8 of the best record stores in Osaka

With quality-conscious music enthusiasts the world over flocking back to physical media in general and vinyl in particular, Japan’s healthy ecosystem of record stores has become an object of international wonder and longing. DJs, diggers and casual music fans alike now travel from around the globe to shop their way through the country’s countless repositories of analogue treasures, and often return home with suitcases filled to bursting with finds.

While Tokyo remains the country’s most fruitful arena for record-shopping sprees, intrepid diggers will do well to also include Osaka in their itinerary. Boasting an outsized selection of record stores – from multi-floor emporiums to hyper-focused specialist outlets housed in a single apartment room – the city offers committed music shoppers a rewarding experience.

And when we say rewarding, we’re not just talking about the product you’ll find on the shelves. Osaka’s record store scene is intimate and friendly, with shopkeepers happy to chat about tunes as well as recommend other outlets nearby.

So fill up your wallet, grab a big bag, and head to any of the record stores highlighted below to start digging.

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