The last "Tumpang" thread went through successfully while I was in New York, this time it's Osaka! Just had a change of roster plan, and instead of a single day in Osaka, we have TWO!

I'm not sure what I'm thinking of getting myself, so i'll leave it open to anyone who have anything interesting to get from the Land of the Rising Sun. Had a look-see through NCSX for the gaming side of things, and also Amazon Japan for the electronics and Blu-rays. There's a couple of stuff i may be interested to get, so I will be hunting for these items, and see if they are of favourable price:-

1 - 32GB SDHC card (Panasonic/Toshiba)
2 - Sony Rolly
3 - Logicool Driving Force GT
4 - Sony MDR-DS7000 7.1 wireless headphones(if I'm lucky, I may come across the MGS4 branded ones)
5 - Blu-rays. Nothing in particular, although Sweeney Todd BD is scheduled to release while I'm there.
6 - Any LEs of games that I may come across, including MGS4 Soundtrack.

My thinking on getting stuff while I'm out of KL is either the stuff's cheap, or plain hard to come by in Malaysia. I have also initially thought of shopping via Amazon Japan and get the items sent to the hotel I'm staying, but with Amazon Japan being entirely in Japanese, I'm a little flabbergasted on how to even go about navigating the website in Japanese, much less inputting the hotel address in Kanji!

I shall be focusing my search in Den Den Town, Osaka, as well as surround areas in Umeda and Namba. Besides electronics, it is also a shopping area for anime- and otaku-related items as well as a haven for Gundam collectors with the huge Gundam store located there.

Here's Gizmodo's take on Osaka's own Akihabara.

I'm flying off on the midnight of July 4th, and will be departing Osaka only on the 7th.

If there are any requests, I'm more than happy to oblige should these requests be reasonable. Also, just like the case of the previous "Tumpang" thread, if you decide to get me to shop your item for you, I will need the funds banked in to me. IIANM, there aren't any tax imposed on the items here, although you may have to worry about our own Malaysian customs scrutinising for tax of your item while I'm carrying them back home. No guarantees on if these items get past local customs without tax, so you'll have to be prepared and keep that in mind as well.

If there aren't any request, I'll be doing some light shopping on the first day, and enjoying a full-day visit to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. A good opportunity to exercise and brush up on my video-recording skills before the US holidays I'm taking at the end of the year.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jul 8 2008, 06:02 PM

To those asking about the Sony headphone, you can refer to www.audiocubes.com. They are Japanese gadget/electornics importers, and they have listed the price for that pair of headphones as USD399.99. Price on Amazon, is discounted and does not reflected the price on retail stores.

EDIT: Sonystyle Japan has the MDR-DS7000 7.1 Wireless headphones listed at 29,800 Yen. Thanks to GabanKing for the info.

If you are still interested, PM me. We'll discuss the payment method there.

Going out for a while, gonna watch Hancock.

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Added on July 3, 2008, 5:55 pmDont. I'm just making good use of what my work is offering me.

Your Wii is American? Can play Japanese games already, or are you using Freeloader, or *gulp* modded?

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jul 4 2008, 05:19 PM

On that note, I'm at a major disadvantage compared to the locals. My hair is not spiky enough(are you crazy! If I sport spiky hairstyle to work, I'm gonna get fired! ), plus I'm not dressed the part. My futile attempt at speaking their language will only make me look "Baka"!

UGPM, bro. Amazon Japan does list it at a very drool-worthy price, but I dare not/do not know how to navigate the webpage or inputting the address in Kanji. Also, there's that thing about 110v power rating.



This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jul 3 2008, 11:38 PM

Okay, good news on the Sony MDR-DS7000. Sonystyle Japan lists it as 29,800 Yen, which equates to RM912 after conversion from Xe.com. I'd like to take into account and padding into the price as well as possibility of being taxed in KLIA when i hand-carry this in, so RM1000 sounds reasonable. Thanks to GabanKing for the Sonystyle Japan heads-up on the price, this should be retail price at the retail store.

