Japan

[pete_mac]

I had the very great pleasure of meeting up with Clay on Takeshita Street in Harajuku earlier today. 
 

I’ve corresponded with Clay via SNA for over a decade and have used his DACs and power supplies during tha time, so it was fantastic to put a face to the name and chew the fat in Japan, life, and Gieseler goodness. 
 

It put a huge smile on my face. 

It boggles the mind that we’ve finally met face to face whilst overseas on holiday! 

[Herbs]

I love beer....

Yebisu do a very nice "black"

It looks like stout but tastes like normal beer. Like the Asahi "black"

 

[lemarquis]

  On 20/04/2024 at 7:35 AM, Gieseler Audio said:

Back out on the street ran across these cute girls - not sure what they were selling but they were certainly trying very hard.

The young guy  is having a serious think about it but can’t quite make up his mind.

They are promoting a Maid Cafe (of which there are many in the area). Nerdy males go there to be served by waitresses in maid uniforms. All above board  

 

 

 

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[LoveKnight]

I would like to travel to japan to buy audio equipments too. Recently I just search for the Melco S100/2 switch and the price is 151,200 Yen about $1k5 Australia more or less compare to nearly $4k Australia distributors. Yen is pretty low compare to Australia currency. Does anyone know which website or service that help to import audio equipments from Japan to Australia? 

[Neo]

  On 23/04/2024 at 7:16 AM, LoveKnight said:

I would like to travel to japan to buy audio equipments too. Recently I just search for the Melco S100/2 switch and the price is 151,200 Yen about $1k5 Australia more or less compare to nearly $4k Australia distributors. Yen is pretty low compare to Australia currency. Does anyone know which website or service that help to import audio equipments from Japan to Australia? 

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Voltage is different so not really sure what you trying to gain as you would need a really good quality stepdown transformer to compliment the gear you getting from Japan. 
if you after melco switch there’s one currently in the classifieds 

 

Neo

Edited April 23, 2024 by Neo

[LoveKnight]

Melco products use DC input so the voltage is not a problem. The Melco switch in classifieds is the old gen 1. 

[_Apophis]

  On 23/04/2024 at 10:08 AM, Neo said:

Voltage is different so not really sure what you trying to gain as you would need a really good quality stepdown transformer to compliment the gear you getting from Japan. 
if you after melco switch there’s one currently in the classifieds 

 

Neo

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Just a quick note, the switch doesn’t require any transformer as it originally with a 100-240V smps or you can use any 12V LPS.

 

TBH step down transformer only works for white goods like rice cooker, the noise it creates will drive ppl crazy at night. For HiFi gear you’d better find a local expert to change it to 240v 

[Herbs]

  On 23/04/2024 at 10:39 AM, _Apophis said:

TBH step down transformer only works for white goods like rice cooker, the noise it creates will drive ppl crazy at night. For HiFi gear you’d better find a local expert to change it to 240v 

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I use a Tortech one for a vintage Japanese amp, I can't hear any noise.

I actually want more vintage Japanese amps.

[_Apophis]

  On 23/04/2024 at 10:48 AM, Herbs said:

I use a Tortech one for a vintage Japanese amp, I can't hear any noise.

I actually want more vintage Japanese amps.

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Tortech is good, still have a Variac for my projector.
 

I use an old toyozumi, quite noise at night (Currently put it in another room), but so far the best matching with my Ongaku.

[Gieseler Audio]

Due to an amazing travel co incident we managed to meet up with @pete_mac + family in Takeshita Street in Harajuku.

It was an amazing place absolutely jammed packed with people  -  lots of yummy food available plus plenty of shopping options.

@pete_mac was heading off shortly to Disneyland Japan for five nights so hopefully he can update us soon with some photos

Usual great value meal + beer for about $10 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 24, 2024 by Gieseler Audio

[pete_mac]

Indeed Clay - so cool to catch up!

 

A few more pics of our travels around Tokyo over the past few days. What an amazing metropolis it is! (This town planner/urbanist/infrastructure nerd is frothing at the mouth!)

 

Off to the Studio Ghibli museum today, and then Disneyland here we come!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 24, 2024 by pete_mac

[Gieseler Audio]

Wow Pete great photos

 

[rodders3]

The beer is awesome at the top restaurant of the Asahi Building aka, The Golden Turd as referred to by the locals. Free entry and fantastic view down the Sumida River.

[pete_mac]

I forgot to mention the Akihabara branch of Hifido… an innocuous little building containing many audio treasures! This will be the subject of a separate thread.
 

 

 

[ENIGMA]

Cool.

[Gieseler Audio]

@pete_mac did you you up the sky tree tower to get that photo? 
View must have been amazing!
 

 

[pete_mac]

  On 24/04/2024 at 6:57 AM, Gieseler Audio said:

@pete_mac did you you up the sky tree tower to get that photo? 
View must have been amazing!
 

