Japan Trip - Looking For Shopping MC Cartridge Recommendations

I agree that Mehran is a very reputable and enthusiastic ZYX dealer.  I have not seen internet claims that ZYX cartridges are any more often defective than any other of the expensive brands.  The story about the guy receiving an empty box is certainly not evidence to support defectiveness.  The follow-up that his replacement sample did not track well could as well be due to incompetent set-up as to the cartridge itself. In Tokyo, you cannot buy any of the UNIverse line of ZYX cartridges.  These are made only for Mehran and sold only by him, so far as I can tell.  I am the happy owner of a ZYX UNIverse (the original) that has given me no problems and much pleasure for 2-3 years.  I bought it with very low hours from a fellow Audiogon Forum-er.

snackyp also asked about why Lyra cartridges are not available in Tokyo.  Probably it has something to do with making money. It's not a secret that they are made by Scantech using designs and material specifications provided by Jonathan Carr.  I wouldn't be surprised or upset to learn that ZYX cartridges are similar in provenance.  You CAN buy just about any ZYX cartridge at a good price at Yodibashi, except no UNIverses.
As to other brands, nearly all that Chakster names can be found at Yodibashi.  (Not sure if I recall seeing Dynavector, but other dealers DO sell Dynavector.) To his list I would add Ikeda, Denon, Grado (I think).  You won't get a great discount on Audio Technica, compared to US prices.  Probably you can save 20% to 40% on the others.

Often the larger price variable depends on if there is both a japanese export agent (hired by manufacturer to deal with foreign sales) that then sells to a USA distro so there is an extra layer of cost.

Don't want to derail this thread about cartridges available in Japan but...

I will be in Japan next fall and was wondering if a new turntable, like a Technics SP-10R would be significantly cheaper if bought in Japan?  

Any way of looking into this?  Thoughts @lewm ?

-Karl

Karl, even if they are a bit cheaper they will charge you consumption tax in the shops. And then you will have to carry this turntable into the plane with you ? Or you will put it in the luggage that can be lost/damaged in transit (it happens) ? Or you will ship it ? It's quite heavy 

@chakster All excellent points.  I guess it would be unlikely to be cheap enough to overcome those shipping charges?  I'll have to wait an see.