Damn, TWO Wiis!

I cant really say, because I have never bought anything from retail store in Tokyo or Osaka. All this while have fun in DisneySea or USJ only.

If you can find a retail example, or online store based in Japan, that could help indicate if the price is cheaper or otherwise. Do not compare with Amazon Japan, their price is always 30% off.

Can understand Japanese? Then I salute again!

To those wanting the Sony MDR-DS7000 headphones, I need you to make the decision pretty much quick. I will need that amount of cash you banked in converted into Japanese Yen, extracted as cash, before i make any purchase. Your banked-in amount will be converted to Japanese Yen, so i have no control over the exchange rate, but I will try my best to get thte best deal around. The "crew" have their favourite Bureau de Change at the airport that gives a good deal should we flash our passes.

I'm done researching where I'm planning to head for the shopping, and looking at the shopping list, I may have to defer Universal Studios Japan till the next trip! Here are the venues I'm planning to ransack while I'm there:-

1. Yodobashi Camera Umeda - 8-storeys (yes, EIGHT!) megastore chock full of electronics and gadgetries. The top floor of this megastore even give a great view of the Osaka city!
2 - Nipponbashi DenDen Town - Osaka's own Akihabara, or rather affectionately known as the "Akiba of the West". Bargaining for your items is welcomed, even encouraged here, since competition of the price is fierce here. Stretches from Namba Station right up to Ebisucho and beyond!
3 - Crysta Nagahori - Japan's largest underground shopping complex, with the main shopping avenue stretches up to 1KM in length. Damn, I'm gonna walk myself tired!
4 - 4 different Sofmap stores & Bic Camera Osaka in Nipponbashi DenDen Town. If Yodobashi Camera couldn't get me what I want, these 5 giant stores will definitely cover for it!
5 - HEP Five Mall - Especially important for Sony items, since Sony Plaza is located here. The mall, along with HEP Navio, are the ultimate hangout spots for the younger Japanese generation. The mall even houses a giant ferris wheel which you can see from my signature!
6 - Hankyu San Bangai, Shinsaibashi OPA, Namba Park, Namba Walk & Whity Umeda - For that last minute visits, although I'm sure i cant possibly cover all this in at one go. Depends on whether I'm cancelling the Universal Studios trip on the first day there.

I've also checked through Yodobashi Camera Umeda's online webpage, and from the translated Google page, it looks like the MDR-DS7000 is in stock. Same case with Sofmap and Bic Camera as well. Nipponbashi DenDen Town would have to be a stroll-and-search affair, although the price may be lower because of the encouraged haggling. Plus, the erm......."Adult" scene is is said to be pretty lively, with the lightest of that scene being the maid cafes/bars/restaurants. Anything more hardcore, .....well, that's for my Japanese PSN friends to show me around, .....Yatta!

Cant wait!

Okay, safely arrived at the hotel.



All set to document the trip results. Wifi is FREE here, and the speed?
I wanna stay here!!!! Downloading time!


The compulsory pic when you visit any hotel in Japan. This comes stock with every hotel rooms here, I believe. Massage for your soft hiney! Complete with broken Japanese English, or Engrish, they call it!


The view outside the window. Gloomy, but cool. Very good weather for a walkabout.

The plan thus forth:- At 1100, will be taking the shuttle to Rinkutown. The hotel is situated in the Izumisano area. Modern building interspersed with ancient Japanese houses. Very interesting landscape when you that. Close-by they already have Tsutaya stores which sells electronics and videogames. But I'm heading to Rinkutown to fist check out Yamada Denki there. That store isnt as huge as Yodobashi, Sofmap or Bic Camera, but i found my Sony MDR-EX90LP there and PSP Skype addons. Rows of videogame shelves, preowned and even classics. From there, it's an easy walk to Rinkutown train station on the Nankai Main Line to Namba. From Namba, will hop onto the Midosuji Line to Umeda, and onwards to Yodobashi Camera, the 4 Sofmaps and HEP Five/Navio. If I can complete the kirim/tumpang items by today, tomorrow can spend the full day in USJ!

