Tower Records – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today. Wed, 10 Apr 2024 13:28:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/en_rocket_1024.png?w=32 Tower Records – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com 32 32 176746664 Hikaru Utada releasing vinyl version of all albums, pop-up store opening in Shibuya https://soranews24.com/2022/04/23/hikaru-utada-releasing-vinyl-version-of-all-albums-pop-up-store-opening-in-shibuya/ https://soranews24.com/2022/04/23/hikaru-utada-releasing-vinyl-version-of-all-albums-pop-up-store-opening-in-shibuya/#comments Fri, 22 Apr 2022 15:00:14 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=584450 
Nightly Hikaru Mix DJ events to stream online.
Last weekend Hikaru Utada thrilled fans by performing for the first time at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California. Up next is the surprising appearance of a Hikaru Utada pop-up store in Tokyo.
The Hikaru Utada Vinyl Pop-Up Shop will open next week and, true to its name, will be offering vinyl record versions of all eight of the singer’s albums. Though the first three, First Love, Distance, and Deep River saw vinyl release in March, the opening of the pop-up store coincides with new vinyl versions of Ultra Blue, Heart Station, Fantome, Hatsukoi. and even her newest album Bad Mode, which just came out in digital and CD versions in January.
The Tower Records branch in Tokyo’s Shibuya district will host the pop-up store, with its sixth floor serving as the venue, with the vinyl albums are priced at 5,093 yen (US$41) each. The outfit worn by Utada in the “Bad Mode” music video will also be on display.
In addition, after closing time in the store every night from April 27 to May 1 the Utada Hikaru Mix streaming DJ event will take place, featuring a different DJ and album each night, starting with Taku Takahashi of landmark Japanese hop hop group M-Flo. Each night’s session will be viewable through the official Hikaru Utada staff Instagram account here nightly at 11 p.m.
● April 27: Taku Takahashi
● April 28: TJO
● April 29: Yukibeb
● April 30: DJ Yanatake
● May 1: YonYon
The Hikaru Utada Vinyl Pop-Up Shop will be open from April 26 to May 2.
Related: Tower Records Shibuya
Featured image: Instagram/hikki_staff
Top, insert images: Press release
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2022/04/23/hikaru-utada-releasing-vinyl-version-of-all-albums-pop-up-store-opening-in-shibuya/feed/ 0 584450 UH 0 Tokyo Tower Records store helps avert a wedding proposal disaster when it finds a lost love note https://soranews24.com/2018/08/18/tokyo-tower-records-store-helps-avert-a-wedding-proposal-disaster-when-it-finds-a-lost-love-note/ https://soranews24.com/2018/08/18/tokyo-tower-records-store-helps-avert-a-wedding-proposal-disaster-when-it-finds-a-lost-love-note/#comments Fri, 17 Aug 2018 17:30:31 +0000 http://soranews24.com/?p=422654 
Klutziness can’t foil cupid’s plan, which is saved by clever employees.
If you work in retail and you’re tidying up your store, there are certain things you expect to occasionally find your customers have left behind, like phones, wallets, and handkerchiefs. The situation was a bit more dramatic at a Tokyo Tower Records, though, when the employees found a marriage proposal.
先程お店に
結婚して下さい
というメモが
落ちていました。落としたという方は
スタッフまで
お申し付けください。今日中に落とされた方が
いらっしゃらなかった場合は
スタッフまでの求婚と判断して、
真摯に気持ちを受け止め、お友達から始められたらと考えます。
何卒よろしくお願い致します。 pic.twitter.com/Jd46ByP4FF— TOWERmini ダイバーシティ東京 プラザ店 (@TOWER_Divercity) August 15, 2018
Framed by hearts and written in romantic red ink, the note simply said “Marry me.” However, there was no designated recipient, and so, heart aflutter, the official Twitter account of the Tower Record Diver City branch tweeted:
“We just found a piece of paper saying ‘Marry me’ on the floor of our shop. To the owner of the note, please contact us.
If we don’t hear from you by the end of the day, we’ll assume you want to marry our store staff. We appreciate your feelings, but we’d like to start as friends, and see where the relationship goes.”
Just 30 minutes later, the author of the note, Twitter user @____mttmy, came forward, cringing with embarrassment.
https://twitter.com/____mttmy/status/1029633650365620224
“It’s mine ｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗ
Oh God I’m dying ｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗｗ.”“I put it in the glasses case I loaned to my friend, and my friend must have dropped it. Seriously, this is killing me. I want to get married.”
