Research Log

Dated Tokyo lens-listing comparison — October 11, 2026 (JST)

The Tokyo guide example compares seller listings for used Canon RF50mm F1.8 STM lens-only units: Fujiya C2120147402890, checked directly in a browser at 11:28 JST, ¥23,100 tax included, AB, dust, hood listed; and Kitamura 2119341255135, 11:27 JST, ¥27,000 tax included, B, seller-described light wear/particles, inspection and caps. No reservation or physical test. Origin histories and exact accessory equivalence were not established; the ¥3,900 figure is a displayed-price difference, not a completed-sale or savings claim.

Linked source policies cover Fujiya grades, general accessories, Fujiya used warranty, Kitamura used warranty and Kitamura tax-free warranty exclusion. Reconfirm exact units and purchase terms; no assumed tax refund, points, trade-in or replacement cost. Only this example and its source scope were checked for this update; earlier article checks below retain their dates.

Lemon branch citations: source refresh

Checked October 9, 2026 (UTC). The former Lemon store-directory link returned 404. We replaced it with the active branch profiles on the Naniwa operator's official site and rechecked Lemon Shinjuku, Ginza, Akihabara and Ikebukuro descriptions for the film-camera guide and the applicable area guides. The Shinjuku and Ginza profiles confirm the addresses and 10:30–19:30 standard hours in the Tokyo checks below. We narrowed unsupported product-range and branch-comparison wording to the current profiles.

This refresh covers these four Lemon branch profiles only. Other source checks retain their original dates. No firsthand visit, current stock or item-specific policy was verified.

α7 III: a documented market-version decision

Checked October 6, 2026 (UTC) for the worked ILCE-7M3 language example. Sony Japan support states Japanese-only domestic display. The 2019 Spring Overseas catalog, PDF page 4 / printed page 6 lists English menu display for ILCE-7M3/7M3K separately from manual languages. The current Overseas catalog (contents August 2026) confirms the same model codes. We also checked the Japan product page’s body/kit distinctions and the English Help Guide’s selector path.

Document review, not firsthand gear inspection. The historical menu specification does not identify a shop’s unit. The diagram is our original reading aid; no Sony images or catalog screenshots are reproduced. Prices, stock, unit condition and individual support eligibility remain unverified.

Tax-free departure: keep the goods before bag drop

Checked October 4, 2026 (UTC). We rechecked Japan Tourism Agency refund-method guidance, Japan Customs departure FAQ, and Narita Airport international departure guide for the tax-free shopping guide. Purchases from November 1, 2026 require all tax-free goods to be present at the terminal and any required inspection to finish before baggage check-in. Earlier purchases retain the current procedure: goods intended for checked baggage need Customs confirmation before the airline takes them. Carry-on-only travelers must follow their airport's official Customs sequence too.

Government and airport sources; no individual eligibility determination or firsthand airport procedure test. Earlier retailer checks keep their original dates.

Warranty eligibility and purchase channels

Checked October 4, 2026 (UTC). We added retailer-specific eligibility and channel distinctions using Fujiya’s used guarantee, Kitamura’s tax-free FAQ, and Map Camera’s visitor guide and shopping guide. These published terms do not establish an individual claim’s eligibility. We have not tested a warranty or return.

Lens-fungus reference photograph

On October 4, 2026 (UTC), we checked the creator, date, context and reuse licence on the Wikimedia Commons file page. The inspection guide now includes the credited historical photograph with its limits. This is third-party visual evidence, not our own product test or a store visit.

Japan tax-free shopping changes on 1 November 2026

What we verified: Japan Tourism Agency guidance says purchases made from 1 November 2026 move to the refund method: eligible shoppers pay the tax-inclusive amount, complete departure customs confirmation and then receive the tax-equivalent refund. The agency also says eligible purchases are generally ¥5,000 or more before tax per store per day under the new system.

Japan Tourism Agency — traveler guidance ↗

Checked 1 October 2026 · First-party government source · Does not determine an individual traveler's eligibility.

Kitamura tax-free and warranty conditions

What we verified: Kitamura's English tax-free page lists 36 tax-free stores and says selected stores are already introducing refund-after-purchase processing. Its FAQ also states that tax-free camera and lens purchases do not include the manufacturer's warranty, its five-year warranty, used warranty or an international warranty.

Kitamura Camera — tax-free information ↗

Checked 1 October 2026 · Retailer first-party source · Store participation and procedures can change.

Map Camera and Sony market specification

What we verified: Map Camera's English store guide says its Sony products are stocked in Japanese-market specification and tells shoppers who need other menu languages to confirm before buying.

Map Camera — English store guide ↗

Checked 1 October 2026 · Retailer first-party source · This does not establish the language support of every Sony model sold by every Japanese retailer.

Tokyo camera guide: six-store access checks

Checked October 2, 2026 (UTC). Standard hours are local Japan time. These checks support the Tokyo shortlist; they do not establish current stock, a field visit or independently measured walking times.

Map Camera

Blanche Building, 1-12-5 Nishi-Shinjuku; 11:00–19:00, closed January 1; brand floors B1–4F and trade-in centre 5F. The page also distinguishes online-only stock and Japanese-market Sony specifications.

Official source ↗ · Checked October 2, 2026

Shinjuku Kitamura Camera

3-26-14 Shinjuku; 10:00–21:00, December 31 until 18:00 and January 1 closed. Access page confirms new cameras on 2F, used sales on 4F and junk cameras/lenses on 3F. Service counters and studios can have different hours.

Official source ↗ · Checked October 2, 2026

Lemon Shinjuku

Daini Seiko Building 3F, 1-15-4 Nishi-Shinjuku; 10:30–19:30. The branch profile lists new and used cameras and related equipment.

Official branch profile ↗ · Originally checked October 2, 2026; citation refreshed and branch details rechecked October 9, 2026

Fujiya Camera main store

Nakano Tatsumi Building, 5-61-1 Nakano; main-store hours 10:00–20:30. Video and accessories departments have a separate address at 5-62-9 Nakano.

Official source ↗ · Checked October 2, 2026

Lemon Ginza Church

Ginza Church Hall Building 8F, 4-2-1 Ginza; 10:30–19:30. The branch profile specifically highlights film cameras.

Official branch profile ↗ · Originally checked October 2, 2026; citation refreshed and branch details rechecked October 9, 2026

Bic Camera Yurakucho

1-11-1 Yurakucho; 10:00–22:00, listed as open daily. The floor guide places cameras on B2F; the store quotes about 1 minute from Yurakucho Station’s Hibiya exit/D4 exit.

Official source ↗ · Checked October 2, 2026

The Kitamura used-sales page and tax-free FAQ were also rechecked: ordinary used, junk and tax-free purchases have distinct support terms. The current tax-free FAQ excludes manufacturer, five-year, used and international warranties. Holiday notices and item-specific terms still need reconfirmation.