This part is hard. Popular conception is that you can go to Japan, pick up all kinds of cool gadgets that you can’t get in the US, and it’s all great. The first part is true -- you can pick up all kinds of cool gadgets that you can’t get in the US. However, please note --

-- Almost undoubtedly the directions will be in Japanese. Even if you can speak some Japanese, it is almost impossible to read Japanese without years of study. And technological gadgets are usually quite complicated so it may be hard to take advantage of all the features of any product you buy.

-- Generally the coolest gadgets may be expensive. Or very expensive. 

-- The electrical connections may be different and may not work outside Japan. Fortunately the power plugs for regular goods are compatible for the most part, but the electrical currents are not the same and you may either burn out your item, or it may run too slow, or you may need a transformer. Our electric blanket, for example, does not work properly in Japan without a transformer.

-- Many items are in a different zone or set of standards. American video tapes work on Japanese players, but European tapes are not compatible. CDs are standardized worldwide so they work. However, video games, DVDs, cell phones, and computer software probably does not work with your American components or services. It can be impossible to figure out if something will work without trying it. But if you do try it, you probably can’t take it back if it doesn’t work. 

Other information about Japanese electronic products:

-- Cell phones are a problem unless you live here with a work visa. If you don’t have a work visa, you can rent a phone at the hotel but it will probably be very expensive. If you do have a work visa, you can buy a cell phone. This process is not trivial but if you have a Japanese friend it can be done with just a couple trips to the store. You will need your passport to buy the phone. 

One tip: you can buy your phone anywhere from one of the major companies, such as NTT Docomo (the most widely used). BUT, it is cheaper to buy it at an electronics shop than it is at the Docomo stores, and the service contract you end up with is the exact same deal. You can even buy your phone at the local store, and then go to the NTT Docomo store and get an English language handbook for the cell phone for free! (I’ve done it and so have others -- check beforehand though at the Docomo store to make sure they have an English handbook for the phone you plan to buy!) 

You can get phones in Japan that will roam with you internationally -- I understand Vodaphone has a good service. Your US phone may work in Japan, but I know of both positive and negative experiences of people that have tried this.

-- Your laptop will work in Japan. The plugs are compatible and the power transformer handles the difference in charging. 

-- My US printers work in Japan -- again, check to make sure there is some sort of power transformer on your cord. It is a little harder to find HP printing supplies but they are available in most places. Almost all stores have Epson and Canon printer supplies. 

-- Modems work fine in Japan. ATTGlobal has very good coverage in Japan and you can get English language service here. Plus their spam filtering service is very good, thank goodness. 

-- You can get basic computer and network parts in Japan without a problem. However, components may be much less expensive in other places in Asia. There are a few spots with some very basic English language software in Akihabara but not much. I recommend you buy software before you come.

-- There is one very good computer store in Ebisu where you can buy English language PCs at a decent price. I have purchased one computer there, plus a monitor and some parts, and it was a very good experience. 

-- Some Japanese computer components will work with your English-language computer. It is important to note that if your component needs a device driver, the Japanese device driver probably will not work in your English language machine. 

However, you often can find an English-language driver for your component on the Internet. Again, check before you buy because it can be difficult to return a product in Japan. 

-- We have found that some, but not all, Japanese products have an English language manual available on the web. For a simpler product such as a rice cooker, even a manual for another similar rice cooker might give you enough information to understand the buttons on your rice cooker. 

-- Japanese toilets are great but probably deserve their own page. I’ll have to work on that sometime.