Official specs side by side
| Spec | JDM: 500 Shimano Japan table | USDM: SH500FJ Shimano US table |
|---|---|---|
| Gear ratio | 5.6:1 | 5.6:1 |
| Weight | 170 g (≈ 6.0 oz) | 6 oz |
| Max drag | 3 kg (≈ 6.6 lb) | Not confirmed |
| Retrieve per crank | 69 cm (≈ 27.2 in) | Not confirmed |
| Braid / PE capacity | PE 0.6-185, 0.8-140, 1-110 (gō-m) | 5/135, 8/105, 10/65 |
| Mono capacity | 1-150, 1.5-90, 2-70 (gō-m) | 2/190, 4/100, 6/60 |
| Bearings | 3/1 | 3/1 |
| List price | ¥9,000 excl. tax | Not confirmed |
| Code | Product code 044495 JAN 4969363044495 | SKU SH500FJ |
Values in brackets are our unit conversions of the Japanese figures. Manufacturer figures are shown without brackets.
Is the JDM Sahara 500 cheaper than the US SH500FJ?
Japan: ¥9,000 before consumption tax. US: Not confirmed. Checked 2026-10-11; we do not convert currencies.
Do the numbers match?
We convert the Japanese figures and compare them with the US table. Small gaps within rounding (0.15 oz, 1 lb, 0.6 in) count as a match.
| Item | JDM 500 | USDM SH500FJ | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gear ratio | 5.6:1 | 5.6:1 | Matches after unit conversion |
| Weight | 170 g (≈ 6.0 oz) | 6 oz | Matches after unit conversion |
| Max drag | 3 kg (≈ 6.6 lb) | Not confirmed | Cannot compare (value not published) |
| Retrieve per crank | 69 cm (≈ 27.2 in) | Not confirmed | Cannot compare (value not published) |
Line capacity is not compared value by value: Japan rates PE line in gō (号) × metres, while the US table uses lb test × yards for a named braid, and the two cannot be converted exactly.
What only the Japanese listing gives you
- Product code and JAN: 044495 / 4969363044495. Use these to match a Japanese retailer's listing and to order parts.
- Practical drag: 2 kg (a separate maker figure the US table does not give).
- Spool: 39.5 mm dia. / 8 mm stroke.
Officially listed compatibility applies to the Japanese reel as listed in Japan. We have not found a statement from Shimano that the US version takes the same parts, so we do not say it does.
Links
- Full Japanese specs and compatibility: Shimano Sahara 500
- Shimano Sahara JDM: every size in the Japanese table · All JDM Shimano reels
- Every Sahara size: Japan vs US SAHARA FJ
- Same size code in other series: Shimano Nasci 500, Shimano Sedona 500
- JDM sizes with no same-code US model
- Guide: how JDM and USDM listings differ
- Shimano Japan official page · Shimano US official page
Other Sahara sizes: JDM vs USDM
- Sahara 1000 vs SH1000FJ
- Sahara 2500 vs SH2500FJ
- Sahara C3000HG vs SHC3000HGFJ
- Sahara 4000XG vs SH4000XGFJ
- Sahara C5000XG vs SHC5000XGFJ
Other Sahara sizes in our data
1000 · C2000S · C2000SHG · 2500 · 2500SHG · C3000 · C3000DH · C3000HG · 4000 · 4000XG · C5000XG
Sources
- Shimano Japan product page and spec table (サハラ) (checked 2026-10-13)
- Shimano North America: SAHARA FJ product table (checked 2026-10-13)