Discover Why Vinyl Fans Call HMV Record Shop Shibuya “Heaven”

HMV record shop Shibuya is a vinyl-focused store operated by the major CD retailer HMV. The spacious interior is lined, floor to ceiling, with records—some 80,000 in total.
On the first floor, you’ll find rock, pop, Japanese artists, and anime soundtracks; on the second, a mix of jazz, soul, reggae, hip-hop, R&B, and other club or black music.

Thanks to its location in Shibuya—a neighborhood with strong club culture—the store carries a particularly rich lineup of club-related music.
With such a vast selection, you can browse not just your favorite genre but also explore others, hunting for vinyl treasures of all kinds.

One of the joys of a physical shop is asking staff for music recommendations.
At HMV record shop Shibuya, there’s a dedicated “recommendation corner” where staff members introduce records they’ve carefully selected, driven by the desire to help customers discover new music.
The corner is curated by Mr. Aoyama, who has loved Western music since childhood and has spent decades listening to records.

“While it’s easier than ever to find music you like online, it’s also fun to run into something unexpected,” Aoyama notes.
Take advantage of this face-to-face interaction: chat with the staff and expand your musical horizons.

The interior lighting is set bright enough that you can easily check record conditions—a deliberate choice by the store manager.
“Some record stores keep lighting dim for atmosphere, but we primarily sell used items. We want to ensure you don’t get home and regret your purchase, so we maintain sufficient lighting,” the manager explains.

Moreover, each floor of HMV record shop Shibuya has two listening stations.
You can sample records yourself anytime, including rare and more expensive items, so you can confidently check sound quality before buying.

Soundtracks from Studio Ghibli’s films and other Japanese TV or movie anime are popular both in and outside Japan.
You’ll find an array of nostalgic anime records that might tempt you to buy based on the cover alone.

City Pop was a style of new music from the late 1970s to the ’80s, uniquely Japanese and characterized by an urban vibe.
Listening to its wistful tunes on vinyl offers a different sound from CDs, bringing out a distinctive depth and atmosphere.

“Japanese pops” is an umbrella term for music made in Japan, spanning many eras.
At HMV record shop Shibuya, records are organized by decade, allowing you to take in Japan’s music scene at a glance.

This section covers a wide range of rock music from the ’60s and ’70s, vintage jazz, hip-hop, city pop, and more.

The manager regularly travels around Europe—especially the UK—to purchase rare records directly. Expect to find original Beatles, Rolling Stones pressings, and other valuable domestic and international releases.

Shibuya’s club culture ensures a wealth of disco-related vinyl.
There are about 10,000 singles alone, making it a favorite among DJs.

Each weekend, the shop might add a special batch of newly arrived records—for example, “100 jazz LPs”—and posts upcoming arrivals on social media and blogs.
Some fans even line up before opening to nab these rare finds.

The shop also hosts used vinyl sales regularly, where you can stumble across amazing finds.