Ishibashi Music - Ochanomizu Main Shop — Local services in Tokyo

Avoid Ishibashi Music (Unless You’re a Tourist Who Thinks Ochanomizu Is Japan)

As someone who has been a regular patron of Japanese musical instrument stores since 2015, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing top-tier customer service across the country. I’ve dealt with Ikebe Gakki, Shimamura Music, Big Boss, Musicland Key, Kurosawa Gakki, and Rockin — from Tokyo to Nagoya, Osaka to Hiroshima and smaller lesser-known cities like Kurashiki, Matsumoto, Kanazawa, etc. The one consistent trait among most of them? Respectful, knowledgeable, and passionate staff who make you feel genuinely welcome.

Except one: Ishibashi Music.

I am absolutely baffled by their popularity with international customers. I suppose they have carved out a reputation among tourists simply by being conveniently located in Ochanomizu, Tokyo's famed "guitar street" and being one of the first to cater to international buyers with an "international" website. If Ishibashi is your only experience with Japanese guitar stores, you are definitely missing out.

I had a poor experience with them back in 2015 and again in 2016. Both experiences were marked by dismissive, borderline rude interactions despite my genuine interest in purchasing. I gave them the benefit of the doubt at the time and simply chose to shop elsewhere, where I was treated with the kind of warmth and professionalism that Japan is known for.

Fast forward nearly a decade. I recently decided to give them another shot and made a simple, courteous enquiry about a bass guitar priced at 400,000 JPY. It was a serious purchase inquiry, and the model I was interested in (very specific finish) was only available at their store.

Their response? Curt, cold, and rude. No product knowledge. No effort to help. Just a complete lack of professionalism.

Suffice to say, I will not be giving Ishibashi a single yen of my money. I would rather go through the trouble of shipping from another region or buying second-hand than reward that kind of service with a sale.

To international buyers: Japan is filled with incredible guitar stores. Look beyond the usual suspects. You’ll find passionate luthiers, dedicated staff, and stores that truly value your interest, whether you're spending 40,000 or 400,000 yen. But if you ask me, skip Ishibashi. They're the rare stain in an otherwise exceptional...

As mentioned in the comments, the staff member with curly hair and glasses on the synthesizer floor didn’t come across as particularly friendly. I'm not sure whether his attitude was worse toward non-Japanese speakers or if he's just generally like that, but there was a clear sense of impatience in how he spoke.

To be honest, this slightly unpleasant shopping experience didn’t have much of an impact on me personally. I've been to Japan many times, and most people I've encountered are extremely polite. I can also understand that sometimes people might be tired or simply having a bad day, which can affect their behavior.

That said, I do feel a bit sorry for others who might be more sensitive to such treatment—or for other staff members who work hard and are genuinely helpful. Just one floor down, in the effects pedal section, the staff were incredibly friendly and courteous. They were more than happy to help set everything up if you wanted to try an instrument.

It would be a shame if the rudeness of one person ended up reflecting poorly on the rest of the team, especially those who are kind and professional. I’d feel bad if the efforts of the polite and attentive staff were overshadowed by someone else's...

First of all, I want to express that my trip to Japan has been overwhelmingly positive, filled with encounters with incredibly polite and respectful individuals. However, my experience at this store was quite the opposite. The woman working the counter around 11 AM, Sep 2nd, was, unfortunately, the most unfriendly and unhelpful customer service representative I’ve encountered during my entire trip.

Additionally, I was surprised to be told that I could only try one guitar. This policy made it difficult to make an informed decision, which I found quite frustrating as a customer.

In the end, I chose to leave and found another store down the street, where I purchased a used Fender Japan Stratocaster and Thinline Telecaster. Despite the initial disappointment, it worked out for the best because the two guitars i ended up with...