There are a wealth of music and DVD stores to browse and buy from. For music, Tsutaya is a small, locally run CD shop that also does rentals. Disk Union deals in new and used items, and is a good bet when seeking out discontinued and hard-to-find items. The ubiquitous international chains HMV and Tower Records carry a good range similar to what you’d find abroad, including a good international film selection.

In general, prices are higher than you’d pay abroad, whether the goods are imported or not. Expect to pay about ¥3,500 for a new release CD, ¥1,600 for an older release, and between ¥1,800 to ¥5,000 for a DVD. Prices for DVDs vary depending on release dates, edition, and the country of origin. Videos can usually only be found second hand or at the rentals sales at Tsutaya for around ¥500 a piece. Be sure to check the region of the DVD when ordering online – Japan is region 2, as are all DVDs sold domestically. Amazon.com is great for UK or US versions, while with Japanese counterpart Amazon Japan (www.amazon.co.jp) you can pay COD (cash on delivery).