It is 0848 here, going down for the complimentary breakfast. Stay tuned for more snapshots of Yamada Denki, Rinkutown and its own ferris wheel, and of course Yodobashi Camera!


This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jul 5 2008, 09:43 AM

Damn, was so dead tired yesterday,didnt have time to post. I'm currently uploading the pics now.

K-end and GabanKing, your MDR-DS7000 is with me. I bought myself, however, the Pioneer SE-DRS3000C.

Yodobashi have a special area to audition these surround wireless headphones, and in my personal opinion, I like how the DRS3000C sounds like, even though they are 5.1 only. Yodobashi goes to great lengths to identifywhich codecs are processed by these headphones, and the DRS3000C address more audio codecs than others. My SE-DIR800C is for sale right now if anybody wants.

Pics and more details on why i picked the Pioneer, after this!

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jul 6 2008, 09:52 AM

Journey starts from Izumisano to Rinkutown, i needed to check out Yamada Denki to see if they hold stock of the DS7000 headphones. (So that if they do, i dont have to travel up to Umeda to look for them, these headphones are heavy!)



That's the Seacle Pleasure Center, with that huge ferris wheel in the middle of the complex. Right across the road is the Osaka Premium Outlets, selling branded items and clothings, all in one place. From designer brands of Salvatore Ferragamo right up to the Gap and Abercrombie&Fitch. Bought my New Balance walking shoes there, very comfortable and cheap too, since they are holding a "Super Summer" sale now. BTW, it's blistering hot here, 33 degrees! Just like KL, but drier.

The trip up was confusing, as I wasnt really prepped for how the train ticket system works. Apparently, the ticket works as per how much credit you buy on the ticket, therefore you need to see which station you're stopping and how much that station is credited for. I'm travelling from Izumisano, therefore I have to take the Nankai Main Line. This is a private railroad line that isnt affiliated with the JR train network, so they hold their own pricing. There are also different classes of tickets:-

1 - Limited Express "Southern"/ Tokkyu
2 - Airport Limited Express/ Kuko Tokkyu Rapi:to
3 - Limited Express
4 - Express/ Kyuko
5 - Airport Express/ Kuko Kyuko
6 - Sub Express/ Kukan Kyuko
7 - Semi-Express/ Junku
8 - Local/ Futsu

Phew! Took the Local train, which stops at every station in between, because I wanted to see the sights. The many version of Express shoots between these Local stops, while "Rapi:to" is the most lavish and fastest mode of transport, straight up to downtown Osaka. Even the train looks futuristic, with circular windows and posh interiors!

Anyway, stopped at Namba, which is downtown Osaka already. If you want to sight-see, this is the place. Bustling city center, and the train station is already next and connected to the Takashimaya, Hanshin and Hankyu megastores. Since yesterday was a Saturday, the whole place is packed with locals shopping. And since it is particularly hot, khakis and loose shirts are the order of the day, while the ladies wear pants so short, you cant call them hot pants anymore. And the skin........ohhhhh! *splooged*

Took the Midosuji Line to Umeda, which is 4 stops over. If you get out at the right exit, you will find yourself right at Yodobashi Umeda itself already.


8-storeys tall, packed with EVERYTHING gadgets and electronics imaginable! Photographing and video-recording arent allowed inside, but i managed to sneak a snapshot of the DS7000 at its booth.