Then, almost immediately, the intended recipient, Twitter user @2OO3__O227__, joined in.
https://twitter.com/2OO3__O227__/status/1029633440281329666
“I’m the one who dropped the paper. Let’s get married…”
When @2OO3__O227__ opened the case in order to put on the glasses that were inside, the paper fluttered out, apparently undetected until it was found by the Tower Records staff. Now that they knew who it was really meant for, they turned it over to @2OO3__O227__, who came by the store to pick it up.
https://twitter.com/2OO3__O227__/status/1029651406725111808
Both lovebirds offered sincere yet tongue-in-cheek apologies to Tower Records for getting their hopes up. The store took it all in stride, though, tweeting:
“We were able to return the proposal paper to its owner. We were sad to hear that our staff was not being proposed to, but we’re always happy when our customers’ feeling can reach the people, and artists, that they love.”
Don’t worry, Tower Records Odaiba. We’re sure you’ll find your soul mate someday.
Source: Twitter/@TOWER_Divercity (1, 2, 3) via Jin
Top image: Pakutaso
]]> https://soranews24.com/2018/08/18/tokyo-tower-records-store-helps-avert-a-wedding-proposal-disaster-when-it-finds-a-lost-love-note/feed/ 0 422654 TR 1 Japan’s Tower Records allows fans to obsess in style https://soranews24.com/2017/01/12/japans-tower-records-allows-fans-to-obsess-in-style/ https://soranews24.com/2017/01/12/japans-tower-records-allows-fans-to-obsess-in-style/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2017 01:00:33 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=361603
Don’t just stuff your autographs and fan goods into a box – cover your walls with them!
Even if you’re not familiar with the Japanese music scene, you might have heard about how crazy the fans are (and not always in a bad way). They aren’t satisfied with simply listening to music; they want to live it. They attend concerts, meet-and-greets, and pretty much anything that will get them closer to their favorite artists.
Of course, being a fan isn’t cheap. Many fans spend their money on much more than just the concert ticket fee to enjoy their show fully. They purchase merchandise, create posters and banners, and more to show their support. For meet-and-greets, a CD purchase or two is almost always required to get a signature from the bands or groups that you’re into. Even in the age of digital music, Japan loves CDs.
So, where do you put all that stuff? Tower Records, one of Japan’s biggest retail music chains (also famous for its exciting collaboration cafes), has released a line of decorative storage options that lets you not only preserve your memories, but also show them off. Here are seven items that will change your fandom life.
1. Uchiwa Fan Cover
【タワレコうちわカバー（3WAY）2枚セット】
応援グッズとして欠かせない“うちわ”を保存するカバー！袋ごと入れられて、ホコリや傷がつかない！縦横自由に連結ができ、カードリング(別売り)を使えばファイリングも可能！12/22発売 https://t.co/XdB1u8Nrqy pic.twitter.com/T3mh6rBvuN— タワーミニ汐留店 (@TOWER_Shiodome) December 19, 2016
Uchiwa fans are a cheap, easy, and decidedly Japanese way to support your favorite artists. You can buy official ones from the artist’s merchandise shops, or you can make your own by taking a quick trip down to the nearest 100-yen store. It’s often difficult to figure out where to put them once the show is over, though.
Luckily, Tower Records came up with these uchiwa fan covers that are the perfect size. You can preserve just one in a file, or you can attach them both vertically and horizontally to the arrangement of your choice. A pack of two uchiwa fan covers currently goes for 600 yen (US$5.16).
2. Streamer Collection Box
【タワレコグッズ】
見せる収納。
「タワレコ銀テープコレクションBOX」¥864
私も収納してみました。1つに20本の銀テを収納できちゃいます♪
これで棚や机の上などにも飾りやすい！オススメ商品です◎
2個目買わねば〜！(かっぱ) pic.twitter.com/iasQ1vA0Tc— タワーレコード神戸店 (@TOWER_Kobe) November 24, 2016
If you’ve been to an arena or a stadium concert, there’s a good chance you’ve walked home with a shiny streamer labeled with your favorite group’s name and date. To treasure the memories, you could tie it to your bag, hang it as is, or tuck it away for safe keeping.
Another option? You could use Tower Record’s streamer collection box (864 yen). This divided, covered case has 20 slots for 20 glittering streamers. Roll up your streamers neatly and pop them inside. A fair number of fans have expressed their pleasure over the product on social media.
