Should I ship my desktop computer to Japan when I move there for a year? -

Most people have been advising us to buy a laptop, but we honestly can t afford one, plus we bought a new desktop a few months ago. Does anyone know apprx how much it will be to ship the desktop and if it will even work with Japan s electrical system? What should we do?

Sure, there is nothing wrong with that idea. However make sure you stick FRAGILE on the box

It would save you lots of money and your computer will work in japan. I have a desktop and laptop both bought in USA and they work fine here.

Hmmm. . . That is a hard one. Yes, your desktop will work here as far as the electrical system goes. The voltage is slightly different, but it doesn t seem to affect anything and the sockets are the same size (oops! I m assuming you live in the U.S., right?) The reason your friends are suggesting a laptop is because shipping is very expensive to Japan. A few years ago, my local PO in the U.S. told me it was the most expensive place in the world to ship to. Sorry, I couldn t tell you what it will cost you, but even if you ship it surface mail (which is not recomended for a computer) it will be more than $100. You can check out the USPS website usps.com for some shipping estimates based on weight and destination. Another idea is to consider taking it on as extra luggage on your flight. When I moved here in June, I took two extra bags. They were overweight and yes, it cost me about $100 extra per bag, but that was a lot less than it would cost me to ship it. Eitehr way, the first step is to pack it up and weigh and measure your box to see what your options are and what you can afford. YOu can even take the box to your local PO and they will tell you how much it will cost. That will also help you figure out the extra baggage costs on your airline. You definately want to bring it rather than buy something here because it is almost impossible to get an English language operating system here. Don t bring a printer, though. YOu can get them here and they will interface fine with your computer. I can t remember what I did when I lived here before, but I don t read Japanese and I used a Japanese printer with no problem. I hope this helps and enjoy your year in Japan.

sure why not and you will save yourself a couple dollars.

OK here is something that is NOT being told to you....first bring your computer...!!! b/c 99% of all electronics made sold in Japan and made to be used in Japan...like your DVD player....if you bought it in the States it has been region coded...so...you will NOT be able to go to a Japanese rental store and rent DVD s all electronic and are region coded for the region of the world you live in ie: Europe/ USA/ ASIA ...so please do not think you are going to come to Japan and get great deals on electronics b/c more than likely it won t work when you take it back to the states...and ALL Japanese salespersons will tell you that. they are very honest here and don t try and tell you a lie just to make a sale.

Japan and the USA have basically compatible systems. Japan runs at 100V, though for some reason the South/West half of Japan (Osaka, Kyoto and west) runs at 50Hz, and the North/East half (Tokyo and north) at 60Hz, like the USA. The 50Hz screws up digital clocks designed for 60Hz. Small problem is most Japanese wall outlets are for 2-prong plugs only, no 3rd ground opening. But most power strips in Japan have 3-prong outlets and a 2-prong plug with a little clip lead to ground manually.. So, don t bother shipping a power strip for the US, you won t be able to plug it in. Depends if you also plan on shipping it BACK. Japan is super expensive to ship FROM. A bargain price for airmail is about 4000 yen (about $35) for 2 kilos (about 4 pounds) Links to Japanese postal price charts below. I see advetisements for private shipping companies charging 40,000 yen for a 1 cubic meter box (no weight limit I guess) for shipping by sea, and that s just port to port.

The hassle of shipping and all just isn t worth IMO. Just buy a second hand computer there. Either buy one with an English OS from another expat, or bring your own OS with you and install it on a Japanese machine.

About $100 dollars. It may be more if you have a lot of stuff and the box is rather large. It will work in Japan. However, there is a very important thing to keep in mind. MANY outlets don t support the three prongs like America. So, if you want to plug it in, you will need an adapter. These are dirt cheap, but without them, you will be stuck.