15 Best Record Shops in Tokyo: Vinyl, CDs, and Japan's Music Obsession

Tokyo's record shop culture is what happens when Japanese organizational obsession meets deep musical knowledge. Stores are organized by sub-genre (not just "jazz" but "spiritual jazz 1970-1975"), condition-graded to perfection, and staffed by people who've spent 30 years cataloging obscure pressings.

Whether you collect vinyl, CDs, or just want to understand why Tokyo is a music pilgr pilgrimage site, here's where to dig in 2026.

Why Tokyo Record Shops Are Different

Genre specialization — Most shops focus on 1-3 genres only. Disk Union has separate buildings for rock, jazz, soul, classical, electronica.

Condition grading — Every record is graded on vinyl condition, sleeve condition, with obi (original Japanese insert strip) status. Japanese pressings with original obi command premium prices.

Used market — Tokyo's used record market is massive because Japanese buyers upgrade frequently and take immaculate care of records. Finding pristine 1970s pressings is common.

CD culture — Japan never abandoned CDs. Most shops dedicate equal or more space to CDs than vinyl. Selection is incredible.

Knowledge — Staff are specialists. Ask about a specific Blue Note pressing and you'll get a 10-minute history of different Japanese editions.

Tokyo record shopping is serious business — bring time, budget, and willingness to dig.

Best Multi-Genre Record Stores (Start Here)

Tower Records Shibuya (タワーレコード渋谷店)

Nine floors of music. The largest record store in Japan, possibly the world. Tower Records died everywhere else — in Tokyo, it's a cultural institution.

Why it's essential — Comprehensive new releases, deep back catalog, imports, Japanese exclusives, and 9th floor has event space with live performances and signings.

• Location — Shibuya (next to Shibuya Station)
• Floors — 9 (each floor is different genre/format)
• Hours — 10am-11pm daily
• Best for — New releases, Japanese pressings, comprehensiveness
• Tax-free — Yes (bring passport)

Floor guide —

• 1F: New releases, J-Pop, charts
• 2F: Rock, alternative
• 3F: Hip-hop, R&B, soul
• 4F: Electronic, dance
• 5F: Jazz, classical
• 6F: World music, soundtracks
• 7F: Books, magazines, DVDs
• 8F: Vinyl (all genres)
• 9F: Events, gallery

Budget 2-3 hours minimum. Pair with Shibuya crossing guide.

HMV Record Shop Shibuya

HMV's flagship Japan store (HMV also died globally, thrives in Tokyo). Smaller than Tower but equally deep selection, particularly strong on imports.

• Location — Shibuya (near Center Gai)
• Floors — 5
• Hours — 11am-11pm
• Best for — Imports, alternative rock, vinyl

Less overwhelming than Tower, better for focused shopping.

Best Used Record Stores (Disk Union Empire)

Disk Union — Multiple Locations

Japan's legendary used record chain. 20+ stores in Tokyo, each specializing in specific genres. Disk Union is where serious collectors go.

How it works — Each location focuses on 1-2 genres. You don't go to "Disk Union" — you go to Disk Union Jazz, Disk Union Rock, Disk Union Soul, etc.

Grading system —

• Mint — Perfect, unplayed
• Near Mint — Excellent condition
• VG+ to VG — Some wear but plays well
• Obi status — Listed separately (with/without original insert)

All locations buy and sell used records. Bring records to sell (they evaluate on spot).

Disk Union Shinjuku Main Store

The biggest Disk Union. Eight floors covering most genres.

• Location — Shinjuku (near East Exit)
• Floors — 8
• Best for — Rock, pop, punk, alternative
• Price range — ¥800-¥8,000+ depending on rarity

This is ground zero for Disk Union exploration.

Disk Union Ochanomizu Jazz

Three floors of jazz only. From bebop to free jazz to spiritual jazz to Japanese jazz rarities.

• Location — Ochanomizu (near station)
• Floors — 3
• Best for — Serious jazz collectors
• Prices — ¥1,500-¥15,000+ (rare Blue Note originals go higher)

The jazz knowledge here is encyclopedic. Staff will discuss specific Rudy Van Gelder pressings with you.

Disk Union Shibuya Club Music

Electronic, house, techno, drum & bass, ambient. From 1980s Chicago house to current Berlin techno.

• Location — Shibuya (near Tower Records)
• Floors — 5
• Best for — Electronic music diggers
• Format — Heavy vinyl selection

Strong Japanese electronic music section (Yellow Magic Orchestra, Haruomi Hosono, etc.)

