Introduction: Diving into the Analog Ocean of Tokyo
This is CityNomix. In my daily life in digital marketing, I constantly wrestle with rows of numbers, data, and KPIs. For me, weekend “digging” is like a deep breath for the soul. In an age where magic like Spotify and Apple Music grants us instant access to tens of millions of songs, we are trading away something vital: the physical weight of owning music, the smell of ink and old paper from a jacket, and the physical sense of adventure in hunting for that one special record in a vast archive.
Tokyo is now a global pilgrimage site for music lovers and vinyl diggers. Specifically, Ochanomizu, a student district packed with instrument shops, and Shibuya, the chaotic crossroads of culture, are treasure troves where high-quality used vinyl and niche new releases intersect. Furthermore, specialty shops for cassette tapes, which are enjoying a revival, are establishing themselves not just as a fleeting boom but as a lasting culture.
This article is a comprehensive guide bundling several Photomo cluster articles, recording the encounters and stories I found while walking, digging until my fingers turned black, and vibrating with excitement. From the thrill of finding an Oasis bootleg to touching the punk roots of the Beastie Boys, and the healing magnetic noise of cassette tapes. This is not just a list of shops; it is a guide to the stories you can find there. Let me, CityNomix, guide you through the analog hunting journey in Tokyo, covering the key areas of Shibuya and Ochanomizu.
Beyond the Algorithm: Why We Hunt for “Discs” in Tokyo Now
“Why bother going to a physical store?”
I can hear this question from both digital natives and the generation that grew up with records. The answer is simple: Algorithms can give you the “correct” answer, but they cannot bring you “serendipity.”
Tokyo’s record shops, especially Disk Union and HMV introduced here, as well as individual select shops, possess a powerful “context” that AI cannot mimic. Handwritten POP cards by staff, jackets of different genres sitting next to each other, or a masterpiece casually thrown into the “New Arrivals” bin—everything is placed there by someone’s will and love.
Especially, Tokyo’s used vinyl market is known globally for its excellent condition. The Japanese tendency to take good care of things and the strict grading standards of shops are a wonder to overseas collectors. A US original pressing found for a few thousand yen in a dim store in Ochanomizu can change the air of your room to 90s London or New York the moment the needle drops. That time-travel-like experience might be the real reason we pay for physical media.
From here, I will introduce the specific “spoils of war” and “stories” I experienced in Tokyo. If there is a topic that interests you, please jump to the detailed article (cluster article) via the link. A deeper, hotter record of digging awaits you there.
The Main Guide: A Journey Through Shibuya, Ochanomizu, and Beyond
Punk Roots in Tokyo: Hunting Rare Beastie Boys Vinyl EPs and Singles
Ochanomizu has a mysterious magnetic field. In this town lined with old bookstores and musical instrument shops, I touched upon the unknown side of the Beastie Boys. Known as hip-hop icons, their roots lie in hardcore punk.
At the Disk Union Ochanomizu Station Store, calling out to me from the borderline between the HIP HOP and PUNK shelves were “B-side” masterpieces like “Aglio E Olio” and “Some Old Bullshit,” where their punk spirit exploded. In this digital age, the analog feel of this initial impulse that runs through in just over 10 minutes is precious. Furthermore, the 12-inch of the classic song “Gratitude” contains a live recording at the Budokan, and I was attracted to the story that it is a US pressing that contains the atmosphere of Japan.
This is the real thrill of record digging: bringing the atmosphere of the 90s back to your room.
For a more detailed report, please see this article:
Punk Roots in Tokyo: Hunting Rare Beastie Boys Vinyl EPs and Singles
Seeking Jamiroquai’s Roots: The Value of “Emergency On Planet Earth” UK Pressing in Japan
Also at Disk Union in Ochanomizu, I was captivated by a vivid contrast of white and black. It was the 1993 UK original pressing of Jamiroquai’s monumental debut album, “Emergency On Planet Earth.”
Before becoming a polished pop star with “Virtual Insanity,” this album condensed the initial impulse of a young Jay Kay and the raw funk groove of the band. Amidst the recent re-evaluation of acid jazz causing prices to soar, finding a beautiful copy for under 10,000 yen is a testament to the quality of Tokyo’s used market. The “sound pressure” and “freshness” that change the air of the room the moment the needle drops is an experience that can never be tasted with reissues or streaming.
