Japan:

Time changes, and people change, but the Japanese have always looked at something of good value as a wise investment. They are very shrewd with spending yen, and that includes luggage purchases.

10 years ago I flew into Tokyo from FRA for a graduate reunion at Waseda University. Aside from mine, only another Swiss on business carried a Rimowa case onboard. No others were observed.

Yet starting with customs and immigration, the interest was clearly there. I was frequently asked where it was made, complimented on the excellent finish detail, and more than a few stated " I will own one like that someday."

This summer I returned again on LH. Half the flight being German could be expected to be carrying Rimowa luggage, and true to form, was. But about 25 % of the Japanese nationals were too, with a 50 % mix between the polycarbonate, and alu models.

I noted that the German nationals ( especially the flight crew waiting outside for the crew bus ) had Rimowa alu checked luggage like mine, with years of travel dents. The Japanese nationals primarily were rolling 4-wheel hand carry cases. Immaculate at that, so I assume many were recent purchases purchased while departing Germany.

As a few travelers rolled BRG green, red, and chocolate polycarbonate cases, they had obviously visited an LH Worldshop store along the way. One man strolled out rolling a LH Rimowa 747- (dash) 8 alu case with leather trim, looking exceptionally sharp.

The darker Rimowa colours ( Marine, black, Dark grey ) seemed to be the most popular in the Rimowa Salsa line seen that day.