Sapporo, Japan has TWO Tower Records stores! And I was lucky enough to stumble into both of them during my recent family vacation to Hokkaido on November 2026!
Founded in 1960 by Russ Solomon in Sacramento, California, Tower Records was a global, cultural, and music nirvna hang-outs to hard-core music fans like me. At its peak in 1990, Tower Records had hundreds of stores worldwide, raking in US$1 billion of sales. Unfortuately it went into liquidation in 2002.
After executing a successful management buyout in 2002, Tower Records Japan remained independent and profitable.
I have visited the iconic Tower Records flagship building in Shibuya, Tokyo on numerous occasions over the years but I didn’t know Tower Records had presence in Sapporo, two in fact. A nice surprise to my Hokkaido holiday indeed.
Whenever I step into a Tower Records (TR) store, I feel like I’m HOME, in a warm and inviting place. During my travels, there are two tourist attractions I get a “lift” in my steps when I walk through their doors – Hard Rock Cafe and Tower Records.
The Japanese TR stores are both small in size and sells mostly Japanese music stuff. But I’m still glad Tower Records is still around in Japan. I bought some cool Tower Records generic goodies.
Happiness! (above image). A delightful sea of yellow and red – key chains, pins, guitar picks, tote bag, and mug.
Stepping into a Tower Records store immediately brings back therapeutic memories from my US college days, corporate travelling days when I explored Tower Records stores in the USA, UK, Europe, Australia and Asia. I used to think a city is cool if they had Hard Rock Cafes, Tower Records, Virgin Megastores, or HMV stores there.
On this trip, the first Tower Records store I visited was at Sapporo PARCO building, on the 7th floor. This outlet open in August 2022.
The second Tower Records store I visited was at the Ario Shopping Mall, next to the iconic Sapporo Beer Museum. Do read my accompanying “Hokkaido 2026” travel blog.
Tower Records At Sapporo PARCO building, 7th Floor (above image). Blink and you miss.
Me At Tower Records Store Entrance, Sapporo PARCO building (above image).
Tower Records At Ario Shopping Mall (above image). Blink and you miss. Next to the grand Sapporo Beer Museum.
Me At Tower Records Store Entrance At Ario Shopping Mall (above image).
My Tower Records Sapporo Shopping Spree (above image). Some of these will go to my buddies who consistently gifts me cool stuff when they travel overseas. Kindness begets kindness, I always say.
Long Live Tower Records, Japan!
Bonus Image:
Me At HMV Store At Stellar Place Shopping Mall, Sapporo (above image).
