ascl
Well-Known Member
The last couple of years I have been to Tokyo and have posted some images of the mad guitar stores there, but this time I had some more time, and really went to quite a few different stores, some of which aren't necessarily easy to find. So figured I'd provide some hopefully useful information on where I went and how you would get there if you happened to be in Tokyo.
I am sure there are people here with better knowledge of guitars and Tokyo, but this is my contribution to the forum that hopefully can be added to by those with more knowledge.
I will discuss 3 different areas, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ochanomizu. All three have some nice guitar stores, and any one of which is worth checking out if you get the chance. There are undoubtedly other areas worth exploring as well, and maybe next time I will find more! One thing to be aware of is that Google Maps can be very misleading in Tokyo. The addresses sometimes make it show you the wrong location, which can be very frustrating. All of these links should show the correct locations however.
In another thread, Stooge1996 asked if I had issues with communicating. I speak almost no Japanese, I can say hello and thankyou and that is about it. The range of English spoken varies a lot, with many of the staff speaking little or no English. However, they will always be helpful, and usually communicating your desire to play or buy a guitar is pretty straight forward. Just be polite and respectful and you are unlikely to have problems.
Another thing to be aware of is that typically you do not pick up the guitars. If you want to play one, ask a staff member and they will grab the guitar, tune it up and connect it to an Amp for you.
Unless otherwise noted, you will have to pay sales tax, and sometimes the prices marked are ex-tax (actually, I think Ishibashi may be the only one of the stores below that will sell you ex-tax, assuming you bring along your passport).
If you are Guitar shopping in Tokyo, be prepared to see a lot of high end Gibson, PRS, Suhr and the like. American guitars are clearly very popular!
Shibuya
This area is one of my favorite areas in Tokyo. It is very busy, but has some stuff to keep the wife happy (clothes mainly), and a bunch of guitar stores. It is also home to the large Ishibashi store, that Jason works in. He is an aussie, and obviously there are zero language issues, so shopping there is easy. Ishibashi also has a decent second hand section, and will ship internationally, and also have an export license, so you can avoid paying sales tax.
Google Maps: Ishibashi Shibuya
This is a short walk from the station (There is even a youtube video on getting there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgwnz6Rc33g). It is on the first floor of a small building, so take the escalator up (I think there is a subway on the ground floor).
Nearby from here is the ESP Craft House. This is one of the places where ESP custom shop guitars are made, and they also have a pretty cool selection of guitars.
Google Maps:ESP Craft House
This is also on the first floor, and pretty easy to walk passed depending on which direction you are heading. If you are walking down the hill, you will be passed the door before you can see the sign and the giant guitar. There is some kind of fast food place on the bottom. Ignore that and head up the steps.
There are a couple of the staff here who speak pretty decent English, and they have a really great range of interesting guitars. Surprisingly (to me anyway), they have a decent range of guitars, not just ESP-related brands (although they have them too, Grass Roots, Edwards, LTD, Killer, ESP and Navigator) -- Suhr, PRS and even a couple of Gibson's grace the walls. They have a bunch of crazy customs here as well. Upstairs (up the tiny spiral staircase) is the small custom shop -- this area is staff only, however, if you are on good terms (especially if you are buying a guitar!) you may get the chance to have a look.
South from these two is another store... which I don't remember the name of (it is actually a chain and there is one in Ochanomizu as well, there may be others as well):
Other store approximate location
Sad to say I'm not 100% sure of the location here either, I literally walked passed it on the way somewhere else. What is worth noting here is this store is 5 stories, and each floor has a different theme. Ground floor is MIJ guitars, and above there is a Gibson and PRS floor. I was only looking at MIJ when I went here, so I am not sure what the range is like. The store was small, but had a decent range of Tokai guitars.
Further south again (but still close to the station), is Key Music:
Google Maps: Key Music
Key Music is another 5 (ish) floor shop, again each floor has a theme, with various brands on each floor (although like the previous one, not all floors are guitars). Worth checking out, some interesting MIJ brands (Crewz for eg).
