Table tennis gear from Japan: Butterfly, Victas, Nittaku, Yasaka
Rubbers, blades, assembled rackets, balls and gear from Japanese shops. We buy where the Japanese buy, at the same price.
Why players buy their gear in Japan
Butterfly, Victas, Nittaku and Yasaka are Japanese brands, and the range inside the country is wider than what reaches dealers abroad. Some articles, thicknesses and colours are sold in Japan only.
The second reason is price. Japanese shops compete with each other and there is no chain of importers between the maker and the buyer, so the same rubber costs noticeably less here.
What it costs
A Tenergy 05 rubber costs 6,700 to 7,400 yen in Japanese shops, Dignics 05 8,000 to 9,100 yen, and a Viscaria blade 16,900 to 22,000 yen — one model, different prices from shop to shop (catalogue snapshot, 13 August 2026). You see the order total before you pay. Shipping is counted separately, once the parcel is packed and weighed at the warehouse: the weight is unknown until then, so that is when we name the figure.
Butterfly rubbers
See all →Other Japanese rubbers and care
See all →Butterfly blades
See all →Rackets, balls and gear
See all →How it works
A racket is assembled from parts
Japanese shops sell blades and rubbers separately. The blade is the wooden base with the handle; the rubbers are two sheets glued onto it. Assembled rackets exist too, but they are mostly for beginners — after that players pick the blade and the rubbers one by one.
What the numbers on a rubber mean
Hardness is given in degrees: the lower the number, the softer the sheet and the longer the ball stays on it. The second figure is sponge thickness, usually 1.7 to 2.1 mm and "max". A thick sponge gives speed and spin, a thin one gives control and works better for chopping. Attacking play usually means a thick, harder rubber.
ALC and ZLC are layers inside the blade
A blade is glued from several wood plies with a composite layer between them. ALC stands for arylate-carbon, ZLC for Zylon-carbon. Those layers add speed and stiffen the edges, so an off-centre hit costs you less. All-wood blades are slower and give more control.
FL and ST are handle shapes
The model name is followed by a handle code: FL flares towards the end, ST is straight, AN is anatomic, CS is for the penhold grip. The shape is chosen by hand size and matters less than the layers — but it cannot be changed later.
How an order works
- 1Pick a model from the sets above or send us a link to a Japanese shop. A model name is enough — we will find it.
- 2We price the order and show you the total before you pay.
- 3You pay by card on the site and we buy the item.
- 4The purchase arrives at our warehouse in Toyama. We check the contents and pack the parcel.
- 5We weigh the parcel, invoice you for shipping and send it off. Delivery is by air or by sea, depending on the country and what is inside.
Worth knowing before you order
- Table tennis gear is not covered by Japanese export restrictions: rubbers, blades, rackets, balls and apparel all leave freely.
- Rubber glue is a liquid, and not every shipping method accepts it. If glue is in the order, we tell you in advance how the parcel will travel.
- Customs limits depend on your country. A blade with a pair of rubbers is light and fits almost anywhere; a club order may not. If it does not, we say so in advance and split the shipment.
- We do not glue the rubbers on: they travel separately from the blade, the way they are sold in Japan. Players usually glue them at home, before a match.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an order take?
We buy from a shop within one to three working days. After that it depends on how quickly the seller delivers to our warehouse and on the next shipment out. We can be more precise once we see your order.
What is the difference between a blade and a racket?
A blade is only the wooden base with a handle, without rubbers. You cannot play with it as is: the striking surface has to be covered. An assembled racket comes with rubbers already glued on; beyond the beginner level players build the racket from parts.
Which sponge thickness should I take?
Beginners usually take 1.7 to 1.9 mm — that sheet forgives an off-centre hit. Thickness 2.1 mm and "max" gives more speed and spin but asks for a confident stroke. The thickness is listed on every rubber.
Can I order for a whole club?
Yes, the process is the same: send the list of models and quantities. We price it together and suggest how to split the shipment if your customs limit calls for it.
Who pays the customs duty?
The recipient, under the rules of their own country. We tell you the parcel weight and value in advance so there are no surprises.
Can I return a purchase?
New items follow the rules of the Japanese shop, and those differ from shop to shop — returns from abroad rarely work out. If the wrong item arrives, or it is damaged in transit, that is on us to sort out.
Read before you buy
Cannot find the model you need?
Send us a link to a Japanese shop — we will price it and tell you how the item will travel.
See also: Fishing tackle