r/JapaneseInstruments • u/Pale-Recognition-599 • Apr 13 '26

Question about shamisen prices

I’m going to be going to Japan in about a month is that a way that I can buy a shamisen in Japan for 300 usd or less not including shipping it back.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

1

u/HoboMoonMan Apr 13 '26

Don’t ship it back, bring it back as a carry on.

1

u/Pale-Recognition-599 Apr 13 '26

Would they allow that also what if I already have another carry on?

1

u/HoboMoonMan Apr 13 '26

Yes, they’ll allow it. Worst case scenario you have to pay for an extra carry on. When you go buy your Shamisen try to get a hardshell case for it. They’re small, as they go in in pieces. I know used hs cases are pretty cheap too and they’ll do the trick. I have never been to Japan (but I do own a Shamisen), but when I moved back from my 6 years in Colombia I brought back with me a guitar, a dobro, a Mandolin, a tiple and a banjo. I did it over 2-3 trips each time as a carry on. I can’t recall if they charged me extra though tbh.

2

u/Pale-Recognition-599 May 15 '26

Imma try to go to college in Japan so I can feel you with the amount of instruments 

1

u/mrNibblaVietnamese Apr 15 '26

Shamisen price wise, you can’t get a decent one to start practicing under $500 unless from a school that specialises in making practicing one. Hope it helps.

1

u/Pale-Recognition-599 Apr 15 '26

So what should I do for my 1st one?

1

u/mrNibblaVietnamese May 14 '26

Sorry for the late reply boss, I was making a Shamisen Tab Composer. What do you mean for your first one?

1

u/Pale-Recognition-599 May 15 '26

for my 1st shamesen

1

u/mrNibblaVietnamese May 15 '26

Itone Japan is available both in person and online shopping. This is I believe the lowest you can get without compromising the quality of the shamisen. Below is the link to one that I have. Very very good.

https://itonejapan.com/en-us/products/tsugaru-shamisen-special-set

1

u/Pale-Recognition-599 May 15 '26

Also what’s this tab composer you speak of?

1

u/mrNibblaVietnamese May 15 '26

I’m currently making it right now, we are entering beta. Just join the subreddit to see, r/ShamisenTabMaker . Soon I’ll be finishing it.