Music
For the musically inclined, it might at first seem that there is not much available in the way of instruments,
practice space or even stuff to listen to.
Well, having been here for quite some time and been in the same position, I've found a few good places that may prove useful to those looking for musical resources while in Japan.
Buying CDs
This should be easy, right? Well, sure, you can head on over to Tower Records in Jusco and buy to your heart's content, but unless you're really loaded you'll soon be searching for a cheaper place to buy your music. Japanese CDs are significantly more expensive than North American CDs, and have a set price, so finding sales in music stores is very rare. So, for the cheapo's out there (that includes me), there are a ton of used CD stores and rental stores where you can pick up CDs for cheap.
Bookies
They carry a pretty good selection of both Japanese and foreign CDs, all used, usually no more expensive than about 1700 yen. They also have singles starting from 50 yen, as well as soundtracks, compilations, anime CDs...you name it, they probably have it. Definitely worth a look! And they also sell music-related magazines, score books and band-related paraphenalia too. As well as lots of other anime goodies..see the Anime page for details.
How to get there: Bookies also has 2 locations. Bookies is located in Tatsumi. Go north on Route 248 and turn right at the intersection with Seiyu. Follow the street up the steep hill until you come to a Pachinko parlour on the left-hand side and a set of lights. Turn left and follow the street down for a bit - Bookies is on the left-hand side. The other location, Bookies 2, is quite a bit farther.
Book Off
A wide selection of Japanese and foreign CDs. The CD prices are seperated a bit by how old the CD is, ie. CDs from more than 10 years ago or so are cheaper than the more recent ones. Prices are about the same as Bookies. Book Off also has anime and game CDs, compilations, soundtracks, and band score books (but not as many as Bookies). Book Off's main focus of sales is, of course, books, so they sell a lot of manga too (see the Anime page for more info).
How to get there: There are two locations (that I know of) in Okazaki. One is at the intersection of Route 248 and the road to Okazaki station. To get there, go down Route 248 past Jusco and turn left at the next set of lights. You should see the building. The other location is very far north, on Route 248 on the right-hand side, just before the city border line to Toyota! From Yamasa, it takes about 35-40 minutes to get there on bicycle.
Meiroku
A fairly good selection of Japanese and foreign CDs, but they don't seem to be in any order...the foreign ones, in particular, are all over the place, so if you're looking for a specific artist you could be there a while! Prices are pretty average, same as Book Off and Bookies. If you're just looking for CDs, you might want to try another store, but if you're in the market for manga, DVDs, video games, or magazines, you may want to go here first...again, more about that in the Anime page.
How to get there: Again, two locations in Okazaki, the closest to Yamasa being on Route 248 heading southbound (towards Gamagori City). It's right across the street from Shidax (karaoke bar) and Sega World. Mind you, it's quite a way down the road; by bicycle it takes about 10 minutes. The other location is in North Okazaki.
Disc Station/Tsutaya
OK, so Disc Station is a new store. ATheir prices are the same as any other new store, so there's no real attraction here, except that they're pretty much guaranteed to have what you're looking for. I wanted to mention it, though, because it's in the same building as Tsutaya, which is a CD and video rental store. ..OK (again), so you're saying "but I can't rent CDs in Japan without a membership!". True, my friend. I don't have a membership either, but if you're into (modern) Japanese music they often sell CDs and singles that were used as rentals for very cheap. I get a lot of my CDs here!
How to get there:Disc Station/Tsutaya is located right across the street from Seiyu, on Route 248. About 5 minutes by bike from Yamasa.
Places to Buy Instruments
Rockinn
Rockinn used to be in a smaller building across the street, but recently expanded. The first floor is basically all guitars, as well as music magazines and band scores. The second floor has other instruments, like brass instruments, keyboards, and drums. The third floor is a live venue when you can go to watch bands play! On the second floor at the back (by the staircase to the third floor), there is a wall where bands advertise for band members. If you're looking for a band...
How to get there: A bit difficult to explain...it's a bit far from Yamasa, pretty close to Okazaki Castle. Go down Route 248 heading north, and turn right at the intersection after the intersection with the police station (Book Off will be on the north west side). Go straight along this street until you've crossed the river and Route 1. At the next block, Cibico (a big department store) will be on the left-hand side. Turn left. Rockinn is on the right-hand side, before the next set of lights.
Shimamura Music
This is the closest and most convenient music store for Yamasa students. Located on the 3rd floor of Aeon Shopping Centre, Shimamura Music sells every kind of instrument imagineable as well as tons of band scores and music magazines. Their prices are a bit high, however...but they often have sales, any many things they sell can't be found anywhere else in the city, so it's definitely worth a look. And if you're looking for a place to practice, they have an in-store studio, which costs 500 yen a person an hour. (Prices vary depending on the number of people and number of hours.) Reservations are recommended, unless you go in the morning/afternoon on a weekday (and skip school? tsk, tsk...).
How to get there: It's pretty hard to miss Aeon/Jusco. It's the huge shopping complex off of Route 248. Abuot 10 minutes north of Yamasa by bike. Shimamura Music is located of the 3rd floor, near the Seibu (south) side.
Places to See Bands
OK, so you've decided that you'd like to check out some local bands. (You have to go to Nagoya to see the big bands.) Where to go? Well, there are a few options...
CAM Hall
The best 'live house' in Okazaki, CAM Hall attracts some fairly big names as well. The venue isn't too big, but the stage is pretty nice. Definitely a good place to go to see bands play.
How to get there: Pretty far from Yamasa. Go down the road runs along the front of the Student village (towards Nafco News), and turn left at the book center on the left. This is route 26. Follow the road all the way down, over 2 bridges and past Higashi Kooen, and watch for it on the right. That's all I can say. There really isn't much in the area that I can tell you to watch for :(
Rockinn
Yes, I mentioned it above...they do mostly sell musical instruments, but you can go here to see shows as well. The venue isn't that big, but not bad at all. The place has a nice, cozy feel.
How to get there: A bit difficult to explain...it's a bit far from Yamasa, pretty close to Okazaki Castle. Go down Route 248 heading north, and turn right at the intersection after the intersection with the police station (Book Off will be on the north west side). Go straight along this street until you've crossed the river and Route 1. At the next block, Cibico (a big department store) will be on the left-hand side. Turn left. Rockinn is on the right-hand side, before the next set of lights.
