BicCamera is not only a retailer that sells electrical appliances, but now also carries a variety of products including medical supplies, cosmetics, alcohol, souvenirs, games, plastic models, and more, almost like a shopping entertainment complex that can be enjoyed by the whole family!
In this article, we not only introduce our recommended list of popular products for the whole family, but also a selection of BicCamera’s considerate services including product airport delivery, product reservations, and free Wi-Fi! Want to conquer BicCamera? Then be sure to check this article out.
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Shop with Family to Get Popular Items on Your Wishlist! Do All Your Shopping at BicCamera
Trying to plan out where to shop when you’re on a family trip to Japan is bound to give you a headache because each person will want to buy different things. BicCamera, a store that offers services and whatever you may need in one place, will remove all your shopping worries in one go! We introduce BicCamera’s origins, features of the retailer, the products they carry, and a super valuable coupon below.
BicCamera’s Name Origin
You might have heard the lyrics “Bic, Bic, Bic, BicCamera” before from the advertising jingle played in the store’s entrance. “Bic” comes from a Balinese dialect that means to “have a heavily implied meaning” unlike the common misconception that it means “big.” BicCamera hoped to become a “company that is infinite and shines like a diamond” and was thus given this name. Companies that sell electronic goods and related products such as Kojima and Sofmap also sit under its umbrella.
BicCamera’s Features
BicCamera’s best feature is how convenient it is in traffic and the fact that every store location is mainly established near major stations in each city. Its Tokyo locations can be found in sightseeing destinations such as Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Akihabara. There are also locations in Haneda Airport (Terminal 3), Narita Airport (Terminal 2), Chubu Centrair International Airport, and Naha Airport. Outlet stores are located in Ikebukuro, Machida, Yokohama, and Osaka. You can find products that were popular in the past at discount prices at these outlet stores!
BicCamera’s Product Types
BicCamera sells electronics with a focus on household appliances compatible for use abroad placed on popup displays in stores. There are even products with BicCamera-exclusive models.
The retailer has expanded its inventory to include medicine, snacks, souvenirs, sports goods, games, toys, and more in recent years. It is now a comprehensive shopping center suited for shopping with the entire family!
Additionally, make a purchase over 5,000 yen before tax in one day at the same store and you will be exempt from the 10% consumption tax. Use the BicCamera x MATCHA special coupon to get an additional 7% off electrical appliances like hair dryers and cameras. You can also get 5% off food products, medical supplies, and daily necessities and 3% off alcoholic beverages such as sake for an even better deal the more you shop!
Use this BicCamera coupon for tax-free and up to 7% off
The Idea Behind a Fun to Visit Shopping Complex for Families
You may immediately think of facilities like department stores or shopping malls when it comes to suitable places to shop as a family. However, BicCamera–a retailer that prioritizes everyone’s shopping experience–has become an incredibly popular shopping spot in the past few years even among international travelers. Let’s take a look at the primary factors as to why BicCamera is becoming so popular.
Can’t Speak Japanese? Reliable Support in Various Languages by Fluent Staff
The scariest part about buying a product is being unable to communicate smoothly when you want to ask questions about the product’s specifications. BicCamera has employees on staff who are either from abroad or are fluent in another language that will offer you appropriate customer service. Feel free to speak with the staff even if it’s a difficult question or subject.
Medicine and beauty product shelves will have Payke translation devices installed in some store locations. Scan the product barcode with this device and you can immediately look up product information on ingredients and more in detail.
Super Convenient! All Registers Can Process Tax-Free Purchases
When shopping at a department store, you typically have to go to a service counter on a specific floor to process tax-free purchases. However, this will take quite a bit of time because the service counter is small and many people are processing their own purchases. You won’t run into problems like these at BicCamera. Tax-free purchases can be processed at any register and you can effectively save precious time during your trip.
