Best Dreadnought Guitars Made In Japan in 2024

Here are the top Dreadnought 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 DYM70CESHB

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Alvarez DYM70CESHB
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 92
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Alvarez's 2022 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.512"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Ebony / 12th Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC Element System (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh 510's Gold with Ebony Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Alvarez's 2022 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.512"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Ebony / 12th Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC Element System (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh 510's Gold with Ebony Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez DYM70CESHB
  • 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

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2. Takamine EF341DX

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Takamine EF341DX
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 85
Build quality 87
Value for money 73
Overall Score 83

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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  • From Takamine's 2020 Legacy series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Maple back
  • Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2020 Legacy series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Cedar top
  • Maple back
  • Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine EF341DX
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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3. Yamaha A5M ARE

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Yamaha A5M ARE
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Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 73
Sound 90
Build quality 87
Value for money 78
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Yamaha's 2017 A series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce A.R.E. w/Scalloped Bracing top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • African Mahogany (3-ply) neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: SYSTEM71(SRT2 System) + SRT Piezo Pickup (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Open Gear Chrome (Gotoh) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Yamaha's 2017 A series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce A.R.E. w/Scalloped Bracing top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • African Mahogany (3-ply) neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: SYSTEM71(SRT2 System) + SRT Piezo Pickup (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Open Gear Chrome (Gotoh) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha A5M ARE
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq 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. Ibanez AAD400CE

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Ibanez AAD400CE
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 85
Value for money 72
Overall Score 82
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Ibanez's 2019 Advanced Acoustic series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid African Mahogany back
  • Solid African Mahogany sides
  • Thermo Aged African Mahogany / Pau Ferro neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez AP11 Magnetic & Contact (Preamp/Active)
  • Macassar Ebony scalloped bridge
  • Low Oval Grip with Rounded Fretboard Edge Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Ibanez's 2019 Advanced Acoustic series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid African Mahogany back
  • Solid African Mahogany sides
  • Thermo Aged African Mahogany / Pau Ferro neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez AP11 Magnetic & Contact (Preamp/Active)
  • Macassar Ebony scalloped bridge
  • Low Oval Grip with Rounded Fretboard Edge Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AAD400CE
  • 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

All Prices

5. Alvarez DYM70CE

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Alvarez DYM70CE
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 92
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Alvarez's 2022 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.512"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Ebony with 12th AA Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC Element System (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh 510's Gold with Ebony Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Alvarez's 2022 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.512"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AAA Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Ebony with 12th AA Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC Element System (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh 510's Gold with Ebony Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez DYM70CE
  • 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

6. Yamaha A5R ARE

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Yamaha A5R ARE
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 73
Sound 90
Build quality 87
Value for money 78
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (2 votes)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
  • Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
  • Neck profile shape: C (14 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Yamaha's 2017 A series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce A.R.E. w/Scalloped Bracing top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • African Mahogany (3-ply) neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: SYSTEM71(SRT2 System) + SRT Piezo Pickup (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Open Gear Chrome (Gotoh) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Yamaha's 2017 A series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce A.R.E. w/Scalloped Bracing top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • African Mahogany (3-ply) neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: SYSTEM71(SRT2 System) + SRT Piezo Pickup (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Open Gear Chrome (Gotoh) tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha A5R ARE
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq 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

All Prices

7. Alvarez DY1TS

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Alvarez DY1TS
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 85
Build quality 87
Value for money 73
Overall Score 83
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
  • East Indian Rosewood back
  • East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Rosewood with 12th Abalone Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Alvarez's 2021 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AA Western Red Cedar top
  • East Indian Rosewood back
  • East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Rosewood with 12th Abalone Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Gold tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez DY1TS
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

8. Takamine EF381DX

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Takamine EF381DX
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 85
Build quality 85
Value for money 77
Overall Score 82

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 2021 Legacy series
  • Made in Japan
  • 12 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Maple back
  • Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2021 Legacy series
  • Made in Japan
  • 12 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Maple back
  • Maple sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine EF381DX
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

9. Takamine EF400SC TT

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Takamine EF400SC TT
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 85
Value for money 73
Overall Score 83

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 2018 TT series
  • Made in Japan
  • 12 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Thermal Spruce top
  • Solid Indian Rosewood back
  • Indian Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2018 TT series
  • Made in Japan
  • 12 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Thermal Spruce top
  • Solid Indian Rosewood back
  • Indian Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine EF400SC TT
  • 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

10. Takamine EF360SC TT

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Takamine EF360SC TT
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 85
Value for money 73
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • From Takamine's 2018 TT series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Thermal Spruce top
  • Solid Indian Rosewood back
  • Indian Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Takamine's 2018 TT series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.4"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Thermal Spruce top
  • Solid Indian Rosewood back
  • Indian Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine EF360SC TT
  • 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

All Prices

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