single shop recommendation? (Tokyo/Kanto)

[Asteger]

Hi all

I'm completely new here and haven't even received my first (eBay-bought) razor in the post yet. Despite this, I want to look into what's available in Japan when I visit in about a week.

I won't have much time - will be with wife and baby and would do well to fit in 1 shop if that. Razors are new to me, and I'm much more of a kitchen knife person which will garner much more of my attention.

If anyone has any current recommendations for a good place to visit I'd appreciate it. Sadly, I wouldn't be looking to spend much money at all but if you have any tips on a worthwhile purchase while in Japan that'd be great. I believe stops are a good bet, but really I'm completely stocked with strops and a whole variety of natural and synthetic stones. Perhaps there's another useful purchase, even a bargain razor that you can't get for the same price from abroad?

(If razors are like knives, though, I'm a little hestant to believe that you'd get much savings in-country, especially as I don't know razors.)

For your info - I know Tokyo/Kanto well and speak a bit of Japanese.

Cheers!

[mainaman]

Hi all

I'm completely new here and haven't even received my first (eBay-bought) razor in the post yet. Despite this, I want to look into what's available in Japan when I visit in about a week.

I won't have much time - will be with wife and baby and would do well to fit in 1 shop if that. Razors are new to me, and I'm much more of a kitchen knife person which will garner much more of my attention.

If anyone has any current recommendations for a good place to visit I'd appreciate it. Sadly, I wouldn't be looking to spend much money at all but if you have any tips on a worthwhile purchase while in Japan that'd be great. I believe stops are a good bet, but really I'm completely stocked with stops and a whole variety of natural and synthetic stones. Perhaps there's another useful purchase, even a bargain razor that you can't get for the same price from abroad?

(If razors are like knives, though, I'm a little hestant to believe that you'd get much savings in-country, especially as I don't know razors.)

For your info - I know Tokyo/Kanto well and speak a bit of Japanese.

Cheers!

Some vintage brands made in Japan sell pretty high, Tanifuji. Kikuboshi being some of them. Iwasaki western sells for a lot of money especially if its tamahagane made. If you are lucky you will be able to find some real good razors in barber shops or flea markets etc. Japanese razors are really good shavers.

[Asteger]

Thanks, Mainaman - I'll look into Tanifuji and Kikuboshi, which I know nothing about. Iwasaki westerns - didn't know these existed, and then just noticed the price on Aframes. Good heavens! Even if I found one (and they sound as if they're ultra-rare) I wouldn't have the cash to get one, even to later go on and sell. My main purchase over there will be another kitchen knife. (Sorry razor-types, for me it's still knives before shaves.)

Flea markets? I don't ever remember encountering a flea market in Japan but having just googled, yes, of course some exist. Hadn't thought of that.

Of course there are several natural stone shops in Tokyo too, and I hope to visit at least one.