The SABUKARU Guide to Tokyo Record Stores
In 2017 Sony made a big announcement, revealing its grand master plan, for once again, starting to press vinyl records, in-house, for the first time since 1989.
This major move made all doubts vanish, collecting vinyl wasn’t just a newfound trend - Vinyl records are back!
The Japanese company killed off the medium of vinyl records through the invention and introduction of the Compact Disk aka the CD. After many successful years with the Compact Disk format and the troublesome years that quickly followed after the invention of downloads and streaming, Sony finally decided upon reviving the earlier form of data media.
Why did this happen? Pressing the play button on your iPhone is simply not as romantic as listening to music pressed on vinyl. Sitting in front of a record stacked shelf, hunting for the record that fits the current mood, the action of blowing a bit of dust away from the cover, as well as pulling the record out of the packaging, carefully placing it on the player and slowly putting the needle down. Momentarily waiting for the first crackling and ultimately the first melody. This simply hits differently!
It’s no new news, in an oversaturated world of digital interactions, people in the modern world of today want to grab something physical, a curated library that’s tangible, instead of having a ton of songs in their cloud and ultimately only ever listening to 10% of it, if that. Not to forget the durability of vinyl records. There is a reason why shopping for used vinyl records is still possible today. Records from the glory days of vinyl are now even relatively cheap to pick up and easy to find, of course depending on what you’re looking for and the rarity of the piece.
All of this is part of a greater revival of the style of retro culture, a development that we also owe to the increase in interest in analogue photography - the return to former methods and techniques. For records, this means the pressing of cut grooves on a PVC-granola based liquid that, when it has hardened, becomes a playable record. The result of the mirroring of sound waves as cut grooves gives an extraordinary sound quality that is missed when using MP3 as a data media.
And this brings us to Japan, where quality is especially unmatched.
After WWII Japan’s economy was down on its knees and the manufacturing industry had yet to recover the damage it took during the war. That’s why factories focused on low quality and cheap production methods first and foremost. Japanese records were unwanted and not interesting to customers at all. Ultimately this all changed during the 1960s when Japan began to reshape the image of the country, on a global scale, towards that of high-quality production and craftsmanship.
From then on Japanese companies were known for their outstanding electronic products such as cameras or Hi-Fi equipment, growing up we’ve all grown to somewhat subconsciously know that a Canon, Panasonic or Sony electronic item is of renowned quality. The reputation these brands have made over time is due to the Japanese mentality of delivering a perfect product to the customer. The best possible service, mixed with a lot of passion and love towards the product and its heritage.
It’s these qualities of the Japanese mentality and craftsmen that lead to the record suppliers mastering the pressing process and becoming known as specialists in the production process.
Fun Fact: That was a major obstacle to overcome for Sony in 2017 – to find workers that were old enough to be specialised in this way of pressing.
With the Japanese vinyl industry only using virginal vinyl, as well as keeping a firm watch on the pressing process people grow more found and interested in Japanese pressings, resulting in them becoming well sought after items.
And up until today, Japan is still living up to this promise. You can feel it once you enter the store and get a Japanese record in your hands for the first time. Japan’s love for Vinyl es extraordinary and every shop offers its own experience and knowledge-based owners and staff.
Japan and especially Tokyo are one of a kind when it comes to record stores.
And Tokyo has more record stores than any other city on the planet. A true paradise made out of vinyl!
Time to send you on a scavenger hunt through our beloved metropole to explore this vinyl passion on your own.
The SABUKARU Guide to Tokyo Record Stores
You’ll go through loud avenues, quiet back alleys, crowded big stores and shops where you’ll find yourself alone. We’re sending you up and down staircases, through shady buildings and clean floors. There are stores you might curse us for because you can’t find them at the first moment, but keep digging, they are all worth being checked out. You can’t do anything wrong and if you’re unlucky and land in front of closed doors, there’s still Tokyofoodmap where we make it up to you with a tasty meal.
