The Used-Camera-Buying Experience in Japan

Eden Tantuco
July 1, 2024

TL;DR: Used cameras cost the same in Japan as the rest of the world – even though the yen is at its weakest right now.

Introduction

I spent the last six days in Osaka. At the time of writing, the Yen is the weakest it’s been in ten years (1 USD = ~159 JPY). I’ve been looking for a good-condition Leica M2 or M3 for a while now, and I figured that if I managed to find one in Japan, I could save a lot of money. But after a dozen stops, including a flea market and big electronic stores, I walked away with nothing.

You’ve probably heard that most things in Japan right now are cheap compared to American prices. Anything new? Cheap. Buying anything new at Japan MSRP will net you at least a 15% discount, plus no taxes (if you pay more than ¥5,500).

Even most old things are cheaper – vintage clothes, handbags, and designer can be found at downright steals if you know where to look.

But vintage cameras? Just as expensive as the States, if not more. Maybe a little cheaper than European stores.

For reference, a nice Leica M3 body will set you back around $1,000 in the States right now. In Japan, the cheapest I saw was ¥198,000 (~$1,250 at a $1/ ¥159 rate).

Out of the dozen or so stores I visited in Osaka, I couldn’t find one store that had cheaper prices than American eBay. It appears the sellers base their store prices off of eBay and add a shop tax of some sort. I know they have to make money, and I will say that their prices are more reasonable than most brick-and-mortar stores I know in the States.

Cheaper cameras that would sell at <$200 in America can usually be found at decent prices. So if you’re looking to snag a cheap Canon AE-1 or Pentax K1000 or Olympus Trip 35, I saw them around for pretty reasonable prices. My friend picked up an OM-2n for ¥2000.

What I learned

Even though I didn’t get anything, I loved seeing the selection in these stores. Compared to the shops back home, these stores are FILLED with cameras of all sorts. I saw cameras I never thought I’d see in person.

Just go for the experience. Support small businesses. Now that I’m back in the States, I regret not buying a lens there with my tourist tax-free privilege.

Curious to know if y’all shared the same experience. Let me know!