▼ “I put my streamers in this storage thing from Tower Records, and now they look super stylish!”
https://twitter.com/Haruto_x1/status/811178201577721857
▼ I got this at Tower Records! I put all of my streamers in here.”
https://twitter.com/Yukidaruma_RR/status/799673276460957696
3. Streamer Key Holder
年末のコンサートにぜひ！
銀テープをカバンに！腕に！
銀テープホルダー発売中！#タワレコだけで売ってます pic.twitter.com/BgmqvSYpRZ— タワーレコード池袋店 (@TOWER_Ikebukuro) December 24, 2016
There are also fans who want to show off their streamers when they’re on their way to a concert, or even when they’re just out and about. Tower Records also came up with this streamer key holder, available in nine colors, that lets you do just that. You can grab one for just 600 yen.
▼ Here’s what the streamers look like when you put them inside.
https://twitter.com/ichigen0531/status/809245823154274304
4. Button Wall Pocket
お気に入りの缶バッチをウォールポケットに収納すれば、いつでもお部屋で眺められる優れもの！サイズは３種類！缶バッジのサイズに合わせてお選びください！是非チェック♪#グッズ_タワレコ https://t.co/3Y8B1hD8gI pic.twitter.com/DpKvWzynoO
— タワーレコード オンライン (@TOWER_Online) November 11, 2016
This is a product that’s not necessarily limited to music fans, but it sure is helpful to them. Another popular and cheap piece of merchandise from artists is buttons, or tin badges. They typically cost a few hundred yen each. That means it’s easy to build up a surplus of them.
You can stick buttons pretty much everywhere, but why not display them in style? This button wall pocket does just the trick. It comes in three sizes – M, L, and XL – for 1,000 yen each.
5. B2 Size Clear Poster File
This is something I personally can get behind. One of the most popular (and perhaps most difficult to store) forms of merchandise are posters. Posters are typically pretty large – in Japan, they’re most often B2 size (19.7 inches by 27.8 inches).
Tower Records offers extra protection for these fragile keepsakes in the form of file pockets. They’re a little on the pricey side, though; a pack of ten files goes for 3,980 yen at Tower Records’ online shop. If you’re determined to pass that autographed poster down to your future grandchildren, though, it’s worth it.
▼ In case you’re wondering how big they are, here’s a little comparison.
タワレコのB2ポスターファイル届いた
めっちゃデカイʬʬʬ pic.twitter.com/Lerhc02VW6
— NOB（노부） (@nob3250) December 15, 2016
6. A4 File Holders
https://twitter.com/Rig22/status/774236861711515649
Japan loves creating and distributing fliers. That love is shared by business owners and musicians alike. If you’ve been to a concert in Japan before, you’ll probably remember getting a sizable stack of fliers when you got in or out of the venue.
While most of these fliers will end up in the garbage, you’ll also find some worth saving. That’s where the A4 File Holders from Tower Records come in. They come in a pack of 20 for 900 yen. While they may be a bit more expensive than their competitors, customers have said their durability makes up for the slightly steep price.
7. Tower Records Smart Cases
タワレコでＣＤの収納グッズを入手。
戦力外はこちらで管理しておこう。 pic.twitter.com/L1pIZzrFgF— 晩白柚 (@ban_pei_yu) December 6, 2016
This one is for the music lovers with way too many CDs. Tower Records Smart Cases free up space on your CD shelf with one simple trick: slimmer cases. You can put in the CD and album cover as is, but without all the bulk of the original plastic case.
▼ This is what the Smart Case looks like next to a typical CD case.
これすごい！マジでいい！タワレコのスマートケース
花
#世界に一つだけの花 #We_Love_SMAP_Forever pic.twitter.com/fhfIcKlHZa— くろねこ( °―°)
(^～^●) (@BlackCat_n5) February 25, 2016
If you’re an avid music lover, Tower Records is the perfect place to shop for your fan and storage-related needs, and a great place to pick up ideas for interior decoration. And if your fan goods collection happens to include some figurines, we’ve got you covered with this life-hack for storing and displaying your treasured pieces.
Sources: Naver Matome
Featured image: Livedoor/Tower Records Staff Blog
]]> https://soranews24.com/2017/01/12/japans-tower-records-allows-fans-to-obsess-in-style/feed/ 0 361603 tower-records Japanese music stores engage in war of words over idol handshake events https://soranews24.com/2016/03/09/japanese-music-stores-engage-in-war-of-words-over-idol-handshake-events/ https://soranews24.com/2016/03/09/japanese-music-stores-engage-in-war-of-words-over-idol-handshake-events/#comments Wed, 09 Mar 2016 02:08:52 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=307062 
Has music become nothing more than extra content for idol handshake events?
