deskthority

Short version: my HHKB Type-S is finally home.


Long version: Tokyo is awesome.
Full album.

This is not a shopping guide, just some pics / informations / observations. I spent 5 days in Tokyo (and 3 weeks in Japan: Kanazawa, Nara, Kobe, Kumamoto & Ishigaki (south of Okinawa) and around those places) and came back last Wednesday.

I hunted keyboards for almost a full day in Akihabara and as already reported, it's not that easy to find some models, even if it's "made in Japan". Seoul is still the best for that kind of "sport". BTW, I confirmed via email with Topre that all the RF made for Leopold are ONLY found in Korea (I'm looking at you, Realforce 10th Y anniversary edition...)

One product was remarkably absent from MANY stores: the HHKB. And for the few shops that DO have it, the Type-S version isn't often on the menu... A lot of shops had ONLY the Japanese versions of the Realforce too. So plan in advance and know that if you order on Amazon.co.jp in the morning, you can have something delivered the very same day. Can save you a lot of trouble. Note: HHKB are easier to find in mainstream shops like Bic Camera, etc.

For Topre lovers, Tsukumo is the place to go. Small shop in Akiba, with the "nerd section" underground, take the stairs to level -1. Easy to spot ➜ it's close to the AKB48 café, which is very close to one of the exit of the Akihabara station.

Food was my second interest and DAMN it was good. You can check my Instagram for that. But know that Ishigaki Beef Sushi and Kobe beef are AS GOOD as you may imagine. If you're not vegan. ;)

nice pictures from Tokyo! If only we had shops like that here...

Nice haul. Only 40% of your luggage was filled with keyboards? I should be so disciplined…

Is it just me or do your pictures make the Realforce look yellow compared to the HHKB?

Staying in a house is so much better than a hotel. I only really feel like I've stopped travelling and really arrived somewhere when I'm "home". Wherever it may be!

Here's my HHK Pro 2 Typy-S with my new custom keyboard LK-1800fe sample.
I'm lovin' in HHK always.
And also I like 1800 design.
So I have to plan that I will prepare for GB; HHB syle custom keyboard soon.

Nice pics and your blank keycaps layered feature is very interesting.

Muirium wrote: Nice haul. Only 40% of your luggage was filled with keyboards? I should be so disciplined…

Is it just me or do your pictures make the Realforce look yellow compared to the HHKB?

Staying in a house is so much better than a hotel. I only really feel like I've stopped travelling and really arrived somewhere when I'm "home". Wherever it may be!

Haha :D 40% looked like "enough" at the time. ;)

The light is accentuating the cream color of the RF but it IS a bit different than the HHKB. And yep, hotels are handy but nothing like crashing at a friend's place, especially when it's an awesome house. :D

kbdcraft wrote: Here's my HHK Pro 2 Typy-S with my new custom keyboard LK-1800fe sample.
Nice pics and your blank keycaps layered feature is very interesting. :)

Thanks!

I think I know which shop you visited. I went there myself last month. It's like in a basement of a small little building.

What keyboard is the black one on the left ?

HHKB lite I think.

Damn, all those HiPros, but none of them in the right colourway. Only in Korea, eh?



In Japan, this one's Just the thing.

Yep, it's THAT shop :D

And yep bis: Topre is selling a lot of custom models in Korea. THAT MADE ME VERY SAAAAD. :x Never saw that bi-colored hi-pro. Damn that's sexy. :x

HzFaq wrote: HHKB lite I think.

Yep, that's the one. The HHKB Lite is crappy, cheap and popular (or at least sold in a lot of stores ;) )

Topre is too Japanese for its own good. The outside world exists. We like your stuff. Let us put cash on the damn table and have it, please! Maddening that they even keep the best stuff out of the stores in Japan itself! Leopold and Just exclusives, I suppose.

Re: HHKB Shite (as we'd call it in Scotland) the layout is okay and the form factor is obviously appealing. I'd consider it a gateway drug to the real HHKB. If you're new to keyboards it's much easier to buy the entry model and potentially get hooked there. Only those of us in the know spring for Topre switches thanks to their price.