Playing music at home in Japan + noise issues

When I first moved to Japan we lived in Tokyo, and I quickly discovered that apartment living can be an exercise in patience when it comes to noise. In my case, I had piano players both above and below me, and they had little regard for the time of day they'd be tinkling away on the keys. Late-night practice sessions and early morning scales became part of daily life, and it was a reminder that sound travels easily in compact living environments.

A recent survey by NEXER Inc., conducted with Bouon Kosho Co., Ltd., highlighted just how common this issue is, with one in three people surveyed who practice an instrument at home not taking any noise-control measures. Pianos and guitars are the most frequently practiced instruments, but some participants also play drums, wind instruments, and even sing at home.

For those who do make an effort, the most common strategies include keeping the volume low, limiting practice to daytime, closing windows and doors, or using electronic instruments with headphones. A few respondents mentioned creative fixes such as placing sponges on strings or using towels to mute brass instruments. Some particularly serious players even mentioned going as far as installing soundproof rooms.

If you live in an apartment here, have you had issues with noisy neighbors playing instruments?

Info source: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001866.000044800.html