Studio Mule, the Perfect Bar for Vinyl Enthusiasts
Located in Tokyo's Shibuya district, this eleven-seat bar where clients can enjoy natural wines doubles as a record shop.

Photo: Daisuke Shima
Tokyo’s trendy Shibuya district, known for its nightlife, was the location chosen by Toshiya Kawasaki for Studio Mule, opened in August 2020. The DJ, who founded the electronic music label Mule Musiq in 2004, which has produced several big names in electro across Japan and southeast Asia, envisaged a hybrid space where retro music and drinks come together.
A warm ambiance
Toshiya Kawasaki joined forces with designer Koichi Futatsumata, who works for the studio Case-Real and specialises in interior architecture, to build the visual identity of Studio Mule. The duo opted for an earthy colour palette for this spot that seats just eleven people on high wooden stools around a long stone bar.
Tucked in a corner, clients will find a collection of vinyl records, which have been meticulously selected by the owner and are available for purchase. Others, displayed on shelves behind the bar, are part of Toshiya Kawasaki’s vintage collection. The bar staff play these gems on a turntable, also from another era, while music-loving clients enjoy the natural wines, craft liqueurs, and beers available on the menu.
More information about Studio Mule can be found on its Instagram account.
Address: Studio Mule, 3E 16-4 Kamiyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Photo: Daisuke Shima

Photo: Daisuke Shima

Photo: Daisuke Shima

Photo: Daisuke Shima

Photo: Daisuke Shima

Photo: Daisuke Shima
TRENDING
-
The Tradition of the Black Eggs of Mount Hakone
In the volcanic valley of Owakudani, curious looking black eggs with beneficial properties are cooked in the sulphurous waters.
-
The Forest that Inspired 'Princess Mononoke' in Yakushima
This mountainous island is teeming with natural wonders, from beaches with star-shaped sand to a virgin forest that inspired Hayao Miyazaki.
-
The Tattoos that Marked the Criminals of the Edo Period
Traditional tattoos were strong signifiers; murderers had head tattoos, while theft might result in an arm tattoo.
-
Psychedelic Tokyo Captured by Jean-Vincent Simonet
The Swiss photographer has developed in his series ‘In Bloom’ a technique for capturing the psychedelic atmosphere of the Japanese capital.
-
Mount Hiyori, Japan’s Smallest Mountain
Located in Miyagino district in Sendai, this mountain peaks at just three metres above sea level.