Been a resident of Japan for a long time, and a big fan of the channel. Its fun to see people visit and explore all the cool things Japan has to offer. There's a ton of great shops here, happy hunting!
Part of what makes these videos so great: it’s just as much a travel video as a guitar acquisition video. If I was in Japan I’d be doing the same thing - hunting out all the cool guitar shops mixed with visiting a few choice tourist spots. Keep them coming!
I feel like you guys are gonna go far. Production and editing is always excellent. Each one of the team has certain "something". Always interesting too, my 55yo wife who is not into guitars even likes watching. Keep it up
Hey guys I’m from California but lived in Iwakuni, Japan for 4 years!! I sincerely loved my time there! I Love your channel and will absolutely keep you guys in mind for your great and eclectic guitars! Sayonara Dudes and have fun!!!
What a great video. I’ve long wanted to travel to Japan and Kyoto is one of the top destinations on my list. It is so beautiful. Reminds me of a Miyazaki film.
Everything about this video is great, from the gear to the views to the vibe from everybody. Definitely earned a subscription, y’all deserve way more subscribers✌️
I've done that hunt too when i was on my world tour back in 2019, and i remember most of these shops, from Tokyo donw to Iroshima, i loved every moment of it
As a guitarist resident in Kyoto, I always recommend also checking the used stores, 2nd Street, sometimes you can find some real gems that mean nothing to the shop staff. Enjoyed this video. All the best.
Hello! That is the name of the street at Kyoto or a store? Is like an area for 2nd hand things? I will be in Kyoto in 2 days and I am interested to visit 😊
Let's go from Florida to Japan. While we're here we'll buy some Fenders, Gibsons, and some fresh OJ from Florida oranges. American tourists 💯 I really like ESP guitars. Stunning guitars.
Really enjoy your channel! It's always relaxing watching you guys do all the legwork. Especially walking around in Japan I really enjoy the international stuff. You guys have worked your way up probably in my top three guitar channels now!!!!💯😎 Keep up the good work! Btw the Kelly star is fine now I guess it had to acclimate! I've got just a teeny bit of fret buzz on the low E other than that it works fine! ♥️ See you on the next one.....
Great video and very useful for me too. I've lived in Japan for 24 year now and, despite Japan apparently producing more left handed guitars than anywhere else on earth, I've only ever seen left handed guitars in a handful of stores. Outside of Taniguchi Gakki in Tokyo, which is nowhere near where I've been living for the last 19 years, the only option I've ever had is either one store in America-Mura in Osaka or online without being able to try the guitar first. Lately I've been saying to my wife it would be fun to spend a few days in Kyoto since I've only been there twice with the idea I could check out the guitar stores but I think I only spotted one lefty guitar in your video there. Guess I won't bother
Great video series! Do you know approx what it costs to send a guitar back to the US? Is packing heavily (double box / case) and checking on airline an option (really asking, do the stores typically assist with the packing and/or shipping)? Thx!!!
Cool video guys! I love Japan's guitar stores myself. I'm curious how you brought 50 guitars home. Did you ask the store to ship them or buy extra baggage from the airline or any other methods? Thanks in advance!
All those guitars are being shipped. Maybe not store by store, but all together. That would be the most efficient way. Today, carrying anything on a plane has become a giant pain. Not only because they want you to pay for everything, personal item, hand-carry, checked-in bags, but also because passengers airport are not really geared to accept large items.
That's kind of hard to say. Different stuff in different areas! You should check out our Tokyo guitar shopping video from October (also will have a new one out from this recent trip soon) ruclips.net/video/apGE1KqXBHs/видео.htmlsi=Mj1d5c_SfJpzC4Ph
Flash Flood are killing it at the minute. No other channel comes close, especially with production values. Alex, Kaylie, Thomas and Eric are quiet intelligent people who (unlike most people within the social media milieu) appear to get on with their business and lives without any undue histrionics. Also, I share Alex's obsession with variants of Candy Apple Red!
Did you have any problems taking photos or filming in these shops? As I was over there and most were okay but as some sell via the internet/E Bay they have the same guitar listed at varied and different prices and were very reluctant against me taking any photos. A nice experience for sure but I found nothing I couldn't find elsewhere and often cheaper.
Just wondering how you get a guitar back if it's a setneck with a case (like a PRS or Gibson)? Do you just load as a checked baggage? Or are there any recommendations?
When you're buying that many guitar do you still have any kind of dopamine kick doing it? I'm already struggling to get the starting excitement when buying an instrument every 6 month...
While I can’t fault you for not getting non-orange Gibsons, it would be nice in a couple months, say six, to see you fetch home 6-string Gibsons or ESP/LTDs or Ibanezes in Green. Preferably lime or emerald rim with a bright yellow center, “lizard burst” I think.