 

 

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Correct good sir! The weather wasn’t great so the views were truncated compared what you’d expect on a fine day, but at 450m above ground level, it’s pretty spectacular nonetheless!

[cazzesman]

Ahhhhhhhh Harajuku on a Sunday.   Absolute bedlam.  I’m surprised you found each other in that lot.

 

My wife and I are 6 days into 14 on our 5th trip to Japan.   currently in Kyoto for the 4th time.    
 

Yesterday was my arvo to scout some music stores.   It is hard to explain the culture to those that have never been to Japan, but just picture this.

 

I found Banana Records in Shoji St, Gion which is north of Kyoto Station.   Premises on the 2nd floor.   Up in the lift into a room about 30 metres by 4 metres.    Rows and rows of pristine 2nd hand albums, all beautifully presented.    A few racks of CD’s.   4 or 5 customers browsing.

 

I had a question about an artist, but no staff to be found.    I hit the buzzer on the desk and 30 seconds later a young man appeared, having come from the 1st floor camera store, which was a seperate business.

 

He said he didn’t have the artist and went back to the camera store.   
 

An entire shop of stock and no-one there to provide any form of security.   The lift was in a separate corridor to the camera shop so it was open slather for thieves.    
 

Amazing place.  
 

We went to our favourite Izakaya the other night.   $4.50 beers, $9.00 sake.

and amazing plates of food from $5 to $10.   Walked out very full and happy for $100.    Brilliant.

 

Back to Ueno, Tokyo on Saturday for a week then home.   Disk Union in Shinjuku, here we come.

 

Regards Cazzesman

 

 

 

 

 

[Ian McP]

  On 25/04/2024 at 2:08 AM, cazzesman said:

Ahhhhhhhh Harajuku on a Sunday.   Absolute bedlam.  I’m surprised you found each other in that lot.

 

My wife and I are 6 days into 14 on our 5th trip to Japan.   currently in Kyoto for the 4th time.    
 

Yesterday was my arvo to scout some music stores.   It is hard to explain the culture to those that have never been to Japan, but just picture this.

 

I found Banana Records in Shoji St, Gion which is north of Kyoto Station.   Premises on the 2nd floor.   Up in the lift into a room about 30 metres by 4 metres.    Rows and rows of pristine 2nd hand albums, all beautifully presented.    A few racks of CD’s.   4 or 5 customers browsing.

 

I had a question about an artist, but no staff to be found.    I hit the buzzer on the desk and 30 seconds later a young man appeared, having come from the 1st floor camera store, which was a seperate business.

 

He said he didn’t have the artist and went back to the camera store.   
 

An entire shop of stock and no-one there to provide any form of security.   The lift was in a separate corridor to the camera shop so it was open slather for thieves.    
 

Amazing place.  
 

We went to our favourite Izakaya the other night.   $4.50 beers, $9.00 sake.

and amazing plates of food from $5 to $10.   Walked out very full and happy for $100.    Brilliant.

 

Back to Ueno, Tokyo on Saturday for a week then home.   Disk Union in Shinjuku, here we come.

 

Regards Cazzesman

 

 

 

 

 

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well worth a look, Joe's Garage: Kyoto

https://recordstores.love/10189

https://cityseeker.com/kyoto/129652-joe-s-garage

 

Disk Union, Shibuya

https://thevinylfactory.com/features/the-worlds-best-record-shops-006-disk-union-shibuya-tokyo/

basement floor: rare groove and jazz, amazing!

 

[Herbs]

Is it hard to get around without speaking japanese?

Edited April 25, 2024 by Herbs

[pete_mac]

  On 25/04/2024 at 7:00 AM, Herbs said:

Is it hard to get around without speaking japanese?

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We’ve had no issues moving around, ordering food, buying goodies etc whilst using basic Japanese terms and the occasional assistance from Google Translate regarding menus. Most of the Japanese signs also include the English language. Navigating the train/metro line is relatively easy (although complex at times!)

[lemarquis]

  On 25/04/2024 at 2:08 AM, cazzesman said:

Ahhhhhhhh Harajuku on a Sunday.   Absolute bedlam. 

 

Back to Ueno, Tokyo on Saturday for a week then home.   Disk Union in Shinjuku, here we come.

 

Regards Cazzesman

 

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I lived near Ueno for a few years. This so - called 'downtown area' was my favourite part of Tokyo.

 

I imagine you are familiar with Ameyoko? New Years eve down those narrow streets is Harajuku / Shinjuku on steroids. Everyone is last minute shopping for seafood etc. You can hardly move. Worse than a mosh pit. 

 

Enjoy the rest of your stay. Slightly envious esp with the exchange rate. When I was there it was 60y to aud. Best I saw was 80...  

