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Experience City Pop in Tokyo: Best Places, Bars, and Record Shops
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City Pop has become a viral phenomenon outside Japan. These locations in and around Tokyo will help you soak up all of those neon retro vibes of past Japan.
Written by
Travel writer and assistant editor at MATCHA with extensive travel around the Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama areas. A Kansai insider who knows their Akashiyaki from their Takoyaki, Iain enjoys getting authentic stories from traditional craftspeople and interesting creators. Particularly fond of temples and shrines, Iain delves deep into the crossroads of tradition and modernity in his eight-plus years living and writing about Japan.
A bridge between East and West that evokes big city dreams and laid-back vibes, City Pop has become a growing genre of music popular with visitors coming to Japan.
For those looking to don a pair of headphones and experience the atmosphere evoked by this genre of music firsthand, the following locations might just be perfect for you to explore.
Exerience City Pop in and around Tokyo
Places to Experience the City Pop Atmosphere
1. Yokohama Chinatown
2. Area around Shinjuku's Kabukicho
Bars with City Pop Music
3. City Country City
4. Bar OPK, Nishi Ogikubo
Record Shops
5. RECOFan
6. Disk Union Shibuya Club Music CD Record Shop
What is the City Pop Genre?
Coming out of the booming 70s and 80s in Japan, City Pop combined elements of western RnB, jazz, and disco with the soulful vocals and unmistakable Japanese lyrics of the artists.
Made for walking through the heady neon streets of the big cities in Japan, it really seems to vividly create a neon-filled dream that fits with the atmosphere many young visitors traveling to Japan are hoping to experience.
Places to Experience the City Pop Atmosphere
1. Yokohama Chinatown
Photo by Pixta
Brimming with energy, the Chinatown district is one of the most iconic areas of Yokohama, drawing in hundreds of visitors every year.
In reference to the famous '80s track 'Flyday Chinatown,' the singer Yasuha describes a lively evening in the Chinatown district of an unnamed city in Japan. However, the lyrics about enjoying a drink with harbor views suggest that Yokohama's district is a likely candidate.
Why not take up Yasuha's offer and explore this rich and vibrant district for yourself? Sample the cultural and culinary delights that this area of the city has to offer!
The Area Around Shinjuku's Kabukicho
Photo by Pixta
What could be a more iconic statement of City Pop than the big city lights surrounding one of Tokyo's largest transit hubs?
A common theme that runs through many City Pop tracks is the bustling atmosphere of places such as Tokyo and Osaka. Nowhere is this more encapsulated than in the Kabukicho district of Shinjuku.
Whether it's the experience of Tokyo nightlife after the last train, as depicted in Tomoko Aran's 'Midnight Pretenders,' or the games of love and romance highlighted in Maria Takeuchi's smash hit 'Plastic Love,' the soul of City Pop is marvelously captured in Kabukicho.
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Bars Playing City Pop Music
City Country City in Shimokitazawa
A small and intimate record store located in the heart of the Shimokitazawa district of Tokyo, City Country City offers a chill atmosphere to enjoy some beautiful vinyl records.
While it may not boast as extensive a library as some of the bigger names, the friendly staff and carefully curated shelves ensure that you're bound to find some rare or even hidden gems!
The store also features a café on the second floor, which, while not always playing City Pop, provides a comfortable place to enjoy the retro atmosphere of old record stores from a bygone era.
City Country City
Location: 2 Chome-12-13 Kitazawa, Setagaya City, Tokyo Map
Hours: 12:00 - 22:00 *Closed on Wednesdays
Website: Official Instagram
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Bar OPK in Nishi Ogikubo
If you're looking to up your chances of hearing DJs spinning City Pop tracks, then Bar OPK is probably one of the best places to try your luck.
Frequently hosting throwback and disco nights, you're sure to hear some City Pop favorites while you enjoy the creative bar food and lively atmosphere this establishment has to offer.
With events happening regularly and updates via their Instagram page, you're likely to find a night where the neon vibes of City Pop are playing, allowing you to enjoy a nice glass of your favorite drink while you bop along.
Bar OPK
Location: Tokyo, Suginami City, Nishiogikita, 3 - 4 - 8 Nishiogi Building B1F Map
Hours: 19:00 - 2:00 AM *Closed on Mondays
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Record Shops
RECOFan
Photo by Pixta
While largely mixed in with the general J-Pop hits, RECOFan, with both its Shibuya and Yokohama branches, should be on your list when looking to take some City Pop home.
The pros of the Shibuya branch revolve around convenience, as it is located right by the HMV in Shibuya. This makes it ideal for visitors looking to spend a day crate diving for their favorite City Pop hits. The drawback, however, is that you may find your entire day consumed by your search.
The Yokohama branch is more organized but can be a bit of a hike to access. However, the lack of mainstream appeal to visitors ensures you'll have a little more luck finding some of your prized hits.
RECOFan MAGNET Shibuya Store
Location: Tokyo, Shibuya City, Jinnan, 1−23−10, MAGNET by SHIBUYA109 6F Map
Website: http://www.recofan.co.jp/
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Disk Union Shibuya Club Music CD Record Shop
Photo by Pixta
Disk Union Shibuya Club Music CD Record Shop is ideal for the City Pop lover looking to purchase their favorite albums, whether in CD or vinyl form!
The Disk Union shops are some of the easiest stores to navigate when it comes to scouring for hard-to-find and obscure records. Not only are they meticulously organized, but they're also very small, so you'll be in and out in less than an hour.
With the usual friendly Japanese service, you're bound to find a soundtrack for your trip to Japan that you'll want to make sure comes home with you in your suitcase!
Disk Union Shibuya Club Music CD Record Shop
Location: Tokyo, Shibuya City, Udagawacho, 30−7, Antenna 21 Bldg., 4F Map
Enjoy City Pop in Tokyo
The vibrant neon lights of Tokyo are a constant setting in the lyrics and melodies that have come to define this collection of music. So breathe in the atmosphere and enjoy the feeling as you soak up all the vibes.
And who knows maybe you'll be able to bring back a record or two that will help evoke memories of dreamy city pop nights and melodic throwbacks to the unforgettable experiences you had!
Written by
Travel writer and assistant editor at MATCHA with extensive travel around the Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama areas. A Kansai insider who knows their Akashiyaki from their Takoyaki, Iain enjoys getting authentic stories from traditional craftspeople and interesting creators. Particularly fond of temples and shrines, Iain delves deep into the crossroads of tradition and modernity in his eight-plus years living and writing about Japan.
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