Impossible to Imitate by Department Stores! Gaming Experience Areas
BicCamera will not only allow you to try some of their products, but also offer unique experience areas according to the characteristics of each store. For example, Akihabara is a mecca for all things anime and games. Akihabara’s BicCamera has a gaming experience area that is complete with a gaming device, mouse, keyboard, desk, and chair. It’s an experience that many gaming fans should visit before purchasing computer accessories.
Spot the Seasonal Products Right Away! Store Displays According to Season and Clientele
BicCamera stores appropriately transform their displays according to the seasons. A souvenir corner is set up in the autumn with sweet potato and chestnut-related products, while a product corner goes up in the winter with Christmas and moisturizing products. There’s also a souvenir corner for international visitors that displays products that are especially popular in Japan. This makes it possible to get your hands on any souvenir that you need all in one section!
5 Relaxing Home Appliances and 3C Products to Reward Yourself With
It tends to feel like your head is going to explode during the busyness of day-to-day life, but please reward yourself by selecting a relaxing product on your trip to Japan.
Panasonic EH-NA0J-A Hair Dryer Nanocare
The nanoe™ MOISTURE+ series (Nanocare), the latest hair dryer from Panasonic, uses moisture at nano-scale and mineral negative ions in the air to care for your hair while drying. It also plays a role in preventing damage from friction and UV rays. EH-NA0J, the latest model, has become incredibly compact while at the same time achieving the most airflow in the series. Even our writer regularly uses this product! (As of December 2023, support is not available overseas so please confirm the voltage is compatible with your country before making your purchase.)
Panasonic Lift Care Facial Device Vitalift RF (EH-SR85)
Panasonic released for the first time a facial device equipped with high power RF (radiofrequency), EMS (electromagnetic spectrum) microwaves, LED red light, and negative ions using multi-active technology. This product will tighten, restore elasticity and shine, boost anti-aging, and help skincare penetrate into the skin.
CanonEOS R50 Mirrorless Camera RF-S 18-45 mm Lens (White)
The EOS R50, Canon’s mirrorless single lens camera, can record 4K 60P video footage on top of having subject recognition, auto focus tracking, and image stabilization features while having a light body weighing a mere 375 grams. It’s very suitable for recording travel vlogs and is an incredibly easy camera to use for both individual productions or on a family trip!
ambie AM-TW01 True Wireless Earcuffs that Don’t Cover Your Ears
AM-TW01 is a popular product by Ambie, a new earphone brand developed in Japan, that is small, light, and looks like ear cuffs with a single earbud weighing only 4.2 grams. Thanks to its design which fits comfortably against your ears, these wireless Bluetooth earbuds are like ear cuffs and won’t make your ears feel sore even after wearing them all day. The earbuds can continuously playback music for a maximum of six hours and have an IPX5 waterproof rating.
Nintendo Switch (OLED)
The Nintendo Switch video game console, equipped with a thin bezel and 7-inch OLED screen with vivid colors, is an immensely popular product among other rival gaming consoles. Place the Switch upright with the kickstand on the backside of the console and you can share controllers and a screen. By doing this, you can play or join friends and family at any time during your travels. The Nintendo Switch is the perfect companion when you don’t know what to do while on the Shinkansen (bullet train) or after you’ve arrived at the hotel!
6 Appliances and Souvenirs Recommended for Your Parents
There are a multitude of products at BicCamera that will make life more enjoyable for the whole family. Below, we introduce six carefully selected products that will make your daily life all the more comfortable!
Philips Electric Shaver | S9000 Series
The Philips Electric Shaver Series 9000 has 72 built-in razor blades that perform 150,000 high speed actions per minute. The rotating speed auto-adjusts to beard density with intelligent sensors that read 500 times per second and reduces shaving time. Moreover, it is equipped with the world’s first feature that senses excessive pressure and will alleviate discomfort effectively. Fathers can groom themselves the smart way every time without being affected by time or place!
