For people interested in the latest electronics from Japan, Akihabara is a must-see for visitors to Tokyo. But if you thought that you would miss out on your chance to see Japan's latest electronics in Sapporo - you are wrong! Just a few blocks from the Grand Hotel and near the Sapporo Station, there are three large electronic stores selling everything from household appliances and computers to cameras and cell phones. This should be of particular interest to the many iSummit attendees who in the flurry of their bag-packing forget their laptop power cables. According to eye-witnesses this was a rather amusing sight at last year's iSummit in Dubrovnik where power cables were bounced back-and-forth between participants. While this did encourage a sort of 'community-building' (and we know iCommons is all for sharing!), it did also cause some frustration for those on both the giving and receiving end who were not blessed with laptops with a long battery life.
So not to mention hunting for items on the long shopping list that you might have gathered from your nearest and dearest back home - should you arrive in Sapporo and realise with that sinking feeling that you have indeed forgotten your power cable - your problem can easily be solved by visiting these electronics shops (what a great excuse to shop!). And the good news is that if you bring your passport and they will offer you a tax-free price too!
Yodobashi Camera
Hours 9:30 - 22:00
Location: Northwest corner of Sapporo Station
Bic Camera
Hours 10:00 - 21:00
Location: Southeast Side of Sapporo Station
BEST (Best Denki)
Hours 10:00 - 21:00
Location: Northwest corner of Sapporo Station
(For Mac Users)
Apple Store Sapporo
Hours: 10:00-20:00
Location: Near Mitsukoshi Dept. Store by Odori Station
(10-15 min. walk from Grand Hotel)
I have to warn you because entering one of these stores is like entering a war zone. It is a total sensory overload with store clerks yelling "irrashaimase" to their heart's content (see Today's Japanese Lesson below), a mind boggling amount of iridescent signs, and loud music competing with other music blasted from the neighbouring section. You will either love the atmosphere or realise that you have gotten old enough to want to avoid loud spaces.
Voltage and Adapters
If you are coming from across the seas to attend the iSummit in Sapporo and are wondering about voltage and plug adapters, there is a useful website called Jetset Japan that has all sorts of advice about using laptops in Japan.
Here are some points of information from the site:
- Japan runs on 100 volts and on a frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
- If you have a relatively modern laptop then it will most likely have a universal voltage supply and allows for usage anywhere in the world.
- Many items with electric motors on 50Hz will run slower, and not run normally when you take it home. This may or may not affect you. Another possible glitch is the plug - Japanese outlets may not allow you to put in polarised plug.
You will need plug adapters in Japan - see pictures of the plugs used in Japan here (scroll down to Type A and B). While you may be able to find adapters for American electronic equipment in stores, it is more difficult to to find European and British adapters, so best be prepared and bring an adapter from home.
Internet and wifi Connections
Although Japan is amazingly advanced in terms of technology, there is a surprising lack of wifi hotspots, especially in Sapporo. I recommend that you bring your own Internet connection cable because all of the Grand Hotel rooms only have physical Internet access points. We are setting up a wifi network at the Sapporo Convention Center for the iSummit.
For a list of Internet cafes in Sapporo, click here.
TODAY'S JAPANESE LESSON
Irrashaimase: This is a word that you will hear every time you enter a store. The great thing about "irrashaimase" is the variation of tones in which it is said - everything from a quiet whisper to an ear-piercing scream. It doesn't have much meaning but to welcome the customer. By the way, you don't have to reply!
A FINAL NOTE
Last but not least....this blog entry would not be complete without giving kudos to the Japanese for some pretty amazing (but somewhat "out there") gadgets. Here are just a few "must have" items so that you can prepare your shopping list before coming to Sapporo:
Japanese Toilets
Most Japanese houses don't have central heating, but they make up for it with heated toilets to keep your bum warm. The features don't stop there...
Cell Phones
You won't believe the thin size and vast range of abilities that Japanese cell phones have like this slim model from Docomo
Picture: Scene from an electronics store in Akihabara, by pokpok313 on flickr.com, CC BY-SA 2.0
