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Japan's Listening Bar Trail
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka, each with its own listening bars, with a record store and bar in one at the end.
Route: Tokyo → Kyoto → Osaka → Fukuoka · 17 record stores across 4 stops
Stop by stop
Stop 1: Tokyo: Shibuya to Ebisu Listening Bars
Record Bar 33 1/3rpm
Basement Shibuya record bar run by a courteous owner and bartender who play requests with great sound quality. Visitors treat it as a place to spend the evening.
Tip: Read the bar's website and house guidelines before you go; reviewers say it is not for quick drop-ins. Smoking is allowed. Closed Sundays.
1-chome-6-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya Five Building B1, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan
Hours
Monday 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Tuesday 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Wednesday 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Thursday 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Friday 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM Saturday 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Sunday Closed B.Y.G
Three-floor Dogenzaka bar with an old-school interior and music played on Daitone loudspeakers, plus food and an English menu. The basement has space for live music.
Tip: Smoking is allowed inside, and reviewers say the sound is not hi-fi. Open every day from mid-afternoon to 2 AM.
2-chome-19-14 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan
Hours
Monday 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM Tuesday 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM Wednesday 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM Thursday 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM Friday 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM Saturday 3:00 PM - 2:00 AM Sunday 3:00 PM - 2:00 AM Bar Music
Fifth-floor Dogenzaka listening bar with an impressive vinyl and CD collection, a warm vintage sound system and a DJ who takes requests. Some of the records and CDs are for sale.
Tip: There is a 1,000 yen cover per person, and you may wait a few minutes outside before entering. Open every night, late on Fridays.
1-chome-6-7 Dogenzaka, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan
Hours
Monday 6:30 PM - 1:00 AM Tuesday 6:30 PM - 1:00 AM Wednesday 6:30 PM - 1:00 AM Thursday 6:30 PM - 1:00 AM Friday 6:30 PM - 4:00 AM Saturday 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM Sunday 6:00 PM - 1:00 AM The Music Bar -Cave Shibuya-
Basement music bar in Shibuya with creative cocktails explained by the staff, good vinyl sound and a DJ spinning 80s music. It was also a filming location for a TV drama.
Tip: Reservations are recommended. Closed Sundays. Cocktails run about 1,500 yen according to a visitor.
1-chome-15-12 Shibuya, LAIDOUT SHIBUYA B1F, Tokyo 150-0002, Japan
Hours
Monday 6:00 PM - 1:00 AM Tuesday 6:00 PM - 1:00 AM Wednesday 6:00 PM - 1:00 AM Thursday 6:00 PM - 1:00 AM Friday 6:00 PM - 3:00 AM Saturday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Sunday Closed Grandfather's
Basement vinyl bar in the middle of Shibuya where an older gentleman seamlessly mixes records, from Phil Collins on up.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Smoking is allowed inside.
Japan, 〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya, 1-chōme−24−７ Shibuya Flat Bld., B１
Hours
Monday Closed Tuesday Closed Wednesday 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM Thursday 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM Friday 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM Saturday 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM Sunday 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM PASS
Modern Shibuya listening bar leaning toward experimental and electronic music, with attentive staff and good non-alcoholic options.
Tip: Open every night from 6 PM, upstairs on the third floor.
Japan, 〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya, 3-chōme−15−２ F93 shibuya II 3F
Hours
Monday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Tuesday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Wednesday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Thursday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Friday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Saturday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Sunday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Spincoaster Music Bar Ebisu
Fourth-floor Ebisu music bar that visitors call a favorite in all of Tokyo, with a great music selection and staff who know their drinks. It seats only 12 to 14.
Tip: Open every night from 7 PM. Small room, so it suits pairs more than groups.
Japan, 〒150-0022 Tokyo, Shibuya, Ebisuminami, 3-chōme−3−１ VORT恵比寿Ⅳ 4F MUSIC BAR TOKYO
Hours
Monday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Tuesday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Wednesday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Thursday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Friday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Saturday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Sunday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Stop 2: Kyoto: Four Listening Bars
Hachi Record Shop and Bar
Small Kyoto jazz bar with Japanese craft beers and a knowledgeable bartender who plays jazz albums. There is a record store upstairs.
Tip: Closed Tuesdays. A reviewer calls the records upstairs pricey heirloom pieces.
五条製作所, 内, 19 Hiraichō, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8118, Japan
Hours
Monday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Tuesday Closed Wednesday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Thursday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Friday 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Saturday 2:00 PM - 12:00 AM Sunday 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM P.M. Sounds Kyoto
Basement hi-fi vinyl bar in central Kyoto with an excellent music selection, relaxed atmosphere and welcoming management.
