WORKSHOP records
Kyoto, Kansai
Tucked into a compact side street in central Kyoto—just a short stroll from the Shijo shopping corridor and the banks of the Kamo River—WORKSHOP records feels like a local's secret rather than a tourist spot: part listening room, part vinyl boutique, part intimate bar. The space is low-lit and wooden, shelves of used and new records lining one wall while a well-cared-for turntable and amp take pride of place, so evenings often stretch into deep listening sessions where staff cue whole albums rather than background playlists. Expect an eclectic mix—Japanese city pop and jazz rub shoulders with rare folk, electronic experiments and Kansai indie pressings—curated by people who genuinely want to share stories behind the grooves. Conversation is easy but respectful; drinks are simple and thoughtful, designed to keep the mood mellow. Drop in for a recommended spin, a mini DJ set, or one of their listening parties: it’s the sort of place where you’ll leave with a new favorite record and a small lesson in Kyoto’s vibrant, patient music culture.
Tucked into a compact side street in central Kyoto—just a short stroll from the Shijo shopping corridor and the banks of the Kamo River—WORKSHOP records feels like a local's secret rather than a tourist spot: part listening room, part vinyl boutique, part intimate bar. The space is low-lit and wooden, shelves of used and new records lining one wall while a well-cared-for turntable and amp take pride of place, so evenings often stretch into deep listening sessions where staff cue whole albums rather than background playlists. Expect an eclectic mix—Japanese city pop and jazz rub shoulders with rare folk, electronic experiments and Kansai indie pressings—curated by people who genuinely want to share stories behind the grooves. Conversation is easy but respectful; drinks are simple and thoughtful, designed to keep the mood mellow. Drop in for a recommended spin, a mini DJ set, or one of their listening parties: it’s the sort of place where you’ll leave with a new favorite record and a small lesson in Kyoto’s vibrant, patient music culture.