Gotemba vs Karuizawa

[cpuer]

Hi fellow japanophile
I was planning for Gotemba for its premium outlets but chance upon Kuruizawa's outlet. So now I am researching which one make better sense.

Firstly, we will be going for day trip to Hakone. Gotemba will be the second day trip(from Tokyo again). But the repeat visit bothers me abit as I know Gotenmba is also near Hakone.

Whereas Karuizwa is in Nagano and another town away from where we have visited, and seems like a touristy town in its own right.

Which one you think make more sense to us? Not going for both for sure. Or visiting a Japanese premium outlets is a crazy idea in the first place?

Resources:
Gotemba Premium Outlets
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6030.html

TIA

 

[feryl]

If you are already planning to go Hakone, I suggest you go Hakone, stay overnight, then day 2, go to Gotemba on the way back to Tokyo. Alternatively you can do it the other way round.

The outlet malls are interesting to see, but don't expect super discounted prices and don't be surprised if you leave without finding a good bargain (altho you might!).

 

[cpuer]

If you are already planning to go Hakone, I suggest you go Hakone, stay overnight, then day 2, go to Gotemba on the way back to Tokyo. Alternatively you can do it the other way round.

The outlet malls are interesting to see, but don't expect super discounted prices and don't be surprised if you leave without finding a good bargain (altho you might!).

thanks for your infor as always. I was planning to stay there in fact, but most lodging are pretty remote and can be expensive. So I was thinking by using kanto pass to do the day trip x2. bad idea?

 

[feryl]

thanks for your infor as always.

The one in Osaka (near to Airport) is actually one of the more convenient ones. When are you going to Tokyo? I can help you check if there are flea markets - that's where REAL bargains are gotten.

 

[cpuer]

The one in Osaka (near to Airport) is actually one of the more convenient ones. When are you going to Tokyo? I can help you check if there are flea markets - that's where REAL bargains are gotten.

wow, thanks man. We'll be there from 8 Dec till 20 Dec. 8th is still afternoon when we reached hostel. But 20th has no time for anything other than rushing over to Narita.

 

[samtcy]

I went Gotemba Premium outlets back in Nov 2011, and didn't really find the things there exactly cheap.
Go Away, Sam...: Japan (Nov2011) Day 6: Shin-Osaka to Gotemba

 

[feryl]

wow, thanks man. We'll be there from 8 Dec till 20 Dec. 8th is still afternoon when we reached hostel. But 20th has no time for anything other than rushing over to Narita.

Dec is still far away, if you can remind me maybe in Oct/Nov, I will check for you

You might be able to catch one of Japan's largest flea market - Boro-Ichi

 

[swalk21]

is rinkutown (another premium outlet) in Osaka worth going?

 

[feryl]

is rinkutown (another premium outlet) in Osaka worth going?

if you're going to take a look, then it's worthwhile just to see a different kind of shopping mall. But if you are looking for very good bargain, then u might be disappointed; again mileage differs, I have found asic shoes half the price of SG and I can't rem if Rinku town is the one with Muji outlet, but I went to a muji outlet and prices range from 50% - 70% cheaper than SG but limited range.

 

[swalk21]

if you're going to take a look, then it's worthwhile just to see a different kind of shopping mall. But if you are looking for very good bargain, then u might be disappointed; again mileage differs, I have found asic shoes half the price of SG and I can't rem if Rinku town is the one with Muji outlet, but I went to a muji outlet and prices range from 50% - 70% cheaper than SG but limited range.

nope, I looked at the directory. dun seem to have a muji listed.

am looking at a few brands at rinku town

Beams
Birkenstock
Onitsuka Tiger
Tsumori Chisato
Dunhill

 

[feryl]

nope, I looked at the directory. dun seem to have a muji listed.

am looking at a few brands at rinku town

Beams
Birkenstock
Onitsuka Tiger
Tsumori Chisato
Dunhill

cant really advise you much on prices, other than that it will be cheaper than shops in the city by 20% and above, but not sure if it will be much cheaper than SG.

Fr experience, i found cheaper onitsuka tigers from online shops than outlet malls.

 

[swalk21]

cant really advise you much on prices, other than that it will be cheaper than shops in the city by 20% and above, but not sure if it will be much cheaper than SG.

Fr experience, i found cheaper onitsuka tigers from online shops than outlet malls.

Before I flew off, I saw prices of onitsuka tigers for about 99 sgd at retail shops at Expo. But none of the model I like.

I still wearing a pair of onitsuka tigers I bought 9 years ago. Thought of adding another pair.

 

[purpleberry]

is rinkutown (another premium outlet) in Osaka worth going?

It's near Kansai Intl Airport, so could be a worthwhile stop before your flight back to SG, which is usually around midnight.

 

[feryl]

Before I flew off, I saw prices of onitsuka tigers for about 99 sgd at retail shops at Expo. But none of the model I like.

I still wearing a pair of onitsuka tigers I bought 9 years ago. Thought of adding another pair.

if you search online, sometimes u can find oni-tigers for ard 50-70 SGD. I got a pair of high-tops for 25 pounds.

 

[swalk21]

A quick review. the onisuka tiger not worth buying. Price around 150sgd.

We ended up buying a number of Japanese brands there. For myself, a Seiko watch which I save about 3k sgd compared if I bought locally.

 

[cpuer]

taobao has the OEM versions for around SGD 35 before freight.
Eg:
°®ÊÀ¿Ë˹AsicsÑÇɪʿonitsuka°¢Ë¹¿Ë˹tigerÕýÆ·Mexico66ţƤ°åЬ-ÌÔ±¦Íø