Updating a post from last week- my brother was hunting down a shunbun for me in Tokyo, checking virtually every boutique and department store in the area and wasn’t finding much luck.
On his last day there, he happened to be in Omotesando because he was checking out the KUOE opening and stumbled upon a store of our favorite football team, Liverpool. It must’ve been fate, because right by there was a GS boutique.
There was nothing on display, but out of desperation, he asked an employee if they happened to have any Shunbuns in stock (SBGA 443)- lo and behold, they did! It was 860,000 Yen tax free which seems like the regular going rate.
Want to thank this community for the tips on hunting them down- I do think they’re pretty attainable if my brother found one during cherry blossom season only being in Tokyo for about a week. My biggest advice (which may seem obvious) is to go to as many department stores as possible. For boutiques, check in with the one nearest to you daily as they really don’t know when they might get one in stock. Avoid Nakano if you can- most places charge a 5% credit card fee there and up charge since it’s really more about convenience than getting deal.
I was just in Japan last November and had regrets not grabbing a Shunbun. I just wasn’t ready at that time but also knew I may have blown my only chance. Getting this was truly a full circle moment for me.
Most of all want to thank my bro for tracking it down!