Stump Posted May 24, 2015 Posted May 24, 2015 (edited) Seems a few members heading to Japan .I will put up some pics of record shops I found .Shibuya area in Tokyo has Tower Records Disk Union HMV and Reco-fan all within a few minutes of each other as well as specialty record shops..When arriving at Shibuya Station TAKE the Hachiko exit by the big crossing then head right and your in the area! https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=35.695402,139.669442&t=h&source=embed&ie=UTF8&msa=0&spn=0.069015,0.188937&mid=zTBUW0TOUuzw.kG9avySz_qZU 4th Floor Reco-fan has something for everyone.Gems can be found in the new stock area next to cashier before they are put into there correct area! Edited May 25, 2015 by Stump 10
YCC Posted May 24, 2015 Posted May 24, 2015 Thanks for the pics Stump, reminds me of when I was there in 2013. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stock and the garish signage etc. Mind you, the prices were pretty high. I found a second place in Osaka's famous mall that's more reasonably priced. Blue Note jazz club was pretty good too! 1
Stump Posted May 24, 2015 Author Posted May 24, 2015 (edited) Tower Records Shibuya 8 floors of different range of new music and a nice book shop cafe to relax in between.3 minutes walk from Shibuya Hachiko exit.You can see it up the road and its a good landmark to get your bearings. Edited May 24, 2015 by Stump
Demondes Posted May 24, 2015 Posted May 24, 2015 Great photos Stump. I remember back in the early to late 00's (2002-2008) there were a lot of ad hoc record sales happening in the basements of department stores in regional cities. I found some fantastic stuff because the guys were pricing on familiarity (all the stuff back these bought in bulk in the US and shipped to Japan to sell). One shop in Mito Ibaraki, I almost choked to death on the cigarette smoke that was like fog in the shop. But some great hip hop was purchased there Funniest thing was I bought 2 versions of the Roots Classic album Things Fall apart in Osaka, in a plain label version because I thought it was one set. But they were also cheap 800 yen Osaka also had a vibrant scene back then in The America Mura area, with Lots of second hand stuff and new dj vinyl. 1
Stump Posted May 24, 2015 Author Posted May 24, 2015 (edited) Sapporo in Hokkaido Japan Fresh Air Records This was a favorite as they stocked all the kind of music I like!Spent $450 on some quality pressings and as a service he parceled them up and sent them to my last Hotel in Tokyo where they were waiting at the end of my trip.I used this method 5X times around Japan so still traveled light! Edited May 24, 2015 by Stump 4
Stump Posted May 24, 2015 Author Posted May 24, 2015 Records Records Sapporo Another close to Fresh Air Records This was the first store I sent records back to my last hotel.There was no English spoken in these small shops so as a tip I photo the postal card information with the ipad so all the following purchased I had the seller copy the address in Japanese and there postal service worked a treat. 2
Stump Posted May 24, 2015 Author Posted May 24, 2015 Banana Records Nagoya Japan This would be the best in Nagoya.Did a lot of walking and found 2 shops which have closed! picked up some Australian japan pressings here! 3
Demondes Posted May 24, 2015 Posted May 24, 2015 Geez Stump I never stop to take photos like you. I just run straight in. Nice set of photos. Sort of shows the overwhelmingness of the volume to wade through.. 1
medicine_shoes Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 Great write up and pictures @@Stump. Could you give a run down on some of the prices there? In particular second hand records. Thanks!
Stump Posted May 25, 2015 Author Posted May 25, 2015 Great write up and pictures @@Stump. Could you give a run down on some of the prices there? In particular second hand records. Thanks! I bought close to 70 records nearly all second hand Japan Pressings.Average $20 AU.While in Japan I went for Japan Pressings with OBI yet picked ups some gems without OBI for as low as $8. I would only pick mint or A and B grade.My last day even picked up a few CDs for the hand luggage. You can pick up a lot of Japan Pressing on Ebay for $30-$40 but the postage of $20 blows the budget. 6
medicine_shoes Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 Wow 70 records! Those are all good albums and good prices too!. How did you manage to get them all back?
