Japanese Magazines - Mens Ex and Leon (Pics)

[Dragon]

Personally, I think MensEx is the best for sartorial (almost 100% relevant). The others (Leon, Uomo, etc.) are a mix of sartorial, restaurant guide, travel, picking up young chicks, etc.

 

[neyus]

Originally Posted by Dragon

Personally, I think MensEx is the best for sartorial (almost 100% relevant). The others (Leon, Uomo, etc.) are a mix of sartorial, restaurant guide, travel, picking up young chicks, etc.
picking up young chicks is relevant

 

[gefinzi]

Originally Posted by mrchapel

I went ahead and ordered the January 2007 issue from Amazon Japan. Cost me around 3,780 Yen, which at today's exchange rate, is around $32, but that's with International Express shipping at 2-5 day delivery time as opposed to 2,780 Yen ($19) for International Economy at 3-4 weeks delivery time. A bit pricey for a magazine, but I really liked the few shots from their web site and like to see them closer, and since I called a few Japanese booksellers in my area that don't carry it, what do you do?

After reading this post I also ordered copies of Men's Ex and Leon from Amazon Japan. Cost me $40 with fast shipping, would have been $27 with slow shipping. Not cheap, but I had to see them first hand and wow, these are great magazines. I think Men's Ex was my favorite. I spent hours looking at the pictures. If I could read Japanese, I would probably spend as much time with one magazine as a small novel. They appear so far ahead of Men's Vogue in terms of appeal to Style Forum members it is hard to believe we don't have something like it in English (GQ isn't even on the map compared to these magazines). Are the Japanese really so much more obsessed with classic style than all English speaking countries combined that they can support multiple, great men's magazines while we cannot? I'd be interested to hear the perspective of any Japanese forum members or non-Japanese living in Japan.

 

[pengesq]

If you live near a FAMIMA! Japanese convenience store, you can purchase it ther e for $14.10.

http://www.famima-usa.com/

 

[BlvdDandy]

Does anyone know where to find Last magazine on amazon Japan?

 

[Shoe-nut]

I have a Japanese magazine store local to where I live. The Japanese don't miss a bet with their magazines as they cover a plethora of topics and don't seem to leave you unsatisfied. Each issue having great photography and plenty of pictures.

The beauty of having them local to me is to be able to look thru an issue before purchasing. Actually, I stay away form them as the temptation to buy is too high and the cost for the average magazine is around $20.00 a bit much for my taste.

I have seen issues that cover vintage clothing, fashion, military collectables and of course Last magazine with all shoes. It's a feast for hungry eyes my only wish is that they would be in English.

 

[amerikajinda]

Originally Posted by neyus

It has inspired me to start learning Japanese. For the time being I just marvel at the pictures and follow the articles written in Romanji (Roman Characters)

That's cute! "Romanji"... actually it's "romaji" but I like your way better!

 

[Christofuh]

Under $7 before shipping

 

[hossoso]

Originally Posted by whnay.

Nice, thanks for sharing. How I wish I had better access to these mags...

For those in Seattle, check out the bookstore connected to Uwajimaya in the ID. At one point they carried several of the magazines listed here. Get some cheap wasabi root while you're there.

I agree with the other posters that there is a need for more magazines like this in the western world. Does anyone know if there are sites similar to SF and AAAC in Japan. It amazes me that there are so many mags related to mens fashion in a country of roughly 130 million. Especially as there is so little linguistic crossover with the other countries in that region. They are catering to an almost exclusively Japanese audience.

I have to go get "no sexy shoes, no fantastic life" tattooed across my stomach now.

 

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by gefinzi

Are the Japanese really so much more obsessed with classic style than all English speaking countries combined that they can support multiple, great men's magazines while we cannot? I'd be interested to hear the perspective of any Japanese forum members or non-Japanese living in Japan.
Yes. Japanese are very obsessed with style and they spend more money on it too. A lot of the brands we talk about on this forum consider Japan to be the main market. There`s a lot more stuff available in Japan that isn`t available or even known in the U.S. too.

 

[Nantucket Red]

Originally Posted by mrchapel

Thanks for sharing! One thing I find a tad bit amusing is that the models are not Asian...considering it's a Japanese magazine, you'd think different, but then I've never been to Japan.

Many models are non-Japanese, as there's a kind of cachet to things foreign in Japan, but there are also many Japanese models.

Originally Posted by mrchapel

But I can't read Japanese and I don't know if they even offer international subscriptions. Can anyone here read Japanese?

I'm a professional translator living in Tokyo and Sator also possesses very competent Japanese. Judging by some of his translations of scans from Last a while back, his eyes are much better than mine, as he was able to translate passages that appeared as nothing more than blurs to me.

 

[Trojanman74]

im looking for men's ex in manhattan, anyone know a store that carries it?

 

[chobochobo]

I was in a UK Borders and they had a few English style mags, one was called 'Fantastic Man' (I think). Seemed reasonable on a flick through despite the article on the Sartorialist.

 

[Kuro]

Originally Posted by Trojanman74

im looking for men's ex in manhattan, anyone know a store that carries it?
Kinokuniya and Asahiya both carry, but it is usally sold out so you need to reserve. I think both also offer subscription services.

 

[pitboss12]

I have a subscription service with them. If you set up the service you get 15% off the annual rate.

Also note that with the service, the bookstore sends you a post card when the new issue arrives and you have to go and pick it up. When I signed up I was under the impression that they would mail me my magazines.