TRAVELING TO JAPAN! Recommendations for shops for cartridges?

That's BIC Camera's and Yodobashi.

Yodobashi has probably the best choice.

https://www.yodobashi.com you will need google translate as its in Japanese

For LP's Disc Union flagship store ( they have a few branches) is outside Shinjuku station. A 100 metre walk.

Most of all enjoy the audio eye candy.

For CD’s look for a second hand store called ‘hard off’. Unfortunately I can’t recall which one but they are all over the place and some of them have a very large selection of pre owned cd’s, and since the Japanese tend to take care of their belongings, most are in like-new condition. Some hard off’s even carry vintage hifi gear so keep an eye open. -In fact, I bought a Marantz model 8 tube amp from a hard off.

lewm

... the vast majority of all cartridges are made in Japan or elsewhere in Asia. In fact, Grado is the only exception I can think of, even assuming Grado cartridges are made in USA ...

Grados are made in the USA. Soundsmith, too. VAS Audio carts are made in NJ.

Thank you so much everyone! So excited with these great recs. 

Will report back when I return! 

BIC Camera is strictly for kids who want cheap, digital, and portable, based on my tour of the store in May. But maybe I missed something. Anyway, as a serious audiophile, I wouldn’t waste my time there.

rushfan et al, Lyra cartridges are not sold up front in any store I’ve ever been in over the course of 15 years since our son took up residence in Tokyo. Maybe if you know the right person (and can speak Japanese) you might purchase Lyra there.