King Kong is an Amerikamura institution, having been part of the neighbourhood’s transformation into a hub for youth culture from the late ’70s onward. While many of the original American-import fashion and vintage stores that used to populate the area have closed and been replaced by boutiques and cafés, the vinyl haven named after the famous giant ape – now run by the original proprietor’s son – is going as strong as ever.
While still supported mainly by the local community, the shop has also become a destination for collectors from throughout Japan and overseas, who come to marvel at and dig through its 50,000-strong collection of records. It feels like every visit to King Kong yields new finds, and no wonder: they procure up to 300 new items every week, which makes for nearly 1,000 additions per month. Club music, hip hop and rock are particularly well represented.