Japanese Search Terms

[twistedsymphony]

Looking to import stuff from Japan?

Often times you can find good stuff on Yahoo Auction Japan (YAJ) http://auction.yahoo.co.jp or new on Amazon http://Amazon.co.jp

searching is a problem though because not everything is in English.

here are some Japanese words you can cut and paste into the search box to pull up what you're looking for:

デラックス = Deluxe
版 = Version (no actual word for "edition" use this instead)
エディション = "Explore" (phenitic translation of "edition" often used when the box art says "edition" in english)
アクセサリ = Accessories
限定 = Limited
リミテッド = limited (phenitic translation of "limited" often used when the box art says "limited" in english)
中古 = owned (aka pre-owned/used)
プレイステーション = Playstation
PS3 = PS3
ソフト = software (aka games)
ソニー = Sony
スペシャル = Special
Wii = Wii
Xbox 360 = Xbox 360

*I've yet to find a translation for "collector's" though I've also yet to find a single listed item that is named as a "collector's edition" in japan, nearly everything seems to be "Limited", or sometimes "Special" and on rare occasion "Deluxe"


Sites like Amazon will usually ship internationally, but for yahoo auctions unless you know how to do direct Japanese bank transfers (the preferred payment method), and can communicate with the seller you'll have to use a site like http://rinkya.com that acts as a middle man. I've used them before, they're expensive, but effective.