[Godot]

https://www.japan-experience.com/all-about-japan/tokyo/nightlife/meikyoku-kissa-lion-english
 

worth a look for a unique musical experience. 

[rodders3]

  On 25/04/2024 at 2:08 AM, cazzesman said:

Ahhhhhhhh Harajuku on a Sunday.   Absolute bedlam.  I’m surprised you found each other in that lot.

 

My wife and I are 6 days into 14 on our 5th trip to Japan.   currently in Kyoto for the 4th time.    
 

Yesterday was my arvo to scout some music stores.   It is hard to explain the culture to those that have never been to Japan, but just picture this.

 

I found Banana Records in Shoji St, Gion which is north of Kyoto Station.   Premises on the 2nd floor.   Up in the lift into a room about 30 metres by 4 metres.    Rows and rows of pristine 2nd hand albums, all beautifully presented.    A few racks of CD’s.   4 or 5 customers browsing.

 

I had a question about an artist, but no staff to be found.    I hit the buzzer on the desk and 30 seconds later a young man appeared, having come from the 1st floor camera store, which was a seperate business.

 

He said he didn’t have the artist and went back to the camera store.   
 

An entire shop of stock and no-one there to provide any form of security.   The lift was in a separate corridor to the camera shop so it was open slather for thieves.    
 

Amazing place.  
 

We went to our favourite Izakaya the other night.   $4.50 beers, $9.00 sake.

and amazing plates of food from $5 to $10.   Walked out very full and happy for $100.    Brilliant.

 

Back to Ueno, Tokyo on Saturday for a week then home.   Disk Union in Shinjuku, here we come.

 

Regards Cazzesman

 

 

 

 

 

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All the disk unions are awesome. Have some real bargain bin gold - in Japanese used condition ie MINT!  Got some great LPs for 100 yen which is now less than a dollar.

 

Been to the Shinjuku store - just be aware, depending on genre they are located at different stores but pretty close by.

 

My fav was the ochanomizu store. Everything in same spot except from memory heavy metal was in a different spot. See pic and a pic from the "Froth" of the Asahi building.

 

Enjoy, very jealous!

[cazzesman]

I have 50 mins until our taxi arrives so I will use it to tell a story that still has me laughing 3 days later.

 

We always stay at the fabulous boutique Hotel Mume in Kyoto.   It is our 4th time here.   The owner Hisako is just the most generous host. 
 

She puts on a happy hour for quests each arvo b/t 5-7pm.    3 nights back the rest were gone and my wife, myself and Hisako were having a quiet wine.    

 

Hisako or her staff recommends where to eat each night.   The choice is Cheap, Medium, Not Cheap.    We went the Cheap as we had the Not Cheap booked for the next night.

 

It was about 8pm and she made a call to a Food on a Stick venue she said was good fun.   Hisako walked us the few blocks to the Restaurant and it turns out they had stayed open just for us. 
 

The Owner/Chef was about 40 and his waitress/girlfriend was about the same.   Her English was pretty good but his not so much, so we were using the Google Translate. 
 

Sake and Food on Stick was ordered and the chat was flowing.   Just the 4 of us.     she was playing some music that was pretty cool so my wife Caz, asked her about it.

 

She said the Chef was a mad Computer Gamer and this was Gamer music.    she said she love Anime and the music with it, so she put on some Anime music.   also pretty cool and Jazzy.

 

This is where it got interesting.    I am a fan of some Japanese Metal bands and I typed the names of some into translator and asked if he knew any.
 

she read them out aloud and he said no no, no, and then she got to the band Baby Metal.   Baby Metal consists of 3 young girls with great voices and all the dance moves.  They are backed by a Heavy Metal group of top class muso’s who can keep up with the best metal in the world.   It is great fun and hypnotic to watch on video.

 

The Chef’s face lit up in the biggest grin and he immediately started singing one of their songs at the top of his voice.   It was hilarious and his girlfriend was on the floor almost in tears laughing.    He didn’t stop at 1 song, he went right into the next one.   Instant karaoke.    He then got Baby Metal pumping through the sound system. 
 

He came out from behind the counter and was laughing, singing and the Metal Devil horns were flying.    We were all crying by then.   Just the 4 of us were like 5 year olds with to much sugar.

 

I showed him my favourite Baby Metal song on YouTube, that is a Duet with the metal band Send Me the Horizon.   The song is Kingslayer.   amazing video on YT.   The song and the Crowd go OFF!!!

 

The Chef was beside himself with joy.   
 

It was one of those moments in Japan where a local really let their hair down and showed what was behind the mask of composure.   
 

We left with big hugs and vigorous hand shakes.   Instantaneous Joy is had to find in this world so that was a real hoot.

 

I love Japan.

 

Time to return to Ueno, Tokyo for another 5 days of fun and hopefully more joyful surprises.

 

Happy travels you lot.

 

Regards Cazzesman