SoundChannel music store
Iwate - Morioka, Hokkaido & Tohoku
Tucked into the compact streets of central Morioka, SoundChannel music store is less a typical shop and more a listening sanctuary where the Tōhoku sensibility for warmth and restraint meets serious audio culture; by day you can browse a carefully curated selection of vinyl and rare CDs, and by night the space transforms into a low-lit kissa where coffee and whiskey share equal billing with immaculate sound. The interior favors wood and vintage equipment, a handful of well-spaced seats, and a turntable-and-speaker setup that encourages focused listening rather than background noise, so locals come to hear pristine pressings of jazz, city pop, folk and regional artists played as their producers intended. Staffers here are knowledgeable without being pedantic, happy to spin requests or introduce you to small-press releases from Iwate musicians, and the crowd skews to devoted collectors and curious travelers seeking an authentic, intimate music experience—perfect for a contemplative evening after exploring Morioka’s shrine-lined streets.
Tucked into the compact streets of central Morioka, SoundChannel music store is less a typical shop and more a listening sanctuary where the Tōhoku sensibility for warmth and restraint meets serious audio culture; by day you can browse a carefully curated selection of vinyl and rare CDs, and by night the space transforms into a low-lit kissa where coffee and whiskey share equal billing with immaculate sound. The interior favors wood and vintage equipment, a handful of well-spaced seats, and a turntable-and-speaker setup that encourages focused listening rather than background noise, so locals come to hear pristine pressings of jazz, city pop, folk and regional artists played as their producers intended. Staffers here are knowledgeable without being pedantic, happy to spin requests or introduce you to small-press releases from Iwate musicians, and the crowd skews to devoted collectors and curious travelers seeking an authentic, intimate music experience—perfect for a contemplative evening after exploring Morioka’s shrine-lined streets.