Different floors for different types of electronics. Here are what I've seen and molested at the many different stores:-

1 - Acer Aspire Predator - Goddamn! Looks out-of-this-world, and specced the same too!Price after conversion? RM15000!
2 - Pioneer Kuro comparison area. Beats the shit out of other HDTVs, but they lost to the Sony XEL-1 OLED HDTV. They were showing GT5 Prologue on the XEL-1, the image quality is without peer, flawless! Price? For an 11 inch, 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio (yes, that one million to one!), price after conversion is RM8500, while the 27 inch version is not for sale, and I'm afraid to ask how much.
3 - Sharp Willcom D4 - Shiny, sleek and ultra gorgeous! First UMPC I'm vying for that I'm ever interested in. Not crappy Kohjinshas or EeePCs and the likes, this one sports 1.6/1.8Ghz Intel Atom processor, in a form factor slightly bigger than a Nokia Communicator. Runs Vista like a DREAMMMMMM, and the onboard screen is gorgeous! Price? Close to RM4000, and I'll be back here in the next few months to get one for myself.
4 - Blu-ray recorders/HDD combos. Too many to list from here, and they have their comparison/shootout area as well. From Mitsubishi, to Sony, Sharp, Panasonic, JVCs, and to ultra high-ends likes of Denon and Marantz. Yes, Marantz BD players! The demo materials (fish aquarium captured on RED www.red.com and Sony's ultra high-definition cameras)are all displayed on ONLY Full HD screens, no HD-ready crappiness here, and they looks as if you can pluck the fish out of the screen!
5 - 1080P Location-Free Video servers, tons of headphones/earphones from Audio-technicas and Beyerdynamics, rows and rows of miniature TV (for usage in trains), PMPs, and video MP3 players, 3D GPS Navigators(yes, 3D, with buildings and street-level look) that you can hand-carry with you wherever you go, Blu-ray Video camcorders(yes, it recorder to BR-Rs and BD-RWs, which are by the way, the Japanese are snapping up as if they are DVD-Rs), Limited Edition Nintendo DSes and PSPs(Zelda DSes for example), crazy Wii accessories (even stuff like WiiFit leg socks! Still no PerfectShots here), the list goes on and on and on.......

The console/videogame area is constantly packed with people, and they stock all different versions of PS3/PSP/DS/Xbox 360/Wii configurations and colors. BTW, "Steel Hagane" MGS4 PS3 are long gone finish already here, what's left is the 1:1 likeness of Old Snake statue here crouching while earing his codeced ears. They also have a HUGE Playstation Spot/ DS Zones here, where people hang out in this area to download free game demos, and multiplayer each other via Wifi. You see all kinds of people here, with all kinds of PSPs and DSes, from the pink DSes, to the pink PSPs, from the macho screaming guys to the giggling shy girls. And their dressing......let's just say they leave LITTLE to the imagination, and they are friendly too! I peeked into a few of their PSP and DS screens , and they even let you in to see the action going-on their PSPs/DSes. Or course, i was leaning towards the cuter, more kawaii girls. Yatta!

I may have missed a few key moments that i wanted to describe here, but the main gist of it is, this is heaven on Earth for gadget maniacs. The Japanese people have integrated and grown so accustomed to these latest and high-end electronics, yet they treat it as if it is nothing more than a common toaster or washing machine.

Talking about washing machines. Want those? you'll find not just one, or ten, but HUNDREDS of different brands. Same with other household appliance. In fact, their offerings are so extensive and so diverse, you can spend an entire day here and still have not finished browsing a single floor! I myself feel that i have barely seen what's being offered here, time really was a constrain. Plus, I was there from 1300 till 2000, and had to take a breather, take a rest from the gadgets/electonics overload.

Went to the 8th floor for a rest and dinner, and passed through the 6th and 7th floor. The 6th and 7th floor, are the departmental-like stores, with items like Reebok and Nike shoes, clothings and such, just like what's being offered at the Osaka Premium Outlets. Expansive offerings here, but I'm not here shopping for clothes. Had dinner at the 8th floor, you can see the entire city from up here, nice view. After long contemplation, finally decided to get myself the Pioneer wireless headphones instead of Sony's DS7000, and headed back home. Reach Izumisano at 2200, and slept till this morning.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jul 6 2008, 09:51 AM

