Positioned right in between Jimbocho, Kudanshita and Suidobashi, Echo Records is a niche second-hand record store with a psychedelic edge. Housed on the second floor above a clothing shop, the store specialises in used vinyl ranging from British pre-war jazz to psychedelic rock of the ’60s and ’70s. Owner Takeshi Dooka runs the shop from behind a bar counter, serving cheap pints and homemade coffee – the perfect companions whether you’re sinking into the sofa to listen to your latest find on the shop’s custom speakers or taking a break from digging through stacks of records.
Dooka, who still plays in a band from time to time, first opened the shop in western Tokyo in 2020, when live gigs were scarce during the height of the pandemic. Seeing musicians rally together to support each other inspired him to pursue his longstanding interest in records and collecting. On a trip to Birmingham and other English cities, he hauled back a beefy stash of vinyl in tote bags and carry-ons. Since then, Echo Records has built a loyal following thanks to its distinctive curation, encouraging shoppers to dig with purpose and discover the right record, rather than simply browse through an A-to-Z index.
The amicable owner is always on hand to share stories about his finds, recommend hidden gems, or pour you a beer while the turntable spins.