Before arriving to Tokyo, I was very used to having lots of space for lots of noisey projects. I played in many loud bands and enjoyed experimenting with various instruments. I also enjoyed building and modifying cars, but that is also loud and requires space, especially if you are making your own parts. Tokyo is a completely different place than Clearwater, FL so it has kept me entertained with everything Tokyo has to offer, but after a month I started to miss my loud hobbies and wanted to find a way to get back to them.
(I can`t bring all this garbage to Tokyo)
In Tokyo there are an infinite amount of bizarre bands playing all over the place, but no one has space in their own homes for instruments and they definitely can`t get away with playing a drumset. So where do all these people go to practice and write music? Where are they keeping all their music equipment? They can`t all be so rich that they have their own studios! The way musicians and bands go about playing music in Tokyo is renting studio spaces. They are scattered everywhere in Tokyo and typically supply full drumsets, guitar amps, and bass amps. If you don`t have your own guitar or bass, you can probably rent one for a small additional fee. If you are someone who is very attached to their own equipment then this may be tough. Otherwise, I think this type of setup allows anyone to start music much easier, because you can go play anywhere without owning your own equipment and you don`t have to transport anything either. Even if you were to play live shows in Japan, most of the venues supply a drum set and amps, so you still don`t need much equipment then.
(2 of 6 studios in the Nakano Rinky Dink Studios)
Near Nakano station there are two main practice studios that you can rent by the hour. One is Bass on Top which is just north of Nakano station and then the cheaper one that has been recommended to me by a few people is Rinky Dink Studios. For ¥1,100 an hour you can rent a space of your choice with a full drumset, guitar and bass amps of your choice (good quality equipment too). An additional ¥108 an hour will get you a guitar or bass or even effects pedals of your choice. Now that I`m done advertising Rinky Dink studios I will see if they will give me a discount to go rent a practice space.
Hey, it`s me… Kenji
YADOYA Guesthouse for Backpackers Tokyo:
http://www.cheap-hostel-tokyo.com/
*Dorm bed only 2300yen/night, Private 3700yen～, cheapest hostel in west Tokyo, Nakano.
ドミトリー２３００円、個室３７００円～、東京・中野の安宿・バックパッカー！
YADOYA Guesthouse Tokyo for long stay:
http://www.cheap-accommodation-tokyo.com/
*Dorm bed only 40,000yen/month(including utilities), private room from 45,000yen/month. It`s nice to live in Nakano, and we support your Tokyo life!
ドミトリー光熱費混み１ヶ月４０，０００円、プライベート４５，０００円～。中野は住むのにいいところですよ。ゲストハウスとしてみなさまの東京生活をサポートします！