Here are the things I've got for myself, and for GabanKing and K-End:-



2 x Sony MDR-DS7000, and a Pioneer SE-DRS3000C. The DS7000 is priced at 29,800Yen, while my DSC3000C is 39,300Y. I was contemplating between the DSC3000C and the Sony Rolly, which is 500Yen extra, but opted for the DRS3000C. Reason why I picked the Pioneer is the warmth of the sound, comfort level of the headphones and the audio codecs it processes. The Pioneer was more comfortable to me, IMO, and that's important since I'll be gaming and watching Blu-rays on this for hours on end. The Sony however is super-slick looking. FWIW, I could not differentiate the discrete 7.1 positional audio on the Sony when I was audiotioning there, maybe the demo source does not have one. There is however another alternative to these two, the Audio-Technica ATH-DWL500. It is still 5.1 but sports SHARC audio processor, for even better audio, but the price are not that enticing, around 98,900Yen, close to RM3500. Must be damn good wireless heaphones, but I dare not put it on, fearing that my wallet will hate me more.

Well, there you have it, first day adventure in Osaka. I'm heading to Universal Studios Japan in half an hours time, so I'm taking a break from the electronics overload yesterday. Just wanna hang back, and relax at the theme park. Will be testing out my Xacti VPC-HD1000 HD camcorder while I'm there, to see if it is comparable to the other Sony HDR-SR1E I have in my possesion.

GabanKing and K-End, I'll be back home on the 7th at 1640 in KLIA. PM me your preferred meet-up place. And Bidfordun, I'm afraid I cannot find your Phoenix Wright games at that price you wanted, even at the used game counter, they are selling those DS games at 2400Yen, they still fetch that high a price. Must be because they are good.

Final EDIT: I may be getting myself the Metal Gear Solid 2: Bande Dessinee later, at 2,980Yen. Whoever interested for this, SMS me at 019-3839583. I'm not sure if I have any more funds left, but we'll see what we can arrange later.Bye!

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jul 6 2008, 09:54 AM

UGPM too. I hope what i posted on that PM is reasonable enough for you.

Really? There must be a pricing screw-up, or the titles have been sitting around there gathering dust, while the new ones fly off the shelf. Weird!

I cannot vouch for Bluetin, but I've read good things about Audiocubes.

No I didnt, was skipping between electronics so fast.

If you want, I saw the same Predator being sold in Saturn while i was in Frankfurt last week. I can take live pictures of it when I'm there end of this month.

Phew, just got back, a very fun-filled day in USJ. Snagged another two interested party to come with me to USJ, they just arrived from KL today. Pretty excited they are, since they are theme park virgins.The look on their face when they saw the Universal Studios arch = priceless!

Uploading HD videos of the USJ trip in a bit. No point doing it back home, when the line here is zippy fast.

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Added on July 6, 2008, 9:32 pmEDIT: This Tumpang Thread Osaka Edition will be closed soon after the upload. The next edition will come on the third week of this month, it will be the Paris and Frankfurt edition. I'm not sure anybody's interested, but I'm planning to scour around to see if I could get myself a 3G iPhone while I'm in these two places.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jul 6 2008, 09:42 PM

Pray for me so I get NYC next month, I'm due already, since it has been 6 month since my last trip. (February)

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Added on July 7, 2008, 12:39 amWell Vimeo sure take its time converting the movies, so I'm scrapping the video. Pics only will have to do. Plus the smallest file is around 124Mb, and that's only like 1m25seconds, at 1920x1080.


Connecting JP Universal City station and USJ is the Universal City Walk. And a UCW is not comlete without the signature Hard Rock CAfe and the gigantic guitar. Still couldnt beat Orlando's Rock n' Roll Colloseum, but kept it within theme anyway.


Also signature to any Universal Studios park is the rotating Universal Studios logo globe.More shots later for the gorgeous night shot of the globe. And the price of admission at the booth. Interesting that they still keep the twilight entry admission there, although it is not reflected on the website at www.usj.co.jp.Twilight entry is after 1500 till park closure, effective giving you have a day in USJ, but not necessarily half the price.


