The Guitar Street of Japan, Ochanomizu!
Ah, Ochanomizu, the iconic guitar street of Japan! While guitar shops can be found in almost every country, including Singapore, it’s rare to see an entire street dedicated to them. Japan, with its rich rock music culture, is home to exceptional musicians, a vibrant live house scene, and rock music that permeates TV shows, anime, and movies. It’s also the birthplace of several world-renowned instrument brands. Recently, our bass guitar teacher Sean visited Japan and scored an amazing deal on an instrument. If you’re a Singaporean wondering what places to visit in Tokyo for 2025, this article will help the musician in you! Let’s dive in!
Guitar lessons can help you shop better in Japan!
Taking guitar lessons in Singapore can help you be well-prepared before your trip to Japan. After all, as musicians, we’re deeply invested in understanding and mastering our instruments.
We are a music school offering guitar lessons at Upper Thomson Road, Singapore. Signing up for guitar lessons with us means learning from a team with over 10 years of experience running a successful music school in Singapore. Over the years, we have refined our teaching methods to ensure they are engaging, effective, and tailored to suit students of all ages and skill levels. Our commitment to excellence goes beyond lessons—we organize annual recitals! It provides our guitar students with the opportunity to showcase their progress, build confidence, and experience the joy of performing.
Singaporeans are rare at Ochanomizu, the Guitar Street of Japan!
Can you make a guess which country visited Japan the most? Well, Singapore ranked 6th in tourist numbers visiting Japan for 2024! For a small nation like ours, we recorded an impressive 68,800 visits! Yet, spotting a fellow Singaporean at the renowned Guitar Street remains a rare occurrence. Perhaps it’s a hidden gem among Singaporeans, or maybe we tend to favor theme park queues over an afternoon spent exploring musical instruments. To get a better sense of the scene, let’s hear from our bass guitar teacher, Sean, who recently visited!
Navigation, locating Ochanomizu in Tokyo
Q: How hard was it to navigate and locate the famous guitar street in Japan? Any tips?
Sean: Getting to Guitar Street was easy. It is just beside Ochanomizu Station. Once you exit the station, Guitar Street is right around the corner. You can’t miss it. The whole stretch of guitar shops is right in front.
Communication, between the translation app and hand gestures
Q: Did you rely on a translation app or hand gesture, or if you know the language? Could they communicate in English?
Sean: I rely on the translation app and hand gestures. The retail staff couldn’t really communicate in English but was helpful and friendly. Definitely helps with the whole buying process.
Transportation, and logistic challenges
Q; From the photo above, you are carrying your new instrument in a cardboard box. Is that all they provided? Can we use a shipping company to send it back home?
Sean: Yup. That was all they provided. But they did stuff the box with bubble wrap to provide that additional protection. Also, the bass did come with its own bag. They do provide shipping service but with shipping fee and tax.
Conclusion
Q: What is your conclusion on visiting this guitar street?
Sean: The guitar street was an eye-opener. We don’t get so many choices in one location in SG. There were so many shops that I didn’t get to visit. While I managed to score my red Sugi 5-string Bass Guitar, I would love to visit again. I recommend it as a must-visit location!
FAQ
Q: Can you buy a guitar from Ochanomizu and hand carry it back to Singapore?
A: It depends on the airline you are taking but they generally allow checking-in of items that do not exceed their weight limits.
Q: Can you buy a guitar from Japan and bring it onto the plane as a carry-on luggage?
A: Some airlines allow you to keep your guitar with the cabin crew in their rest area, some airlines require you to buy an additional ticket for your instrument and some strictly forbid carry-on of instruments. You should call in and check with your airline.
Q: Is it safe to get the shop in Japan to ship the guitar back to Singapore for us?
A: Not all the shops in Ochanomizu are willing to do the shipping process. You will first need to find a shop that is willing to go the extra mile.
Q: Should I buy a guitar in Japan for my guitar lessons in Singapore?
A: If something caught your attention, or if you have done your research, yes go for it. However, do keep in mind that any form of warranty they provide is only applicable domestically. You might need to seek a repair shop in Singapore or buy another air ticket back to Japan should anything go wrong. Though generally speaking, we have quite a few very capable guitar techs in Singapore!
Talk To Us
However, if you still have some questions, talk to us. Taking guitar lessons can help you prepare for your trip to the legendary guitar street in Japan!
Consider taking a Trial Lesson with us! I am sure with our decade-long experience, we will be of valuable help to you. Contact us through these easy channels! 🙂
