Where to buy Japanese music online (from outside Japan)?
Anyone come across the following website, OTOTOY, which sells Japanese music in high-quality digital download format?
http://ototoy.jp
http://ototoy.jp
posted by mog86uk
Comments 18
I've been doing a lot of driving recently, as part of my job, and I'm enjoying getting paid to listen to Japanese music! It's definitely helping me with my Japanese listening skill. However I definitely need to get more music before I overplay these same songs too much.
So far these the only three sites I've bought Japanese music CDs from:
CDJapan - http://www.cdjapan.co.jp
Play-Asia - http://www.play-asia.com
YesAsia - http://www.yesasia.com
I've only used each of them a couple of times. I can find pretty much everything I want on there and haven't had any issues buying from them at all. However, I'd prefer to start buying music in digital format rather than physical CD. It's slow/expensive/annoying to import CDs, when it could just be downloaded instantly saving all that time and shipping. But I'm picky and don't like paying for lower than CD quality digital music... which I think rules out Amazon and iTunes?
Preferably I'd like to find a site which sells legal downloads of Japanese music in FLAC format, which is why that OTOTOY website looks promising. It doesn't look like it has much big record label music at all--mostly just independent stuff--but I've already noticed a few of the bands I like are on there. ^^
So, has anyone tried that OTOTOY site before? Or does anyone have any better recommendations for where to purchase Japanese music?- For example, here's an album I found on there from a band I like a lot, 和楽器バンド (Wagakki Band) :
http://ototoy.jp/_/default/p/56427
It seems more expensive than I'd hoped, considering it is in digital download format, but other than that it looks perfect for the type of site I want. I definitely want to buy that album, as it is still easily worth that steep price. ^^
But, because I've never heard anyone mention that website before, I'm unsure whether it is a good site to use - or if there is somewhere even better. 
iTunes?- I think it's a little awkward to use Japan version of iTunes from outside Japan, but I think it's possible. What format and quality does iTunes other though? I think it's something similar to Amazon quality?
- offer *
- It's AAC format.
Oh ya you don't use iPhone..
So I think you can buy from Google Play Music (https://play.google.com/store/music) - Yeah, AAC isn't really much of a step up from MP3, and less likely to play on all my devices. Of course, FLAC won't play on everything either, but from lossless FLAC format I can convert to MP3 if I have to. I imagine converting from lossy AAC format to MP3 probably leaves you with a worse quality than just buying MP3 in the first place.
I know buying music in CD format has remained very popular in Japan, but where do the other people who buy their music in digital download format get their music from? Only from the Japanese iTunes site and from http://www.amazon.co.jp ? - Free download on the internet?
Also, I see that communication provider like au, has their own platform like LISMO (http://www.au.kddi.com/mobile/service/featurephone/lismo/lismo-music/) 
No, I havent but thanks for putting me onto that.I'm looking for NumberGirl songs- I can't find any ナンバーガール songs on that OTOTOY site. They're an interesting old band to be searching for. ^^
- I still wonder about this a lot. Every few weeks I'll spend ages searching the internet in hope I might stumble across some amazing new website. Surely one day... but after how many more years?... ^^;
I did actually buy that album from OTOTOY eventually. Very pleased with it and had no problems. But hardly any of the other albums I want to buy are on there. (Other people might have a lot better luck at finding stuff they like though.)
Just wondering, seven months later, if anyone now has come across a decent site for buying Japanese music in digital format? 
I just went to my old source, and realize Japanfiles.com no longer exists! I would love an answer to this, too.
Lol, if youre into vintage (japanese) music, try discogs.com , i got the first lp from yumi arai and a bunch of CD, if youre into jp music, u simple cannot go without some serious YUMING! I also like Kokia a lot, here live album from '12 is a masterpiece. Incredible voice.- @Edwin, Yeah, Kokia has such an amazing voice! I still remember when I first listened to one of her songs nearly a decade ago, thinking that her voice was in a completely different league to anything I'd heard before. Her music isn't the style I listen to often, but for a long time I've wanted to buy at least one of her albums. The songs I listened to were on her album "Remember Me", but I can't remember which song was that first one I heard that I was so awestuck by—maybe this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxccbEAV8QU
But anyway, I'm really only looking for sites you can buy music from in digital download format (and preferably only lossless audio file quality). That discogs.com site is pretty interesting though, thanks. ^^ 
It's in MP3 format, I think you can try on https://ringtonedownloadmp3.net because it's free
CDJapan is a well-established online store https://amongusio.io that offers a variety of Japanese music, including CDs, DVDs, and digital downloads. They ship internationally and provide a wide selection of Japanese music across genres.- If you're looking to buy Japanese music online, there are several reputable platforms where you can find a wide range of music from Japan. Some popular options include:
- iTunes Store: iTunes offers a vast collection of Japanese music, including singles, albums, and even exclusive releases. You can purchase and download music directly to your device.
- Amazon Music: Amazon Music provides a diverse selection of Japanese music in both physical and digital formats. You can buy CDs, vinyl, or download MP3s from their extensive catalog.
- 着信音123: https://chakushinon123.com allows you to purchase and download Japanese music directly to your Android device or computer. They have a diverse collection of songs and albums available for purchase. 
If you live in a place that has a Japantown or some sort of Japanese community, then the easiest option might be to just go and check out whether or not any local stores sell Japanese music. https://dinosaur-game.io
