For its size, Kyoto punches far above its weight for vinyl. A tight cluster of independent shops covers everything from rare jazz and soul to techno, ambient and Japanese city-pop - several with international reputations among collectors. Here is where to dig.
The Best Record Shops in Kyoto
1Must visit
Vinyl Shop5.0
JET SET Kyoto
An internationally known shop for house, techno and electronic 12-inches - tightly curated, with a respected online store and label behind it.
2Must visit
Vinyl Shop5.0
Meditations Record Store
A beloved upstairs shop for experimental, ambient, leftfield and new-age sounds - the kind of place you lose an hour in.
Kamigyo Ward
3
Vinyl Shop4.0
Jazzy Sport Kyoto
The Kyoto outpost of the hip-hop, soul and jazz label-and-shop - new and used, plus its own releases and merch.
Gion
4
Vinyl Shop3.0
Workshop Records
A well-edited dig across genres with a strong used selection - a favourite of local DJs.
5Must visit
Vinyl Shop4.0
Sixth Garden
A small, characterful shop worth seeking out for its second-hand finds and friendly owner.
6
Vinyl Shop3.0
Plastic Soul
A used-vinyl haunt with deep, affordable crates for patient diggers.
FAQ
- Why is Kyoto good for record shopping?
- Japan has the world's best-preserved second-hand vinyl culture, and Kyoto packs an unusually high number of specialist shops into a small, walkable area - strong for jazz, soul, electronic and rare Japanese pressings.
- Where are Kyoto's record shops?
- Most cluster in and around the downtown Teramachi and Kawaramachi area, making it easy to hit several on foot in an afternoon.
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