Other Disk Union Locations by Genre

• Ochanomizu Soul/Rare Groove — Funk, soul, rare groove, hip-hop breaks
• Shinjuku Progressive — Prog rock, psych, hard rock
• Shibuya Black Music — R&B, soul, funk, hip-hop
• Ochanomizu Classical — Classical music only

Full list at diskunion.net/en

Best Specialty Record Shops (By Genre)

Technique (テクニーク) — Shibuya

Electronic music specialists: techno, house, ambient, experimental. New and used vinyl, emphasis on underground labels and rare imports.

• Location — Shibuya (basement near Udagawa)
• Best for — Electronic music diggers, DJs
• Format — Almost entirely vinyl
• Hours — Noon-8pm (closed Tuesdays)

Staff are active DJs who know the scene. Best place for Berlin/Detroit techno imports.

Big Love Records — Harajuku

Soul, funk, rare groove, disco, AOR. Small shop, carefully curated, expensive but worth it for collectors.

• Location — Harajuku (near Yoyogi Park)
• Best for — Rare soul and funk, sample sources
• Price — ¥3,000-¥20,000+ (serious collector prices)
• Format — Vinyl only

This is where producers and sample-diggers come for breaks and rare grooves.

Jet Set Tokyo (ジェットセット) — Shibuya/Harajuku

Rock, garage, punk, soul, indie. Excellent curated selection, bilingual staff, welcoming atmosphere.

• Locations — Shibuya and Harajuku
• Best for — Rock, punk, indie
• Atmosphere — Relaxed, foreigner-friendly
• Format — Vinyl and CDs

Good starting point if Disk Union feels overwhelming.

Manhattan Records (マンハッタンレコード) — Shibuya

Hip-hop, R&B, reggae. The legendary hip-hop shop in Tokyo since 1990s.

• Location — Shibuya
• Best for — Hip-hop, rap, reggae, dancehall
• Format — Vinyl and CDs
• Scene — Where Tokyo hip-hop culture lives

Listen to staff mixes to understand Tokyo's hip-hop taste.

Coconuts Disk (ココナッツディスク) — Multiple Locations

Large used CD/DVD chain. Less curated than Disk Union but cheap and massive selection.

• Locations — Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro
• Best for — Cheap CDs (¥300-¥1,000)
• Format — Mostly CDs, some vinyl

Good for bulk CD buying on budget.

Best Neighborhoods for Record Shopping

Shibuya: Music Shopping Central

• Tower Records (9 floors, new releases)
• HMV Record Shop (5 floors, imports)
• Disk Union Shibuya locations (multiple genres)
• Manhattan Records (hip-hop)
• Technique (electronic)

Shibuya is one-stop record shopping. Budget a full day.

Shinjuku: Disk Union Headquarters

• Disk Union Main Store (8 floors, rock/pop)
• Disk Union used clothing/merch (band shirts, vintage)
• Multiple smaller Disk Union genre stores nearby

Shinjuku is Disk Union city. Walk around East Exit area for 5-6 stores within blocks.

Ochanomizu/Jimbocho: Digger's Paradise

• Disk Union Jazz (jazz specialists)
• Disk Union Soul/Rare Groove (funk, breaks)
• Disk Union Classical (classical only)
• Ja-Jazz (Japanese jazz rarities)
• 10+ smaller used shops

This neighborhood is where you get lost for 6 hours and emerge with 20 records. Quiet, focused, serious.

Harajuku: Curated and Cool

• Big Love Records (expensive soul and funk)
• Jet Set Tokyo (indie, rock)
• Face Records (dance, electronic)

Harajuku shops are smaller, more curated, slightly more expensive, but excellent selection.

Shimo-Kitazawa: Indie and Underground

Multiple small used record shops in this bohemian neighborhood. Less organized than Disk Union, more charm, better for serendipity.

• Flash Disc Ranch (eclectic used vinyl)
• General Record Store (indie, alternative)

Pair with Shimokitazawa neighborhood guide.

How to Shop for Records in Tokyo

Language Tips

• Vinyl = レコード (rekodo) or "analog"
• CD = シーディー (sheedee)
• Used = 中古 (chuuko)
• New = 新品 (shinpin)
• How much? = いくらですか? (ikura desu ka?)
• Can I listen? = 聴けますか? (kikemasu ka?)

Most shops have listening stations. Just ask staff.

What to Look For

Japanese pressings with obi — Obi is the paper strip on spine with Japanese text. Original obi increases value significantly.

Japanese-only releases — Many international artists released Japan-exclusive editions with bonus tracks, different mixes, or special packaging.

Condition — Japanese used records are generally better condition than anywhere else. "VG+" in Tokyo is "Near Mint" in most countries.

City Pop — 1980s Japanese pop/funk/AOR is globally hot right now. Prices have risen but selection is still best in Tokyo.

Pricing Guide 2026

Tokyo isn't cheap for records, but selection and condition justify prices.

