Watch Hunting in Japan — Episode 1: The Journey Begins

I just spent 20 days in Japan — Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kanazawa. And apart from enjoying incredible food and discovering the country, I dedicated a big part of the trip to exploring the watch scene.

From tiny hidden vintage shops to massive multi-floor dealers, I visited as many stores as I could — comparing prices, checking conditions, and trying to understand what makes Japan so special for watch lovers. And yes… I ended up buying one.

This is the start of a series where I'm going to show you the full watch scene in Japan: the stores I visited, the districts you can't miss, what makes the Japanese market different, and whether the prices you see here are actually good compared to Chrono24 and the real market.

So if you're thinking about hunting watches in Japan — or you're just curious to see what the scene really looks like — you're in the right place.

Why Japan Is a Top Destination for Watches

Japan is one of the best places in the world for watch hunting, and there are a few reasons for that. There's a deep collecting culture, decades of passion, and an obsession with care and precision. That combination means better inventory, better condition, and a level of transparency that you don't always find elsewhere.

The Watch Scenes Across Japan

Tokyo

Tokyo is the heart of everything. Ginza, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Nakano Broadway — each neighborhood is like its own mini watch district. You can go from a luxury boutique with grail pieces to a tiny store run by a single owner, all in one afternoon. If you want variety, quantity, or rare references, Tokyo is unbeatable.

Osaka

Osaka is different. It's more compact, more chaotic, and sometimes even cheaper. Umeda and Namba have stores where you can find some of the best prices in Japan, especially for Seiko, Citizen, Omega, and Rolex. Less quantity than Tokyo, but often better deals.

Kyoto

Kyoto has fewer shops, but the ones you find feel untouched. Slower, quieter, and sometimes full of vintage pieces that haven't been picked apart by collectors. It's a great place for discovering something unexpected.

What Makes Prices and Condition in Japan Special

The first thing you notice is the condition. Japanese collectors take incredible care of their watches — boxes, papers, links, receipts, everything is preserved. Even a 30- or 40-year-old piece often looks like it's been sitting in a safe.

And the prices are interesting. Some watches are extremely fair or even cheap compared to Chrono24, while others are listed at a premium. But the key is transparency: every price is clear, every detail is written, and you know exactly what you're paying for. Plus, with tax-free shopping, the final price can end up very attractive.

What's Coming in This Series

Over the next episodes, I'll break down the best districts for watch hunting, my favorite shops and why they stood out, the hidden local stores you can't find on Google, real price comparisons against Chrono24 and market value, and the full story of the watch I ended up buying.

So welcome to the journey. This is Brothers in Watches, and this is Watch Hunting in Japan. Let's dive in.