“Ochanomizu” is the city with the most musical instrument stores in Japan. Here, about 50 musical instrument stores are lined up on the main street next to JR Ochanomizu Station and the surrounding area. Learn more about the charm of this neighborhood which artists from all over the world visit to find the perfect match!
Originally, the musical instrument stores were built for the students studying at the surrounding universities, now Japanese and foreign professional musicians and music lovers visit Ochanomizu in order to purchase high-quality instruments. There are limited edition instruments “Made in Japan” and all kinds of instruments – from rare vintage items to reasonably priced beginner ones.
Many of the shops specialize in one type of instrument. Instead of having a large assortment of different instruments, these shops will overwhelm you with their wide selection of ukuleles, drums, guitars and so on. Therefore, when you visit this neighborhood, you will find the instrument you have dreamt of for sure.
During the year-end and New Year holidays most of the stores have big sales. If you have the opportunity to visit Ochanomizu during the coming season, you might make a great deal. Walking around Tokyo’s music town Ochanomizu is fun in itself. But if you are a music fan, you HAVE to visit!
As a small holiday season treat, we asked the staff (most of them are musicians) of nine musical instrument stores to play the winter classic “Walking in a Winter Wonderland”! Enjoy the video!
These are the instrument stores featured in the video:
MIYAJI GAKKI (Guitar, Bass, Piano, Keyboard)
https://miyaji.co.jp
1-4, Kanda-Ogawamachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
KUROSAWA VIOLIN (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bow)
http://www.kurosawaviolin.com/ochanomizu
2-2-1, Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
TANIGUCHI GAKKI (Accordion & Harmonica, Lefty guitar & bass)
https://taniguchi-gakki.jp
1-8, Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
ACOUSTIC PLANET (Acoustic guitar, Classical guitar)
BASS PLANET (Bass, Vintage bass)
https://www.guitarplanet.co.jp
2-4-5, Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
ISHIBASHI MUSIC FINEST GUITARS (Electric guitars / Gibson, Fender Custom Shop)
https://www.ishibashi.co.jp/store/ochanomizu-finestguitars.html
1-8-6, Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
ISHIBASHI MUSIC OCHANOMIZU HONTEN (Guitar, Bass, Keyboard, Wind instrument)
https://www.ishibashi.co.jp/store/ochanomizu.html
2-2, Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
SHIMOKURA MUSIC (Wind instruments, Guitar, Bass)
http://www.shimokura-gakki.com/english
2-2, Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
DRUM CONNECTION (Drums, Cymbal, Percussion)
http://www.kurosawagakki.com/drum_connection/
3-22, Kanda-Ogawamachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
AKIO GAKKI (Ukulele)
https://www.j-guitar.com/shop/detail.php?shop_id=154
3-7, Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Map of music town Ochanomizu (Japanese):
http://chiyodamusic.net
More information about the music town (Chiyoda Music Association):
http://chiyodamusic.net
