Hi!
My husband and I are leaving Japan, and a while back a friend told me about a company (associated with a second hand-shop maybe?) who would come in assess all the items you have (like furniture) and then give a quote on how much they would give you for the lot. It is very useful if you are not able to get rid of everything (private sale) before your deadline. I heard of this situation but I do not know any company or who to contact. Does anybody out there know of a company name, and can you recommend or provide me with contact details please?

Thanks.
goodbuyjapan@yahoo.com

Shannon, maybe the shop you are thinking of is called WAVE. See the discussion under Second Hand Recycle Shops....I don't recommend them as they will pay you next to nothing so you may as well donate the items.

Hi, We are leaving Japan by the end of this month. Does anybody know of any Salvation Army-type organizations here that will take used furniture / appliances / kids clothing / toys etc. as donations?
Thanks, Maggie. mgvalli [at] yahoo.com

If you're in Tokyo, there's a Salvation Army centre in Nakano which accepts donations, and I think can sometimes arrange pick-ups for some items.
http://familystore.salvationarmy.or.jp/english/index.html

Exporting Swords (Japan)
www.jssus.org/nkp/japanese_sword_laws.html
from:
http://www.kansaiscene.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1420:feature-129&catid=226:features&Itemid=611
(Feb. 2011)

Importing Swords (UK)
On the banned weapons list since 2008 (includes cheap reproductions)
However, at least one person brought his katana through to England with "imitation sword" in large letters plastered down his "sword" bag.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katana
I'm not sure if this is such a good idea.
Other countries have different rules.