[ NIHON BUNKA KENKYUU ] BUNKEN 101: Reviews, comments, and insights on Japanese pop culture.
It's been a couple of years since I've been to Tokyo, but according to pals I've left directions with, most of the stores on my recommended list are still the best places to get stuff in and around the Yamanote line. Here's a quick and dirty list of some great places to buy 2nd hand J-rock/J-pop CDs, Indies demos, and tour merchandise.
Found on almost every effin' street corner in Japan, BOOK OFF is a second-hand bookstore chain with a gigantic selection of Manga and CDs. One of their largest and most popular stores is in HARAJUKU, near the intersection of TAKESHITA and JINGUMAE; there are also several stores in places where there are high concentrations of colleges and universities. If you see one on your random jaunts around the city, make sure you drop by to check out their selections. Older albums and singles retail for Y100 to Y600 apiece (PhP50 to PhP 250), while newer ones go for Y400 to Y800 apieces (PhP200 to PhP 400). Not everything is in mint condition, as jewel cases may sport cracks and inlays may show slight wear and tear, but the CDs themselves are virtually scratch-free.
Another chain of second-hand CDs, DVDs, and vinyl albums, RECOfans is also a good place to score new releases that are up to Y200 cheaper than the big record stores. Their best deals however are their very super cheap J-pop and J-rock singles and albums. Some singles -- like those released in the 3.5 inch CD format, sell for an unbelievable Y10 or PhP 5 in our currency! Hunting for bargains at this store is really fun as while albums are arranged alphabetically according to artist, singles are strewn willy-nilly on display stands and shelves. Their two best stores are found in SHIBUYA, with one tucked away in CENTER DOORI and the other along KOSHUUKAIDO; watch out for their store signs as they are tiny and hard to spot. Their KICHIJOUJI store is also worth a visit if you happen to be in the neighborhood.
Their IKEBUKURO store used to be one of the major stops on every VK fan's shopping trip, due to their wide selection of albums and singles from both Indies and Major bands, as well as their extensive stash of second-hand tour good and souvenirs. DISC WAVE has since been turned into an outlet for second-hand American heavy metal CDs, with sales of J-rock merchandise now being handled by parent company CLOSET CHILD. It's still worth a visit though, since CLOSET CHILD has expanded not just to offer second-hand CDs and tour goods for sale, but also other Visual-Kei related merchandise like EGL outfits and ball joint dolls.