Junmai Daiginjo Gazan
Junmai Daiginjo Gazan, the winner of the gold prize for three consecutive years in the sake competition Kura Master, was created by Tsurumi Shuzo, a brewery in business for over 100 years. The rice used in this sake is Yamada Nishiki rice produced in Hyogo Prefecture’s Special A District while the water is pure underground water collected from Kiso River. It is characterized by a mellow fragrance much like fruit wine and is a rice wine that even novice drinkers will find easy to consume. It’s most suitable for a small get-together with your parents or served when entertaining guests.
Récolte Air Oven RAO-1(W)
The A4 sized Récolte RAO-1W hot air fryer is compact, easy to stow away, and can be set to various temperatures ranging from 80℃ to 200℃ (176°F to 392°F). Excess fats and oils are removed from the ingredients thanks to the rapid circulation of hot energy. You can easily make a variety of foods in this air fryer including fried and baked dishes, or use it to reheat leftovers. It isn’t a hassle to clean after being used as the basket and inner rack can be washed in the dishwasher afterward.
Panasonic NI-FS790K Clothes Steamer
The Panasonic NI-FS790K is a 2-in-1 item that doubles as a handheld iron and steam iron. It’s a lightweight 690 g that can continuously iron several garments without the need to frequently refill water due to possessing a large capacity tank of 115 ml. Total heating time is only 19 seconds, making it possible to use the iron straight away even when you need to head out in a hurry. Additionally, it is equipped with powerful 360° steam which can effectively get rid of all wrinkles from any angle.
i2 Robot Vacuum Roomba
The iRobot i2 Vacuum Robot can be used together with Google Assistant to easily clean your environment just by giving instructions out loud. It is equipped with dual rubber brushes that are suitable for multiple surfaces and strong suction power that easily cleans it all from dust to larger pieces of trash. It possesses a smart dirt detection feature that will focus on cleaning dirtier areas. It will automatically charge itself, then resume where it left off after charging until the cleaning job is finished. Mothers who are no longer able to clean due to a hunched back can efficiently keep their environment clean with this product.
Wrist Blood Pressure Monitor NISSEI WS-30J
The NISSEI WS-30J is a BicCamera x Kojima original wrist blood pressure monitor that features a large, easy-to-read display. The touch sensor buttons make it easy to use, while blood pressure values are classified based on the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. It can also save up to 60 readings on two memory banks, which is useful for tracking your parents’ daily health condition.
Use this BicCamera coupon for tax-free and up to 7% off
4 Popular Toys Children Can Enjoy
BicCamera’s toy section carries a range of products related to the Pokémon series, immensely popular with children around the world, the Disney Tomica series, and more. They also have a great assortment of childcare products that make for a lineup that will please the children!
TAKARA TOMY Hi! Touch Pikachu
Call out “Pikachu!” and Pikachu will turn with its tail towards you, then touch its tail and it’ll cheer you on with an energetic tone going, “Pika, pika, chuu!” This interactive robot is the best tool for pacifying your child, especially when they don’t want to eat their veggies or are scared of taking their medicine!
LEGO Disney Princess 43218 Anna and Elsa’s Magical Carousel
The Disney film “Frozen” is incredibly popular with children from around the world with its theme song being especially famous. There is also great reception towards products for the film with tie-in products being a huge hit. Anna and Elsa’s Magical Carousel, a LEGO product, makes it possible for kids to play with the film’s four iconic characters including Anna and Elsa with very elaborate craftsmanship in both the characters and plastic models. Assemble the set and it’ll be perfect even as room decoration!
TOMICA Construction Vehicle in Carbonated Bath Ball
TOMICA is so incredibly popular with children because of their realistic replicas that many children want to take their favorite cars into the bath with them! The TOMICA Construction Vehicle in Carbonated Bath Ball is a product that makes it easy for kids to play with during bathtime. Add the carbonated bath ball to the bathtub and a random construction vehicle (6 types) will appear from the carbonated bubbles. It’s a very popular toy, even with kids that hate bathtime!
