Japan / Hong Kong Shopping

[Avantster]

FTB that selection does sound disappointing, but damn $20,000HKD for a suit jacket!? Isn't that around double of other retail prices...
Would you know about prices in the Tokyo/Osaka Dior boutiques? Am guessing they'd be similar (but hoping they're not! lol)

Hi Melisande! I've got a question about JR vs subway. I'm planning to get a JR Pass because I'll be traveling from Kansai-Osaka-Kyoto-Kusatsu-Tokyo-Narita so the main use will be for the Shinkansen(Hikari/Kodama).
But when I'm in Tokyo would I need to use the non-JR subway lines? I'd be traveling to places inside the Yamanote Line (Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Ueno etc.).
P.S. I've a down jacket now

 

[mishahoi]

Awesome thread! I'm going to Japan and HK in a month so this thread was perfect. Thanks Melisande and purexelegance for Kyoto information and tips.

I've been looking at the Men's Non-No Online Map to find shops... There are so many it's insane. Wish I could read Japanese, lol...

some major stations you CANNOT get to by JR (or walk straight to easily roppongi,nakameguro, daikanyama, shimokitazawa, some stations on odaiba (but you can walk, its not that far), asakusa, etc.... but having to pay for trains every once in a while isnt all bad... and unless you know youre going to use up all the credit you paid for, i wouldnt advise buying any prepaid cards.... also, there are subway+private line day passes so you can hit the metro spots all in a day

 

[boomslang20117]

Balenciaga is in the Entertainment Building...it's right through the alley way between the Pedder Street exit for Central MTR station and the building for Shanghai Tang/Red Chamber Cigar Divan, I believe.

For Joyce, you get all the big brands such as Libertine, Dior Homme, John Galliano, Yohji Yamamoto, Junya Watanabe, Undercover, Number (N)ine, Jil Sander etc. etc. but I'd stay away from the Dior Homme over there if I were you. I got a pair of jeans 30% off during the sale and the price i paid was barely lower than U.S. retail. Also Dior Homme is discounted 30% at the maximum, no more. I'd say go for Undercover while you're in Hong Kong...it's still very expensive but cheaper than what it costs in America.

The best I.T. is the one in Sino Plaza. It's basically along the freeway, can't miss it.

I heard undercover are snap up pretty fast in Hong Kong. Is that true?

 

[susie_bubble]

Oh well it's Hong Kong I'm sure some wealthy middle aged man is gonna snatch those up to wear to the next party in Lan Kwai Fong.

They may even wear them with a pair of Gucci monogram print loafers.........

 

[Fade to Black]

I heard undercover are snap up pretty fast in Hong Kong. Is that true?

I've heard that too but I haven't noticed it...I mean for this past spring collection by the times sales came around a lotta stuff was still there. I don't know about this season.

And the retail sector is really bad in Hong Kong right now...I mean November just started and my parents said Joyce already have 20% off.

Blah who needs these clothes anyway. Just give me a fresh white tee, a sweatshirt and some crisp pair of jeans and I'm good to go.

 

[boomslang20117]

I've heard that too but I haven't noticed it...I mean for this past spring collection by the times sales came around a lotta stuff was still there. I don't know about this season.

And the retail sector is really bad in Hong Kong right now...I mean November just started and my parents said Joyce already have 20% off.

Blah who needs these clothes anyway. Just give me a fresh white tee, a sweatshirt and some crisp pair of jeans and I'm good to go.

So u reckon if I should make a trip down to Joyce warehouse? Or is there no difference if I just go into their retail store?

 

[Fade to Black]

Well Joyce Warehouse is really bad. It's worth going to just to see what it's about but I wouldn't count on making any awesome purchases there.

Some of their stuff , even if it's off season they dont even put in warehouse. Like Dior Homme stuff was stocked somewhere else and brought back to the store at regular end of season boutique sale, at no further discount. WTF.

 

[Melisande]

FTB Hi Melisande! I've got a question about JR vs subway. I'm planning to get a JR Pass because I'll be traveling from Kansai-Osaka-Kyoto-Kusatsu-Tokyo-Narita so the main use will be for the Shinkansen(Hikari/Kodama).
But when I'm in Tokyo would I need to use the non-JR subway lines? I'd be traveling to places inside the Yamanote Line (Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Ueno etc.).
P.S. I've a down jacket now

Oooh, congrats on your down jacket! What kind did you get? I've noticed that people are already wearing their down lately even though it's not that cold; I'm sure you'll find yours useful here.

