Why Japanese people prefer RIMOWA so much?
Feb 4, 2016, 3:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: UKB
Programs: NH*G, TK*G
Posts: 39
Why Japanese people prefer RIMOWA so much?
From my experience, the percentage of RIMOWA users at airports is the highest in Japan, EVEN compared to Germany.
Especially, a large part of the elite flyers (inferred from their priority tags, and the locations like priority lanes and lounges) carry RIMOWA suitcases. Roughly 30%???
Anyway, I am wondering why Japanese passengers are in favor of RIMOWA.
Especially, a large part of the elite flyers (inferred from their priority tags, and the locations like priority lanes and lounges) carry RIMOWA suitcases. Roughly 30%???
Anyway, I am wondering why Japanese passengers are in favor of RIMOWA.
Feb 5, 2016, 7:12 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist, *A Silver
Posts: 4,896
I see the same thing in premium cabins into/out of China. But to Chinese people Rimowa more of a status symbol than a piece of luggage, but that's not to take anything away from Rimowa's quality.
Feb 6, 2016, 2:07 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Houston
Posts: 282
I live in Japan (Not Japanese) and I own a Rimowa so I could be one of those flyers you see with a Deluxe Salsa around the airport.
Beside Quality, Japanese people love some brands more than others... and they can afford them more easily than others as well.
I often see the highest rate in the world of MONCLER Jackets / Vest / Coats in Japan than any other place in the world... this jackets are $800 the cheapest I guess and about $2000 the top of line...
Tokyo recently opened a very large RIMOWA shop near shinjuku if I am not wrong , and from my house I could purchase them in 4 different locations within a radio of 10-15km
Beside Quality, Japanese people love some brands more than others... and they can afford them more easily than others as well.
I often see the highest rate in the world of MONCLER Jackets / Vest / Coats in Japan than any other place in the world... this jackets are $800 the cheapest I guess and about $2000 the top of line...
Tokyo recently opened a very large RIMOWA shop near shinjuku if I am not wrong , and from my house I could purchase them in 4 different locations within a radio of 10-15km
Feb 12, 2016, 5:53 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: AS Million Miler, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Nexus / Global Entry
Posts: 844
I'm half Japanese. So is my wife. 
I work for a German company. The Germans with style seem to prefer Rimowa.
Between us - 2 Topas. 3 Salsa.
Honestly I see more Chinese travelers with Rimowa vs. Japanese these days.
Used to be completely the opposite.
I work for a German company. The Germans with style seem to prefer Rimowa. Between us - 2 Topas. 3 Salsa.
Honestly I see more Chinese travelers with Rimowa vs. Japanese these days.
Used to be completely the opposite.
Feb 13, 2016, 7:08 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: K+K
Programs: *G
Posts: 4,866
quality and rimowa are 2 words that are not synonymous.
their polycarb model is known to crack, and the alum hardshell is even more prone to getting destroyed.
it cant be denied that rimowa has cachet, good aesthetics, and pricing that is compatible with the generous japanese buying market. altogether makes good sense
i wouldnt say the japanese in particular has a preference for rimowa, possibly due to some unique cultural ties... (e.g. popularized in a tv show). its simply that wealthy ,fashion-informed demographs , show favor to expensive, pretty-looking luggage.
their polycarb model is known to crack, and the alum hardshell is even more prone to getting destroyed.
it cant be denied that rimowa has cachet, good aesthetics, and pricing that is compatible with the generous japanese buying market. altogether makes good sense
i wouldnt say the japanese in particular has a preference for rimowa, possibly due to some unique cultural ties... (e.g. popularized in a tv show). its simply that wealthy ,fashion-informed demographs , show favor to expensive, pretty-looking luggage.
Feb 15, 2016, 2:57 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: SFO
Posts: 217
This is 100% speculation but it seems that the Japanese prefer hard-shelled bags in general. It seems to fit in with the neat/orderly/durable mantra of a lot of Japanese design and based on casual browsing in Tokyo, most stores predominantly sell and display hard-shelled bags. Japanese design-y places like Muji also only make/sell hard-shelled bags.
There's a decent amount of competition in high quality soft-shelled bags (Tumi, B&R, Samsonite, Victorinox, etc.) but Rimowa is king of the hill when it comes to hard-shelled bags.
There's a decent amount of competition in high quality soft-shelled bags (Tumi, B&R, Samsonite, Victorinox, etc.) but Rimowa is king of the hill when it comes to hard-shelled bags.
Feb 15, 2016, 8:58 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: HEL
Programs: lots of shiny metal cards
Posts: 14,104
Feb 15, 2016, 3:13 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Houston
Posts: 282
This is 100% speculation but it seems that the Japanese prefer hard-shelled bags in general. It seems to fit in with the neat/orderly/durable mantra of a lot of Japanese design and based on casual browsing in Tokyo, most stores predominantly sell and display hard-shelled bags. Japanese design-y places like Muji also only make/sell hard-shelled bags.
There's a decent amount of competition in high quality soft-shelled bags (Tumi, B&R, Samsonite, Victorinox, etc.) but Rimowa is king of the hill when it comes to hard-shelled bags.
There's a decent amount of competition in high quality soft-shelled bags (Tumi, B&R, Samsonite, Victorinox, etc.) but Rimowa is king of the hill when it comes to hard-shelled bags.
Feb 16, 2016, 4:33 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: Club Carlson Gold, AMEX Platinum, EBG
Posts: 397
Feb 16, 2016, 5:13 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Hard polycarbonate or TNF duffle bags it's for me now.....
Feb 17, 2016, 11:31 am
#15
Suspended
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Posts: 473
quality and rimowa are 2 words that are not synonymous.
their polycarb model is known to crack, and the alum hardshell is even more prone to getting destroyed.
it cant be denied that rimowa has cachet, good aesthetics, and pricing that is compatible with the generous japanese buying market. altogether makes good sense
i wouldnt say the japanese in particular has a preference for rimowa, possibly due to some unique cultural ties... (e.g. popularized in a tv show). its simply that wealthy ,fashion-informed demographs , show favor to expensive, pretty-looking luggage.
their polycarb model is known to crack, and the alum hardshell is even more prone to getting destroyed.
it cant be denied that rimowa has cachet, good aesthetics, and pricing that is compatible with the generous japanese buying market. altogether makes good sense
i wouldnt say the japanese in particular has a preference for rimowa, possibly due to some unique cultural ties... (e.g. popularized in a tv show). its simply that wealthy ,fashion-informed demographs , show favor to expensive, pretty-looking luggage.
FYI Genuine Rimowa actually is in the top 5 for bag quality when rated as number of warranty claims in the first 12 months of ownership.