Stump Posted May 25, 2015 Author Posted May 25, 2015 Shinjuku Tokyo This is another area with a few different shops within walking distance.Shinjuku Disk Union Main Store is 8 floors smaller then the mega store.They have 6 specialty shops in the same area!! 2
Stump Posted May 25, 2015 Author Posted May 25, 2015 Wow 70 records! Those are all good albums and good prices too!. How did you manage to get them all back? I picked up a couple of boxes they use at the record shops(free) that hold 30Lps.I removed all the records from sleeves then packed them tight in the box then bubble wrap the boxes and put both box and small parcel in the black bag ($16 local shop)Stuffed all my winter cloths and hiking gear around for protection.Luggage wise I was 34Kg and 12 Kg carry on and went through OK.The black bag was couriered to the airport the day before so I didn't have to carry every thing peak hour changing 2 trains to the airport.I generally travel with the yellow carry-on bag and camera day bag! P.S 90 X records weight in at 30Kg for baggage allowance limit.. A guy I met from Melbourne who buys up for a record shop sends back with DHL.
Stump Posted May 25, 2015 Author Posted May 25, 2015 (edited) I was lucky enough to arrange a meet up with a expat from the UK who took me around to a few of his out of the way favorite record Shops.You have to know where your going as most are in side alleys with small sign. Coconut Disc Red Ring Records Other shop fronts!! Edited May 25, 2015 by Stump 3
Hergest Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 (edited) Hmm, different sleeve of Heavy Horses to mine. Thanks for all the posts Stump, most entertaining and informative. Edited May 25, 2015 by Hergest
Demondes Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 Hi Find the luggage limit on JAL very good in economy you are allowed 2 pieces of luggage up to 23Kg each + 10Kg carry on. So for 2 people that is like 112Kg. With 10Kg I always grab any expensive vinyl and carry that on board. I think an extra item with 23Kg maybe around 150. Airfares to Japan are also cheap Jetstar is as low $600 bucks on sale and JAL and Qantas offer sale fares. around $970 in Oct - Nov this year for me. Autumn is a great time because the heat is gone, less tourists, and you can walk without the stifling heat of summer and few public holidays 2
Darryl Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 What are the accommodation and food prices like? (Mentally doing some sums in my head!!!)
medicine_shoes Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 Much cheaper than here! But not se asia prices of course.
Stump Posted May 25, 2015 Author Posted May 25, 2015 What are the accommodation and food prices like? (Mentally doing some sums in my head!!!) Similar to traveling in Australia.I found the food a bit cheaper but public transport is a bit more expensive but very efficient.My accommodation average $70 per night.I mix up where I stay and range from business hotels $50 Japan Traditional Ryokan $70-$120 with meals.Air BnB was $25 a night with 2 nights in the Nakagin Capsule Tower ( Average person could get by on $50-$60 for food.)$10 subway day pass so $150-$180 per day and your set. Narita Airport $40 for 4x hours. Japan Traditional Ryokan Kyoto $70 Japan Traditional Ryokan SM $125 Hostel $36 Air B&B room $30 Tokyo room $70 This is one Back To The Future in Tokyo Build in 1972 (Not allowed for tourist!!) Nakagin Capsule Tower $90
Demondes Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 (edited) What are the accommodation and food prices like? (Mentally doing some sums in my head!!!) Food and Beer Food can be both cheaper than here and more expensive. If you can eat Ramen and Udon, Rice/Curry (japaness style), meat skewers and other standard fare you can eat for $10-12 bucks Typically if you start buying Nama Biru (Draft beer) with every meal (not me), like Australia your meal bills will start to double. You can stock up in Supermarkets and eat back at hotels on odd nights. The humble convenience stores such as Lawson, AM/PM, 7-11, Family mart are everywhere, and also stock snacks and ok food to eat on the run such as Onigiri (rice balls flavored with fillings). They mostly sell beer for a few bucks and