Part ll: What's the tool situation in Japan?

Some here may remember that I came back from Japan on a recent trip and I posted a thread about my tool shopping experience. I mentioned that I did go to some other stores as well and so here's part 2.

For those that missed the first thread, here's the link: http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148018

If you happen to have time in Tokyo, I'd suggest going to a tool store called World Import Tools. They have two locations in metropolitan Tokyo. Having no vehicle, my natural choice was to go to the one that was most accessible by train. The Edogawa store was located just 5 minutes away from the station.

If you're lost, look for their sign, perched high off the ground:




You'll then be greeted by a nice PB Baumann (now PB Swiss) sign:




If you pass this sign you've gone too far; just look to your left and you'll be greeted by:

Take note of the vending machine on the left. Look closely and you'll notice something very cool. ....no, not the fact that it's not behind a fenced cage.


IMG_0458

If you didn't catch it I'm referring to the vending machine looking like a huge rolling cabinet.


Inside the shop, you'll be greeted by friendly AND knowledgeable staff, and fully proud of the brands that they carry. I took photos of things I thought were interesting; I hope you enjoy them too.

Here's a cool Beta tool caddy:







Safety latch and ball bearing slides:








Beta cantilever tool box (I couldn't verify the COO):



Some other Beta goods:



I didn't think I'd find Pressol stuff, cool!










A very nice Hazet carry/tackle box with aluminum latches and handle, and plastic compartments/bins:









Anyone want a "Kinki" brand air blow gun?






They had a W. German "RJ" brand blow gun too:






Here's the little Bahco section. Everything here was made in Spain:



Except for this:




Japan has a special tie with Wera--they get Japan-only tools like these diamond tip blades with black/blue grips:




Some Kabo-made, 90-tooth, reversible, deep offset ratcheting wrenches rebranded to Signet (also found under the SK G-pro line):






Wera's promotional/marketing tool:




Wera's showcase:




Stahlwille next to some Beta:






Beta spanner set:




The Beta Mini:






And the Beta torque gauge in action (confirming the accuracy of my KTC digiratchet):





PB Swiss stuff:



Non-deadblow hammer with old PB logo:




Hazet items:






So cool!!





Showing Ko-ken's nut-catchers:



This disproportionate sizing makes it just .... cool:



A Signet 1 - 6nm torque wrench:



These shears are sold as rebrands under familiar names; this is the Taiwanese OEM (NuSharp):






At this point I just decided to use my video recording feature of my camera:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1gxky2C_4sk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YEZtZFOsv5c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bQ9seNtUdwI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qnBz9SWRPfo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qtP7skaLvLw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


I visited another area of Tokyo, but no time to add today....stay tuned for a future update.

amazing!!!

Cool

Awesome pictures, thanks! I want those Signet wrenches, a friend of mine has the SK branded set and i've always liked them. That Beta set would be a cool little kit to keep in the car too. I hate how hard it is to buy some of these tools in the States.

So did you buy anything? When I lived there I never saw any good deals.

Try to convert the price tags to US$, they're expensive.

Wow thank you for they very detailed thread. Its amazing the diversity of tools and brands. Its close to jewelry store display. I wonder if people were asking each other "whats that round eye doing taking pictures of tools"

WOW nice post !!! nice pictures AND videos !!!!

superautobacs said:

They had a W. German "RJ" brand blow gun too:

Click to expand...

www.rectus.de

Man, this was awesome. Many thanks!

g0ldfing3r said:

Try to convert the price tags to US$, they're expensive.

Click to expand...

Not any more than Snap-On or any other premium tools.

So here's the other place in Tokyo that I went to--Akihabara. The area is dubbed the electric city of Tokyo and this is where you'll find store after store selling electronic goods. In this district, you'll find many small stores selling small parts related to electronics. In one particular corridor, running right underneath the railways, are dozens of small, tiny, one-manned stores. You just gotta be there to experience it.

....but I thought I could at least take a small video clip of it.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2DYUhiJz0OM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Sticking to the subject of tools....
There's a few stores that sell just electronics/construction related tools and here's one of them:

Hand tools on the left side; power tools on the right




A Panasonic 14.4v / 3.5Ah li-ion battery (good for 110 ft/lbs (150 nm))




Here's a video I managed to take inside the shop. Since the shop is so narrow, I decided it'll be better to capture it sideways, but maybe that wasn't such a good idea.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dGykJQFAlTk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


Sorry if your neck is now sore.

Yeah, I don't think you could hang anything more off that rack.

I found a lot of interesting stuff at these shops as they were selling Japanese brands only. There were some European brands that popped up here and there, namely PB Baumann stuff for their hex and screwdrivers, and some Bahco pliers and screwdrivers. Chinese/Taiwanese tools were not found at these places, quite surprisingly.


Here's a couple shots of what a tradesperson contractor might use as their work vehicle in Japan. I just snapped these as I was walking past one. Probably a plumber/tile setter.




Take note of how narrow that street is. Yes, vehicles do drive through them, just like this van had to!!

I remember walking through the Akihabara district last time I was in Japan - 1972. Brings back a lot of memories. I still have the shortwave radio and calculator I bought there.

Thanks for the pic's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Which store do you prefer, Factory Gear or World Import?

aww man thats super awesome

jk47 said:

Thanks for the pic's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Which store do you prefer, Factory Gear or World Import?

Click to expand...

I like them both for the brand assortment and the ability to touch/feel and try out a lot of the tools. FG is a bit better because nothing is behind a display case. That's not to say that I couldn't do that at WIT.
I like the fact that you can take your air tool; torque wrench; air pressure gauge to either WIT store to gauge/calibrate them free of charge, regardless of whether you bought the tool from them or not.
So, I'd have to give an edge to WIT.















EDIT: ADDITIONAL PHOTOS TO THIS SERIES COMES FROM THEIR HEAD STORE IN ITABASHI. TAKEN IN 2016













Some Bahco rolling cabinets:















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Some funny looking tools... older KTC (Japan) chicken drumstick ratchet, a WTools (William Tools (Taiwnese)) curved handle ratchet, and a SAM (France) pipe socket wrench







"Vanatub"






Some IR stuff. Look near the bottom....yes, you can bring your pneumatic impact and hook it up to the torque tester, free of charge!:






Lobster rivnut setter:






The anatomy of a Stahlwille Manoskop:






Can't forget the good ol' Norbar:












PB Swiss deadblows and even an umbrella







This is why their deadblows are the best:






Go ahead and stand on it:






Anyone need a Swiss made hoof cleaner?







or some fridge magnets?







Hazet's new push-button water pump pliers. Push the button with your thumb and adjust. OEM = Knipex?

Thanks for the pics & vids. Just awesome. If I ever get there I know where to go now.

Droooooooooooooollllllllllllllllllllllllllllll