Don’t hurry, take your time, there is so much to discover! And this guide will be updated constantly. More and more to come and to explore!
This guide is part of the Tokyoculturemap, an Instagram channel with all the culture spots you should check out during your time in Tokyo. It comes with an attached Google map so you can’t get lost!
DISCLAIMER: Due to the restrictions to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, some opening hours may be different
Coconuts Disk Ekoda
The name may spray Malibu vibes but Coconuts Disk is a Tokyo local with three branches located in Ekoda, Ikebukuro and Kichijoji.
This store is located in the small neighbourhood of Ekoda, close to Nerima. The surrounding area is full of small stores, restaurants, izakayas. A nice vibe will sense you through the small streets and the smell of good food isn’t far away either. Ekoda back in the 90s was known as the record store town but sadly only one store survived the bubble burst.
Coconuts Disk in Ekoda is a rather small store, stuffed with all kinds of treasures about the subject of music. Magazines, toys, CDs, DVDs and of course records. The records are well sorted by genre, especially if you’re looking for some Japanese classics, you’ll be very happy here. They have smaller sections of Reggae, Electronic, Soundtrack, Hip-Hop/R&B, Soul and Jazz. Open from 12 pm to 9 pm, the prices are moderate and you can listen to the records on your own next to a statue of W.A. Mozart, who is slightly judging your taste, while the record is spinning in front of you.
Daruma-ya
If you plan to come to Daruma-ya in Toshima, make sure you have a lot of spare time. The store that is located on the second floor of an unspectacular building probably wouldn’t be visible if it wasn’t for the small sign on the street. Offering a ton of records, from all kinds of genres and ages, even for different players, they also offer Grammophon records – a rarity.
Prices are affordable and you can find boxes with discounted products at the counter. Alongside vinyl records, they’re also selling CDs and Tapes. The staff may be cleaning new arrivals of CD’s which adds a whirring to the voice of Count Basie that fills the room. Even though it may seem like a big flea market it is very well sorted and after a few moments, it’s super easy to navigate through the stacks of records. Easily accessible from Ikebukuro station and is open seven days a week from 12 pm to 9 pm.
Face Records
“The act of listening to the vinyl record is a work of art like shave a vinyl with a sharp diamond” is written on the glass door of Face Records. Let the diamond shine in this small nice store.
Face Records is specialized in Jazz, Soul, and Funk but you also can find a lot of hidden Hip-Hop gems to keep the head nodding. The prices range in the higher mediocre league, but they are very well sorted and located in central Tokyo within Shibuya.
Like many record stores, they open after lunch at 1 pm and run until 8 pm. They only have one player to test run the vinyl records and if it’s crowded you may need to wait for a while. They have run the record selling shop since 1994, you can also sell and trade yours here, they have a sale as well, but this store should not be your destination if you’re looking for sale steals. Additional to the original store Face Records opened a second branch in Miyashita park recently
ELLA RECORDS 下北沢
One of the best neighbourhoods to shop second hand is Shimokitazawa. This doesn’t stop at clothing or furniture. Browsing used vinyl records also is much more fun offline, even more so with ELLA Records.
ELLA Records 下北沢 (Shimokitazawa) is next to the Hatagaya located store, the second branch. When you make your way through the bustling Shimokitazawa, you may take the stairs to the third floor of an inconspicuous office building. Turn around and stop for a second before you enter the building, as you have a beautiful view from up there.
The store itself looks nothing like the rest of the building. Very minimalistic, stylish interior design with a couch, inviting you to hang out and just enjoy listening to good music. They offer all major genres and also have a section for new arrivals. What’s special is that they have a monthly changing, themed sale, where you can get good records for the low low. This is a place for all kinds of vinyl lovers. Collectors to greenhorns will get their money’s worth. Try the records you’ve chosen on one of the three players and look at the wall in front of you where you can find vinyl classics that sell for a ridiculous price.
