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Shimano Sahara JDM vs USDM: Japan Sizes and US SAHARA FJ

Shimano Japan lists 12 Sahara sizes; Shimano North America's SAHARA FJ product listing has 6 US codes. 6 share a size code (500, 1000, 2500, C3000HG, 4000XG and C5000XG); some US numerical specifications are Not confirmed.

Sources: Shimano Japan spec table (checked 2026-10-13) and Shimano North America SAHARA FJ product listing (checked 2026-10-13). ≈ figures are our unit conversions, not maker figures. How we check

Is the US Sahara the same reel as the Japanese Sahara?

The name is shared, but the size codes line up only for 500 (SH500FJ), 1000 (SH1000FJ), 2500 (SH2500FJ), C3000HG (SHC3000HGFJ), 4000XG (SH4000XGFJ) and C5000XG (SHC5000XGFJ). Numerical comparison depends on which US values the maker publishes.

Every Sahara size: Japan vs US

Each Japanese size with the US SKU that has the same code, or else the US SKU with the same size number (a different gear suffix), and the official values that differ.

JDM sizeGear ratioWeightMax dragJapan price (excl. tax)US SKUUS gear / weight / dragUS priceDiffers on paper
5005.6:1170 g (≈ 6.0 oz)3 kg (≈ 6.6 lb)¥9,000SH500FJ5.6:1 / 6 oz / Not confirmed–Not confirmed for all items
10005:1205 g (≈ 7.2 oz)3 kg (≈ 6.6 lb)¥9,000SH1000FJ5:1 / 7.2 oz / Not confirmed–Not confirmed for all items
C2000S5:1210 g (≈ 7.4 oz)3 kg (≈ 6.6 lb)¥9,000No US code———
C2000SHG6:1210 g (≈ 7.4 oz)3 kg (≈ 6.6 lb)¥9,000No US code———
25005:1240 g (≈ 8.5 oz)9 kg (≈ 19.8 lb)¥9,700SH2500FJ5:1 / 8.5 oz / Not confirmed–Not confirmed for all items
2500SHG6.2:1240 g (≈ 8.5 oz)4 kg (≈ 8.8 lb)¥9,700SH2500FJ (different code)5:1 / 8.5 oz / Not confirmed–Gear ratio
C30005:1240 g (≈ 8.5 oz)9 kg (≈ 19.8 lb)¥9,700SHC3000HGFJ (different code)6.2:1 / 8.5 oz / Not confirmed–Gear ratio
C3000DH5:1265 g (≈ 9.3 oz)9 kg (≈ 19.8 lb)¥10,200SHC3000HGFJ (different code)6.2:1 / 8.5 oz / Not confirmed–Gear ratio, Weight
C3000HG6.2:1240 g (≈ 8.5 oz)9 kg (≈ 19.8 lb)¥9,700SHC3000HGFJ6.2:1 / 8.5 oz / Not confirmed–Not confirmed for all items
40004.7:1280 g (≈ 9.9 oz)11 kg (≈ 24.3 lb)¥10,200SH4000XGFJ (different code)6.2:1 / 9.9 oz / Not confirmed–Gear ratio
4000XG6.2:1280 g (≈ 9.9 oz)11 kg (≈ 24.3 lb)¥10,200SH4000XGFJ6.2:1 / 9.9 oz / Not confirmed–Not confirmed for all items
C5000XG6.2:1305 g (≈ 10.8 oz)11 kg (≈ 24.3 lb)¥10,900SHC5000XGFJ6.2:1 / 10.8 oz / Not confirmed–Not confirmed for all items

"Differs on paper" compares gear ratio, weight, max drag and retrieve per crank after our conversion (gaps within 0.15 oz, 1 lb or 0.6 in count as the same). "Not confirmed" means the official table does not give the value.

Is the Sahara cheaper in Japan or in the US?

Shimano Japan lists the Sahara at ¥9,000–¥10,900 before consumption tax (checked 2026-10-13). A US list price for these codes is Not confirmed, so we cannot compare prices.

The Japanese figure excludes Japan's consumption tax (the page says so); the US page shows its price without mentioning tax. Pairs marked "different code" are not the same reel. Prices: Japan list prices are the makers' base prices before consumption tax (Shimano "本体価格", marked 税別; Daiwa "メーカー希望本体価格", marked 税抜). US prices are Shimano North America and Daiwa USA MSRP, or for Shimano baitcasting reels the price on Shimano North America's official online store. Source dates are shown with each record (2026-10-11 or 2026-10-13). We do not convert currencies or add tax. Prices can change; check the current price on the official page. Shop prices and stock are not shown. About prices

Which Japanese Sahara sizes have no US code?

C2000S, C2000SHG, 2500SHG, C3000, C3000DH and 4000: none of these codes is in the SAHARA FJ table (checked 2026-10-13). All JDM-only sizes in our data

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