In the immediate vicinity there are maybe 4 or 5 other stores, all part of Ikebe (ã¤ã±ãååºæ å.±).
Google Maps: Jungle Guitars
At this same location (one floor up) is Grande Guitars, which had a PRS with one of the nicest tops I have ever seen...
Google Maps: 246 Guitars
246 Guitars is pretty small and on the 2nd floor. Look for the small plaque on the wall, and head up. Easy to miss the entrance, but once you head up the stairs you can't miss it. Very small, didn't have a huge amount I thought was interesting, but it is obviously subject to change (and given you are in the area anyway, why not?!).
Just around the corner is Guitar Station:
Google Maps: Guitar Station
Heartman Guitars:
Google Maps: Heartman Guitars
I think this one was pretty small too. None of these small stores really stood out, and I'm sure I have missed at least one (there is also an acoustic guitar store in this area, which I walked passed but didn't bother going into... not my thing), but given Key Music is worth the visit, checking out the other stores in this block is definitely worth while! And you never know what second gems you might find.
Shinjuku
Shinjuku isn't as nice (IMHO) as Shibuyu but it is a common place to stay -- my last trip I was near Shinjuku so really got to explore the area's guitar stores (while avoiding the red light district).
Google Maps: Rock Inn
This is actually a cluster of three stores, 2 side by side and one across the road, all under the "Rock Inn" name. The smallest of the 3 has purely second hand guitars, the intermediate one has low to mid tier guitars, while the larger (3 or 4 levels) has the more expensive guitars, including some extremely nice Gibsons. The tops of some of these gibby's were among the best I've seen!
That said, these shops weren't hugely interesting to me... I wasn't looking for MIA guitars (Gibson or PRS).
Google Maps: tcgakki
This was a pretty cool store. Easy to find (ground level), close to the train station, and these guys will also sell Ex-Tax I believe (although I haven't tried it). They have an English language website here: TCGAKKI?English
I really enjoyed this store, because it had a bunch of interesting second hand gear. Some of it junk, but also some cool pieces. A store like this is always going to be hit or miss I guess, but that is half the fun!
As a bonus, right next door is Hyper Guitars (Hyper Guitars), just head down the stairs. This store had a bunch of stuff that isn't really my thing, but none-the-less some really amazing Gibson and Fender's, including some vintage axes -- basically a whole bunch of stuff I can't afford!
This section seems a bit brief doesn't it? But the two locations net 5 stores, and there is also another couple of stores I didn't make it to (one in the seibu building on the 6th floor), so I can't really comment on them. Not really a location you'd head to specifically for the guitar shopping, but if you are staying around the station, there is some options!
Ochanomizu
This is typically the area people will suggest when talking about Guitars in Tokyo. It is a bit bare of other stuff, so partners may be bored here (Shibuya is a much better bet if you need to entertain a significant other). Given this is my least favorite guitar shopping area, I will be a bit vague with the names and precise locations, but for a decent taste this location is really easy. A large number of shops are all on one street.... so lets get to the guitars!
Once you leave the station, head to the east exit and it pretty much dumps you right where you want to be:
From this location you can see the first couple of stores... just cruise down the street and you will find more. Very easy!
Of particular note here is:
Google Maps: Big Boss
You can enter from either side (a small alley off the main 'guitar' stretch, or just around the corner on the bigger road), you can't miss it tho, big signs etc. This is several floors of guitars, with a decent number of ESP brands and a good selection of random music stuff.
Also worth checking out is the ESP Technical House:
I'm not 100% sure of this location... it is just around the corner on one of the blocks. It may be one either side of the one I marked (sorry!). Technical House used to be a custom shop, but I don't think they make guitars there any more.
I'm not going to mention the others. They are easy to find, and definitely worth checking out.
Ikeburo
I feel obligated to mention this one... these guys sold me the hard tail ibanez I made a NGD thread about
Google Maps: Rock House
These guys are also part of the ikebe group linked above, and the main thing about this store is the have a nice range of Ibanez. The level of English in this store was extremely basic when I was there, but that didn't stop me from playing some guitars or buying one!
