Ochanomizu · River, Railways and Music Shops
A central Tokyo walk from Ochanomizu Station, taking in the Kanda River and railway tracks before following Meidai-dori past instrument shops and the student district.
At a glance
- Starting point
- JR Ochanomizu Station · Ochanomizu-bashi Exit
- Main street
- Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda · Meidai-dori
- Time to allow
- 30–60 minutes for the streets, plus time inside shops
- Opening hours
- Different for each music shop
- Further information
- Chiyoda City Tourism Association · musical instrument district ↗
Checked · 2026.10.27
Ochanomizu · River, Railways and Music Shops
A central Tokyo walk from Ochanomizu Station, taking in the Kanda River and railway tracks before following Meidai-dori past instrument shops and the student district.
Choose the exit to suit your walk
For instrument shops, use the JR station’s Ochanomizu-bashi Exit as your starting point. Head downhill along Meidai-dori toward Surugadaishita to reach the music shops and student district. If you want to see the river and railway first, pause on the bridge’s pedestrian space, then return toward the same exit to begin the walk.
General music stores and specialist branches
Alongside general retailers such as Ishibashi, Shimokura and Kurosawa, separate branches specialize in guitars, basses, drums, wind instruments and ukuleles. The same retailer may occupy different buildings; checking the instrument type on the sign first can save unnecessary walking.
Preparing for a purchase
Bring the model name, budget and a note of whether you want new or used equipment to make consultation easier. Ask staff before trying an instrument, and seek permission before photographing instruments or displays. If you will be carrying a large instrument, consider station stairs and peak-hour crowds, and place the visit later in your itinerary.
Connecting with Jimbocho and Onnazaka
Continue south through the instrument district to Surugadaishita Crossing, where the route joins Jimbocho’s book streets. Onnazaka lies toward Sarugakucho, so you can walk the steps first and then continue to lunch and bookstores. At university buildings, distinguish between viewing the exterior and entering areas open to visitors.
The November 2025 visit
On November 7, 2025, the walk revisited memories of a 2019 transfer, observed changes around the station and continued through the music-shop streets. Those impressions and photographs do not establish any individual store’s current operations or stock.
Take a look around
Photographed in November 2025The story behind this place
After Miyu’s birthday,
a quieter few days in Tokyo
From a transfer station to a neighbourhood I wanted to walk again
Ochanomizu has remained in my mind as somewhere I often passed through without meaning to. On my Tokyo trip in 2019, its same-level transfer arrangement naturally brought it into my route,…
Read this scene ↗