I can never go to Japan without visiting the area around Ochanomizu railway station. This area is known for its music shops and all kind of instrument shops (mainly guitars). A year ago I decided I would like to play the guitar. Guitarists always look 'cool'. I completed a few on-line lessons and now study with a local guitar teacher. Going to Tokyo would give me the chance to check what is available in Ochanomizu. The problem, I soon discovered is not the language - many shops do have staff that can speak a bit of English.No, It's the fact that I'm left handed. I visited a number of shops and found perhaps 5 left handed guitars. I was even told by one staff member that I was the first left handed person he had met. Oh dear. Here are some pictures of right handed guitars.
The one shop that appears at the top of my 'must visit' list in Tokyo is Disk Union. There are branches all over the city. Disk Union is THE place for new and used CD's and vinyl. Whatever your taste in music, this place is pretty much guaranteed to stock it. The Shinjuku shop is 5 floors of musical goodness. This time I visited the Ochanomizu branch and found all kinds of rarities - first pressing Led Zeppelin debut album and a signed-by-the-man David Bowie 'Ziggy Stardust' first pressing for about £400. Sadly the staff were not keen on me taking pictures of these treasures. I didn't get either as that would have probably ended in divorce. Here's Disk Union Ochanomizu
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