KHR-2HV Tokyo

[buenodiablo]

I've wanted on of these ever since the Robogames in San Fransisco. I'm going through Tokyo in a few weeks, and I want to get a great souvenir to remember the trip. Is it going to cost me more to buy it in Tokyo and can I find one in the Akihabara Electric Town? I figure I can at least save on shipping. I'm so excited to just go to Tokyo. I don't really can that I'm spending two weeks in Thailand for work.

[Robo1]

It should be cheaper buying in japan.

If you take it out of the box you willn't have to pay any import duty.

Bren

[tempusmaster]

I've wanted on of these ever since the Robogames in San Fransisco. I'm going through Tokyo in a few weeks, and I want to get a great souvenir to remember the trip. Is it going to cost me more to buy it in Tokyo and can I find one in the Akihabara Electric Town? I figure I can at least save on shipping. I'm so excited to just go to Tokyo. I don't really can that I'm spending two weeks in Thailand for work.

Yes, you can buy it in Tokyo. Finding one in Akihabara Electric Town is easy - just follow this map. They will sell you one at Tsukumo, RT Corp, or RoboSpot. Of the three, I would recommend RT Corp because they have staff that speaks English and is used to dealing with foreigners. Tsukumo has lots of other robots, and is well worth the time to visit, but doesn't have English speaking staff. RoboSpot is also worth a visit, especially if you are here on a weekend since some of the robot builders go there to practice robot soccer.

Oh, and be sure to mention "Robots Dreams" or "Lem-san" to them when you visit the shops. It may not get you any additional discount, but it will help ...

As far as saving money, the answer is probably yes. If you buy it as a foreigner and show your passport you shouldn't have to pay the local sales tax. And, as someone else already pointed out, if the package happens to be already opened when you head back home you might get lucky on duties there as well, but no guarantees.