Matou-Kasten

[Pennsy]

Does anyone know about or ordered from Matou-Kasten?

http://matuo-kasten.jp/mailorder.html

They're a Japanese company that make 1/144 military models, close enough to N scale for me. But when I run the Google translator for the Shopping Cart it can’t get pass the selection page. I pick which kits/models I want and then I run into a bunch of Japanese characters 

Any help would be appreciated.

[Ike the BN Freak]

My Japanese is useless...even after being stationed there for two years.

However, quiet a few vehicles I'd like...oh well...be nice someday.

[peteski]

Do you even know if they are willing to ship outside Japan?

Here is a translation of an empty cart page http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fmatsuokasuten.cart.fc2.com%2Fcheck

Too bad Ebit is not a member of this forum. I'm sure he would help.

[Iain]

Pink hearts, bunnies, and military vehicles.  Only in Japan.   

[M.C. Fujiwara]

Hmm, $29 (plus shipping) for a 1/144 Abrams seems a bit stiff for me (can you get only one?).
Though the models are very cool.
Wonder how the 1/144 would look on a 1/160 flat car, or would you have to create some perspective distance by having the tank behind the trains.
Probably close enough.

The shopping cart / order form is basically set up for national mailings with spaces for Japanese postal codes and a list of prefecture names.
They have a contract with national shippers Yamato (that Black Cat logo at the bottom next to the credit card logos) for shipping, with shipping at about $15.00 within Japan.
There is a 300 yen charge (about $3.25) for using a credit card (as opposed to bank-to-bank transfer).

Matsuo-Kasuten is based in Osaka.  (Wonder if they know PlazaJapan: he's in Osaka, too.  Big city, though  )
Ms. Keiko Matsuo is the President and Main Rep of the company.
Her email: cats.eye@cup.ocn.ne.jp
The website says please email them with questions, special orders, etc.

Feel free to write in English, as 20-to-1 somebody (probably Keiko herself) can read it and write back.
Japanese have to take at least 6 years of English (though it's taught in Japanese) so many can read & write, just not speak very well.

Hope this helps.

[MarcVanCleven]

If you look up Hobbylink Japan, you find his offerings. I have several of his model kits which are highly detailed and also delicate. These are very pricey approximately $20 to $30 per kit. They are fine for N-scale, and other than some rivet counter no one would know the better. By the way, Hobbylink shows everything in english, gives their prices in yen and US dollars.

Marc in Madison, WI

[Ike the BN Freak]

Wonder how the 1/144 would look on a 1/160 flat car, or would you have to create some perspective distance by having the tank behind the trains.
Probably close enough.

I have a few dragon models vehicles, which were less than $2 a vehicle.  And they are close enough.

I know the M1 measuring with my N scale ruler, was about 2 N scale feet too long, a foot too wide and about a foot too tall.

Some complain that the 1/144 ones overhang the flats, but so do the real M1s.

[M.C. Fujiwara]

HobbyLink is probably the best way to go, as they're set up to ship to the U.S.
But if anyone wants to special order directly from Matsuo-Kasuten, send me a PM and I'll email the company directly in Japanese.
From their website, they seem pretty flexible in terms of mix-matching orders and including special / specific details on models.
(I'm guessing Mr. Matsuo hand crafts these or at least adds the details to the molded basic shapes)
Just a heads up: if the company themselves hasn't shipped overseas, their answer might be "Gee, I don't know, we'd have to look into it..." which is Japanese for "No."
Which would send you right back to HobbyLink.

Another option might be PlazaJapan (on fleabay).
He's in Osaka as well and might, if there's interest enough, use his international shipping expertise to be able to put together better deals than than the Matsuo's.
Food for thought.

[VonRyan]

I have a few dragon models vehicles, which were less than $2 a vehicle.  And they are close enough.

I know the M1 measuring with my N scale ruler, was about 2 N scale feet too long, a foot too wide and about a foot too tall.

Some complain that the 1/144 ones overhang the flats, but so do the real M1s.

1/144th models will be the basis of a future WWII vehicles train (PRR of course, and an English version as well for the soldiers "in country").
I prefer them since there are more versions of AFVs (armored fighting vehicles) and they are plastic as opposed to the cast metal 1/160th WWII tanks and such that are far too heavy to alow for a full length train.

-Cody F.

[Pennsy]

When I found the original web site and was unable to complete an order through the google translater. I did click on the email link on Mr Matou web site. There was a delayed response but he did work with me and we got an order worked out and I paid via paypal. I'll report on when the package arrives.
It was a goood deal becuase after I had started this post and followed up on the suggestions. Both the japanese web sites had the listings but some of the items I wanted and ordered from Mr matou where out of stock on the others websites.

And as far as 1/144 vs. 1/160 I think I commented on another board that unless you had actually crewed these vehicles. The differences are to small notice in N scale by most evryone else. Especially if their mounted on a flat and rolling down the rals