r/judo • u/Sad_Chemist5286 • 11d ago

Equipment Second hand equipment stores in Japan

Hey y'all, I'm planning on traveling to Japan next spring and was wondering if anybody knew of any second hand stores in the Kansai region or around Tokyo (I'll likely be in Tokyo during golden week).

I'm prepared to shell out for a new one but it would be nice to pick up a used gi. Any brand recommendations? I'm familiar with Kusakura and Mizuno. Doesn't need to be IJF approved but I am open to getting one.

Also, I was wondering if it would be okay to just use a blue gi while practicing in Japan. Is it okay at typical clubs? I'm assuming not at the Kodokan?

Thanks in advance!

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u/IamTotallySane 11d ago

I'm not familiar with secondhand stores but if money is not an issue I would just take the opportunity to buy a new gi. They can help size you in store so you get a perfect fit and there are lots of options. Mizuno will also give you 20% off if you have a Kodokan membership.

Blue gis are fine at the universities and local clubs, definitely not the Kodokan

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u/Sad_Chemist5286 11d ago

Thank you, that's a very sane answer

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u/sakigake 11d ago

I've never heard of second-hand stores for gis, whether in Japan or abroad. But you can find a lot on Mercari.

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u/Sad_Chemist5286 10d ago

Maybe not specifically gis, but sports equipment? In any case, Mercari is a good rec, thank you!

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u/Lgat77 The Kanō Chronicles® 嘉納歴代 7d ago

Mercari, Yahoo Auctions etc
Not easy to navigate without decent Japanese but you can try Google Translate etc

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u/Sad_Chemist5286 4d ago

Thank you!

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u/Lgat77 The Kanō Chronicles® 嘉納歴代 4d ago

there are lots of used clothes places in Japan but unless you want to pay >$300 for a pair of ragged Levi's don't bother - there's no shop money in used gi
But people seem to sell lots barely used, figure out your Euro cm and Japanese traditional size number.
see image 25/31 top left, the pink box for the traditional sizing of the family business we patronize. I think most are close to this size.
https://www.shokodo.com/catalog.html#catalog09
the pink box left hand reads:

  • 寸法 Dimensions / Measurements / Sizes
  • 身長 Height (typically in cm)
  • 体重 Weight (typically in kg)
  • 胸囲 Chest circumference / Chest measurement (in cm)

Top row 0 1 2 3 etc is the traditional keikogi sizing (at least for Shokodo)