“Installing a soundproof room changed my life.”
That’s the testimony of Misaki Tanaka (pseudonym, 34), who runs a piano school from her Tokyo apartment. In spring 2024, when complaints from neighbors had turned playing music into a source of stress, she invested approximately ¥1.7 million (about $11,000 USD) in a Yamaha Sefine NS 2-tatami unit. Now, her practice time has tripled, her student count has doubled, and she’s been freed from the “guilt of making noise.”
This article shares Misaki’s real experience to help you imagine what life with a soundproof room is actually like in Japan.
The Trigger | Hitting the “Wall” of Neighbor Troubles#
The Challenge of Playing Piano in a Japanese Apartment#
Misaki lives in a 10-year-old apartment building in Tokyo—a 70㎡ 3LDK unit where she lives with her husband.
“I moved into an apartment that ‘allows’ piano playing. But ‘allowed’ and ‘free to play whenever’ are completely different things.”
Even in piano-friendly buildings in Japan, there are unwritten rules: mornings start at 9 AM, evenings end at 9 PM. On weekends, you play even more quietly. Misaki followed these rules faithfully.
The Day the Complaint Arrived#
The turning point came in autumn 2023. A complaint came through the building’s management association from the resident below.
“The content was ’the piano is too loud.’ I thought I was finishing before 9 PM, but apparently the sound was still reaching them after 8:30…”
When the second complaint came, Misaki seriously considered her options.
“Quit piano, or get a soundproof room.”
As a piano teacher supporting herself through lessons, quitting wasn’t a realistic option.
The Binary Choice#
After discussing with her husband, she decided to install a soundproof room. Combining savings and installment payments, she secured approximately ¥1.7 million.
“It was an expensive purchase, but nothing could replace the peace of mind of being able to continue piano.”
Choosing a Soundproof Room | “Feel” Was the Deciding Factor#
What Catalog D-Values Couldn’t Tell#
When choosing, Misaki first ordered catalogs.
“I saw lots of D-40, Dr-40 specifications. But when asked ‘how different are D-40 and D-50?’ honestly, I couldn’t really tell.”
D-value (sound insulation rating) indicates soundproofing performance, but actual “quietness” can’t be understood from numbers alone. Even the same D-40 feels different between manufacturers.
[!TIP] As a guideline: D-40 means “faintly audible in the next room,” D-50 means “barely audible in the next room.” For piano, D-50 or higher is recommended.
Comparing Three Manufacturers at Showrooms#
Misaki visited showrooms for Yamaha, Kawai, and Shimamura Music.
“At Yamaha and Shimamura, I actually went inside and played piano. Having family members check how much could be heard outside was the most helpful.”
| Manufacturer | Product | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Yamaha | Sefine NS 2-tatami | Excellent bass isolation. Best for piano |
| Kawai | Nasal 2-tatami | About ¥100,000 cheaper. Similar performance |
| Shimamura | Both displayed | Easy to compare side-by-side |
Why She Chose Sefine NS#
Misaki’s deciding factors were “bass sound isolation” and “after-service reliability.”
“Piano bass frequencies travel easily, so I chose Sefine for its strong bass isolation. Plus, Yamaha’s trustworthiness as an instrument manufacturer gave me confidence.”
A Day with a Soundproof Room | 7 AM to 10 PM Freedom#
Morning Practice Time#
“Before, I couldn’t play until after 9 AM. Now I can practice from 7 AM. The quiet time after my husband leaves for work is when I concentrate best.”
Inside the soundproof room, outside noises are also blocked—apartment sounds like upstairs footsteps and elevator noise no longer bother her.
Daytime Online Lessons#
Misaki conducts online lessons in addition to in-person ones.
“With the soundproof room, online lesson audio quality is dramatically better. Reverberation is properly controlled, and students can hear me clearly.”
Evening Freedom After 9 PM#
Before installation, Misaki stopped playing at 9 PM. Now she freely plays until 10 PM.
“More evening practice time has expanded my repertoire. I can do intensive practice before recitals without worrying about the time.”
Changes in Numbers: Before vs. After#
Practice Time Comparison#
| Item | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Daily practice | 1-2 hours | 3-4 hours |
| Weekly practice | ~10 hours | ~30 hours |
| Available hours | 9:00-21:00 | 7:00-22:00 |
Students and Income Changes#
| Item | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly lessons | 8 students | 16 students |
| Monthly income (est.) | ~¥120,000 | ~¥180,000 |
“I could increase students simply because my available hours increased. ¥1.7 million investment, but considering the income increase, I’ll recover it in 2-3 years.”
Mental Stress Relief#
“The biggest change is no more guilt about making noise. Before, I worried ‘am I being too loud?’ every time I played. Now I can focus 100% on my performance.”
Drawbacks After One Year of Use#
Summer Heat Requires Countermeasures#
“The soundproof room is highly sealed, so summer is really hot. I point the air conditioner toward the room and run the ventilation fan while using it.”
[!WARNING] In a soundproof room about 1-tatami size without ventilation, oxygen levels can drop to dangerous levels in about 3.5 hours. Always implement ventilation measures.
The Reality of Less Living Space#
A 2-tatami soundproof room needs about 3-tatami of floor space for its outer dimensions.
“I placed it in a corner of the living room, so the room feels smaller than before.”
The Initial Cost Hurdle#
Approximately ¥1.7 million is not a small amount.
“Honestly, it took me half a year to decide. But monthly payments of about ¥20,000 through installments don’t strain our budget.”
Advice for Those Considering a Soundproof Room#
“Just Visit a Showroom” Is the Right Answer#
“Rather than researching catalogs and websites, experiencing it yourself is best. I visited three showrooms before finding the right product.”
Decide “Purpose” Before Budget#
“Think about ‘why do I need this’ before ‘how much can I spend.’ Once the purpose is clear, required performance becomes obvious.”
| Purpose | Recommended | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming/Video calls | D-30-40 | ¥100,000-500,000 |
| Piano/Strings | D-45-50 | ¥1,000,000-2,000,000 |
| Drums/High volume | D-60+ | ¥3,000,000+ |
Think of It as an “Investment”#
“¥1.7 million seemed expensive, but for me it was an investment in my ‘work equipment.’ My practice time increased, lesson income increased, and it’s net positive.”
Summary | A Soundproof Room Is a “Partner That Changes Your Musical Life”#
Lifestyle Changes
- Practice time tripled (10→30 hours/week)
- Available hours extended by 5 hours (7:00-22:00)
- Zero neighbor troubles
Income Changes
- Student count doubled (8→16/week)
- Monthly income increased ~1.5x
Mental Changes
- Freed from “noise guilt”
- Improved concentration on performance
A soundproof room isn’t just a “box.” It’s a partner that supports your musical life.
If you’re struggling with noise concerns about neighbors, start by visiting a showroom. Experiencing it yourself will help you find “the soundproof room that’s right for you.”
Related Articles#
- [Basics]: Soundproof Room Prices in Japan【2025 Latest】
- [Comparison]: Best Soundproof Room Manufacturers in Japan
- [Size Guide]: Complete Guide to Soundproof Room Sizes
- [Installation]: Pre-Installation Checklist
- [Ventilation]: Soundproof Room Ventilation Guide