This is a record of purchasing vinyl as an investment—owning the air of 1993 London.
For a more detailed report, please see this article:
Seeking Jamiroquai’s Roots: The Value of “Emergency On Planet Earth” UK Pressing in Japan
From Burnage to The 1975: An Oasis Fan’s Journey into Manchester’s Modern Sound
For many years, I was a believer in “90s UK Rock,” loving Oasis. Honestly, I was a bit prejudiced against modern bands like The 1975. However, my encounter with their pre-debut “Early Four EPs” in Ochanomizu overturned that perception.
Transparent vinyl, sophisticated monochrome artwork. The aesthetic you feel the moment you pick it up. When I heard the cutting guitar of “Chocolate” and the youthful impulse of “Sex” on vinyl, I was convinced that they too are in the great lineage of Manchester. It’s different from the ruggedness of Oasis, but there is definitely a “romanticism of the city” flowing through it. Stop being prejudiced and open a new door; that kind of musical experience is here.
For a more detailed report, please see this article:
From Burnage to The 1975: An Oasis Fan’s Journey into Manchester’s Modern Sound
Hunting for Oasis Rarities at Disk Union Ochanomizu: A Fateful Encounter with the Legendary ‘JILY’ Bootleg
On a sunny Saturday before the rainy season, I was drawn again to the Disk Union Ochanomizu store. What awaited me there was an encounter with a “bootleg” that held a heat surpassing even official releases.
I found a high-quality remastered version of “JILY,” a recording of the 1996 Cardiff performance that is legendary among Oasis fans. Coincidentally, it is a live recording from Cardiff, the same place where the Oasis reunion tour (in a fictional future) would start. Treasures appeared one after another, such as the complete version of the Maine Road performance and the Japan-exclusive paper sleeve edition of “Time Flies…”. Looking for sound sources that package the enthusiasm born only at that time and place, not just official releases, is the true value of Disk Union.
For a more detailed report, please see this article:
Hunting for Oasis Rarities at Disk Union Ochanomizu: A Fateful Encounter with the Legendary ‘JILY’ Bootleg
Ochanomizu Dig Revisited: From Cardiff 1996 to Cardiff 2024. A Timeless Oasis Journey
Some time after the discovery of “JILY,” I was in Ochanomizu again. What I found there was a live album of Liam Gallagher’s 2024 Cardiff performance. Buying a legend from 1996 and then finding a live recording from the same place about 30 years later at the same shop. I shivered at this strange synchronicity.
On the other hand, I also experienced the twisted joy unique to collectors (the aesthetic of passing) by finding a rare Oasis promo disc (over $70) but returning it to the shelf because I “already own it.” Furthermore, a genre-less dig that “rescued” not only rock but also Daft Punk’s original pressing. It is a record of a deep musical experience where the past and present intersect through physical media.
For a more detailed report, please see this article:
Ochanomizu Dig Revisited: From Cardiff 1996 to Cardiff 2024
Crate Digging at HMV Record Shop Shibuya: The Hunt for Oasis and Analog Treasures
Let’s move the stage to Shibuya. “HMV record shop Shibuya” on Inokashira Dori boasts the best selection of used records in Shibuya.
Amidst the excitement of the Oasis reunion, I explored the indie/alternative shelves, heart pounding at the special display. There, I encountered the 12-inch of “Little by Little” and the analog version of the masterpiece “The Masterplan.” However, the price was in the hundreds of dollars. “I found it, but I can’t take it home.” Such a bittersweet reality of record hunting is also part of the real experience. Even if you can’t buy it, confirming its value as an “object” and turning it into a thirst for the next time. That is the way of life for a digger.
For a more detailed report, please see this article:
Crate Digging at HMV Record Shop Shibuya: The Hunt for Oasis and Analog Treasures
Tokyo’s Jazz Heartbeat: A Deep Dive into disk Union Jazz TOKYO
Back to Ochanomizu. Here lies a sanctuary that cannot be missed if you are looking for JAZZ records in Tokyo: “disk Union Jazz TOKYO.”
