japan get their gear from? Just curious....

 

thanks for the other replies - I agree, I'm always sceptical of the knowledgability to be found in city stores especially in Tokyo... Nice to hear of one actually recommended....

[Antonio 0]

Sunrise...boots are always the big issue. I'd be hesitant to recommend the shop i went to as experts. I kind of knew what i wanted and just needed someone to go and fetch the right sizes of a few different brands.

 

There's a boot specialist on the corner in Jinbocho near Alpen (i think) that might be able to help. Anyone been there or know if they speak english?

 

Before you go though you need to do some research on your feet. For example, do you have narrow feet or wide feet, are you knock-kneed or pidgeon toed, do you need inserts or do you have a balanced stance.

 

One other suggestion...don't be afraid to ring a boot specialist in your home country and ask for advice, that's what i did. Most of these guys love talking shop are more than willing to talk you through a few ideas. After that, all you can do is go and try them on. Best of luck.

[sunrise 0]

 Quote:

Originally posted by Antonio:
Sunrise...boots are always the big issue. I'd be hesitant to recommend the shop i went to as experts. I kind of knew what i wanted and just needed someone to go and fetch the right sizes of a few different brands.

I agree that it's vital you get the right advice. They don't sound the like right guys for me unless I already know what I need (like you).

 Quote:

There's a boot specialist on the corner in Jinbocho near Alpen (i think) that might be able to help. Anyone been there or know if they speak english?

Before you go though you need to do some research on your feet. For example, do you have narrow feet or wide feet, are you knock-kneed or pidgeon toed, do you need inserts or do you have a balanced stance.

Right, I've been doing some reading on the web about it. My arches are a little fallen thus when standing I have a tendency to collapse inward (toward the knock-kneed stance), though I tend to be more balanced when in ski stance. I'm not sure if my foot is wide or narrow. I think it might be wide but I'm not sure - uh oh, I've just realised another complication which could be quite important - women's boots as opposed to men's boots. I'm a woman with foot size 25.5, which is half a size larger than the largest 'regular' size for japanese women. I can't buy women's shoes in Japan easily (I always buy overseas) so it might be hard for me to find women's boots my size here, assuming that it's preferable for me to get women's boots. Anyone know if that's an issue as long as the boot fits properly?

I had what I guess you'd call custom foot beds (or do you call them inserts??) made when I last bought boots in Canada 7 years ago. They're probaby still okay to use now, but I can check that out, too. The boots I had then fit fine, but were a little too soft/flexible for my level of skiing, as a good intermediate. It was recomended that I got something a bit stiffer next time.....

 Quote:

One other suggestion...don't be afraid to ring a boot specialist in your home country and ask for advice, that's what i did. Most of these guys love talking shop are more than willing to talk you through a few ideas. After that, all you can do is go and try them on. Best of luck.

That's a great idea, Antonio. Thanks. I'd be more than happy to do that if I could find someone that would be willing to do that. Anyone recommend anywhere? Oz? US? Canada? elsewhere? Anyone got any knowledgeable sales friends anywhere that would help out? I don't mind paying for the advice, it will surely be worth it.

[scouser 4]

Just getting back to the main point. I have never experienced a snowshop in Tokyo with E speaking staff. Always get by with bad scouser-nihongo. Always fun,

[sunrise 0]

Do they seem to know what they're talking about for the important stuff (like boots, etc)?

 

Maybe my bad "Japlish" could get me by or even bring a nihongo speaking expert with me if I can find someone... But I'm still more inclined to like the idea of getting advice from someone overseas who I can trust to help me.

 

thanks

[scouser 4]

It's going to depend on who you get. I've spoken to some really in the know staff and then there's the (nothing against them personally but...) not knowledgeable arubaito. Check out the staff and aim well before you talk.