In Japan! Anything I should think about picking up while I’m here??

[bwehman]

Chisels? They also have the same plug type we do, sort of, so any festools I should consider??

 

[Gregor]

Chisels? They also have the same plug type we do, sort of, so any festools I should consider??

Check if mains voltage is really identical (both in volts and frequency) first.

 

[Mario Turcot]

If you are into dovetails, I recommend Dozuki back saw. They are available any where via online stores but I`m sure you can get a special one made. Perhaps with your name engraved in Japanese  [big grin]

Mario

 

[ChuckS]

How about a hand-forged Japanese hammer. I would love to get a Genno for hammering wedges (M&T) and chiselling work. A metal hammer is also great for putting dovetails together.

 

[zapdafish]

some Wagyu steaks

 

[rljatl]

A geisha.

 

[miclee15]

if you like to cook, a chef's knife from one of the speciality shops.

 

[ArtisanWoodworksAndDesign]

Japan's electricity and outlets are different than North America.  They are 100 volts and some places are 50 Hertz while others are 60 Hertz.  Also their outlets aren't polarized, so both the hot and neutral "cutouts" in their receptacles are the same size.  I remember using a Japanese alarm clock back here in the states that ran too fast because it was made for 50 Hertz.

 

[Rob Z]

If I visited Japan, I think I would want to see a broad selection of Japanese saws, hopefully including some that aren't sold here in the US. 

 

[guitarchitect]

considering how easy it is to buy tool stuff online, i'd probably look for a few pieces of nice wood that I would never be able to get here, and then make some boxes out of them to show them off.

 

[Michael Kellough]

If I was there I'd try to find another Olfa CS-2.
It's a combination retractable fine tooth pull saw and snap point knife in an extruded aluminum handle.

Very handy, unique, NAINA.

 

[lwoirhaye]

There are some wild planes used for joinery.  You can probably buy most of them from Japan Woodworker these days but you may find  some bargains, especially if you'll be there long enough to track down a real old tool store or just buy things on ebay there and avoid the overseas shipping costs.  Of course Japanese websites are pretty strange if you can't read Japanese.

Hitachi, Makita and others make professional carpentry machines that are seldom exported.    There's a YouTube channel for Ishitani furniture that features a workshop outfitted with vintage Japanese machinery.

 

[Rob Z]

lwoirhaye:  Yes, the Ishitani Furniture videos are wonderful ! And you have a good point about some of the specialty Japanese planes.  There are some that I am sure I would like to learn to use but don't know enough to risk spending the dough on planes out of a catalog.  To be able to see them in person and maybe use them beforehand would help a lot.

 

[yetihunter]

Find the closest Factory Gear store and get ready to be broke for a while.

 

[Coen]

Exotic Eneloop batteries

 

[ceddy]

Find the closest Factory Gear store and get ready to be broke for a while.

Ok, I just googled that. Glad I didn't know about that when I was there!

 

[Peter Kelly]

Tokyo Machine Centre Co., Ltd.
〒 370 - 0014
Saitama Prefecture Kumagaya City Hakoda 6-17-27http://www.dougukan.net

Map:https://goo.gl/maps/2shv5zPeDTv

If you're in the Tokyo area, there's plenty to drool over at this place. Check out their warehouse of used machinery next door to the retail store, some incredible stuff in there.  Dangerous to bring your credit card.

 

[ChuckS]

Link bookmarked with thanks. Japan is one of the countries I have plans to visit (again), but not sure if Tokyo will be one of the stops.

Trial and error told me this is the section on hand tools 大工道具-> (14)