Tour Shibuya's record stores

Once serving mainly the city's DJ population, vinyl-focused record shops have been undergoing something of a revival over the past few years in Tokyo, attracting strong numbers of quality-conscious music enthusiasts who still prefer physical records over digital downloads. Visit-worthy stores can be found all over the city, but Shibuya is a particularly fertile ground for vinyl hunters looking to go on a shopping spree: this list highlights 13 of the best outlets in the area, and points out which genres are best represented at each store. No matter what your musical preferences might be, the variety on offer at these fine establishments is sure to satisfy.

Lighthouse Records

This atmospheric shop focuses on genres such as house, disco and Balearic house, and also boasts a pair of handsome vintage Klipschhorn floor speakers. Prices are very reasonable, and the shop gets a shipment of new stock every week.
Recommended for: House, new disco, Balearic beat
Map and details

Technique

Technique is the purveyor of all strands of dance-music vinyl – from progressive house to nu-jazz. Several listening decks and knowledgeable staff make this the store of choice for many local DJs. Keep an eye on their Twitter feed for info on the latest additions and release news.
Recommended for: Minimal house, new techno
Map and details

El Sur Records

A dreary apartment complex near the station provides the unlikely setting for this impressively stocked world music shop, where the jumbled CD racks teem with imported CDs from South America, Asia and Africa.
Recommended for: Brazilian music, Middle Eastern music
Map and details

Dessinee Shop

This popular store recently relocated to Shibuya and offers a unique lineup of jazz, Latin, AOR and other offbeat genres. You can also shop for quirky accessories like bags and posters, and they even have a stock of used and new books.
Recommended for: Western reissues
Map and details

Hi-Fi Record Store

Found along Meiji-dori, Hi-Fi stocks a wide range of analog records, with genres including everything from pop to folk and jazz. Any music fan will find the selection worth a browse, while serious connoisseurs might even walk away with some real gems.
Recommended for: Folk, rock
Map and details

Discland Jaro

Shibuya's got plenty of record shops specialising in electronic music, but Jaro is one of the few entirely jazz-focused stores in the area. First opened in 1973, it's housed in a basement filled with around 8,000 titles, ranging from classics of modern jazz to releases in obscure sub-genres.
Recommended for: Hard bop, modal jazz
Map and details

HMV Record Shop

The most recognisable symbol of Shibuya's vinyl trend, HMV stocks up to 80,000 titles and focuses on releases from the '60s to the late '90s – something for everyone, in other words. The small room in the back even holds a selection of cassette tapes. Most records on sale in the shop can be tried out on the freely usable laser turntable.
Recommended for: Rock, soul, Japanese indie
Map and details

Tower Records Shibuya

Already Japan’s largest record store, Tower Records was given an extensive overhaul in late 2012 that actually increased its whopping 5,000 square metres of floor space. The music sections now give prominent placement to back catalogue stock as well as new arrivals and there's extra space for live performances and signings on the other floors.
Recommended for: J-pop, K-pop, indie, world music, new age
Map and details

Diskunion

Each floor at Kanto-wide chain Diskunion's huge Shibuya location is dedicated to a specific genre, such as punk, metal, jazz/rare groove, club music and so on. Both new and secondhand records are available, and serious bargains are easy to come by.
Recommended for: Jazz, rare groove, techno, house, secondhand rock
Diskunion Club Music Shop map and details
Diskunion Punk and Metal Shop map and details
Diskunion Jazz/Rare Groove Shop map and details
Diskunion Secondhand Centre map & details

Recofan

Recofan has a policy of selling new releases at bargain basement rates – in some cases, half the retail price. Each branch also has an extensive selection of second-hand CDs covering all genres. Regular shoppers receive a loyalty card that gives them even bigger discounts.
Recommended for: ¥100 records
Map and details

Manhattan Records

Boasting more than 30 years of history, Manhattan specialises in club music, hip-hop and R&B, be it in CD, analog or DVD form. Their own hip-hop and R&B compilation The Hits is always a popular choice among fans.
Recommended for: Hip-hop, R&B
Map and details

Next Records

12-inch singles are the draw at this shop centred on hip-hop, R&B, disco and dance classics. They stock around 10,000 titles at any given time, and new merchandise comes in from the US and Europe every Friday.
Recommended for: R&B, dance classics
Map and details

Face Records

Founded in 1994 and still beloved by fans of all ages, Face stocks jazz, soul, reggae and world music in seven- and 12-inch vinyl form. The CD and DVD assortments are worth a look, too.
Recommended for: Soul, jazz
Map and details