The defacto answer is Ochanomizu guitar street and various Hard Off stores.
I personally had better luck in Ochanomizu, where I bought my MIJ Fender Thinline Telecaster (back in 2004) to various used pedals. It’s not all a bargain, so check prices before you buy. A lot of used equipment is cheaper buying it back home (in the US, for me).
But it’s super fun seeing large collections of guitars and pedals, so I would go to at least get that experience!
Seconding this! Hard Off in Ueno has a sizeable guitar/bass selection on the second floor, along with a few pedals/amps/other instruments. Was there last December, nothing notable for guitars except for a couple of Martins and the usual MIJ Fenders/MIJ guitars. Prices are decent. Saw a couple of Gator cases for $20 lol, and a tweed case for $50. Make sure you drop by, OP!
I'm thinking about doing something like this; how did you get the guitar back with you? Did you take it on the plane or ship it? I was thinking the latter might actually be less hassle, so that's why I ask.
If it's a special guitar and you want to travel with it, buy a seat for the guitar. That's how I do it, and after a pretty long time trying various solutions it's the one I've decided works. No baggage handlers dropping it, no checking it in at the gate, no wrestling it into an overhead compartment. It costs some money, but in the context of going abroad to buy a nice guitar it's a few percent of the price.
I bought a hard case along with the guitar just in case I had to check it in, but I was able to take it on board with me at the time. I would definitely see what your airline’s rules are now, I have a feeling it is more strict for carry-ons these days.
What guitar are you looking for?
My BF wants to do a month long trip, so really just something to play while I'm there. I'd rather not deal with guitars and planes. It's already a huge hassle by the sound of it. I tend to fall in love with gear, so the odds of me selling whatever I pick up are very low. They also get a lot of cool Japan only ESP/Grassroots guitars!
Just got back from there 3 days ago.
-Ochanomizu guitar street is legit. The whole block is multi story guitar stores some specialize on specific brands. Guitar planet is like 5 buildings alone. I live in New York City and we don’t have anything even remotely close to the selection here. I think if I was buying a high end guitar it would be worth flying to tokyo and saving the sales tax/ gaining selection
-tc gakki in shinjuku was my favorite store. Great selection of used guitars and pedals as well as unique new things.
-both hard off locations in akihabra had pretty good deals on lawsuit era Japanese guitars. obviously the stock changes since it’s a used store though.
I do find boss pedals and other made in Japan gear to be cheaper here (go figure lol). It's not like crazy amounts cheaper though.
Seek out used gear shops for sale, I think both the amount of gear and the quality of it is generally way better than stuff you'll find at home.
Guitar traders in shibuya for some collectible guitars. Very expensive and not very welcoming but if vintage Gibsons is your thing they have you covered.
Ikebe used guitars also in shibuya has almost everything. I have bought and sold guitars here and the staff know everything about any guitar you bring them.
Nico Nico guitars also shibuya has/had a load of custom Fenders. The last time I went it was only possible to visit on invitation due to COVID but that may of lifted.
Japan is the 2nd largest flamenco center in the world. If you play nylon, definitely check out a flamenco guitar store. I wish they had whole guitar shops just for flamenco where I live
The defacto answer is Ochanomizu guitar street and various Hard Off stores. I personally had better luck in Ochanomizu, where I bought my MIJ Fender Thinline Telecaster (back in 2004) to various used pedals. It’s not all a bargain, so check prices before you buy. A lot of used equipment is cheaper buying it back home (in the US, for me). But it’s super fun seeing large collections of guitars and pedals, so I would go to at least get that experience!
Seconding this! Hard Off in Ueno has a sizeable guitar/bass selection on the second floor, along with a few pedals/amps/other instruments. Was there last December, nothing notable for guitars except for a couple of Martins and the usual MIJ Fenders/MIJ guitars. Prices are decent. Saw a couple of Gator cases for $20 lol, and a tweed case for $50. Make sure you drop by, OP!
I'm thinking about doing something like this; how did you get the guitar back with you? Did you take it on the plane or ship it? I was thinking the latter might actually be less hassle, so that's why I ask.
If it's a special guitar and you want to travel with it, buy a seat for the guitar. That's how I do it, and after a pretty long time trying various solutions it's the one I've decided works. No baggage handlers dropping it, no checking it in at the gate, no wrestling it into an overhead compartment. It costs some money, but in the context of going abroad to buy a nice guitar it's a few percent of the price.
I always make sure to buy my guitars a business class ticket so it can take a nice little nap and be well-rested when we get home to play together.
I mean it's hardly break the bank money. I've paid as little as $15, as much as about $85. Granted, not from Japan.
I bought a hard case along with the guitar just in case I had to check it in, but I was able to take it on board with me at the time. I would definitely see what your airline’s rules are now, I have a feeling it is more strict for carry-ons these days. What guitar are you looking for?
My BF wants to do a month long trip, so really just something to play while I'm there. I'd rather not deal with guitars and planes. It's already a huge hassle by the sound of it. I tend to fall in love with gear, so the odds of me selling whatever I pick up are very low. They also get a lot of cool Japan only ESP/Grassroots guitars!
definitely check out the area in front of ochanomizu station, there are a lot of guitar stores around that area
Really Ochanomizu is the best recommendation. I went there and tried few guitars at the guitar shops when I bought my first guitar.
Just got back from there 3 days ago. -Ochanomizu guitar street is legit. The whole block is multi story guitar stores some specialize on specific brands. Guitar planet is like 5 buildings alone. I live in New York City and we don’t have anything even remotely close to the selection here. I think if I was buying a high end guitar it would be worth flying to tokyo and saving the sales tax/ gaining selection -tc gakki in shinjuku was my favorite store. Great selection of used guitars and pedals as well as unique new things. -both hard off locations in akihabra had pretty good deals on lawsuit era Japanese guitars. obviously the stock changes since it’s a used store though.
Ishibashi in Shibuya
I second this, Shibuya is infested with music shops, got my Shin’s pedal there
You’re so damn lucky, I wish I could afford to go to Japan once in my lifetime so bad
[удалено]
Nice suggestion, i live in korea and never knew about this. Ill probably check it out next time im in seoul
I do find boss pedals and other made in Japan gear to be cheaper here (go figure lol). It's not like crazy amounts cheaper though. Seek out used gear shops for sale, I think both the amount of gear and the quality of it is generally way better than stuff you'll find at home.
Guitar traders in shibuya for some collectible guitars. Very expensive and not very welcoming but if vintage Gibsons is your thing they have you covered. Ikebe used guitars also in shibuya has almost everything. I have bought and sold guitars here and the staff know everything about any guitar you bring them. Nico Nico guitars also shibuya has/had a load of custom Fenders. The last time I went it was only possible to visit on invitation due to COVID but that may of lifted.
ディアプルーデンス https://maps.app.goo.gl/kqV5AmdnLmHpDNwE9?g_st=ic ギタートレーダーズ東京 03-6427-0105 https://maps.app.goo.gl/RJn3eWNVeV3Vs57n9?g_st=ic
Japan is the 2nd largest flamenco center in the world. If you play nylon, definitely check out a flamenco guitar store. I wish they had whole guitar shops just for flamenco where I live