Cigars in Tokyo

[Tomotomo]

I am living in Tokyo and working at Ginza area.

I am a cigar smoker and loved smoking it at weekend when I was in my country.

But, I've never smoked since I moved to Tokyo because I don't know much about Tokyo.

Actually, I only know a cigar shop in Roppongi, but it seems very expensive there, though.

Anyone knows any other place where you can get Cuban cigars in Japan?

Any advice/information (inc. website) is much apppreciated.

Thanks!

 

[thomas]

Welcome to the forum. Please do not double post, I have deleted your other thread.

If I am not completely mistaken our member Mike Cash is into cigars, perhaps he can assist you.

 

[Mars Man]

That is correct, Admin 1 san, Mike Cash is the man who will know, and he'll be here on this thread, I'm sure, in his own pace--that of a bit of good whiskey to dance with the aroma of a slow smoking cigar.

 

[Mike Cash]

I know nothing of Cuban cigars, having never had one.

I do know that one can import cigars from the US, something I have done numerous times, although at the moment my humidors are running a bit low. I have a box of Joya de Nicaragua that I laid down two years ago. I may start smoking them in another three years or so. Nice to let them rest, you know.

My favorite source for cigars is Lynn Cigars. Larry Lynn is a good man with a range of good products, from the budget-minded dog rockets to the more high end premium brands. Good service, and he won't screw you on the shipping.

The hard thing is to find a place which will ship outside the US. I know of and have used a couple of others, but I won't bother to mention them here since I can't in good conscience recommend them over Larry Lynn.

He carries a small assortment of humidors, cutters, lighters, and other assorted paraphernalia. You needn't have a humidor right away, since you can get by with a "coolerdor" (a camp cooler pressed into service as a humidor). You should, however, if you go that route at least get some humidifier bricks and a bottle of humidifier solution to put in there to regulate the environment. A hygrometer is also recommended. Fortunately, these are all low cost items. Lynn's humidors are nice and serviceable, but if you wish to build up a large stock you may wish to look elsewhere for larger capacity humidors. I can give you a pointer toward a source for those if you need it.

Personally, I favor Nicaraguan cigars. For something that you can stick a match to on a more frequent basis without worrying about your wallet, take a look at the Flor de Oliva line. (I like the torpedos). I save the Joya de Nicaragua for special times. The El Credito brand is good, basically being seconds of the La Gloria Cubana. Some sizes of the Consuegra line are quite good, with the #9 maduro being a very modestly priced cigar appreciated for its quality even by folks who can afford the premium brands. Lay a bundle or two of those down and let them rest a few months and you'll not be disappointed.

 

[Mike Cash]

To the OP, it would be common courtesy to at least acknowledge efforts made on your behalf, whether they are helpful or not.

 

[GaijinPunch]

Anyone knows any other place where you can get Cuban cigars in Japan?

There are loads of cigar bars in Minato-ku and even some in neighboring areas. I know Tableau in Daikanyama has a cigar bar next to the restaurant. They have a good selection. There's a cigar bar in the Hilton in Roppongi Hills as well.

 

[Mike Cash]

There are two places within easy driving distance of me that carry Cuban cigars. But I don't think he wants to come to Gunma to get them. And never having paid the inflated prices for one I couldn't recommend the shops anyway.

 

[Tomotomo]

40% off..

I have heard that you can get 40% off Habanos cigars from somewhere on the net.

Anyone knows any more details or information about it?

 

[Mike Cash]

Even if I did, I'm no longer inclined to make efforts on your behalf.

 

[ullvarg]

I don`t know how high your standards are, but I usually pick up the cheapo 100yen a piece cigars at the local tobacco corner shop up here in the north and I saw plenty of them all over Tokyo on my last trip down there last summer. If you have higher standard I'm sure you can find more high end cigars in Tokyo to, I usually go up to kitasendai for special occasions and pick up a couple of cubans for about 1000yen a peice, so it cant be that more expensive down there right?

 

[Mike Cash]

The difference between machine-made pseudo-cigars made from RTS (reconstituted tobacco sheet) and a hand-rolled leaf cigar is, to borrow from Twain, the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.

 

[bakaKanadajin]

I am a fan of cuban cigars, being from Canada they are widely available here.
To the OP, I know of 3 places you can get cigars. One is in Shimokitazawa. There is a small tabacconist out the North exit, just down the street from Khali Coffe and the Body Shop and the NOVA there. They have a wide assortment of cigars and accessories. I'd give them a 7.5/10 for quality, there are a few slightly cracked and dried out selections in their cabinets but the stock there is well maintained for the most part IIRC.

The second place is in Yokohama, a small cigar stand in China town. I know how to get there but I couldn't possible articulate it here as China town is a bit of a maze. However its on a corner leading into a small alley-like street, it's not a main street storefront.

The third is a place in Kichijoji, which is nothing more than a newsstand which happens to carry a few cigars. It's located in one of the uncovered streets that connect the covered shopping areas. If you're at all familiar with Kichijoi you may know what I mean. Sorry I can't be more specific.. again..one of those places I could show you only if I was there.

I have also heard of a tabacconist in Machida but I haven't been there myself and wasn't able to find it.

There is also a cigar shop in Shinjuku, its in the lobby of a fairly expensive hotel. Search for 5 star hotels in Shinjuku and Shibuya and I'm sure you'll find a tabacconist there.

Good luck.

