Upstairs Records & Bar
Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
Tucked above a lively Shimokitazawa alley, Upstairs Records & Bar is the kind of compact, second‑floor hideaway that sums up this Tokyo neighborhood’s indie spirit: think warm wood, stacked crates of vinyl, and a low, convivial hum rather than nightclub thump. Locals come for carefully curated decks—everything from dusty soul and Japanese city pop to avant‑folk—plus short live sets and guest DJs who treat the room like a shared listening session. The bar pours simple, thoughtful drinks that pair perfectly with slow spins; the lighting is soft, the posters a little worn, and the conversation tilts toward music discovery rather than small talk. Being in Shimokitazawa means you can wander vintage shops and tiny theaters beforehand, then climb the narrow stairs to a place where the focus is on sound and atmosphere; if you want an authentic slice of Tokyo’s record‑collecting culture, this upstairs retreat feels equal parts crate‑digger’s den and neighborhood kissa.
Tucked above a lively Shimokitazawa alley, Upstairs Records & Bar is the kind of compact, second‑floor hideaway that sums up this Tokyo neighborhood’s indie spirit: think warm wood, stacked crates of vinyl, and a low, convivial hum rather than nightclub thump. Locals come for carefully curated decks—everything from dusty soul and Japanese city pop to avant‑folk—plus short live sets and guest DJs who treat the room like a shared listening session. The bar pours simple, thoughtful drinks that pair perfectly with slow spins; the lighting is soft, the posters a little worn, and the conversation tilts toward music discovery rather than small talk. Being in Shimokitazawa means you can wander vintage shops and tiny theaters beforehand, then climb the narrow stairs to a place where the focus is on sound and atmosphere; if you want an authentic slice of Tokyo’s record‑collecting culture, this upstairs retreat feels equal parts crate‑digger’s den and neighborhood kissa.