I’ve wondered the same thing. Also, his guitar show videos only typically show them buying or trading guitars. Rarely selling them. When you call factor in the number of employees that go on these trips and the costs for travel, lodging, meals, etc, I just don’t see how they can be profitable. Do like their videos, though.
When you buy in Japan as a foreigner it’s tax free, so it’s an instant 10% discount. Then take into account the mark-ups on MIJ Fenders in the US (particularly the FSR stuff) plus the weak Yen and I think there’s a nice profit in it. Interesting to see what happens when the Yen strengthens.
@@bldallasIf you watch the videos they sell through many places, their website, guitar shows, Reverb to name a few. On reverb alone they have over 2700 feedback and 697 listings currently if you check. So the profit is there to reinvest back into the business , like in any business Its hard work no doubt.
U better believe it, and Fujigen Gakki saved them when they set up the fender mexico production facility , with a crew of Japanese luthiers etc as trainers & techicians .
It's funny how the hottest stuff for the Japanese is probably the American made fenders but being where he's from he's not interested in those much at all. Going straight to the source for all the good jdm stuff
Don’t understand why you would buy a regular Gibson SG standard ( with shitty pale rosewood board too) and a LP Traditional that can easily be found in the U.S. for probably less money? I would get if they color/finish/spec exclusives for Japan but not for regular ones.
Guitars in Japan are usually very costly above purchasing in the USA . And i will say i watched one video it needed a lot of work . I felt sick watching i stopped watching. The camera work jumped alot and some times didn't show headstocks/ make. Did they have permission to video It was very fast and nauseating when it's fast.
Been a resident of Japan for a long time, and a big fan of the channel. Its fun to see people visit and explore all the cool things Japan has to offer. There's a ton of great shops here, happy hunting!
Ayee that’s super cool, thank you so much!
Part of what makes these videos so great: it’s just as much a travel video as a guitar acquisition video. If I was in Japan I’d be doing the same thing - hunting out all the cool guitar shops mixed with visiting a few choice tourist spots. Keep them coming!
I love Japan for their culture and all those awesome guitar and record shops.
Konichiwa !
Kyoto is my favorite city in the world.
Do not miss Kobe for a beef dinner you will never forget.
Loved the trains.
Love the trains too! And yesss Kobe beef is 10/10
I feel like you guys are gonna go far. Production and editing is always excellent. Each one of the team has certain "something". Always interesting too, my 55yo wife who is not into guitars even likes watching.
Keep it up
Love to hear that, thank you so much, you are too kind!!
Hey guys I’m from California but lived in Iwakuni, Japan for 4 years!! I sincerely loved my time there! I Love your channel and will absolutely keep you guys in mind for your great and eclectic guitars! Sayonara Dudes and have fun!!!
That’s awesome!! Thank you so much for the kind words too!
What a great video. I’ve long wanted to travel to Japan and Kyoto is one of the top destinations on my list. It is so beautiful. Reminds me of a Miyazaki film.
Everything about this video is great, from the gear to the views to the vibe from everybody. Definitely earned a subscription, y’all deserve way more subscribers✌️
I've done that hunt too when i was on my world tour back in 2019, and i remember most of these shops, from Tokyo donw to Iroshima, i loved every moment of it
Guys, thanks for sharing the footage of your journey through the guitar shops in Japan. Really enjoyed it!🙏🏻🎧🎸
Good idea to put the subscribe ad in. Love you guys and the trips. Its like a treasure hunt we all go on with you.
As a guitarist resident in Kyoto, I always recommend also checking the used stores, 2nd Street, sometimes you can find some real gems that mean nothing to the shop staff. Enjoyed this video. All the best.
Hello! That is the name of the street at Kyoto or a store? Is like an area for 2nd hand things? I will be in Kyoto in 2 days and I am interested to visit 😊
@@manuelvillalba6168 hi there, it’s a chain of large recycle stores.
@@phillipjacksonguitar many thanks
I'm drooling over that Gibson Les Paul Traditional; I sold mine back in the day and have been low key looking for another one recently.
Kyoto is a GREAT city (and surrounding area) to visit, music equipment related or not.
Let's go from Florida to Japan. While we're here we'll buy some Fenders, Gibsons, and some fresh OJ from Florida oranges. American tourists 💯
I really like ESP guitars. Stunning guitars.
Some of those FSR's looked sweet. look forward to the unveil video when back in US
@@chadsheilaking5763 thank you!! Coming soon 🙏
Really enjoy your channel! It's always relaxing watching you guys do all the legwork. Especially walking around in Japan I really enjoy the international stuff. You guys have worked your way up probably in my top three guitar channels now!!!!💯😎 Keep up the good work! Btw the Kelly star is fine now I guess it had to acclimate! I've got just a teeny bit of fret buzz on the low E other than that it works fine! ♥️ See you on the next one.....
