Visit to Hifido in Akihabara, Tokyo

[pete_mac]

I've just returned home (Sydney, Australia) from a lovely family holiday to Japan and managed to visit the Hifido branch located in Akihabara, Tokyo. A few of my late model Sansui Alpha 907s were sourced from there, so it was a pilgrimage of sorts.

I had no idea how I'd communicate with the staff effectively and efficiently, so I saved a few key photos of my Sansui collection on my phone, along with a pic of a Hifido shipping box, and a brief introductory paragraph thanks to Google translate.

The staff member on duty was chuffed and was only too happy for me to take photos for sharing online.

The Akhibarara store isn't massive and it contained a mix of modern and vintage gear. The big JBL speakers and Altec VOTT horns dominated the room. Neither appeared to be for sale.

Several sets of large speakers were out the front of the store, wrapped in plastic and placed on dollies - perhaps for upcoming shipping.

Anyhow, the photos tell much of the story.

Enjoy!

 

[setup1]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing!

 

[baeron]

Nice pics, thanks for sharing!

Second That!!

 

[mcgjohn]

very cool photos. I used to live over there for about a year and a half. Was down in the Akihabara district almost every weekend. HIFI in Japan is very alive and well. Lots and lots of gear, recordings, special releases etc., offered in Japan that was never offered in the US or Europe.

 

[Dswankey]

Thanks for sharing!!!!

 

[RVT1K]

Nice!
I've been to Akihabara before but only really remember Yodobashi.

 

[FauxHall]

I was just lusting over that Luxman SQ38FD integrated in the on-line listing.

Just bought a Luxkit tube power amp from them. Great service and clean, functional gear. I highly recommend them.

 

[2FarGone]

Yumpin’ yiminy…oh, to have such a place within reasonable driving distance! Ah, well.

 

[Bodhi1]

Nice pics. Love the Altec VOTT speakers and Taoc racks

 

[hjames]

Wow, Eye and ear candy all around! Just wow!
Thanks for taking and sharing your pix!

 

[Catmanboo]

Appears to be a highly-efficient wallet-draining facility. Beware!

 

[C Hart]

A very cool spot! Thanks for posting.

Agree that can drain wallets quickly, but what a way to go. On the plus side the prices in dollars are outstanding right now, e.g. for the Yamaha 2002 59800Y is $379.

I will have to go when I am in Tokyo next. It appears the big speakers are hooked to amps - can you listen to them?

The cafe with the Tannoys mentioned in another thread is another stop. Any other cool hifi tourism places over there?

 

[Aerobat]

I was at HiFiDo in 2014, and the JBLs/horns were on the floor in the same place!

 

[nailer]

Nice pics.

 

[Mrv8q]

JBL L88s, $1,317.48 USD. Yowzers!

 

[just dave]

I want to go if only to see,touch ,hear and smell.

 

[spicer]

I've just returned home (Sydney, Australia) from a lovely family holiday to Japan and managed to visit the Hifido branch located in Akihabara, Tokyo. A few of my late model Sansui Alpha 907s were sourced from there, so it was a pilgrimage of sorts.

I had no idea how I'd communicate with the staff effectively and efficiently, so I saved a few key photos of my Sansui collection on my phone, along with a pic of a Hifido shipping box, and a brief introductory paragraph thanks to Google translate.

The staff member on duty was chuffed and was only too happy for me to take photos for sharing online.

The Akhibarara store isn't massive and it contained a mix of modern and vintage gear. The big JBL speakers and Altec VOTT horns dominated the room. Neither appeared to be for sale.

Several sets of large speakers were out the front of the store, wrapped in plastic and placed on dollies - perhaps for upcoming shipping.

Anyhow, the photos tell much of the story.

Enjoy!

Very nice. Thank you for sharing this. Those JBL 4355 speakers, I'd take those home without even thinking about it.

 

[eiraved]

HiFiDo would be a "bucket-list" thing for me if I ever go to Japan. I don't think I could have left there empty-handed.

 

[spicer]

HiFiDo would be a "bucket-list" thing for me if I ever go to Japan. I don't think I could have left there empty-handed.

You got that right. Those JBL 4355s, I lived with those for a while, one of the few speakers that left an impression as a point of reference for turnkey, like the Altec 19.

 

[stratmel]

Cool, thanks!