Japan doesn’t really have a competitive market for some things, not because people are nice but because most people look for jobs at big companies and so there aren’t many people fixing guitars and things like that. Most people work regular jobs and so these kinds of things cost more because sellers know that anyone who wants that has money to spend.
Art is a seen as a hobby not a lifestyle here.
My neighborhood is different, it’s one of the most artistic wild places in Japan but even with 15 live venues there are only two places I can buy guitar pedals and they’re very small and limited, used pedals cost 85% the price of new sometimes.
Basically sellers feel entitled because there is no competition. And it’s hard for them to survive because their costs are always high (rent etc) because landlords feel entitled, since space is so limited. So you can’t even blame the sellers and craftsmen for charging so much. They need to live too.
This is what happens when nobody tries to start their own business.
It’s ok, we will!
Just the cheapest thing I could find that worked. A used guitar from “Legend” which I’ve never heard of. I think I got it for $10 from an old guy who didn’t know if it was broken or not hahaha