Notable Cassette Shops in Big Cities Around the World for Collectors

Digital streaming dominates the current music scape, and vinyl is seeing a resurgence but the nostalgic and charming cassette tape is a growing niche in major cities across the globe. The indie soundscapes of Berlin, for example, is full of niche cassette collectors finding hidden gems in cassette shops that specialise in analog treasures. Here’s a list of some notable cassette stores in big cities worldwide where you can find unique and rare releases.

1. Tower Records in Tokyo, Japan

Genre: Indie, Japanese Pop, and Experimental Cassettes

Tokyo is known for its love of all things retro, and Tower Records in Shibuya is no exception. The store offers a wide range of cassette tapes, from J-Pop to indie, rock, and experimental music. Tower Records has embraced cassette culture, especially among local artists and collectors. It’s one of the few cassette stores in Japan where you can find limited edition cassettes from both Japanese and international artists.                     

Why Visit: Tower Records in Shibuya has a massive collection of both new releases and rare cassette tapes, making it a haven for collectors. The atmosphere of the store is part of the experience, with a mix of Japanese and international music.

Notable Find: Special edition cassettes from Japanese indie and pop artists, often exclusive to the store.

2. Crooked Beat Records in Washington, D.C., USA

Genre: Rock, Punk and Indie Cassettes

Based in the heart of Washington D.C., Crooked Beat Records is a beloved institution that offers an extensive selection of cassette tapes for punk rock and indie music lovers. It is also a good spot if you are looking for rare and hard to find releases. You can also discover a range of cassette tapes from emerging bands and local artists here.           

Why Visit: Crooked Beat Records is an OG of punk music culture in D.C., known for its vinyl and cassette offerings, and its collection of punk and alternative cassettes is second to none.

Notable Find: Rare tapes from early underground bands and new local punk rock cassette releases.

3. Vinyl Exchange in Manchester, UK

Genre: Electronic, Alternative and Indie Cassettes

Located in the heart of Manchester, the store is famous for its vinyl collection, but it also has a fantastic dedicated section for cassettes. This treasure trove of cassette tapes has everything from classic albums to local releases by emerging bands.                   

Why Visit: Here you can get expert tips for all your vinyl related curiosities, as the store is known for its vinyl knowledge but the cassette collection is equally impressive, attracting collectors from all over the UK and beyond.

Notable Find: Rare electronic tapes from local producers and cassette releases from Manchester's indie music scene. 

4. Sonic Boom in Toronto, Canada

Genre: Local Music, India and Experimental Cassettes

Toronto’s Sonic Boom is a go-to spot for both vinyl and cassette lovers alike, with a strong focus on indie and experimental music. Sonic Boom also stocks cassette releases by local Canadian artists making it a great place for collectors to discover new music while enjoying the nostalgia of cassette culture.

Why Visit: The carefully curated cassette collection features both local and international artists. The store is a vibrant part of Toronto’s music scene and hosts a loyal following of cassette collectors.

Notable Find: Limited edition cassettes from emerging Canadian indie bands and experimental artists.

5. Mondo in Austin, USA

Genre: Pop, Soundtracks and Indie Cassettes

Known for its unique selection of pop music, the store specialises in exclusive releases, and cassettes from cult classic films, indie bands, and limited-edition releases from film, TV, and pop culture.

Why Visit: This is the perfect place for fans of movie soundtracks or obscure pop culture references. Here you can find collectible cassettes that aren’t available elsewhere, as the store regularly collaborates with artists to release exclusive cassette editions.

Notable Find: Limited edition soundtrack cassettes from TV shows, movies and video games.

6. Kaufhof in Berlin, Germany

Genre: Techno, Electronic and  Experimental Music Cassettes

Located in Mitte district, the heart of Berlin’s electronic music culture, Kaufhof has an impressive selection of cassette tapes from techno, experimental, and electronic genres. Here you can find cassette releases from both international and underground Berlin-based labels.

Why Visit: It provides an authentic taste of Berlin’s electronic music culture through its diverse cassette offerings and is a must-visit for anyone interested in Berlin's underground music scene.

Notable Find: Exclusive cassette releases from Berlin’s experimental and techno artists.

7. Le Comptoir du Disque in Paris, France

Genre: French Pop, Classical and Jazz Cassettes

A dream for fans of French pop and jazz. The shop offers everything from classic French chansons to rare jazz tapes in its extensive collection. The store also carries vinyl, but its cassette selection remains a key attraction for collectors who are looking to add a bit of French flair to their collection. 

Why Visit: Paris is the birthplace of many legendary music genres, like chanson, musette, jazz and French pop, and this store is good place to explore the rich musical history of France as houses an extensive catalog of French artists on cassette.

Notable Find: Limited run releases from local indie bands and rare French jazz cassettes.

8. Plastic Memory in Seoul, South Korea

Genre: Vintage, K-Pop and Indie Cassettes

It is a popular spot for cassette collectors in South Korea offering a mix of K-Pop, vintage and indie cassette tapes helping keep analog music alive in Seoul. Here you can find a great selection of both rare finds and new releases.

Why Visit: It is dedicated to preserving the analog format while promoting the cassette revival in the local scene, housing a unique mix of K-Pop, indie, and experimental music makes it a must visit if you are in the area. 

Notable Find: Unique indie tapes from local artists and limited edition K-Pop cassette releases.

The resurgence of cassette culture is undeniable, and these stores have everything from vintage tapes from your favourite artist to rare cassette releases from underground labels, making them the perfect places to indulge your passion for analog music.