“I am heading over to Japan for a family holiday and have limited time to have a dig. So would like to know if you can advise a few essential stores to check out?”- Matt

Konnichiwa! Funny you ask Matt, I was just researching that for a colleague last month. Although I haven’t been digging in Japan before, I have been asked that question a bunch of times and here’s what I’ve come up with for you. Remember, I’m not an expert on Japan, but here are a few nuggets passed along to Flea Market Funk.

The great blog Soul Safari did a series last year about digging in Japan, which I highly recommend you checking out. It goes into great detail about the shops, where they are, and what kinds of records they carry. Part One deals with Tokyo. Part 2 deals with Osaka, so if you’re anywhere near there, this will be of some help.

You could also check out this record shopping in Japan from Twee.net which is quite informative.

Also, Jazz record cafes are very popular in Japan, and Tokyo Jazz Site run by James Catchpol, a Brooklyn, NY ex-pat is one of the most thorough sites out there to direct you to these kinds of places.

I hope this was a good start and that your digging trip in Japan is fruitful. Keep Diggin’!

DJ Prestige runs the site Flea Market Funk, digs for records, chases his kids around, and preserves the music and artists of Funk, Soul, Jazz, Reggae and Hip Hop one record at a time.