Great video and very useful for me too. I've lived in Japan for 24 year now and, despite Japan apparently producing more left handed guitars than anywhere else on earth, I've only ever seen left handed guitars in a handful of stores. Outside of Taniguchi Gakki in Tokyo, which is nowhere near where I've been living for the last 19 years, the only option I've ever had is either one store in America-Mura in Osaka or online without being able to try the guitar first. Lately I've been saying to my wife it would be fun to spend a few days in Kyoto since I've only been there twice with the idea I could check out the guitar stores but I think I only spotted one lefty guitar in your video there. Guess I won't bother
I went to Kinko music last October and it was glorius. Love that place
I miss my short time there at Easter. Amazing country!
love the Japan trip.. it's Phoebe Bridgers
The videos make me want to visit Japan.
Loved the "What Are You Looking For" beginning; I'd see a vintage Rick Turner Model 1 and immediately take out a second mortgage . Someday...
That esp is beautiful what is the model number or name ?? I buy it now
Edit : I just saw the price 😢
Wow, that’s cool ! I was over there also around the same time frame !, Beautiful country !
Thanks y'all , another great video.. cheers !!!!
Thank you!!! Cheers!!
Great video series! Do you know approx what it costs to send a guitar back to the US? Is packing heavily (double box / case) and checking on airline an option (really asking, do the stores typically assist with the packing and/or shipping)? Thx!!!
Loved the Eric Johnson photo at 11:17!
If ya go to Canada, make sure to snag some seagull cw for resell lol
Thank you for another great video!
great video, as always. Just for having an idea, how are prices compared to US prices?
Cool video guys! I love Japan's guitar stores myself. I'm curious how you brought 50 guitars home. Did you ask the store to ship them or buy extra baggage from the airline or any other methods? Thanks in advance!
yeah, how?
All those guitars are being shipped. Maybe not store by store, but all together. That would be the most efficient way. Today, carrying anything on a plane has become a giant pain. Not only because they want you to pay for everything, personal item, hand-carry, checked-in bags, but also because passengers airport are not really geared to accept large items.
which area of japan had the best deals on used guitars? Also what were the best shops in tokyo for deals?
That's kind of hard to say. Different stuff in different areas!
You should check out our Tokyo guitar shopping video from October (also will have a new one out from this recent trip soon) ruclips.net/video/apGE1KqXBHs/видео.htmlsi=Mj1d5c_SfJpzC4Ph
@@aflashfloodofgear im looking for Jaguars
Also i apready eatched the tokyo videos thanks!!
I really look forward to your videos on a Saturday morning keep up the good work 👍
Awesome video. 🤘🏻🤟🏻👍🏻
Do you come to shows in Seattle? I'm loving your videos. I can hardly play but I have a thing for guitars.
4:00. Was that 2 Fender BOXER SERIES bass guitars in Metallic red?
Those look like Yamahas
I'd have gone to look for some Japan Exclusive effect pedals that are hard to find in the U.S..
Japan videos are the bomb,,and how about a little more on your talented luthier Kaylie …
Flash Flood are killing it at the minute. No other channel comes close, especially with production values. Alex, Kaylie, Thomas and Eric are quiet intelligent people who (unlike most people within the social media milieu) appear to get on with their business and lives without any undue histrionics. Also, I share Alex's obsession with variants of Candy Apple Red!
How was the process to bring back a guitar from Japan back to Florida?
Orange tele..pinkish les pul and Trans blue flame tele..sweet..didn't see FGNs??they are awesome
Hi there! What is the name of the store at 10:34?
Now, this was awesome! Thanks!
7:43 What's the name of that shop?
Did you have any problems taking photos or filming in these shops? As I was over there and most were okay but as some sell via the internet/E Bay they have the same guitar listed at varied and different prices and were very reluctant against me taking any photos. A nice experience for sure but I found nothing I couldn't find elsewhere and often cheaper.
Just wondering how you get a guitar back if it's a setneck with a case (like a PRS or Gibson)? Do you just load as a checked baggage? Or are there any recommendations?
12:16 T-Bone Walker “The Hustle is On” in the store BGM. Win!
Do Nagano please! I'm heading up there in January and planning to do just this!
Any Kyoto recommendations for vintage drums?
I'm heading back to Japan for the third time September 2025, I can't wait!!
Sweet buys. This stuff is way out of my price range but I can still dream about it.
soooo cool dude. nice film!
Are you shipping back the guitars? If so, how much about is it to ship it back?
I have a Les Paul Traditional from the same year, very similar looking top, lots of flame - Ice Tea burst?
When you're buying that many guitar do you still have any kind of dopamine kick doing it? I'm already struggling to get the starting excitement when buying an instrument every 6 month...