Well, are you planning to buy the JR pass back home or in Japan? If you plan to use the Shinkansen that much, it's much cheaper to get one abroad.
However, for going around Tokyo you'll definitely be using the subway. Like Mishahoi says, you can buy a day pass if you'll be using the subway a lot in one day, or a 1000 yen subway prepaid pass (Passnet) since you're sure to use up all the credit on a 1000 yen pass in no time and it really saves you from all the trouble of figuring out which tickets to buy!

 

[Avantster]

Thanks for the info on the subway mishahoi and Melisande. Looks like I'll be getting Passnet for normal use and day passes on days I expect to travel alot! I've been trying to learn as much Japanese as I can before I go. Well at least I can ask "Ikebukuro eki wa doko desu ka?" if I get lost 'cause that's where I'm staying, haha.

^ Ohh people wearing down jackets already? I was pretty suprised at how lightweight it actually was, thanks again for your advice! I got a black Balenciaga one with bits of orange trim on the inside - passed down from my grandfather who's no longer around. It fits me perfectly.

 

[highclasstrash]

passnet it is!

i'm so excited! today was my last day of work!!


how is the weather right now?

lotsa rain? how cold? how windy?

would i survive in shorts and a sweather?

 

[Melisande]

Highclass,
Highs around 13 degrees C, lows around 7 degrees C. ...during the day it could be gorgeous, sunny but chilly and very dry...Layering my parka with my thick sweater-coat wasn't enough. At night it gets cold and slightly windy. People are wearing down jackets already. It rains occasinally and when it does it's miserable!

If I were you I wouldn't survive in shorts and a sweater...woolly thick shorts with tights and boots maybe. But you def. need a warm jacket on top of that sweater, and a scarf...I see many people wearing gloves and hats too.

Have a great trip!

 

[aris]

Shopping in Japan & Hong Kong

I'll be for the first time there. Any tips will be very helpful. I'm in to Chanel, Dolce Gabbana, Gucci. How are thre praces compared to Europe.
Will I be able to find winter items, will they have size lady's 40 shoes. Any deals?
thank you in advance!

 

[Artemis]

If you like luxury good brands you won't have any problem shopping. They're EVERYWHERE. However if you don't mind getting designergoods secondhand try the Pedder Building on 12 Pedder St in Central. It's smooshed next to the entrance of Shanghai Tang. There's a few stores in there loaded with Chanel, Dior, Gucci, and LV.

I'm a thrift-store bargain junkie so I can't help too much with pricing at the boutiques, where I'm sure you can find shoes in your size.

 

[faust]

Here is a tip - why not use the search function of this website?

 

[alix*]

i live in hong kong so i know where to go

big brand names are everywhere. go to lane crawford or harvey nichols. you could just directly go to the store in big shopping malls like pacific place or IFC.

 

[Pinky*]

where is "honk kong"?

In hong kong however, many tourists like to go to the landmark, IFC, pacific place, the Central and Admiralty areas, Times Square, ocean terminal.. causeway bay has a shopping festival walk, and the new lee gardens. Tsim Sha Tsui and Kowloon also have many high end boutiques as well, and often many are incorporated into the hotels itself..

The prices are quite similar because theres no sales tax and because of the import fee/exchange rate from europe. It depends on the label, some parisian maisons charge more in their hometown than elsewhere..

basically luxury names left right and center.. Michael Kors likened it to 'beverly hills on steroids'..Winter items are sold, as the winter in HK can drop as low as 10 degrees even though its tropical. and as for the shoes, you may be able to find your size since these are high end boutiques - but don't count on it too much..

No deals whatsoever, unless maybe its a display item, or you're purchasing a lot they might throw in a small free item.. e.g. agenda fillers if you purchase an agenda, free chanel flower pin if you buy a lot of clothes.. and HKers much believe in a unspoken 'final sale' policy so be sure of what you buy

Many of the 20-ish people will speak 3 languages fluently so if you find yourself lost, best to ask those groups of people or businessmen/women as some older generation people may be embarassed to attempt..plus any OL will be able to direct you to the nearest boutique with lightning fast speed.

have fun and enjoy yourself and no littering! they placed increased the already hefty fine on even receipts that fall out.. even if you go back to pick it up. some cops who are always having bad days..

 

[Buckwheat]

There's already a thread about shopping in Hong Kong. You can find out tips/post questions there.
And Happy shopping in HK.

http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f46/tips-shopping-japan-hong-kong-30964.html

 

[aris]

thank you all!

 

[sofialuv]

I would go crazy for sure, buying lots and lots of makeup and beauy products!!!

There is a brand called Baby pink that has the cutest products ever!!!!

 

[unmetro]

http://superfuture.com/city/city/selected.cfm?city=8