Tax-Free Shopping

Foreign tourists can get tax-free shopping (save 10%) at major chains — though how the refund is processed changes starting November 1, 2026:

• Tower Records
• HMV
• Disk Union (main locations)

Requirements —

• Spend over ¥5,000
• Bring passport
• Items must leave Japan within 6 months

Small shops don't offer tax-free, but often have better prices to compensate.

Genres Tokyo Specializes In

City Pop (シティポップ)

1980s Japanese pop/funk/AOR. Global demand is high but Tokyo still has the best selection — see our full guide to the genre for how it went viral decades after release.

Where — Disk Union, Big Love Records, Coconuts Disk used sections

Key artists — Tatsuro Yamashita, Mariya Takeuchi, Taeko Onuki, Anri

Prices — Rising fast — expect ¥5,000-¥15,000 for sought-after albums

Japanese Jazz (和ジャズ)

1960s-1980s Japanese jazz — spiritual, free, modal. International collectors hunt these.

Where — Disk Union Jazz, Ja-Jazz in Jimbocho

Key artists — Takeo Moriyama, Masabumi Kikuchi, Ryo Fukui, Jiro Inagaki

Prices — ¥3,000-¥20,000+ depending on rarity

Anime/Game Soundtracks (アニメ・ゲーム)

Japan's anime and video game soundtrack market is massive. Original pressings and rare composers.

Where — Disk Union Anime/Game section (Akihabara), Tower Records soundtracks floor

Key composers — Joe Hisaishi, Yoko Kanno, Koji Kondo, Nobuo Uematsu

Enka (演歌)

Traditional Japanese pop ballads. Cheap, plentiful, niche but culturally significant.

Where — Used sections of any shop, Coconuts Disk

Prices — ¥300-¥1,000 (collectors don't drive prices)

Tokyo Record Shop Etiquette

Do —

• Handle records carefully (use both hands)
• Return records to correct section if not buying
• Ask before photographing inside shops
• Keep volume reasonable at listening stations
• Take your time (digging is expected)

Don't —

• Bend or damage vinyl (staff will scold you)
• Play entire albums at listening stations (sample only)
• Negotiate prices (prices are fixed)
• Talk loudly or disrupt other diggers

Record shops are quiet, focused spaces. Match the energy.

Shipping Records Home

Most major shops offer international shipping:

• Tower Records: DHL/EMS available at counter
• Disk Union: Shipping service at main locations
• HMV: International shipping available

Costs — ¥3,000-¥8,000 depending on weight and country (for 10-20 records)

Alternative — Japan Post office near any shop offers international parcel service. Buy cardboard mailers at convenience stores.

FAQ

What is the best record store in Tokyo? For new music: Tower Records Shibuya (9 floors, comprehensive). For used vinyl: Disk Union Shinjuku (8 floors, all genres). For specialists: Disk Union genre-specific stores (Jazz in Ochanomizu, Soul in Shibuya).

How much do vinyl records cost in Tokyo? New vinyl: ¥2,500-¥4,000. Used vinyl: ¥1,000-¥3,000 common titles, ¥5,000-¥20,000+ for rare/sought-after. CDs are cheaper: ¥300-¥2,000 used.

Is Tokyo good for vinyl collectors? Yes — Tokyo has world's best used vinyl selection and condition. Japanese pressings with obi strips are prized globally. Strong in jazz, city pop, electronic, and anime soundtracks.

Can I negotiate prices at Tokyo record stores? No. Prices are fixed. The only exception is buying bulk (10+ records) at small shops — might get small discount.

Do Tokyo record stores ship internationally? Major chains (Tower Records, Disk Union, HMV) offer international shipping. Smaller shops usually don't, but you can use Japan Post office nearby.

What is city pop and where can I find it? City pop is 1980s Japanese pop/funk/AOR. Find it at Disk Union J-Pop/City Pop sections, Big Love Records, and used shops. Prices have risen globally but Tokyo still has best selection.

Are CDs still popular in Japan? Yes — Japan never abandoned CDs. Most record shops dedicate equal or more space to CDs. Selection is incredible, especially for Japanese artists and anime soundtracks.

What is an obi and why does it matter? Obi (帯) is the paper strip on spine of Japanese vinyl/CDs with Japanese text and pricing. Original obi significantly increases value for collectors (20-50% premium).

Do I need to speak Japanese to shop at Tokyo record stores? Helpful but not required. Major chains have English-speaking staff. Genre organization is visual. Listening stations are self-service. Pointing and numbers work for purchases.

What's the best neighborhood for record shopping in Tokyo? Shibuya for comprehensiveness (Tower Records + multiple Disk Unions). Ochanomizu/Jimbocho for deep digging (10+ specialized shops). Shinjuku for Disk Union central.