Open from 2 pm to 8 pm the surrounding area gives you a perfect chance to try one of the great food spots. Shimokitazawa is famous for curry, meanwhile, there are also very good Ramen-ya.
Dub Store
A specialist in Reggae and Reggaeton music is Dub Store. Located in a back alley in Shinjuku behind a graveyard, you enter a store that brings you straight to the streets of Kingston town.
Open from 12 pm to 8 pm its location is very convenient and central. Take a short walk from Shinjuku Station and you’ll arrive there in approximately 10 min. You’re going to see the red-yellow-green sign and know you’re in the right place.
They sell only records that are in some way shape or form connected to Reggae. So if you’re looking for Reggae records, this is where you have to go. Dub Store offers a wide range through all decades of the Jamaican originated genre. Mostly new and in very good condition, the records are well-sorted and prices range in the upper-mediocre level. Sorted by genre, but also by year and place of origin, label or artist. They also provide a big area of used vinyl for 500 yen. LP’s and EP’s are both available. So if Reggae is your go-to genre, this is a place you can’t skip!
Upstairs Bar and Record store
It's called Upstairs Bar because it is located – you guessed it, upstairs. On the second floor of a small building in Shimokitazawa, you find this cosy shop that seems more like a living room. Open from 5 pm-1 am, every day with records being sold until around 9 pm except Wednesday, where only the bar runs from 9 pm to 1 am.
The stores owner Makoto Nagatomo returned to Tokyo in 2017 and opened this place, after he closed his store Weekend Records which was based in Brooklyn, NYC. He is a guy that has a lot of knowledge about the business and the history of record sales in Japan. Just talk to him and you will know. He’s always up for a chat and able to speak English which can be rare in smaller shops like this one. The small sales area stocks a lot of funk, disco, and house but you can also find rock or pop records. The drinks at the bar go for around 600 yen. If you have finished a day in Shimokitazawa during which you've checked out the Tokyofoodmap and are looking for a place to let the day fade out, while enjoying some funky music from a vinyl player, this is your spot!
Hal’s records
Let’s get moody. This store is located close to the busiest train station in the world but is an oasis of jazzy vinyl vibes. Five minutes from Shinjuku Station on foot and you’ll be at Hal’s records. Open every day from 12 pm to 9 pm.
Located on the third floor of a normal living, office complex you are entering a store that feels more like the living room of a vinyl records connaisseur. Even the door feels more like you’re entering a private home rather than a store. Painted in deep blue, with a bottle of Jack Daniels standing around and the tunes of Duke Ellington in the air, this room feels cosy. Next to the main salesroom, you will find a shelf stacked with books about music. This store runs not for the money or fame, just for the love of the game. The prices are mediocre to rather high for collector’s items. You can find all kinds of Jazz in there.
Japanese, European, vocal, instrumental, experimental, free jazz. There are no boundaries.
These are the stores that are worth checking out. Sure, the big stores are cool and have everything, but here you can feel the love for the subject big time.
EAD records
Another store located in Koenji. Not far from the station, this very small but cute store sells its records. Specialised in rarities centered around the genres of New Wave, Italo, Dance, and House this shop is something for people that listened through the ‘essentials playlist’ already and now want to move on to ‘next steps’. EAD has some rarities and collector’s pieces as well.
The owner Yozo helps you with that, a super friendly guy who has a lot of knowledge about the music he sells in the shop and beyond. Koenji has a vibrant music scene. From live bars, recording studios and record stores, there are many addresses you should have on your paper and this guy can help you navigate through the Koenji music scene.
It’s always nice to have a small chat. Stop checking Discogs, put your phone in your pocket and try to talk to the people and enjoy their knowledge.
Jazzy Sport Music Shop
Located in the area of Meguro, this record store is a cosy place for anyone interested in old school hip-hop, soul or jazz.
While you browse through the many vinyl records and may find Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint III”, the store tries to get you into the mood of being in the city of empire state of mind. Hip-hop subway calendar, Africa originated drums or pizza cartons decorate this store. Jazzy Sport Music Shop also sells apparel such as caps, bags, and shirts, with the name of the shop on it.
