City Pop is the sound of neon nights and coastal drives—a genre born in late-70s and 80s Japan, blending smooth jazz, funk, disco, soft rock, and synth-pop into a polished, feel-good vibe. It’s the sonic reflection of an optimistic, high-tech, bubble-era Japan, where western musical influences met local flair and Tokyo glowed with dreams of the future. At its core, City Pop was lifestyle music—crafted for Japan’s urban middle class during the country’s post-war economic boom. It soundtracked a generation chasing dreams in Tokyo high-rises, beachfront highways, and after-hours clubs.

For collectors, City Pop represents more than just a nostalgic sound—it's a treasure trove of vinyl-era craftsmanship. Albums by artists like Tatsuro Yamashita, Mariya Takeuchi, Hiroshi Sato, Miki Matsubara, Anri, and Taeko Ohnuki showcase not only musical innovation but also iconic album art, meticulous liner notes, and Japan’s legendary attention to press quality. First pressings—often released via RCA, Alfa, Moon, or CBS/Sony—remain highly sought after, with OBI strips intact and sound quality that rivals audiophile standards.

Once a domestic sound, City Pop has experienced a global resurgence since the 2010s—driven by online reissues, YouTube deep cuts, and sampling in vaporwave, hip-hop, and indie pop. But for serious diggers, nothing compares to the tactile experience: flipping through crates, discovering a near-mint copy of Ride on Time, or finding an obscure private press release that never made it past local airwaves.