Hi all,

I would be in japan (tokyo) next week. I was just wondering if Japan is a good place to buy RC stuff - good quality at low price!?
If anyone has experience or information about good places to shop for RC in Tokyo please share.

thanks,
prabh

Never been there. Though heard a lot about Tokyo Hands : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyu_Hands
Keep this thread posted on what you find. I may need to visit that place pretty soon, so your experience would be very useful.

Sure Gaurav - I'll update my findings here.

From what I know till now Akihabara in Tokyo is a great place for electronics in general. I've found the following RC shops consistently mentioned across postings/threads on various websites (in order of popularity):

1. Futaba-Sangyo
2. Champ RC
3. Super Radi-Con
4. Rakusei Model
5. RAJIKON TENGOKU

Will try giving them a visit - though I am not sure about how cost effective buying in japan might be.

prabh

So guys - I am back from my trip to Tokyo and I did get a chance to visit a couple of the above mentioned outlets. The top two actually - Futaba and Champ. Since I'd never visited such an RC store before I was just awe struck to find a big store full of just airplanes, helis, motors, batteries, blades, servos, radios .... you name it and it was there.
If you ever go to the city dont miss out on these places - must visit for an RC enthusiast.

I also went to Hands - a bug deoartmental store in Tokyo. The hobby section had a great collection of trains. Real Japanese scale models with a big selection of tracks, stations, engines, cars to configure and build your own network.

Challenged by my limited knowledge I could not choose much from the plethora of options. I could find 7-ch Futaba radios at around 9K with servos. Problem - Japan is mostly mode 1. I finally did pick up a micro heli - Nine Eagles Solo - 2.4 GHz 4-ch ready to fly, dual mode. This is my first experience with helis, rather first experience with flying, and I have enjoyed every bit of it. This this is so stable!! I shall post some pictures of the baby. Till now I am able to take of and land going through a pre-decided route - accomplishment for me :-)

Picture and flight video to follow soon :-)

prabh

hi mate,
nice that you got a 'cheap' rc heli......
it gives you an insight into what flying 'may be like'
but be aware my friend, this is a 'coaxial' heli and as such 'will' be very stable,
if you like the thought of flying heli's, then get a 'FP' HELI (fixed pitch) this will only have one set of rotor blades,
 and will be a 'very different' heli to fly,
it is the two sets of rotor blades that make your one 'easy' to fly....if just for fun then yes they are good heli a better one similar is the esky 'big lama' a 300 size and quite nice to fly, I like them for relaxing and fun
but a 'proper' rc heli is far from easy and a 'coaxial heli' will not teach you how to fly these.
I fly a 450 size 'Trex clone'  and it took me about 5/6 months to 'hover' it properly at a steady altitude.
but this side of the hobby is 'very expensive' which is why I have gone back to boats... a crash does not write them off completly  hahaha
building a 600 size now .....about 1200 long.......

but that will be in the building for a 12 month or so..............£40 just for the rotor blades 
but enjoy you craft they are fun.
regards
don

And .. BTW: Andy you have posted your website link in a not-relevant topic. I would also suggest you to post it as a new topic in: RC Outlets and resellers section here: http://www.rcindia.org/rc-outlets-and-resellers/

Dear RC India forum & people

Namaste!
This is Hiroshi from racomo (www.racomo.net), Japan.

We are selling RC products(Mainly Futaba) to around the world from Japan.
We have good relationship to Futaba and we got a lot of stock from manufacturers directly.
That's why we can offer very competitive price.

Also, we have experience in shipping parcels to customers from all around the world by Japan post(EMS)

Please visit www.racomo.net check out our website more details.

If you have any question, please ask freely.

With best regards,
Hiroshi

PS
I posted similar topic in different section as below.
>RC Outlets and Resellers > Say hello from Japan - Futaba seller RACOMO.NET

Hello Hiroshisan,

Ogenkidesuka, I m looking for brushed car esc from futaba, could you help, also some spares for my Tamiya DT-03 and DF-02 buggies.

Regards
Adityasan