Do you see many lefties in Japan? I didn't catch a single one in this video haha!
Any of the Anime imaged guitar pedals... been looking for those for my collection...any ideas or maybe you picked some up?
While I can’t fault you for not getting non-orange Gibsons, it would be nice in a couple months, say six, to see you fetch home 6-string Gibsons or ESP/LTDs or Ibanezes in Green. Preferably lime or emerald rim with a bright yellow center, “lizard burst” I think.
Definitely more Ibanez. Maybe even more Japan-exclusive ESP and Yamaha too
I would go for any japanese guitar. they love fenders and gibsons. But is weird to see a Killer guitar at least in my country.
The Tokai guitar prices are crazy XD
2what a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend Alex also happy gang❤😊
What would be Japanese brands of guitars?
Love to Japan someday hope you had a good trip, but I was surprised, did I miss the Yamaha’s? Not a Yamaha SG or Revstar in sight.
How in the world do you fly back to your country with 7 guitars? Do you trust checking them to go on the plane's cargo?
8:20. I saw the leftys. Both of them.
How do you ship this back in your home?
So you went to japan and bought american made guitars? You couldve checked out ESP, Tokai, Burny, Bacchus, Navigator or Edwards
I was thinking the same thing!
Didn't know Burny is a good brand. There's a bunch of 2nd hand ones being sold where I'm from
Fender FSR are Japanese-made and generally not available in the American market, but go off.
I’d be on the hunt for a Burny Randy Rhoads model
in my city there are literally only 2 guitar shops and its depressing.
What do you guys think about the Fender Aerodyne series ? Also, do you think Fender Japan is as good or better than USA or Mexico ?
I don't know how he makes money off buying things retail
I’ve wondered the same thing. Also, his guitar show videos only typically show them buying or trading guitars. Rarely selling them. When you call factor in the number of employees that go on these trips and the costs for travel, lodging, meals, etc, I just don’t see how they can be profitable.
Do like their videos, though.
When you buy in Japan as a foreigner it’s tax free, so it’s an instant 10% discount. Then take into account the mark-ups on MIJ Fenders in the US (particularly the FSR stuff) plus the weak Yen and I think there’s a nice profit in it. Interesting to see what happens when the Yen strengthens.
@bldallas 'Curious about his background - 'Young guy and he doesn't seem to have a problem with overspending.
@@bldallasIf you watch the videos they sell through many places, their website, guitar shows, Reverb to name a few. On reverb alone they have over 2700 feedback and 697 listings currently if you check. So the profit is there to reinvest back into the business , like in any business Its hard work no doubt.
I just love looking at the gear let them look after THERE business.👍👍
Did you guys see Phoebe B. in Kyoto?
@@beezersurf I wish
Fender's presence in Japan is awesome . IMHO , I think Japan saved Fender in the 1980's .
U better believe it, and Fujigen Gakki saved them when they set up the fender mexico production facility , with a crew of Japanese luthiers etc as trainers & techicians .
This just moved to number 1 on my bucket list………sorry hike to Everest base camp.
Jax Beach in Japan? Love it, see you at Ginger's.
I sniped this brand new Suhr modern in Kyoto about 6 days ago for 423000 yen tax free
Get a Navigator strat or Les Paul Man!
gotta check out stratacrazy in Tokyo.
do youse listen to that Indy song about Kyoto... while you were there.. it's by a girl
Need some playing gents!
Kyoto is fab
It's funny how the hottest stuff for the Japanese is probably the American made fenders but being where he's from he's not interested in those much at all. Going straight to the source for all the good jdm stuff
You should visit NicoNico guitars in Shibuya/Tokyo next time.
ジュージアうれしい
I'm subscribed
お茶の水いけば中古も新品も世界一だと思う
I tried an hybdrid II yesterday in green. It was stunning but I really wasn't convinced about the pickups.
Did you guys see Godzilla??
Don’t understand why you would buy a regular Gibson SG standard ( with shitty pale rosewood board too) and a LP Traditional that can easily be found in the U.S. for probably less money? I would get if they color/finish/spec exclusives for Japan but not for regular ones.
🤘
It’s a shame American stores don’t stock and display nearly the depth and selection of American guitars that Japanese stores do…😂
If he's traveling to Japan to buy guitars he has money
How can someone buy 50-100 guitars in one go? 😅
I don't remember the final total, but around 50 over the course of two weeks. Lots of long shopping/sourcing days 😅
Honestly, what makes you guys think I won't subscribe if you have great content ?
And, does it work asking ?
Guitars in Japan are usually very costly above purchasing in the USA . And i will say i watched one video it needed a lot of work . I felt sick watching i stopped watching. The camera work jumped alot and some times didn't show headstocks/ make. Did they have permission to video It was very fast and nauseating when it's fast.
🥹🥹🥹