pinks vinyl opens in Kyoto with a homegrown approach to record collecting

In the northern Kyoto neighborhood of Demachiyanagi, pinks vinyl opened its first physical store on September 20.

The store follows years of online activity that established the brand as a notable presence among Kansai’s Gen Z hip hop and street culture enthusiasts.

Founded by Takato Nishiuchi and Daiki Nakagawa, pinks vinyl began as what the duo describe as an “exchange diary,” where they shared and discussed new vinyl purchases and recommendations on their shared Instagram account, pinks vinyl.

Their sharp curation later caught the attention of local DJ CH.0, who encouraged them to turn their hobby into an official online record store.

Five years later, the trio has transformed pink’s vinyl into brick-and-mortar shop that embodies their passion for vinyl culture while honouring their hip hop sensibility.

Kyoto, known for its rich cultural heritage and long-established vinyl record stores, now welcomes a fresh addition to its music scene with pinks vinyl. Bringing a cheerful energy to the city’s north, the store aims to offer a more approachable and contemporary digging experience.

“Many vinyl stores I’ve been to have a very mature and serious atmosphere, where newcomers—especially younger customers—don’t always feel welcome,” says the owner, Takato Nishiuchi, speaking to Mixmag Asia. “There are many young people who have just started collecting records, and I want my store to be a space where the next generation can feel comfortable discovering vinyl.”

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Though rooted in hip hop culture, the founders’ musical interests span genres. The store’s defining feature is its wide-ranging selection—covering jazz, soul, funk, tech-house, hip hop, and a rich catalogue of Japanese records, from city pop and Japanese jazz to kayōkyoku and vintage anime soundtracks.

In an industry where many record stores in Japan rely on sourcing vinyl from overseas, pinks vinyl takes a different approach by focusing on domestic purchases. The founders emphasise the excellent condition of records found within Japan and note the growing international demand for Japanese pressings.

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Nishiuchi shares, “I absolutely respect other store owners who travel to New York or other countries to purchase vinyl to bring into Japan. It adds flavour and backstory. But for me right now, I don’t see the point when I can find the same vinyl domestically cheaper and maintained well.”

CH.0 adds “Japan has been an attraction for vinyl collectors all over the world. In my opinion, us Japanese are neat and thorough. Same goes to vinyl collecting, we treasure them. And so, this quality has affected the market in this industry abroad, which sadly the local Japanese do not often realise. Apparently Japanese editions and pressings give higher prices compared to vinyl found in other places.”

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As Kyoto faces ongoing struggles such as overtourism and rising costs, the city’s vinyl scene has also felt the effects of inflation—prices in the city center have surged, making it harder for local collectors to buy.

Nishiuchi notes that many vinyl lovers live near pinks vinyl, and keeping prices fair for locals (without overcharging tourists) remains central to the store’s philosophy.

For more info and updates, follow pinks vinyl on Instagram here.

Elle Katayama is a freelance writer for Mixmag Asia, follow her on Instagram.

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