“JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store”: A Recommended Music Store in Kyoto, Japan

Hi there, I’m Hakoboya, the Souvenir Promotion Captain for Kodawari Times! ╭(·ᴗ·)╮╰(·ᴗ·)╯
Located in Sanjo, a popular tourist spot in Kyoto, is the music store “JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store.” With a wide selection of musical instruments and music-related merchandise, it’s a popular spot where you can experience Japanese music culture.
I’d like to introduce this music store, which is perfect for a quick stop between temple and shrine visits or shopping in Kyoto—it’s recommended not only for music lovers but also for beginners.

 

JEUGIA, a long-established musical instrument store in Kyoto

Founded in 1989 as Jujiya Tanaka Shoten, JEUGIA is a long-established musical instrument store operated by JEUGIA Corporation, a company with over 120 years of history. It reportedly began by selling Taisho-goto (a stringed instrument originating in Japan) and has since expanded to carry a wide variety of musical instruments.

Starting with the “JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store” in Sanjo, where the company was founded, the chain operates music stores and music schools primarily in Kyoto, Shiga, and Osaka.
It’s a brand so familiar to people in Kyoto and the Kansai region that it’s often said, “When you think of a representative music store in Kyoto, you think of JEUGIA.”

 

It’s like a music department store! JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store

Today, we’d like to introduce “JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store,” located in the heart of Kyoto’s tourist district. Situated within the Sanjo-dori arcade shopping street, it’s a convenient spot to stop by while you’re out shopping—and you can visit worry-free even on rainy days.

The biggest draw is that this massive complex is an entire building dedicated to music, boasting an overwhelming selection of products. It’s just like a music department store!

[Floor Guide]
B1: stage – Guitars, drums, band equipment, etc.
1F: CDs, records, and miscellaneous goods
2F: Sheet music and music books
3F: APEX – Wind and string instruments
4F: Pianos
5–6F: Music lessons

We carry a wide variety of products that are hard to find overseas, including high-quality Japanese brands and rare models exclusive to Japan.
Our dedicated staff will provide personalized recommendations for everyone from beginners to professionals, so you’re sure to find the instrument or item that’s just right for you.

 

Highlights of the JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store

(1) Courteous service and reliable, high-quality products

Each floor is staffed with knowledgeable experts who will carefully assist you in choosing the right instrument. Since we welcome many international visitors, we actively provide service in English, often using translation apps to help.
We also have technicians on-site, so our repair services are well-equipped to handle a wide range of issues and maintenance needs. A major advantage is that you can purchase high-quality instruments with confidence, knowing they’ve been thoroughly inspected.
We strive to provide warm, personalized service so that every customer leaves thinking, “I’m glad I bought this here.”

(2) You can try them out and take your time choosing

One of the biggest advantages of buying an instrument in person is the ability to try it out.
At the JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store, you can try out almost every instrument. The store even features fully soundproofed trial rooms—a rare find for a music shop—so you can take your time choosing without worrying about disturbing others.
Feel free to ask a staff member for help and try playing several instruments to compare them. Whether it’s ease of play or the sound you prefer, we hope you’ll find the perfect instrument for you.

(3) International shipping is available through the “Hakoboya”

We’ve implemented the “Hakoboya” international shipping label service, so we can ship overseas. DHL, an expert in international logistics, will deliver your instruments quickly, safely, and securely.
Currently, this service is available only on the B1 floor, allowing you to have large instruments like electric guitars and basses shipped directly to your home. Even if you’ve been on a long trip and hesitated to buy an instrument because “it would be a hassle to carry,” this makes it easy to get one. It’s a convenient service that lets you travel light.

 

Overview of Main Floors and Recommended Instruments and Products

From here on, I’ll give you a detailed tour of the main floors. Be sure to check out our recommended instruments and products.

[B1] Electric guitars, electric basses, harmonicas, etc.

On the Lower Level 1, we carry a wide selection of pop music instruments and band equipment, including electric guitars, acoustic guitars, electric basses, drums, and synthesizers.

The most popular item here is the electric guitar, the star of any band.
The walls are lined with the “Made in Japan” series from the world-renowned brand Fender.
Crafted with precision by skilled Japanese artisans, these high-quality instruments offer excellent value for money and are highly regarded by customers overseas.

This store’s top recommendation is the “FENDER Made in Japan Hybrid II Stratocaster®.” It’s a true hybrid model that combines a vintage-style look with versatile modern specs. I highly recommend it for beginners, too.