First thing that greeets you when you enter, the beautiful high ceiling awning. The only Universal Studios park in the world that have one though, perhaps the Japanese are more concerned on protecting their patrons from sun and rain than their American counterparts.



This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jul 7 2008, 12:39 AM

Universa;'s Hollywood Dream rollercoaster attraction.The only of its kind in any Universal Studios theme park too. The ride can be seen from far away due to its height and prominent position infront and framing the awning upfront. Always the crowd favourite!


The empty pirate ship cum stage that is the centerstage for the Peter Pan's Neverland park-closing show.


The best ride in the park, IMHO. The Amazing Spider-man attraction employs state-of-the-art rollercoaster experience PLUS 3D visuals, where riders follows Daily Bugle's Peter Parker as he battles Doc Ock, Green Goblin and a host of other baddies around NYC, all the while trying to get the best news scoop. The ride also employs sensory experiences such as water sprays and heat emission at appropriate times to simulate the intense 3D battle going around and as you ride the attraction. Voted "Best Attraction of 2006" at Themeparkinsider.com

This one's a classic! Back to the Future The Ride follows after BTTF III when Biff Tannen manages to sneak into Doc Brown's labroatory and steal the DeLorean Time Machine, and helplessly having Doc Brown employing you to fetch him back. Image projected onto circular IMAX screen plays in-sync with the action going on inside your DeLorean simulator.The same ride in Universal Studios LA and Orlando has been decomission to make way for the brand new Simpsons ride which has recently opened.

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jul 7 2008, 12:50 AM

The other state-of-the-art attraction, T2 3D. Shown on 3 IMAX screens, with live actors/actresses playing John Connor, Sarah Connor , T-1000 and Arnold Terminator, this is set inthe future when John having to travel to the future on the globe portal to escape the assassination attempt of T-1000. This was shot exclusively for the ride by James Cameron himself, with Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, the Governator and Robert Patrick reprising their roles.Even the seats in the theater moves!

There are other attractions such as Waterworld Live Action, Jaws The Ride, and Shrek-4D, which are taped in HiDef, which i could not post herebecause the HD files are huge in size, and connection back home arent up to snuff. Vimeo is also struggling to convert the 1080P material to managable downsampled quality , so that's another reason why.


Seated by the Lagoon waiting for the Peter Pan's Neverland to start. The rest is, yet again, in HiDef, therefore not available.

Just like how other theme park enthusiasts would do, you have the first walk-in and the last walk-out from the park. Both have been captured by the Xacti, but again not available due to above reasons. Pictures will have to do then.



Themeparks takes a different quality and hue as night approaches, take a look at these shots and compare them to their day shots. Yes, i was drunk taking that Arch pic! JK

There you have it! Once items are delivered to their respective owners tomorrow, the next Tumpang will be Paris. Sayonara from Osaka!

Right, both K-End and GabanKing have received their precious. Unless if they want to post their impressions or short review of their super-slick DS7000 wireless 7.1 headphones, this thread had achieved its goals and will be closed shortly. I'll leave it open until tomorrow kalau K-End or GabanKing sudi give us their thoughts on their purchases.

And oh, SpaceCopGaban, waalaikumsalam. Sempat jugak ko yea!

Time for sleep. Not enough sleep. First night there not enough sleep because of gadget overload. Yesterday night not enough sleep because of Federer-Nadal.

Remember Gaban & K-End, it's 110V!

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Jul 7 2008, 08:37 PM

The current KL setup. The Pioneer SE-DIR800C is for sale as of right now, therefore it is going back into its box.

GabanKing and K-End, you're most welcomed. Glad i could help. I still couldnt picture how you charge the DS7000! Maybe I'm daft or something. But the good thing is your DS7000 can be used as a standalone headphone isnt it?Oh wait, doesnt it come with that DC In thing, is that its charger?

PhoenixByte, kawaii Japanese girls are all captured on the XActi HD camcorder, I'll have to do frame captures to get it as a picture. Posting HiDef videos here would take forever, with TMNet's crappy service.