 

[Mars Man]

Good gratitude, is sometimes like a good cigar. . . it makes a person enjoy what they have worked for ! It would be nice to show gratitude; even if it is the internet !! (maybe even more so for that very reason)

I don't know of any cigar shops here in Matsumoto.

 

[Han Chan]

I noticed a well stocked shop with Cuban cigars just opposite to Kinokunya International Store (Aoyama Interim Store), Tokyo. Just walk on the pavement on the opposite side of Aoyama Dori - just three minutes form Omote-sando station. Anyway Cuban cigar are expensive!:smoke:

 

[SushiShin]

i found a lot of cigars while i was on holiday on vacation, for my stepfather (he likes good cigars)

i think their are a lot if you find very good, but i don't know any streetnames of Tokyo (^_^')

 

[Tomotomo]

I got it!

Hi guys!

Thank you for many comments and much advice!

I got information on where to get 40%Off Cuban cigars.
I think the best price is offered there in Japan.

You just type `cigar direct` in Yahoo or Google Japan and see the 1st place at 1st page.

I will try it and let you know here.
You can also try it, though.

 

[Mike Cash]

That 40% will disappear mighty danged quick if Customs intercepts your package. I'd tell you what the duty rate is on cigars, but I think you'll have more fun finding out firsthand.

 

[Tomotomo]

40%Off and customs

Thanks for your advice.

I just called and asked Cigar Direct about customs and then they said duty and tax are imposed only about 5% out of total payment of goods(cigars).
For example, If you buy JPY 6,000 cigars(the retail price: JPY 10,000) from Cigar Direct, less than JPY 500 should be paid for customs duty.
It means that you've still got 35% savings!

So I have ordered some Cuban cigars(Montecristo No.4 and Romeo No.2).

When I get the cigars, I will let you know how the quality of the cigars is.

 

[Mike Cash]

Cigar Direct is so full of sh*t their eyes must be brown.

Duties are assessed on weight, not declared value. (Speaking from personal experience here).

 

[Paul Houghty]

Cigars and indeed all forms or tobacco are highly habit forming and hence not recommended for more than very occasional use. I know this because I was once caught smoking at school, and while the teachers recognized that the bad boys made me do it, I was required to go through a rigorous reeducation that included visiting dying smokers in hospital. It helped me develop the powerful self control that helps me get through the average day successfully here in Japan.

 

[Mike Cash]

"Reeducation"......what sort of cultures does one usually associate that word with......?

Unless you have personal experience with the various forms of The Noxious Weed, you really have nothing on which to base your assertion that all forms of tobacco are "highly" habit forming.

 

[bakaKanadajin]

Well I think anything can be habit-forming, habits are not limited to physical needs but also include psychological needs.

As far as tabacco goes I think it comes in one form, the tabacco leaf. It undergoes various forms of processing depending on whether it ends up in cigarette, cigar or chewing tabacco form, but it doesn't have other 'forms' such that in its raw plant form some tabacco is more addictive than the rest.

If you're referring to marijuana this is an entirely different species of plant altogether.

 

[Mike Cash]

Congratulations on missing the point.

If you think cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, "dip", and snuff are equally addictive because they all come from the same plant, then you are obviously lacking in the knowledge needed to render an informed opinion on the matter.

 

[bakaKanadajin]

Unless you have personal experience with the various forms of The Noxious Weed, you really have nothing on which to base your assertion that all forms of tobacco are "highly" habit forming.

As far as tabacco goes I think it comes in one form, the tabacco leaf. It undergoes various forms of processing depending on whether it ends up in cigarette, cigar or chewing tabacco form, but it doesn't have other 'forms' such that in its raw plant form some tabacco is more addictive than the rest.

If you think cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, "dip", and snuff are equally addictive because they all come from the same plant, then you are obviously lacking in the knowledge needed to render an informed opinion on the matter

There are more than 4,000 chemicals found in the smoke of tobacco products. Of these, nicotine, first identified in the early 1800s, is the primary reinforcing component of tobacco that acts on the brain.

Cigarette smoking is the most popular method of using tobacco; however, there has also been a recent increase in the sale and consumption of smokeless tobacco products, such as snuff and chewing tobacco. These smokeless products also contain nicotine, as well as many toxic chemicals

This information indicates to me that standard tobacco leaves, aside from exotic forms which aren't relevant because these aren't the forms which make their way into the mainstream marketplace, and their derived products are addictive because they contain nicotine. Perhaps we're disagreeing over the original wording - that different forms offer various levels of addictiveness. My argument is more about the basic forms available in the market place, all of which contain nicotine and are therefore addictive.

 

[Paul Houghty]

It seems my comments have touched a raw nerve with some of you "addicts". I apologize for speaking the truth. Or is it you who should be apologizing to me? Tobacco is indeed habit forming and will lead to death. I saw old men using their emphecema holes in their throats to smoke in the last days of their lives. I would certainly not wish such a fate on any of you here, let alone a newbie who hasn't had the chance to establish his house in Hokkaido with his Japanese Wife yet, but this is the truth. Groucho Marx, George Burns, Fidel Castro, to name a few of the people who have succumbed to the pleasures of enjoying one cigar too many. It is medically proven that this is an addictive and poisonous drug. I was only trying to suggest moderation and a strong regimen to control use, rather than complete abstinence.

I find it slightly offensive that you should accuse me of using marijuana out of the blue when I have never even mentioned such a thing. My Japanese Wife would be shocked to read such flimsy allegations.