I was planning on posting photos I took of interesting guitars, but this post is already quite long! I will post the images in a bit.
I am sure there are people here with better knowledge of guitars and Tokyo, but this is my contribution to the forum that hopefully can be added to by those with more knowledge.
I will discuss 3 different areas, Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ochanomizu. All three have some nice guitar stores, and any one of which is worth checking out if you get the chance. There are undoubtedly other areas worth exploring as well, and maybe next time I will find more! One thing to be aware of is that Google Maps can be very misleading in Tokyo. The addresses sometimes make it show you the wrong location, which can be very frustrating. All of these links should show the correct locations however.
In another thread, Stooge1996 asked if I had issues with communicating. I speak almost no Japanese, I can say hello and thankyou and that is about it. The range of English spoken varies a lot, with many of the staff speaking little or no English. However, they will always be helpful, and usually communicating your desire to play or buy a guitar is pretty straight forward. Just be polite and respectful and you are unlikely to have problems.
Another thing to be aware of is that typically you do not pick up the guitars. If you want to play one, ask a staff member and they will grab the guitar, tune it up and connect it to an Amp for you.
Unless otherwise noted, you will have to pay sales tax, and sometimes the prices marked are ex-tax (actually, I think Ishibashi may be the only one of the stores below that will sell you ex-tax, assuming you bring along your passport).
If you are Guitar shopping in Tokyo, be prepared to see a lot of high end Gibson, PRS, Suhr and the like. American guitars are clearly very popular!
Shibuya
This area is one of my favorite areas in Tokyo. It is very busy, but has some stuff to keep the wife happy (clothes mainly), and a bunch of guitar stores. It is also home to the large Ishibashi store, that Jason works in. He is an aussie, and obviously there are zero language issues, so shopping there is easy. Ishibashi also has a decent second hand section, and will ship internationally, and also have an export license, so you can avoid paying sales tax.
Google Maps: Ishibashi Shibuya
This is a short walk from the station (There is even a youtube video on getting there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgwnz6Rc33g). It is on the first floor of a small building, so take the escalator up (I think there is a subway on the ground floor).
Nearby from here is the ESP Craft House. This is one of the places where ESP custom shop guitars are made, and they also have a pretty cool selection of guitars.
Google Maps:ESP Craft House
This is also on the first floor, and pretty easy to walk passed depending on which direction you are heading. If you are walking down the hill, you will be passed the door before you can see the sign and the giant guitar. There is some kind of fast food place on the bottom. Ignore that and head up the steps.
There are a couple of the staff here who speak pretty decent English, and they have a really great range of interesting guitars. Surprisingly (to me anyway), they have a decent range of guitars, not just ESP-related brands (although they have them too, Grass Roots, Edwards, LTD, Killer, ESP and Navigator) -- Suhr, PRS and even a couple of Gibson's grace the walls. They have a bunch of crazy customs here as well. Upstairs (up the tiny spiral staircase) is the small custom shop -- this area is staff only, however, if you are on good terms (especially if you are buying a guitar!) you may get the chance to have a look.
South from these two is another store... which I don't remember the name of (it is actually a chain and there is one in Ochanomizu as well, there may be others as well):
Other store approximate location
Sad to say I'm not 100% sure of the location here either, I literally walked passed it on the way somewhere else. What is worth noting here is this store is 5 stories, and each floor has a different theme. Ground floor is MIJ guitars, and above there is a Gibson and PRS floor. I was only looking at MIJ when I went here, so I am not sure what the range is like. The store was small, but had a decent range of Tokai guitars.
Further south again (but still close to the station), is Key Music:
Google Maps: Key Music
Key Music is another 5 (ish) floor shop, again each floor has a theme, with various brands on each floor (although like the previous one, not all floors are guitars). Worth checking out, some interesting MIJ brands (Crewz for eg).
In the immediate vicinity there are maybe 4 or 5 other stores, all part of Ikebe (ã¤ã±ãååºæ å.±).
