If you have seen the movie "Jiro Dreams of Sushi" this is the toast-making equivalent. It shows a level of absolutely insane attention to detail that can only come out of Japan.
Basically, it is carefully calibrated to make toast without drying out the bread the way a traditional toaster would. So the results are consistently perfect toast, soft and fluffy on the inside, with just the perfect level of crisp on the outside. It really is a noticeable difference in quality vs. a regular toaster.
To use this in the U.S., you need a 100v step down voltage regulator. US current is 120v and Japan is 100v, and the thing is fastidiously calibrated to domestic Japanese voltage, meaning that while it will probably still work under U.S. voltage, the elements will run hot and no longer be operating within specification, which kind of defeats the purpose of getting a comically expensive, obsessively calibrated toaster in the first place.
When buying the voltage regulator, pay attention to the wattage ratings. We bought a 1,500 watt rated converter, which is slightly overkill but I think that for something like this, you don't want a regulator that is at or near its limits.
It makes the toast faster than a traditional toaster, which somewhat compensates for the one slice at a time issue. It is extremely well built and sturdy, likely to last a very, very long time if you take care of it.
The main downside is that you have to clean it after every use. There is a little teflon coated pan the toast sits on, and you'll have to wipe it down after every use (it is not removable). I would guess the failure of the teflon coating is what will eventually kill this device, so it is not quite the "perfect" toaster, it could be improved by replacing the existing, fixed pan with one you could take out and easily wash and/or replace eventually.
Do you need this? No. It is clearly a luxury item. But this stands out as a truly quality product in a sea of cheap, disposable products. And if it lasts the 20 plus years I expect it to, it is not an absurd indulgence. It makes a very small part of your day better, day in and day out, for decades.
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