As the owner of Glitter Records in Brisbane, I’ve always been fascinated by the global vinyl scene. As someone with a passion for high-quality and hard-to-find records, I believe there’s something special about Japanese pressings. Japan has long been respected for its superior quality vinyl, the result of a deeper cultural and philosophical commitment to excellence.
When you compare Japanese records to those from countries like Australia during the 1970s and 1980s, the differences are hard to ignore. Economic pressures, like the oil crisis in Australia, forced some pressing plants to cut costs, leading to thinner vinyl with less attention paid to quality. Japan, on the other hand, maintained a culture of meticulous craftsmanship. Vinyl from Japan was often heavier, better made, and, as a result, better sounding. Japanese pressings were—and still are—seen as a gold standard.
Beyond Japanese pressings of iconic Western releases, there’s a whole host of Japanese genres I feel deserve more attention including City Pop, Japanese jazz, and anime soundtracks. This cultural and musical eclecticism has made Japan’s music scene particularly interesting, not just for collectors in Japan, but for people all over the world, including those of us in Australia.
What’s Trending in Japanese Vinyl Right Now?
If you’ve ever wondered what’s currently popular in Japan, platforms like Record City Japan give us some solid data on what people are buying. With more than half a million vinyl records in its catalogue, Record City provides a window into the trends shaping vinyl sales. These sales trends are fairly stable, meaning the records that make the charts are consistently popular with collectors—both for their availability and value.
Vinyl Records Trending in Japan
Here are the vinyl records trending in Japan at the moment.
- Michael Jackson – Thriller (1982)
- Genre: Rhythm & Blues, Soul, Synth-pop
- Pressing: EPIC 253P399 Japan
- Price: ¥4980 (A$49.54)
- The Eagles – Hotel California (1976)
- Genre: Rock
- Pressing: ASYLUM P10221Y Japan
- Price: ¥2780 (A$27.66)
- Eiichi Ohtaki – A Long Vacation (1981)
- Genre: Rock & Roll, Pop Rock, City Pop
- Pressing: NIAGARA 27AH1234 Japan
- Price: ¥2480 (A$24.67)
- Billy Joel – The Stranger (1977)
- Genre: Soft Rock, Pop Rock
- Pressing: CBS SONY 25AP843 Japan
- Price: ¥1480 (A$14.72)
- Yellow Magic Orchestra – Solid State Survivor (1980)
- Genre: Electro, Synth-pop, Techno
- Pressing: ALFA ALR6022 Japan
- Price: ¥1980 (A$19.70)
- The Beatles – 1962-1966 (1974)
- Genre: Beat, Rock & Roll
- Pressing: APPLE EAP9032B Japan
- Price: ¥3850 (A$38.30)
- Various Artists – Saturday Night Fever (Soundtrack) (1978)
- Genre: Soundtrack, Disco
- Pressing: RSO MWZ81056 Japan
- Price: ¥2480 (A$24.67)
- ABBA – Arrival (1977)
- Genre: Europop
- Pressing: DISCOMATE DSP5102 Japan
- Price: ¥1080 (A$10.74)
- Toto – TOTO IV (1982)
- Genre: Pop Rock
- Pressing: CBS SONY 20AP2280 Japan
- Price: ¥3480 (A$34.62)
- ABBA – Greatest Hits Vol 2 (1979)
- Genre: Disco, Europop
- Pressing: DISCOMATE DSP5113 Japan
- Price: ¥1980 (A$19.70)
- Wham! – Make It Big (1984)
- Genre: Synth-pop
- Pressing: EPIC 283P555 Japan
- Price: ¥2480 (A$24.67)
- John Lennon & Yoko Ono – Double Fantasy (1980)
- Genre: Pop Rock
- Pressing: GEFFEN P10948J Japan
- Price: ¥1980 (A$19.70)
- Tatsuro Yamashita – Melodies (1980)
- Genre: Soul, Jazz-Rock, Ballad, City Pop
- Pressing: MOON MOON28008 Japan
- Price: ¥4480 (A$44.57)
- Yumi Arai – Cobalt Hour (1976)
- Genre: Pop Rock, City Pop
- Pressing: EXPRESS ETP72071 Japan
- Price: ¥780 (A$7.76)
- The Beatles – 1967-1970 (1973)
- Genre: Rock & Roll, Pop Rock, Psychedelic Rock
- Pressing: APPLE EAP9034B Japan
- Price: ¥1480 (A$14.72)
- The Beatles – Abbey Road (1969)
- Genre: Pop Rock
- Pressing: APPLE AP8815 Japan
- Price: ¥6980 (A$69.44)
- Billy Joel – 52nd Street (1978)
- Genre: Soft Rock
- Pressing: CBS SONY 25AP1152 Japan
- Price: ¥1080 (A$10.74)
- Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
- Genre: Blues Rock, Folk Rock, Classic Rock
- Pressing: ATLANTIC P10125A Japan
- Price: ¥4980 (A$49.54)
- The Beatles – Abbey Road (1969)