Google Maps: Jungle Guitars
At this same location (one floor up) is Grande Guitars, which had a PRS with one of the nicest tops I have ever seen...
Google Maps: 246 Guitars
246 Guitars is pretty small and on the 2nd floor. Look for the small plaque on the wall, and head up. Easy to miss the entrance, but once you head up the stairs you can't miss it. Very small, didn't have a huge amount I thought was interesting, but it is obviously subject to change (and given you are in the area anyway, why not?!).
Just around the corner is Guitar Station:
Google Maps: Guitar Station
Heartman Guitars:
Google Maps: Heartman Guitars
I think this one was pretty small too. None of these small stores really stood out, and I'm sure I have missed at least one (there is also an acoustic guitar store in this area, which I walked passed but didn't bother going into... not my thing), but given Key Music is worth the visit, checking out the other stores in this block is definitely worth while! And you never know what second gems you might find.
Shinjuku
Shinjuku isn't as nice (IMHO) as Shibuyu but it is a common place to stay -- my last trip I was near Shinjuku so really got to explore the area's guitar stores (while avoiding the red light district).
Google Maps: Rock Inn
This is actually a cluster of three stores, 2 side by side and one across the road, all under the "Rock Inn" name. The smallest of the 3 has purely second hand guitars, the intermediate one has low to mid tier guitars, while the larger (3 or 4 levels) has the more expensive guitars, including some extremely nice Gibsons. The tops of some of these gibby's were among the best I've seen!
That said, these shops weren't hugely interesting to me... I wasn't looking for MIA guitars (Gibson or PRS).
Google Maps: tcgakki
This was a pretty cool store. Easy to find (ground level), close to the train station, and these guys will also sell Ex-Tax I believe (although I haven't tried it). They have an English language website here: TCGAKKI?English
I really enjoyed this store, because it had a bunch of interesting second hand gear. Some of it junk, but also some cool pieces. A store like this is always going to be hit or miss I guess, but that is half the fun!
As a bonus, right next door is Hyper Guitars (Hyper Guitars), just head down the stairs. This store had a bunch of stuff that isn't really my thing, but none-the-less some really amazing Gibson and Fender's, including some vintage axes -- basically a whole bunch of stuff I can't afford!
This section seems a bit brief doesn't it? But the two locations net 5 stores, and there is also another couple of stores I didn't make it to (one in the seibu building on the 6th floor), so I can't really comment on them. Not really a location you'd head to specifically for the guitar shopping, but if you are staying around the station, there is some options!
Ochanomizu
This is typically the area people will suggest when talking about Guitars in Tokyo. It is a bit bare of other stuff, so partners may be bored here (Shibuya is a much better bet if you need to entertain a significant other). Given this is my least favorite guitar shopping area, I will be a bit vague with the names and precise locations, but for a decent taste this location is really easy. A large number of shops are all on one street.... so lets get to the guitars!
Once you leave the station, head to the east exit and it pretty much dumps you right where you want to be:
From this location you can see the first couple of stores... just cruise down the street and you will find more. Very easy!
Of particular note here is:
Google Maps: Big Boss
You can enter from either side (a small alley off the main 'guitar' stretch, or just around the corner on the bigger road), you can't miss it tho, big signs etc. This is several floors of guitars, with a decent number of ESP brands and a good selection of random music stuff.
Also worth checking out is the ESP Technical House:
I'm not 100% sure of this location... it is just around the corner on one of the blocks. It may be one either side of the one I marked (sorry!). Technical House used to be a custom shop, but I don't think they make guitars there any more.
I'm not going to mention the others. They are easy to find, and definitely worth checking out.
Ikeburo
I feel obligated to mention this one... these guys sold me the hard tail ibanez I made a NGD thread about
Google Maps: Rock House
These guys are also part of the ikebe group linked above, and the main thing about this store is the have a nice range of Ibanez. The level of English in this store was extremely basic when I was there, but that didn't stop me from playing some guitars or buying one!
I was planning on posting photos I took of interesting guitars, but this post is already quite long! I will post the images in a bit.
