Playing the GOLD STAR at STUDIO Raku Yokohama Tanmachi Branch on 2026/05/26 (Tue)

This is a continuation from here

So,
on the night of this day, STUDIO Raku I visited the
Yokohama Tanmachi branch.

The nearest station is Tanmachi Station, but
since I always walk there from Higashi-Kanagawa Station,
I'll talk about that route.

First, exit from the West Exit (the right side after passing the ticket gate).
Keep going straight and go down the deck.
Proceed with the feeling of seeing Aeon on your right across the road.

Once you reach a large intersection with a Gusto on the opposite side,
turn left without crossing.
Continue straight for a while.

Keep going along the road,
pass Big Yosan (which is always super crowded),
and once you pass the Kanagawa Ward Office and the fire station, you're almost there.

When you see a Lawson,
turn left into the street before it.
There is a large park.

Here is some information on where to grab a bite before or after practice~~~
There are various restaurants around Higashi-Kanagawa Station,
but once you enter this area, the options become somewhat limited.
So, if I may make a suggestion,
buy something at this Lawson,
and if the weather is nice,
it's good to eat on a park bench,
and if not,
it's also fine to bring it into the studio lounge to eat; that's the kind of vibe.
That was a bit of trivia I hope will be useful to someone someday.

So,
returning to the large park...
You can walk along the perimeter of the park,
or cut through the middle,
it doesn't matter,
but walk with the feeling of heading right and right.
Go straight through a small alley.
Then you will hit a road that runs horizontally.

Cross to the other side at the pedestrian crossing,
and while keeping the Chinese restaurant and
the ramen shop (which often has a line)
on your right, walk a little further,
and it is on the 3rd floor of a building called Saeki Building.

Like the Kawasaki branch,
this building also seems to serve as a residence,
so I was nervous about whether I could enter,
but I believe there was a sign at the entrance? So
I don't think you'll be completely lost...
I suppose. Probably!!!

Go up to the 3rd floor.
The restroom is outside the studio.
The door is not locked, so
you can use it normally.

Enter the studio using Akerun.
The lounge here is stylish~
There are chairs and low tables placed,
it's like a youthful hangout spot...
an atmosphere where you can relax and have a lively chat.

The room I rented this day was Soundproof Room C,
a room with a piano from a brand
called GOLD STAR made by Tokai Gakki.
The header image is a bit hard to see, but
if you look closely, it has the logo.
As the name suggests, it has a
dazzling sound and volume that shines brightly.
Even if you just touch it lightly, wow, it rings.
It pops! It jumps out! That kind of feeling.
In a good way, it doesn't feel like an upright.


Yes, those who have read this far
might have already noticed, but
STUDIO Raku's upright pianos,
although there are individual differences, are generally
all small and light, yet powerful!
How should I put it, rather than feeling quietly composed,
it's more like a 'jump out and yay yay!!!!' feeling
(Please forgive the exaggerated expression as this is a 120% subjective report)
Is that the tuner's preference...?

I signed up for the grand piano plan from the beginning,
but I never imagined that each upright piano
would have such distinct personalities.
(It's not that I'm looking down on upright pianos,
I just hadn't realized until now
that there were so many individual differences.)
So perhaps,
even with the upright-only plan,
in terms of comparing them,
I felt like I could enjoy it for quite a while.
And then, if you are satisfied,
you can consider upgrading your plan.
(Please note that there are restrictions on the timing of plan changes.)

So...
on this day, it was my first meeting,
and I enjoyed playing the precious GOLD STAR piano
to my heart's content.

The Tanmachi branch has
a total of 3 upright pianos and
1 electronic piano (ROLAND).

Other than the GOLD STAR, both pianos are YAMAHA.
I played both on different days.
Even if they don't have that 'pop' factor like the GOLD STAR!!!!!!!!
they still resonate.
They really do resonate quite a bit.
I felt like I was being trained
to handle them, or rather, to master them. Just a little bit.

Soundproof room D has a black gloss piano (I forgot to take a picture).

Soundproof room B has a wood-grain finish. So cute!!!!!
(Or is it just brown rather than wood-grain...?)
As someone who loves wood-grain finishes,I was excited.

Despite its cute appearance,
as expected, it resonates very well.
It feels like a spirited young lady (just my impression).

I really enjoyed it.

By the way,
the Yokohama Tanmachi branch
is located within walking distance
of four different stations:
・Tanmachi Station
・Kanagawa Station
・Higashi-Kanagawa Station
・Yokohama Station

I usually come from Higashi-Kanagawa Station on the way there,
but I sometimes walk to Yokohama Station on the way back.
When I want to head to my afternoon plans after a morning practice session,
being able to get to a major station right away makes it very easy to get around,
which I'm very grateful for.

So, since I'm at it,
I'd like to introduce
how to walk from the Yokohama Tanmachi branch to Yokohama Station.

When you leave the Saeki Building, turn right.
If you walk along the road in the direction where you can see the FamilyMart,
you will hit a road that runs along the train tracks.
Once you do, turn right,
and walk along the tracks.

Keep walking steadily.
You could probably reach Yokohama Station if you just kept walking straight,
but I
like to reach the point where I can see the escalator for Hotel Mets,
get on that escalator,
and walk along the deck that connects directly to the station.
You just follow the signs. You won't even get wet if it rains.
Then, passing through NEWoMan,
while having my eyes caught by the goods in the stylish shops,

wandering around as I please,
and fully enjoying the detour,
once I go down the escalator,
I'm already at Yokohama Station.
Yeah, it's just a fun walk.
I just wanted to recommend it on my own.

Taking this route,
from Yokohama Tanmachi store to Yokohama station,
even if I walk slowly at my own pace, including detours,
it takes about 15 to 20 minutes, I think?
Since you just walk along the train tracks, the path is simple,
and it's actually closer than I thought.

It's a really convenient location.
I felt like I saw a lot of young people
among the users (maybe it was just me),
and I wonder if that has something to do
with the local circumstances or not.
I wonder.
Anyway, it's fun for a walk,
there's a park nearby, and you can go to various stations.

Is studio practice the main point,
or is walking the main point?
Well, it's both.
Both are my hobbies! It's fun!

Also, from Higashi-Kanagawa station,
it's not impossible to walk to the Hakuraku store.
It takes about 25 minutes at my pace~
The route follows the Tokyu tracks while looking at them,
so it's basically straight, but the distance is a bit long.
Also, since it goes right through a quiet residential area,
it might be a bit unsettling to walk alone when it's dark at night.
If you like walking and it's a nice day,
you might want to give it a try during the day.

This area is really,
very rewarding to explore on foot,
and it's charming and fun.

That was the report on the third store.
Next, after I insert a few articles with different content,
I will write about the last store, the Shimomaruko store.
The Shimomaruko store is, somehow, cute. It's a healing type.
Combined with the laid-back nature of its location,
somehow, when I go there, I feel healed on my own.
That was the impression I got.
I'll write about that, and then I'll finish
the story about the subscription music studio.


To those who have been reading along,
thank you so much!
I'm always very happy.

Please come back to read again.
I'll be waiting while I diligently type away
and write bit by bit.

Well then, good night.
Tomorrow night, I'll be performing live
as Umineko at Shiku in Kotake-Mukaihara,
so I'll rest well tonight and recharge my energy.
I hope you all have a good night too.