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Any fishies from Japan/Tokyo - or know your way around it? Need some help...

InSides

InSides

dŵr
...so, I have a close friend in Tokyo for the next two weeks.

He asked if he could get anything from Tokyo for me, so my mind jumped straight to two headshells I have been yearning for years.

One is the Orsonic AV-101s, and the other is the Silverheart SE-10Σ. But my friend is not that into the hifi hobby and would not know where to even look for it.

Can anyone suggest where one might be able to find these headshells? I was told Akihabara, but it seems that a lot of shops have moved out during/post COVID (or so my friend tells me).

I would appreciate any and all suggestions! :)

P.S. If you can recommend a few jazz cafes, that would also be wonderful. :) I would think that would be a good experience for my friend.
 
Alfie Jazz cafe in Roppongi and a couple more around the same area... Googling will throw up a number of other options especially ones with massive Tannoys playing music in some of the cafes...
 
Tokyo Jazz Site is the best English language resource for jazz bars.

https://tokyojazzsite.com/directory/

James has also been working on the Tokyo Jazz Joints photography project with Philip Arneill.

https://www.tokyojazzjoints.com/

You could maybe try Audio Union. They have a large store in Ochanamizu. The same stretch of shops also has a bunch of Disk Unions including the big Jazz Tokyo store.

https://www.audiounion.jp/

Jazz Olympus is a nice spot about a ten minute walk down the road.

http://jazz-olympus.com/
 
TBH I don't understand the point of jazz kissas when you have a decent hifi and music at home. I've been to a number including Big Boy in Jimbocho and I understand why they have existed in Japan. But the staff/owners are usually very anal about the music and gear, you must be very quiet and respectful (so not a place to socialize with your friends), you are not allowed to browse the albums even when they sit right in front of you next to your drink (I was told off in Big Boy). And the drinks and snacks are usually overpriced and an afterthought.

I avoid them usually. Just my 2 cents...
 
I really appreciate the hushed atmosphere in a jazz kissa. IME conversation is absolutely fine and many masters welcome a chat about audio or music - so long as you're not being loud and annoying the other punters. Like everywhere in Japanese society there are rules regarding conduct that you are expected to know and follow.

When I lived in Tokyo I had a favourite jazz bar that I would frequent two or three times a week. After a long day at work it was a joy to step in, greet the master and slide next to my favourite table with a cold bottle of Ebisu to listen to what was playing. The master was very kind and really took us under his wing. I really miss evenings spent there!
 
I can see the charm and attraction in big cities where there is such a huge sensory overload and background noise and activity. But I suppose I prefer a nice quiet cafe serving good strong coffee (not a given because the Japanese favor a light tea-like brew) where I can sometimes chat with the owner and where there are no such strict rules. There's usually good jazz playing in the background anyway given that it's Japan...
 
My knowledge of Tokyo is also from before the pandemic, but I still have friends there. They tell me that there are empty buildings and fewer people, but many shops are still there, just with different names. I can still recommend looking for what you need in Akihabara, but it may be a bit more difficult to find.
 
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