Best Classical Guitars Made In Japan in 2024

Here are the top Classical style guitars made in Japan . You should expect a high-quality guitar with excellent quality control. It can be compared to guitars made in the US, which is why they're also expensive.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Alvarez CYM75CE

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Alvarez CYM75CE
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Playability 70
Sound 84
Build quality 90
Value for money 71
Overall Score 81
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  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Western Red Cedar top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany one piece. Spanish Heel neck joint neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC Element System (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold with Pearloid Buttons tuners
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  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.591"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Western Red Cedar top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany one piece. Spanish Heel neck joint neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC Element System (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold with Pearloid Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez CYM75CE
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

2. Takamine TC135SC

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Takamine TC135SC
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Playability 70
Sound 88
Build quality 85
Value for money 71
Overall Score 81

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Takamine's 2011 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 24 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
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  • From Takamine's 2011 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 24 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine TC135SC
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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3. Yamaha NCX5

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Yamaha NCX5
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Playability 73
Sound 86
Build quality 82
Value for money 75
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Yamaha's 2020 NX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid European Spruce top
  • Solid Walnut back
  • Solid Walnut sides
  • African Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony + Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold w/ Black Shaft (35G1800-BB) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Yamaha's 2020 NX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid European Spruce top
  • Solid Walnut back
  • Solid Walnut sides
  • African Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony + Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold w/ Black Shaft (35G1800-BB) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha NCX5
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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4. Takamine P3FCN

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Takamine P3FCN
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Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 85
Build quality 84
Value for money 76
Overall Score 81

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 3 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2013 Pro Series 3 series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Solid Sapele back
  • Sapele sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine P3FCN
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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5. Takamine TH90

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Takamine TH90
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 70
Sound 84
Build quality 87
Value for money 70
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Takamine's 2018 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2018 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine TH90
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

6. Takamine TH5C

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Takamine TH5C
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 70
Sound 84
Build quality 85
Value for money 75
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Takamine's 2016 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2016 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine TH5C
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

7. Takamine TH8SS

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Takamine TH8SS
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Sweetwater logo
Playability 70
Sound 84
Build quality 87
Value for money 70
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Takamine's 2013 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2013 Hirade & Classical series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CTP3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 19 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine TH8SS
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

8. Yamaha NTX5

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Yamaha NTX5
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 73
Sound 86
Build quality 82
Value for money 75
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Yamaha's 2020 NX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 23.622" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid European Spruce top
  • Solid Walnut back
  • Solid Walnut sides
  • African Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony + Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold w/ Black Shaft (35G1800-BB) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Yamaha's 2020 NX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 23.622" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid European Spruce top
  • Solid Walnut back
  • Solid Walnut sides
  • African Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Atmosfeel (Undersaddle Pickup + Contact Sensor + Mic) (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony + Walnut bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold w/ Black Shaft (35G1800-BB) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha NTX5
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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9. Yamaha GC42C

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Yamaha GC42C
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 73
Sound 84
Build quality 82
Value for money 65
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Western Redcedar top
  • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
  • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
  • African Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Western Redcedar top
  • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
  • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
  • African Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha GC42C
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Electronics
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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10. Yamaha GC42S

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Yamaha GC42S
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 84
Build quality 82
Value for money 65
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid European Spruce or Solid Hokkaido Spruce top
  • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
  • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
  • African Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Yamaha's 2014 GC / GCX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • Flat Fretboard Radius
  • Solid European Spruce or Solid Hokkaido Spruce top
  • Solid Madagascar Rosewood back
  • Solid Madagascar Rosewood sides
  • African Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: (/)
  • Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gold (YTM-81) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha GC42S
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Electronics
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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