With the development of digital technology, most people now listen to music through streaming platforms, and fewer and fewer people go out of their way to buy CDs. However, as someone who lived through the CD era, I still sometimes miss the fun of browsing record stores and searching through albums. When I came to HMV&BOOKS SHIBUYA in Shibuya and saw all the music albums, DVDs, and various artist merchandise, it brought back those passionate memories of being a fan! Lately, I’ve been especially into the Japanese rock band SUPER BEAVER, so I came here specifically to hunt for treasures, hoping to find limited-edition CDs and concert DVDs worth collecting. Being able to bring home music I love and the happiness of owning a physical collection is something streaming can’t replace.
HMV&BOOKS SHIBUYA | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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GENERAL STORE RAILYARD Akihabara
Opened in 2022, the 150th anniversary year of Japan’s railways, this specialty railroad goods shop is operated by the JR East Group and is located in Akihabara, a center of Japanese pop culture.
On a shopping trip to Akihabara, I happened to discover GENERAL STORE RAILYARD after exiting the JR station gates. The wide array of merchandise caught my eye from a distance, and once I went inside, I realized it was a little treasure trove for railroad fans! They have all kinds of JR East railroad merchandise, especially items featuring my favorite Suica penguin mascot. From plush toys and stationery to household goods, everything was so cute that I couldn't put it down, and I lost track of time while browsing. After a struggle between reason and the urge to shop, I finally took home a penguin shopping bag made in collaboration with Shupatto, which is both practical and collectible. Even now, I still take it with me every day when I go out. I can quickly unfold it whenever I buy something, making it convenient and eco-friendly~
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Kurashiki Denim Street
Kurashiki Denim Street is a specialty spot for denim from Kojima, Kurashiki City, known as the birthplace of Japanese-made jeans. It offers a wide range of denim products, including Kojima-made jeans, bags, accessories, and interior goods, with easy-to-shop sections for men, women & kids, and miscellaneous goods. One of its charms is being able to casually experience “Kurashiki denim” while comparing differences in texture and finish.
When visiting the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, besides admiring the nostalgic streetscape of white-walled storehouses and willow trees along the riverbanks, there’s also a distinctive denim street worth exploring. Kojima, located in Kurashiki, is a well-known production center for denim jeans in Japan and has a long history of denim manufacturing, so the street is lined with many specialty denim shops. From bags, wallets, and clothing to all kinds of everyday goods, there’s a dazzling variety, with each item showcasing unique design details. I especially like the natural range of shades in the denim. Some pieces are a rich indigo, while others have been faded for a distinctive vintage look, giving familiar denim an artistic feel. If you like denim style or unique handmade items, don’t miss this street full of character!
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Sengan-en
Sengan-en is a Japanese garden made for the Shimadzu family estate by Mitsuhisa Shimadzu in 1658. The grounds boast a sprawling 50,000 square meters in total. The garden itself uses the “borrowed scenery” technique, incorporating Kagoshima’s coveted spots like the volcano Sakurajima and Kinko Bay as a natural backdrop.
Sengan-en is a historic garden in Kagoshima that is well worth visiting. It was once a villa of the Shimadzu family, lords of the Satsuma Domain. The entire grounds are nestled between the mountains and the sea, skillfully blending Japanese garden design with magnificent natural scenery. As you stroll around, you can admire sights such as the Kyokusui Garden, the residence, bamboo groves, and old stone lanterns, with every corner exuding a rich sense of history. Most impressive of all is the majestic view of Sakurajima volcano from the garden. Together with Kinko Bay in the foreground, it looks like a grand landscape painting of mountains and sea. I couldn't help but envy the life of the Shimadzu daimyo, who had such an exceptionally beautiful place to live.
I also have a special attachment to Sengan-en because it was one of the filming locations for the NHK historical drama “Atsuhime.” Aoi Miyazaki's nuanced and masterful performance vividly portrayed Atsuhime's strong, intelligent, and extraordinary life, leaving a deep impression on me. Many scenes from the drama were filmed at Sengan-en. Walking through the grounds in person this time felt like stepping back into that era along with the story, adding a sense of familiarity and emotion to the garden scenery before me. If you also like “Atsuhime,” I highly recommend planning a visit to Sengan-en to experience the settings from the historical drama and the former splendor of the Satsuma Domain for yourself.
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