This is an electric bass from the Japanese brand “FGN.”
The “EOS2-EW1-RM/HCB” from the overwhelmingly popular Expert ODYSSEY (EOS for short) series is Fujigen Guitars’ flagship model. Its distinctive woodgrain finish and luxurious design are its main attractions.

We also carry a wide selection of acoustic guitars from brands like Yamaha and Headway, each one carefully crafted by hand by skilled artisans.

Why not try a Japanese-made harmonica to accompany your guitar?
Suzuki’s “Chromatix Series” harmonicas are renowned instruments that are popular with everyone from professional musicians to hobbyists.

We also recommend these unique electronic musical instruments from Japan. They’re charming with their cute, toy-like appearance shaped like musical notes and their distinctive sounds. They make the perfect souvenir from Japan.

[1F] Records, Anime Merchandise

The first floor is our CD and vinyl section. We carry a wide variety of new and used items, with a special focus on vinyl. From Japanese city pop from the ’80s and ’90s to classic albums by international artists, we’ve got it all. You might just find a rare gem!

In addition, we offer a selection of Japanese-style goods near the store entrance.

Take these guitar-shaped scissors, for example. They have a unique design that’s perfect for a music store—they’re really cool! Handcrafted by artisans in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture—a region famous for its blades—they make the perfect high-quality souvenir from Japan. They also make a great gift for guitar lovers.

In a corner of the variety goods section, I spotted merchandise from Kyoto Animation, one of Kyoto’s leading animation studios!

Actually, this very spot—the “JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store”—served as the model for “10GIA,” the music store featured in Kyoto Animation’s hit series “K-ON!” As the place where the main character found her beloved guitar, it has become a must-visit spot for anime fans.
If you’re a fan of “K-ON!,” be sure to stop by on your pilgrimage to the series’ locations!

[3F] Flute, saxophone, trumpet, etc.

The third floor features a selection of orchestral instruments and related accessories.
The most popular instrument is the flute. Japanese brands—including Muramatsu, Japan’s first flute manufacturer, as well as Sankyo and Miyazawa—are renowned for their high quality and are favored by professional musicians around the world. We invite you to pick up these world-class instruments and experience them for yourself.

We also carry a wide selection of saxophones, which play a starring role in jazz and wind ensembles. We carry instruments from Japan’s two leading saxophone manufacturers, Yamaha and Yanagisawa, as well as the up-and-coming brand Forestone. Our extensive selection—including alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones—is sure to impress.

Trumpets, known for their brilliant sound, are also lined up in the display cases. We carry products from top Japanese brands like “YAMAHA” as well as international brands.

Unlike guitars or basses, orchestral instruments are often a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. High-quality, cost-effective Japanese-made instruments are highly recommended as lifelong companions.
You can take your time choosing in our spacious showroom, so why not ask our staff for advice and find the instrument that’s right for you?

 

How about bringing back a musical instrument as a souvenir from Japan?

At “JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store,” you’ll find every kind of musical instrument and music-related product under one roof, offering a chance to experience Japanese music culture. From high-quality Japanese-made instruments and records to unique, quintessentially Japanese souvenirs, you’re sure to make some wonderful discoveries here.
The store welcomes everyone—from music lovers to tourists just passing by—so feel free to stop by when you’re sightseeing in Kyoto.

Store Details

Store Name: JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store
Address: 11 Ishibashi-cho, Sanjo-dori Kawaramachi Nishi-iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto 604-8036 JEUGIA Sanjo Main Store

Access:
Approx. 5-minute walk from “Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae” Station on the Tozai Subway Line
Approx. 10-minute walk from “Keihan Sanjo” Station on the Keihan Railway
Approx. 10-minute walk from “Kawaramachi” Station on the Hankyu Railway

Business Hours:
[Sanjo Main Store] Weekdays: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM; Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays: 10:30 AM – 8:30 PM. Closed: Every Thursday.
[Music Salon Sanjo (Music School)] Mon–Sat: 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM; Sundays and Holidays: 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM

Official Website: https://www.jeugia.co.jp/complex/sanjohonten.php
Official Social Media: [B1F Stage] X https://x.com/JEUGIA_stage
[1F CDs & Records] X https://x.com/JEUGIA_SANJO_1F
[3F APEX] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jeugia_apex/
Facebook　 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063639516577