There is only one strategy for this store: conquer the “New Arrivals” corner. The shelves, boasting an overwhelming volume of new arrivals, are lined with high-quality discs just released by collectors. It is bliss to search for your own unique record while being overwhelmed by the aura of historical original pressings displayed on the wall. The store also has extensive specialized sections for Soul and Blues, allowing you to experience peering into the abyss of music.
For a more detailed report, please see this article:
Tokyo’s Jazz Heartbeat: A Deep Dive into disk Union Jazz TOKYO
The Ultimate Guide to Cassette Tape Hunting in Tokyo: A CityNomix Journey
Finally, I present a record of my journey to find “cassette tapes,” a beloved medium alongside vinyl. I visited cassette tape sanctuaries scattered throughout Tokyo, including “waltz,” a serene specialty store in Nakameguro, “Oddtape,” a culture hub in Shibuya, and “Tower Records Shibuya,” which boasts an overwhelming volume.
The fluctuation of magnetic tape that cannot be tasted digitally, the cheap and lovable feel of the plastic case. From Billie Eilish’s latest work to 80s soundtracks, the world of cassettes where old and new mix is truly a “palm-sized time machine.” This is a must-read guide for cassette tape lovers, summarizing the personality of each store and the charm of curation that can only be met there.
For a more detailed report, please see this article:
The Ultimate Guide to Cassette Tape Hunting in Tokyo: A CityNomix Journey
Summary of Visited Shops
Here is a summary of the key spots supporting Tokyo’s analog music culture that I visited on this journey.
| Name | Official Link | Address | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disk Union Ochanomizu Station Store | Website | 2F Shin-Ochanomizu Bldg, 4-3 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo | Handles all genres like Rock, Punk, Hip Hop, but rare records sleep on the borderline of genres. Many maniac discoveries like Beastie Boys and Oasis bootlegs. |
| disk Union Jazz TOKYO | Website | 2F New Surugadai Bldg, 2-1-45 Kanda Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo | One of the largest Jazz specialty stores in Tokyo. The “New Arrivals” corner with overwhelming volume is a must-see. The wall display of original pressings is also spectacular. |
| HMV record shop Shibuya | Website | 1F/2F Noah Shibuya, 36-2 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo | Extremely rich inventory of used vinyl. Especially strong in Western Rock and Indie, with a high encounter rate for rare 12-inch singles and promo discs. |
| waltz | Website | 4-15-5 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo | A cassette tape specialty store nestled in the residential area of Nakameguro. Curation by the owner’s excellent aesthetic eye and a serene space like a museum are attractive. |
| Oddtape | Website | 5F Shibuya PARCO, 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo | A cassette tape specialty store strong in new releases inside Shibuya PARCO. Edgy selection capturing trends like Indie Pop and Lo-Fi Hip Hop. |
| Tower Records Shibuya | Website | 1-22-14 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo | TOWER VINYL on the 6th floor has an overwhelming inventory volume. In addition to new and used records, it has one of the largest selections of cassette tapes in Tokyo. |
| Manhattan Records | Website | Kida Bldg, 10-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo | The Hip Hop sanctuary in Udagawacho, Shibuya. The cassette tape corner on the 2nd floor is lined with new and old masterpieces of Hip-Hop and R&B. |
Conclusion: End of the Journey
Feeling the heat of punk in Ochanomizu, chasing phantom rare records in Shibuya, and immersing myself in the silence of cassette tapes in Nakameguro. What I felt again through this journey is the immeasurable love and depth for music that the city of Tokyo holds.
Listening to music via streaming is convenient. However, the process of walking through the city with your own feet, entering a store, and finding a record with your fingertips holds a “story” that cannot be obtained with a single click. The records and cassette tapes you acquire are not just music software, but should become your own “crystal of experience” that remembers the weather of the day, the smell of the store, the conversation with the staff, and the exhilaration of the moment of discovery.
If you feel a little tired in your daily life or are looking for some new stimulation, why not put your smartphone in your pocket and go out to a record shop next weekend?
Surely, there is a “destined record” waiting for you at the back of the shelf.
