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Bassists in Japan

6

6810

Jan 11, 2008
197
5
#1
Any one reading this board live and/or play bass in Japan.

I do.

Would love to exchange information on music stores, gigs etc.

Whether your Japanese or not, speak English or Japanese... are you there>
 
#3
I just got back from Japan a few weeks ago... was my second time there.

Basically, in Shibuya, there is a high-end bass boutique shop right outside the station. There is also an ESP store that has great gear.

Ochanomizu (a bit of a train ride but well worth it) is renowned for being awesome for musicians. The whole block is littered with stores. The most friendly store on the street for bassists is (again) the ESP store. They carry a lot more than ESP, in case you're worried.

Hm... I think I saw a few other bass only stores.. but I can't remember where.

Be sure to look for Ishibashi stores as well. I went to a few in department stores in Yokohama. Lots of nice used gear.

As far as gigs, I can't help you with that.

Have fun!
 
#4
Hey Marcus,

I pretty much did the circuit you mentioned last winter when my brother came to Jpn and we went to Tokyo (him for love, me for LPs and a new bass). Ochanomizu is great for all things musical.

I have to admit, I didn't know about the bass specialty stores though...

So any other TBs in Japan going, coming etc
 
#7
Junnosuke Kawaguchi of the Blue Hearts.

We did a show with these guys at The Central Tavern in Seattle in the late 80s

Good, intense straight ahead power punk pop. They had a minor hit "Linda Linda".

Very nice guys!
 
#10
I lived in Japan for 4 months as a student and 2 years as a teacher. I found two music stores in Osaka when I was visiting my host family last summer; one was in Shinsaibashi and one was in Umeda. I can't remember exactly where they were, though, as they were the type of places you stumble across while strolling through the shopping arcades.

I wish I'd bought a bass there, but I didn't start playing until after I came back to the States. Now I just pounce on any thread that has a Japanese url in it so I can translate it and drool.
 
#11
Marcus said:
That is really great, Pac.

I sincerely wish you the best. Be sure to try all sorts of raamen (the dingier the shop looks, THE BETTER), natchan orange juice, meiji milk (from the glass bottles), curry rice and MELON PAN!

I hope to move out there and teach English once I graduate this fall.
Click to expand...

Well, thanks man! I'm really excited about the move. I can't wait to eat all the crazy stuff I saw on "Bizzare Foods"! I'll put that stuff on my list, too.
 
#12
I lived in Japan (Tokyo, Shikoku and Fukuoka) from 1995-2002. It's been awhile, so I'm not up to date on the scene anymore, but if you're in Tokyo, Ochanomizu is indeed the place to visit for ogling basses. The often-mentioned Ishibashi music store is there, with a gorgeous selection of Tune basses and other high-end goodies on the upper floors. Unfortunately, most gear is more expensive in Japan than in the U.S., and the current exchange rate isn't making it any cheaper for Americans lately.
 
#15
You're going to love it, Jon. I spent about 15 years on Okinawa and did several TDYs to Yokota. Zillions of things to see and do, temperate climate, great public transportation system. Not sure if you're going accompanied or not, but it's a super family environment too. Oh yeah...and the COLA is sweet.
 
#16
Yeah, I'm going accompanied. It's a non-joint assignment,too. (Double the DLA!) We're so looking forward to it, I can't see straight!
 
#17
If you're gonna be stationed here for some time, do what ever you can to learn Japanese. Your whole life will change if you do.

I found that until I had learned to at least speak Japanese (I can now read and write) so much of the music scene and good stuff in life generally was invisible to me.

Still, anyone actually here?
 
#18
Hey 68,
Search for "Dale James" on MySpace. He's a Canadian bassist living and working in Japan..... words can't describe his playing and take on all things, A real Roshi for sure.
 

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