have started selling a few craft style beers. Also Depachika (the basement food floors are really great for food) often around 7:30 to 8:00pm they drop food prices in a sell off before they close. Just look in Google images and you can see the types of food you can get eg pasta, fried stuff, bento boxes. Whilst not dirt cheap quality is quite high https://www.google.com.au/search?q=depachika&sa=X&es_sm=122&biw=1874&bih=914&tbm=isch&imgil=WuIX7HIfm76lrM%253A%253Bc-iI_G7KdUXhmM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Ftokyokawaiietc.wordpress.com%25252Ftag%25252Fdepachika%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=WuIX7HIfm76lrM%253A%252Cc-iI_G7KdUXhmM%252C_&usg=__zRTaoCaHX_70-G1nB8jFIERP_jQ%3D&ved=0CDMQyjc&ei=mhZjVcGvJYai8QWHt4OIDA#imgrc=_ Accommodation Accommodation in Tokyo is mostly more expensive than anywhere else in the country. You can try things like airbnb (haven't tried this personally in Japan). The thing in Tokyo it is important to be closer to a train station and preferably a Hub station station which pushes up the price. The old style businessman's Hotels are not the best place to visit. There are some funky chains that are not cheap but are ok. APA, and B Hotel etc Then the old Style classics around Shinagawa Station As shown above you can get cheaper than I suggest but I have become more fussy as I got into my 40's It is cheaper to travel as a pair or more accommodation wise. http://www.theb-hotels.com/en/ (have stayed in the B at Ikebukuro) and have used the APA group not in Tokyo though http://www.apahotel.com.e.ju.hp.transer.com/language/shutoken/20_roppongi.html. You are looking around 90-140AUD per night for 2 people. I am sure you can go cheaper, but remember location. Some of the newer hotel chains have a grand bath on one level that is free to guests. That is worth at least 10 bucks per person as a freebie. There is a lot that you can access cheaper through Yahoo travel Japan (Japanese only) etc but these usually require a Japanese person to navigate the vagaries. Comms and Data You can also hire a wifi modem or mobile phone before you leave and pick up in the airport or at your hotel. I use a wifi modem linked to my Iphone (now Android) to use google maps etc), Skype, Viber. and keep my aussie SIM just to accept incoming calls. Turning off all cell phone data and only use the wifi data. I have used these guys at Narita (Tokyo) and Kansai (Osaka) http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/pocketwifi.html but is a basic list form the airport website http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_19.html You can see the price drops substantially per day for more than a week and it is unlimited data for about $8-12 bucks per day I think the $5 Bucks per day Vodafone roamingSIM can be used in Japan (know it works in China) Edited May 25, 2015 by Demondes 3
Candyflip Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 Pity they are all Japanese pressings!!! <runs for cover> Great photos - good memories (I lived in Japan for 3 years between 1992 and 1994). 1
Demondes Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 (edited) Pity they are all Japanese pressings!!! <runs for cover> Great photos - good memories (I lived in Japan for 3 years between 1992 and 1994). Ha Ha I am not biting Yeah I am not beholden to Japanese Pressings. There is definitely non Japanese pressings around. For me it is more about being overwhelmed by the Volume even in the end you buy nothing. To be honest I have bought more CD recordings in Japan than Vinyl. And most have been excellent quality Edited May 26, 2015 by Demondes 1
Candyflip Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 We stayed at the Mercure in Ginza last time we were in Tokyo (in July). I'll let you do your own research on the hotel as to whether it meets your particular needs, but the location is fantastic. It's an Accor, and a QF partner, and we got a 100% prepaid, non-refundable Accor 3 day special rate of just US$90 a night. You will need to be an Accor member (free of course) and keep a sharp eye peeled on their site for sales (or subscribe to the email updates), about 3-4 months out usually. Hard to beat.
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