- Genre: Pop Rock
- Pressing: APPLE EAS80560 Japan
- Price: ¥3980 (A$39.59)
- Eiichi Ohtaki – Each Time (1982)
- Genre: Soft Rock, City Pop
- Pressing: NIAGARA 28AH1555 Japan
- Price: ¥780 (A$7.76)
- The Beatles – Let It Be (1970)
- Genre: Pop Rock, Soundtrack, Rock
- Pressing: APPLE EAS80561 Japan
- Price: ¥3480 (A$34.62)
- Tatsuro Yamashita – For You (1982)
- Genre: Ballad, Funk, Soul, City Pop
- Pressing: AIR RAL8801 Japan
- Price: ¥8980 (A$89.33)
- Yumi Arai – Misslim (1975)
- Genre: Folk, Soul, Funk
- Pressing: EXPRESS ETP72001 Japan
- Price: ¥1480 (A$14.72)
When I look at these records, it’s clear that the top sellers are a mix of global icons like Michael Jackson, The Beatles, and ABBA, alongside some of the best of Japan’s local treasures—like Eiichi Ohtaki and Yellow Magic Orchestra. These records have lasting appeal, and it’s no surprise they are holding strong. Wherever you are in the world, the late ’70s and early ’80s are the eras that collectors are excited about.
City Pop and Japanese Jazz: A Cultural Renaissance
One of the things I love most about Japan’s vinyl scene is the resurgence of City Pop—a genre that blends pop, jazz, funk, and R&B into something uniquely Japanese. Artists like Eiichi Ohtaki, Tatsuro Yamashita, Anri, and Mariya Takeuchi have become increasingly popular in recent years as more people around the world rediscover their work through platforms like YouTube. City Pop’s smooth, sophisticated sound was tailor-made for vinyl, and these albums are now prized for their production quality and cultural significance.
For a nuanced exploration of the escapist aspects of city pop, especially for those living outside Japan, I highly recommend Japanese City Pop 100, Selected by Night Tempo. Written by Takashi Ikegami, the book offers an insightful look at the genre’s nostalgic allure and its ability to evoke a sense of urban freedom and fantasy. It’s a perfect read for anyone seeking to understand why city pop resonates so deeply, even beyond Japan.
City Pop is just one facet of Japan’s love affair with music. The country also has a deep and lasting connection to jazz, particularly Blue Note records. Original Japanese pressings of classic jazz albums are sought after by collectors not just for their superior sound quality but also for their rarity. In Japan, jazz has been embraced as both an art form and a lifestyle, and its influence continues to shape Japanese music today.
Popular Entry Points To Japanese Jazz
Albums such as Mint Jams by Casiopea and the playful records of Masayoshi Takanaka such as All of Me are fine introductions to original Japanese jazz. Both serve as great entry points for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of jazz with Japan’s unique musical landscape. These artists offer a fusion of Western influences with a distinctly Japanese musical sensibility.
The Appeal of Anime Soundtracks
Japan’s anime culture has had a huge impact on the vinyl world as well. For me, ’80s anime soundtracks are a great joy to explore. Especially pre-Studio Ghibli Hayao Miyazaki films, or soundtracks that influenced the Final Fantasy series. At Glitter Records, I’ve made it a point to highlight these treasures when they enter my collection, sharing the love for City Pop, Japanese Jazz, and anime soundtracks with the local Brisbane community. Even in the world of vinyl, these genres represent something unique.
Final Thoughts on Vinyl Records Trending in Japan
Looking at the data from Record City and seeing what’s selling in Japan, it’s clear that Japan’s vinyl market has a steady demand for both global classics and local hits. The meticulous care that collectors take in preserving their records, along with the blend of Japanese perfectionism in production, has been a huge inspiration in my work creating Glitter Records. As has the deep love of music across genres which plays a big role in shaping Japan’s vinyl culture. I hope to bring more of the same joy for eclecticism into the curation and visual identity of the store in future.
I digress! It’s been a pleasure sharing my thoughts with you. Until next time!
