While not an extensive list, this page is here to help you find some places online where to buy Japanese music (CDs, records, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, etc.). Click these links to find out more about each site.
Need a currency converter? Visit XE.com.
If you want to learn about buying tickets to gigs in Japan, please have a look at Tokyo Gig Guide's very useful "Buying tickets in Japan" page.
Is there something specific you want from Japan but can't find a way to order it from abroad? Proxy shopping services such as CDJapan's Special Request Shopping Service, White Rabbit Express (part of OMG Japan), and also Blackship (a service that gives you a Japanese address to order online from any shop) are there to help you.
The English branch of the large Neowing online CD shop, CDJapan ships CDs, records, DVDs and Blu-ray discs to the world, even via Economy Air Mail (SAL) for normally as cheap as 500yen (one CD to North America or Europe) &madsh; although currently some shipping methods are unavailable because of COVID-19-related restrictions. See their greatly informative page about shipping.
You get to earn 3% back in points that you can use on your next order. CDJapan also has various other rewards, even giving you free points when it's your birthday.
CDJapan's ordering process is also available in French, Spanish and Traditional Chinese (details here)!
Amazon Japan is in Japanese, but you can switch the language to English (on a computer, click the flag icon 🇯🇵 in the site header, or on a smartphone open the menu and look for the globe icon 🌐).
The great thing about Amazon is that they offer rebates on DVDs/Blu-ray and also CD+DVD/Blu-ray sets, sometimes over 25% off for DVDs! The best is to pre-order to get the best deal.
Shipping to North America starts at ¥1200 plus ¥650 per kilo, with similar (or a bit higher) fees for other regions. See the international shipping rates and policies.
This online branch of one of the largest CD retail shops in Japan, HMV, has an interface completely in English (though only when viewed on a computer, not a smartphone or tablet). Use the link in the site header to switch languages.
HMV sometimes gives away promo goodies when ordering certain items (often this information is noted on this site when available at time of writing). Another characteristic is that they have an extensive used selection.
Look out for discounted prices on DVD and CD+DVD pre-orders, and also "multibuy" campaigns. HMV's point system is linked with the Ponta point reward system, which might not be available overseas, but they often have several campaigns and discounts going on! Shipping fees start at ¥1900 for North America.
Hong Kong-based large and established online entertainement shop YesAsia sells throughout Asia as well as the rest of the world. Notably, it offers free shipping on orders over US $39! (At the time of writing.)
Play-Asia, a service based in Hong Kong has a large selection of Japanese CDs, and ships worldwide for cheap. Shipping fees are clearly shown on each item page.
Jet Set Records is a remarkable shop from Kyoto, with a location in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo. Their selection consists mainly of vinyl, and they truly support Japan's indies club music scene.
Jet Set often have promotions where they give away various goodies! They're also a label releasing many records, and ordering directly is always the best.
Their web site is bilingual and of course ships internationally. Shipping fees is calculated automatically in the checkout process.
Tower Records has a vast selection of CD and vinyl, including some exclusive releases and sometimes promo goodies.
International orders are available via WorldShopping, which is a separate service that charges an extra 10% of your order total plus international shipping and other fees. Beware that this may probably end up costing you more than using other retailers which offer direct shipping like the ones listed above. See Tower Records's International Shipping page for details.
Disk Union is another great retailer, which has many shops mostly in the Tokyo area. They have a great selection of CD and vinyl, and sometimes offer promo goodies especially for releases on their own labels.
International orders are available via WorldShopping, which is a separate service that charges an extra 10% of your order total plus international shipping and other fees. Beware that this may probably end up costing you more than using other retailers which offer direct shipping like the ones listed above. See Disk Union's International Shipping Guide for details.
Tokyo Recohan is an online CD shop selling selected used Japanese CDs, focusing on Shibuya-kei and indies. Cheap prices make it an opportunity to try something new, or you might find something that had been missing from your collection.
Shipping defaults to regular air mail, which starts from ¥330 (+¥60 packaging) for one CD sent to North America or Europe. The site can be viewed in English or French.
Many Japanese labels make their music available on iTunes Japan.
In order to buy music from iTunes Japan, you must have an iTunes Japan account (which is separate from an iTunes account in another country). To create one, you need either a Japanese credit card... or an iTunes Music Card!
iTunes Music Cards can be purchased from outside of Japan at Play-Asia, and Japan Codes. (If you know of other good places where to buy iTunes Music Cards from overseas, please let us know, we'll post it here.)
Some Japanese labels/artists also publish their releases on iTunes in other countries. Following the iTunes links on this site should take you to your country's iTunes if the album or song is available there. (Sometimes it might be necessary to search again within iTunes, as the album ID could be different in your country.)
In the recent years, many Japanese labels have also been making their music available on Spotify.
Availability of some releases may vary by country, but when available you'll be able to listen normally with your account. Click the Spotify links found on this site to find out.
OTOTOY is an indies-oriented DRM-free digital music service, some of which is available in high-resolution audio formats. Depending on the release, you can choose ALAC, FLAC, WAV or MP3.
OTOTOY's site is mainly in Japanese, but the registration form is in English. You may proceed here, or sign-in with your Twitter account by using the big blue Twitter button here.
Members can also enjoy free downloads that are updated regularly.
Links to OTOTOY on this site usually point to the "hi-res" edition (24-bit) of the release. Often a less expensive "lossless" edition (16-bit) is also available in the "Discography" section of the same page.