Like many of the Japanese stores Jazzy Sports also offers a decent area full of CDs. It is still a big thing here in Japan. The artists are rather unknown and underground, so you can widen your hip-hop-horizon. Even though you may stumble over records from artists like Nas, Jaz-Z or A Tribe Called Quest.
Influencing genres like Soul, R&B, Funk, Jazz, and House are also offered. Open Monday to Saturday from 2 pm to 9 pm.
Flash Disk Ranch
This is probably the rawest and roughest store. An uncut gem if you wish. Located again in second-hand heaven of Shimokitazawa Flash Disk Ranch offers records for very low prices. Open from 12 pm to 10 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. From 12 pm to 9 pm on Sundays and closed on Wednesdays.
After you find the entrance, you have to go up the stairs with lots of drawings on the wall. Already here you get a feeling on what to expect inside. Big cartons with (probably) vinyl records inside wait on the stairways, ready to get sorted and put out into the sales area.
The store itself looks more like a basement on the first floor with tons of records, or like one of the garages people bet on to find stuff inside that hopefully is worth a pretty penny.
However don’t worry it's totally worth it, the area discount area is probably the same size as the one full of prized vinyl. It’s similar to the second-hand clothing stores, the ones that are not sorted, offer a huge amount and have the best-hidden gems if you show patience and browse through all the stuff. Same with this one. No player to test the records. Make sure you have a good amount of time to burn and enjoy browsing through all the dusty records.
Base
Irasshaimase to the store that sells records from bands that write their names on T-shirt in a way you can’t read it. Welcome to the store for heavy metal, metal, hardcore, and punk.
Welcome to Base. With Base being located in the Koenji neighborhood, it would be a disservice to not treat your belly right in one of the many izakayas before going for some record shopping. Open from 12 pm to 9 pm everyday.
The saleroom behind the sticker taped door offers a variety of hardcore, punk CDs, cassettes, DVDs, magazines, posters, and vinyl records. Everything you need if you’re either a metalhead or a Demna Gvasalia/Vetements fanboy. Standing there in the room it feels a bit like you’re in the garage of an underground punk band. A lot of underground, a lot of metal, a lot of hardcore.
Technique
This is all about techno. For the ravers reading this, this place is your Mekka. Technique offers techno from all kinds of decades, places and artists. From minimalistic Berlin-Berghain kind of techno through to the wavy smooth tech-house. Here you can find everything. They also have an online shop that offers an even wider range, but the store mostly focuses on techno and house music. Many local DJ’s appreciate the shop for their knowledgeable staff and the big selection. On several players, you can listen to your records of choice.
Located in the heart of Shibuya, in the Parco building B1 floor, and open from 12 pm to 9 pm.
Record City
A former online store that recently opened up an in-store sales area. Whereas before you could only pick up your records via appointment, now you can browse through a huge offering of all kinds of LP’s and EP’s.
Don’t get scared by the hospital esque floors and the plane office aesthetic of the store. It’s about the records here. Record City also sells concert or concert tour companioning books.
Open from 12pm to 8 pm every day in Shinjuku it gives you a good chance to check out some very different vinyl record stores in one day and if you manage to find some time, there are also many good food options around this place.
Los Apson?
A Koenji legend but a bit further away from the station compared to the others. Nevertheless, this is the store every other store owner will recommend you to go. Entering the store feels a bit like entering the setting of a Coen brothers movie.
There is so much stuff lying, standing, hanging around, you have to be careful not to destroy something by moving thoughtlessly through the store. Los Apson? sells everything connected to music and beyond. Cassette tapes, CD’s, vinyl records, merch, stickers, etc.. The music being played can also be experimental, as they have an area called “noise”. It’s basically what it says but it makes the store charming whilst wandering around and browsing through all the (un)necessary stuff.
