Tsuchiya's career in music started with a brief stint aged 17 in 1969 as a roadie and stand-in guitarist with The Golden Cups.
[1] In 1972, Tsuchiya was recruited by Nobu Saito to work as a session guitarist, going on to record and tour with Lily and the Bye Bye session band (one of the other members was Ryuichi Sakamoto) and became a regular member of Junko Ohashi and Minoya Central Station, leaving in 1978 with the formation of Ippu-Do.
In 2001, Tsuchiya formed the short-lived group The d.e.p with Vivian Hsu, Mick Karn, Masahide Sakuma and Gota Yashiki (both formerly of the Plastics).
[3] In March 2008, Tsuchiya formed another short-lived rock band, Vitamin-Q with Yashiki, Kazuhiko Katō, Rei Ohara and Anza.
[4] In early 2013, Tsuchiya formed the supergroup KA.F.KA with Issay (Der Zibet), KenKen (Rize), Motokatsu Miyagami (The Mad Capsule Markets), and Ken Morioka (Soft Ballet).