WAKODO Baby Food
A rich variety of childcare products are sold at BicCamera including baby moisturizing cream, mineral water, and solid baby foods. The WAKODO Ready-to-Eat Baby Food Pouches are rich in flavor and categorized by baby’s age in months; ingredient size and hardness are also adjusted according to their age. These ready-to-eat pouches can be fed to your baby as is without any reheating and are easy to use when traveling.
Thoughtful Services for International Travelers You Should Know About
By the way, BicCamera offers services such as product delivery, reservations, and free Wi-Fi. Please keep these services in mind to make your next shopping experience more pleasant!
Airport Delivery Service - No Need to Carry Heavy Luggage to the Airport
Travelers don’t have to carry around or bring their products to the airport by themselves with the product delivery service provided by BicCamera. The delivery counter can accept requests to have products sent to your designated airport in two days at the earliest. Airport delivery fees will vary depending on product size and weight. Please ask a store employee for details on the cost.
The airports that can receive deliveries are as follows below:
New Chitose Airport (domestic/international flights), Sendai Airport, Fukushima Airport, Niigata Airport, Narita Airport (Terminal 1 North Wing, Terminal 1 South Wing, Terminal 2 North), Haneda Airport (international/domestic flights in Terminal 1, domestic flights in Terminal 2), Komatsu Airport, Chubu Centrair International Airport, Osaka Itami Airport (North Terminal, South Terminal), Kansai International Airport Terminal 1, Okayama Airport, Hiroshima Airport, Fukuoka Airport (international/domestic flights), Kitakyushu Airport, Nagasaki Airport, and Kagoshima Airport
*Airport Delivery Service: https://www.biccamera.com.e.lj.hp.transer.com/bc/c/super/haisou/tsugou/airport/index.jsp
Free Product Reservation Service - Have Assurance with Advance Reservations
Worried that the product you want might sell out at the store? By utilizing BicCamera’s free product reservation service, you can check their real-time inventory on their online website and at the store. Picking up an order at the store is easy just by selecting your products and scheduled pickup date, which will save on shopping time. Your passport number, name, and e-mail address are required when placing a product reservation. The reservation website is translated from Japanese to English, so you don’t have to worry even if you don’t understand Japanese.
*Online reservation service: https://www.biccamera.com.e.lj.hp.transer.com/bc/c/info/order/keep-tourist.jsp?ref=en_index
Free Wi-Fi - Look Up a Product Online Without Issues!
Free Wi-Fi is available at all BicCamera stores. You don’t even need to register for an account or enter a password; all you have to do is turn on your phone’s Wi-Fi settings and it’ll connect right away. You can look up the products that you’re looking for or share your shopping list with friends without worrying about data usage.
Clean Restrooms Available at Any Time
Some people might also worry about suddenly needing to use the restroom in the middle of shopping. However, BicCamera has a restroom on every floor with floor guides that are easy to understand. Even if the restroom on a certain floor is being used, you can swiftly move to the next available restroom by following the floor guide and significantly reduce any problems while shopping.
KEY'S CAFÉ - Tired? Drink Coffee and Take a Break!
KEY'S CAFÉ, a famous cafe chain, is currently found in select BicCamera stores. Please feel free to take a break at KEY'S CAFÉ when you’re tired, drink some delicious coffee to replenish your energy, then return to shopping! You can also use BIC Points to pay at the café if you’re a BIC Point card member!
KEY'S CAFÉ is currently found in these BicCamera locations:
Yurakucho, Shinjuku Higashiguchi, Nagoya JR Gate Tower
Shop with BicCamera! Use this Coupon for More Discounts
After reading our guide above, you’re bound to be interested now, right? If so, then hurry on over to BicCamera and start shopping! Use the BicCamera x MATCHA coupon now and spend over 5,000 yen before tax in one day at the same store to be exempt from the 10% consumption tax. What’s more, get up to 7% in discounts applied to your purchase based on the products that you purchase!