Tip: Open every night 7 to 11:30 PM. Good for first-timers to Japan's hi-fi bar culture.
Japan, 〒604-8031 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Daikokuchō, 71−２１ ＣＴ・ＢＥＡＣＨ山口ビル B1
Hours
Monday 7:00 PM - 11:30 PM Tuesday 7:00 PM - 11:30 PM Wednesday 7:00 PM - 11:30 PM Thursday 7:00 PM - 11:30 PM Friday 7:00 PM - 11:30 PM Saturday 7:00 PM - 11:30 PM Sunday 7:00 PM - 11:30 PM Record Bar Yamada
Kyoto record bar with an open, inviting feel, great bartenders and records such as Tony! Toni! Tone! spinning. It has a second floor.
Tip: Cover charge of 500 yen, with small bites. Also opens 8 AM to noon on Monday, Saturday and Sunday.
20-6 Higashihashizumechō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0847, Japan
Hours
Monday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM Tuesday 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM Wednesday 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM Thursday 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM Friday 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM Saturday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM Sunday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM Music Bar Universe Gion
Narrow upstairs bar in Gion with music played from vinyl, a human, welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff.
Tip: Open every day from 4 PM. Climb the narrow stairs to the third floor.
Japan, 〒605-0073 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Gionmachi Kitagawa, ３４７−２６ ピッケルビル 3F
Hours
Monday 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM Tuesday 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM Wednesday 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM Thursday 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM Friday 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM Saturday 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM Sunday 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Stop 3: Osaka: Umeda to Nipponbashi Listening Bars
Kafka the Listening & BAR
Cozy Nakazakicho bar where owner Yusuke spins vinyl all night and mixes cocktails to your taste. Visitors return several times a trip.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday. Near Umeda.
Japan, 〒530-0015 Osaka, Kita Ward, Nakazakinishi, 3-chōme−3−４ 中崎西ビル B棟1階
Hours
Monday Closed Tuesday Closed Wednesday 4:30 PM - 1:00 AM Thursday 4:30 PM - 1:00 AM Friday 6:30 PM - 1:00 AM Saturday 4:30 PM - 12:00 AM Sunday 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM Milk Bar Record Bar
Third-floor listening bar with jazz and soul on vinyl, a friendly owner who makes cocktails and takes requests, and reasonable prices.
Tip: Open every night from 7 PM. Groups of three are fine.
1-chōme-6-23-4F Higashishinsaibashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0083, Japan
Hours
Monday 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM Tuesday 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM Wednesday 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM Thursday 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM Friday 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM Saturday 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM Sunday 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM bird/56
Jazz bar off Dotonbori open since 1972, with walls of old jazz clippings and a substantial record collection.
Tip: Third floor. Ask before you flip through the records.
Japan, 〒542-0076 Osaka, Chuo Ward, Namba, 1-chōme−6−１８ 中和ディキシービル 3階
Hours
Monday 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM Tuesday 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM Wednesday 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM Thursday 6:00 PM - 2:00 AM Friday 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM Saturday 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM Sunday 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM Bar Seven
Third-floor Namba bar off the busy shopping streets with jazz and 80s records chosen by the owner, and a cover charge that includes snacks.
Tip: Closed Mondays.
1-chōme-6-8 Namba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076, Japan
Hours
Monday Closed Tuesday 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM Wednesday 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM Thursday 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM Friday 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM Saturday 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM Sunday 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM Music Bar Flag
Nipponbashi music bar with talented musicians, no entrance fee and friendly bartending. One night a Django-style band played.
Tip: Open every night from 7 PM.
Japan, 〒556-0005 Osaka, Naniwa Ward, Nipponbashi, 5-chōme−13−７ 上田ビル
Hours
Monday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Tuesday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Wednesday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Thursday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Friday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Saturday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM Sunday 7:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Stop 4: Fukuoka
Living Stereo Music Bar & Record Store
Fukuoka record boutique with a bar and amazing sound system, good gin cocktails and staff who speak English.
Tip: Closed Sundays; opens at 5 PM. You can buy records and stay for a drink.
102 2-chōme-18-10 Yakuin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, 810-0022, Japan
Hours
Monday 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM Tuesday 3:00 PM - 1:00 AM Wednesday 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM Thursday 5:00 PM - 1:00 AM Friday 5:00 PM - 2:00 AM Saturday 3:00 PM - 2:00 AM Sunday Closed
Hours and details come from public listings and may have changed. Small shops often keep short or irregular hours, so check or call before a long trip. See something wrong? Use Still open? in the app and we will look into it.