Whenever I think of Tokyo I always combine the images of Blade Runner and Lost In Translation. Super-sized billboards, skyscrapers, street food, people being pushed onto trains, strange polite conversations and wild secret parties in tiny apartments.

When we visited last week we ticked off all those things and on our day off went on an adventure to find Escalator Records, the first store in Japan to stock Deadly Records.

The area near the store is such a contrast to the rest of the city. Quiet and low key it felt we were in West London or Chelsea, New York with knowing stores and secret joints scattered around.

But while we had the address for Escalator Records we just couldn’t find it. However, with typical Japanese kindness, a nearby store owner searched online, printed out a map and sent us on a way two minutes down the road. The reason we couldn’t find it was because the store is perched on top of a hidden building with a tiny staircase.

We had no idea we were doing the right thing. Crawling up steps in a back alley we finally heard laughter. And a song from the superb Wild Nothing (who Escalator Records release in Japan). Yep, this was it.

Inside was record store heaven. Amazing records everywhere, a coffee maker and a beer tap. Owners (husband and wife) Masashi and Haruki were chatting to a friend, chilling, listening to music. It was like a dream.

On the wall were signed records from our French brothers Ed Banger, Haruki told us Escalator “were the first to stock Ed Banger in Japan and they always pop in” and Drop The Lime (my fellow traveller) signed some records to add to their collection. Was cool to see The Big Pink (who wear the stores branded “Big Love” t-shirt) on their press shots also showing support.

In fact it’s hard not to try and give all you can to this magical place. In a world where people are continuing to escape online, this was something going completely against virtual life. They hardly sell CDs, instead they sell records, tapes and t-shirts. They hang out and chat about music in person while drinking beer. The vibe in there was inspiring and if you ever visit Japan pop in and have a drink with them.