How To

How to enjoy Visual Kei: streaming, buying, and shopping

Your practical guide to listening now, buying new releases, hunting rare items, and finding the good shops in Japan.

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Streaming & playlists Buy new releases online Second-hand & out-of-print Proxy Guide Where to shop in Japan Tips & FAQ

Streaming & playlists

Plenty of VK classics and modern acts are on major platforms (with some regional gaps). Start here:

Spotify VK Playlist YouTube Music VK Mix YouTube VK search Apple Music

• Official channels first: Most bands maintain YouTube channels for MVs & live cuts. Search by band name.
• Region locks happen: If something’s missing on your platform, check YouTube or buy digital (e.g., OTOTOY) or physical.
• Build your own starter list: Add X JAPAN, LUNA SEA, BUCK-TICK, DIR EN GREY, the GazettE, MALICE MIZER, MUCC, Plastic Tree, Versailles, lynch.

Tip: On this site you can use the Translate toggle for JP-only pages we link.

Buy new releases online (ships worldwide)

• CDJapan — reliable stock, bonuses, international shipping.
• Tower Records Japan — limited editions & store bonuses.
• HMV Japan — preorders, bundles, occasional exclusives.
• Amazon Japan — broad catalog; check seller ratings.
• YesAsia — global retailer that often carries JP editions.
• OTOTOY — digital (often hi-res); some titles JP-only.

Shipping: EMS/DHL is fastest; SAL/Surface is cheaper but slow. Expect VAT/import fees based on your country.

Second-hand & out-of-print

• Mandarake — rare CDs/DVDs, photobooks; ships worldwide.
• Suruga-ya — massive used marketplace; check global site for shipping.
• Book Off Online — budget gems; Japanese-only UI.
• Yahoo! Auctions JP — great for OOP; may require a proxy service.
• Discogs Marketplace — international sellers; compare pressings & prices.

Proxies/forwarders (e.g., Buyee, FromJapan, ZenMarket, Tenso) can help with JP-only sellers. Check fees before bidding.

How to use a proxy / forwarding service

Some Japanese shops and auctions (e.g., Yahoo! Auctions, Mercari, Suruga-ya JP site) don’t ship overseas. That’s where proxies and forwarding services come in: they buy items on your behalf and ship them to you.

Step 1. Choose your service

• Buyee — easy to use, supports Yahoo! Auctions, Mercari, Rakuten, Suruga-ya.
• ZenMarket — flat ¥300 fee per item, wide site coverage, simple UI.
• FromJapan — good for auctions + stores, English support.
• Tenso — forwarding only (gives you a JP address for direct orders).

Step 2. Create an account

Sign up with your email. Most will ask for identity confirmation (passport or driver’s license photo) before they’ll let you ship abroad. This is normal due to Japanese export rules.

Step 3. Add items to your cart

• Search the Japanese shop or auction site inside the proxy’s portal (e.g., Buyee has integrated Yahoo! Auctions).
• Copy-paste product URLs if browsing externally.
• Check for first-press bonuses (初回限定盤) and condition notes (新品 = new, 中古 = used).

Step 4. Pay for your order

You pay the item price + proxy service fee. Payment methods: PayPal, card, sometimes Wise. Currency is usually converted to yen (¥).

Step 5. Wait for warehouse arrival

Items are delivered to your proxy’s warehouse in Japan. Processing can take 1–3 business days. They’ll notify you once it arrives and store it (often up to 30 days free).

Step 6. Choose international shipping

Select DHL, EMS, FedEx, or cheaper surface mail. Costs depend on weight/size. Proxies may offer consolidation (combine multiple orders into one box to save shipping).

Step 7. Receive & pay customs

Once shipped, DHL/FedEx will usually deliver in 3–7 days. Expect to pay VAT + handling in your country (often collected by courier on delivery).

What to expect (fees & timing)

• Service fee: ¥200–¥600 per item (varies by service).
• Domestic JP shipping: ¥300–¥800 (if seller charges it).
• International shipping: £20–£40 for a small box via DHL/EMS; surface/airmail cheaper but slower.
• Total time: 1–3 weeks with express couriers; 1–2 months with economy routes.

Tip: If buying bulk, wait until all items arrive at the warehouse and consolidate before shipping. Saves a lot on postage.

Where to shop in Japan

• Tower Records Shibuya (Tokyo) — 8 floors; VK/J-rock displays & limited editions.
• Like an Edison (Shibuya / Osaka)
• ZEAL LINK (Shibuya)
• Disk Union (various Tokyo wards) — solid rock/metal sections.
• Closet Child (Harajuku / Shinjuku) — second-hand CDs/DVDs + fashion.
• Mandarake (Nakano Broadway + multiple cities) — deep second-hand stock.

Many shops rotate stock fast — if you see a grail item, grab it.

Tips & FAQ

Why can’t I find some albums on my streaming service?

Licensing/region issues. Try YouTube, buy digital (OTOTOY) or physical via CDJapan/Tower/HMV.

Do I need a proxy for every purchase?

No. CDJapan/Tower/HMV/Amazon JP ship internationally. You’ll only need a proxy for JP-only sellers (e.g., Yahoo Auctions, Mercari).

Will I pay customs/VAT?

Likely, depending on your country and order value. Budget for VAT + courier fees on imports.

First-press bonuses?

Look for notes like “first press” or “初回限定盤 (shokai gentei)”. These include extras (DVDs, posters, photobooks) and sell out fast.

Use our News page for fresh drops and our Releases page (coming soon) to track upcoming CDs/DVDs.