Yodobashi Camera is one of Japan’s largest electronics retailers, with over 21 locations across Japan. Like BIC Camera they started out selling cameras and accessories to Japan’s large hobbyist camera market, but these days all manner of electronic goods from computers to home appliances can be found here.
The Sapporo shop is conveniently located right next to the Sapporo Station JR Tower complex, just east of Daimaru across a side street. It is one of the best places in Sapporo to shop for electronics and souvenirs, and pricing is very competitive. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount especially if paying by cash. Yodobashi Camera will also usually try to price match or beat BIC Camera and vice-versa, so it pays to negotiate.
Tourists also get a 5% tax discount if they show their passports. Yodobashi stocks a great selection of brands, both domestic Japanese brands and foreign, and it’s one of the best places to shop for electronics and multimedia north of Tokyo. Service is available to a certain extent in English, Chinese, Korean, and limited Russian. The staff are very helpful and after-purchase support is good. Yodobashi also maintains two online stores in China; one with a limited selection of products from its Japanese online store through SBI VeriTrans that supports payments by UnionPay, and another it operates itself.
Yodobashi Sapporo spans three floors in a large building that also houses a McDonald’s on the first floor. Floor one is mostly houses computers, computer accessories and mobile phones. In addition to the standard Windows based PCs there is also an Apple shop and counters for Japan’s major mobile phone carriers including Softbank, Au, DoCoMo, Emobile, and Willcom. Next to the north entrance is the printer and ink section, and just behind that computer software and games. Along the east wall is a service counter and computer training area, where staff can assist you with learning your new computer or mobile phone. The second floor has audio visual equipment with a great selection of TVs, DVD players, Blueray, etc., as well as a large camera and digital camera section along the east wall. There is also a music electronics section in the northwest corner. The third floor houses games, appliances, and household furnishings. This is one of the best places in Sapporo to get a refrigerator, washing machine or dishwasher if you’re moving to Sapporo.
Yodobashi Camera is highly recommended for multimedia enthusiasts. The stock is very similar to BIC Camera on the other side of Sapporo Station, but the staff here is slightly friendlier and it’s a wider space that usually makes for a less-crowded, more relaxed shopping experience.
This post is also available in: Japanese