Japanese Massage Chairs: Buying and Shipping from Japan

The massage chair is a Japanese invention. Electric models appeared in Japan before the Second World War, and in 1954 Nobuo Fujimoto in Osaka produced one of the first mass-marketed massage chairs. Today Japan is the largest market for them, with some surveys suggesting more than a fifth of households own one, and Japanese makers build the most refined chairs in the world: Fujiiryoki, Family Inada and Panasonic among them.

Why they are hard to bring home

• Weight and size: a full-body chair often weighs 60 kg or more and ships in a carton far larger than parcel post allows. Japan Post's EMS stops at 30 kg, so ordinary proxy services cannot send them.
• Japan-only models: many of the best models are sold only in Japan, through department stores and specialist shops.
• Collection only: pre-owned chairs are often offered for collection or local delivery only.

Voltage, frequency and warranty

Japanese mains electricity is 100 V, at 50 Hz in the east and 60 Hz in the west. A chair made for Japan needs a step-down transformer of sufficient capacity in countries with 220 to 240 V supply, and buyers in 110 to 120 V countries should confirm the chair's tolerance before use. Manufacturer warranties usually apply in Japan only, and control panels and voice guidance are often in Japanese.

What to check before buying

• Model and year: newer flagship models add 3D or 4D mechanisms, body scanning and heating.
• Upholstery: look for cracking or peeling of synthetic leather on arms and footrest.
• Function: every programme, airbag and roller should be tested before the chair is packed.
• Remote and manual: the controller and any accessories should be present.

How a chair travels

A chair is tested, cleaned and photographed in Japan, then crated with its moving parts secured and sent by sea or air freight to your door, insured and tracked. Freight is priced by volume and weight, so a quote depends on the model and destination.

How we help

Tell us the model you want, or send the link to a chair you have found in Japan, through the concierge, including collection-only pieces. We check the chair, advise on voltage for your country, and quote crating and freight. Our Hunting Salon™ can also search for a particular model. The curator desk replies within one to three business days.

Questions buyers ask

Will a Japanese massage chair work in my country?

With the right transformer, usually yes. Check your local voltage and the chair's power rating before buying.

Can a massage chair be repaired outside Japan?

Parts and service may be limited abroad, so a well-tested chair with a recent model year is the safer choice.

How long does freight take?

Air freight is fastest; sea freight takes longer but costs less for heavy items. We quote both.

Continue reading

• Importing Large and High-Value Items from Japan.
• Concierge or Proxy Service: which one you need.