You can find some gems here, however caution as you could also pick up something that might only catch dust in your living room. This place is a local legend. You should pay them a visit during their opening times (every day besides Wednesday from 3 pm to 8 pm)
SUB store
Enjoying music with some good food or drinks is always the best! Luckily SUB store provides both of it. Indonesian food, (non) alcoholic drinks or coffee. Next to the bar, you can find a shelf with vinyl records from different sellers.
Some are their own stock, others come from Japanese or international sellers. Not only vinyl records can be found here, books and CD’s are also offered. Simply talk to the staff, they are all super friendly and up for a chat.
The real deal here is the live events, DJs and other acts, perform here, often from experts of the Japanese music scene. The community here is strong, so when a live act plays at SUB store, the room is crowded with happy party people. Shoutout to SABUKARU team member Vloek!
SUB store is also very close to Koenji street where you can find plenty of good places. Tokyofoodmap is your friend.
Lighthouse Records
In the middle of Shibuya but still hidden in a side alley, once again it’s not located on the ground level and with this one there’s no elevator.
The store itself features a lot of house, tech-house, deep-house records but Lighthouse Records also has many other genres available. Prices again are rather high in comparison to other stores but always keep in mind that they are nothing if you compare it to western countries. Browse through the well-sorted offer and try out the records while overlooking a sidestreet of Dogenzaka.
You’ll probably find yourself looking at the Bunny Girls Bar across the road wondering what’s going on over there while enjoying some housey tunes.
The store is open from 1 pm to 9 pm every day and only a short walk away from Shibuya station.
Hi-Fi Record Store
Located between Harajuku and Shibuya on the third floor you can find Hi-Fi Record Store. Open every day from 12 pm to 9 pm, the store offers a wide range of different genres and its price range is rather high, definitely not a place to shoot some very cheap steals, but collectors pieces.
The records are sorted well and come with an information text on each of them. Some in English but mostly in Japanese. However, don’t worry: if it concerns some damage or some issues with the product itself it will be written so that you can’t make a wrong purchase.
Their discount section offers mediocre prices (around 500 yen) but the records are still worth the money.
HMV Store Shibuya
This shop is on the list to give those of you who are here in Tokyo for only a short period a chance to buy some records. Open from 11 am to 8 pm every day.
It’s a bit like the Ichiran of vinyl records. Good to go there if it’s needed but try to check out other stores if possible. It's super easy and doesn't hurt the bank.
Still, HMV offers a wide range of Japan-exclusive presses and all kinds of new vinyl records. You can listen to the records in-store and find all kinds of genres. Don’t expect some underground, yet to discover gems here.
It has to be mentioned that their 100 yen discount area holds some good records and even in this flagship you can bag some steals.
If you are in Shibuya and want to check out some records, sure why not. Don’t make a special trip to this place, only worth checking out if passing by.
Sasaki Record Shop
Sasaki offers one of the coolest record storefronts in Tokyo and once you entered the Jimbocho area you defiantly should pay this shop a visit for just enjoying these vintage vibes.
The store offers a classic and Jazz selection and just a little Japanese pop music. A store for specialist into Jazz and classic, nothing the Sabukaru team has the biggest experience with.
Record Sha
Record Sha is also located in Jimbocho and offers a great general take on all genres and types of music. The real deal and winner of this store is their selection of anime and Japanese film soundtracks that will steal your heart and money by looking at their cover already.
From Lupin III to Godzilla and many more. This tiny part of the store really will excite you and to 95% you’ll end up buying something.
Vintage and New CD Takuto
Takuto is heaven for Japanese vintage pop music and folklore. From types of vinyl to CDs and poster. This small store has a lovely curated selection of Japanese Pop culture.
Its really easy to miss this small shop and just pass by, so keep your eyes open for their small shop front.
About the author:
Peter is a writer and editor who has devoted a lot of his activities to the Japanese culture. Partially located in Tokyo he academically studied many aspects of the Japanese society and culture to get a better understanding of Japan.
