Yamano Music -- Ginza Branch

Yamano Music is the CD store that I had the longest relationship with. Located right at the main intersection in Ginza 4-chome（銀座４丁目）, it's very easy to find.

When I used to come on down from Gunma Prefecture to get that monthly exposure to city life back in the early 90s, Yamano Music was the first place I hit to search for those discs. It has never had that cool vibe of Tower Records or HMV, but like the outer structure that it inhabits, it's nice and solid. Often when there is a big artist promoting a new album, there is a huge poster overhanging the entrance and tables outside selling the discs with the songs blaring out the speakers.

The first floor has all the kayo kyoku/J-Pop albums and singles while the Western discs and DVDs can be located in the basement. As I said, the store is in a very central location. If you're coming on the yellow Ginza Line, just look for Exit A9 and walk upstairs. Once you reach topside, just walk a few metres ahead and it'll be on your left. It's open from 11 a.m. but best look out for Mondays since one Monday a month, the store closes for inventory-taking. The red Marunouchi Line and the gray Hibiya Line also stops at Ginza Station, in which case just search for the Ginza Line gates and then A9.

October 2, 2023: I was told by my friend who recently visited Tokyo that this branch closed down. On further inspection via the website, Ginza Yamano Music is still open but only on the 3rd-6th floors as a smaller store now with the 4th floor dedicated to CDs and the other floors selling music instruments and scores.