Media consumers in Japan may be more set in their ways than their counterparts in the West, but even still, there have been some big changes in the Japanese music industry over the last 10 years. By far the most significant has been the return of idol groups to the top of the sales charts, as the multi-vocalist units enjoy more success than they ever have before in Japan.
Critics have long grumbled that idol fans are more enthralled by the performers’ looks and personas than their actual singing skill, and that complaint feels even more valid these days. Many idol CDs owe their position at the top of the charts to a clever marketing ploy in which each disc comes with a raffle ticket for a chance at prizes, the most coveted of which is being able to shake hands with the idols at a fan appreciation event. Obviously, the more CDs you buy, the greater your chance to win that coveted right to press palms, and so idol group superfans regularly shell out for multiple copies of new releases.
But while that’s great for idol groups and their production companies, Disc Union, a Japanese retail chain that sells both new and used CDs, seems to think this phenomena is going too far, as evidenced by one of its recent ads.
https://twitter.com/marymarygirly/status/706369674699677696
The Japanese text translates as:
Is music just the extra content you get with a handshake?
Music doesn’t exist so that you can squeeze someone’s hand. It exists to shake your heart.
On one hand, you could call this a powerful plea for music to get back to its original purpose of stirring the emotions through sound alone. But on the other hand, calling out handshake events as running counter to what music is supposed to be about is sort of biting the hand that feeds the Japanese music industry, at least as far as physical media sales are concerned.
Meanwhile, rival chain Tower Records has a much more accepting view of modern idol culture, which it unabashedly trumpets in an ad of its own that features a variant of Tower’s “No music, no life” slogan in Japan.
https://twitter.com/kanade_jt/status/707010902608883712
Music is the extra content you get with a handshake.
What’s wrong with music being the extra content you get with a handshake? After all, handshakes shake people’s hearts too.
It’s worth noting that while both chains are in the business of selling CDs, Tower Records stands to benefit a bit more from idol fans’ love of seeing their, well, idols, in person. Compared to Disc Union locations, Tower Records shops tend to be more spacious, often with areas set aside for mini concerts or meet-and-greet sessions. You may not see A-list musicians there, but Tower Records regularly hosts up-and-coming musicians, budding idol singers included, so if it can help promote new acts, put a smile on their fans’ faces, and sell a few CDs in the process, the company doesn’t seem to be all that concerned whether people are coming in to hear a song or to shake a hand.
Source: Jin
Top image: Twitter/@kanade_jt (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert image: Twitter/@marymarygirly
]]> https://soranews24.com/2016/03/09/japanese-music-stores-engage-in-war-of-words-over-idol-handshake-events/feed/ 0 307062 DT 0 DT 0 DT 1 Tower Records celebrates Super Mario Bros.’ 30th anniversary with cafe and sale https://soranews24.com/2015/06/11/tower-records-celebrates-super-mario-bros-30th-anniversary-with-cafe-and-sale/ Wed, 10 Jun 2015 19:00:11 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=244597 
It’s hard to believe it’s been 30 years since Nintendo first unveiled Super Mario Bros. on the original Japanese NES, or Famicon as it’s known in Japan. With over 200 games and counting, Super Mario has become the best selling video game franchise of all time. We’ve seen the video game icon get sucked into the Mushroom Kingdom to save Princess Peach on countless occasions, and become a legendary go-kart racer and sports athlete, as recapped here.
Mario’s been used to sell everything from Mercedes to Converse, and this time, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the industry-changing Super Mario Bros. video game, Tower Records is teaming up with Mario for a special limited edition cafe and summer sale at participating stores.
Tower Records shoppers who spend 3,000, 5,000, or 10,000 yen (US$24, $40, or $80) at participating stores will receive Mario scratch off tickets that could possibly reveal special discounts and a chance to enter for a Tower Records gift card or limited edition cushion. Shoppers can also earn bonus points and cash in existing points for a cute tote bag, featured below.
But that’s not all! The highlight of Tower Record’s collaboration campaign is a limited edition Super Mario Bros. x Tower Records Cafe event going on between June 22 and and July 5 (exact dates vary by location). During this short period each of Tower Records Cafe’s locations in Tokyo’s Shibuya, Omotesando, and Ebisu districts will have their own special menu of character-themed dishes. Shibuya Tower Records Cafe
▼ Left to right: Blooper’s Squid Ink Pasta, Banana Block Tira Misu, Mario Latte, and Underwater Stage Drink
Omotesando Tower Record Cafe
▼ Left to right: Super Star Rice Omelet, Ground Stage Waffle, Mario Latte, Piranha Plant Soda
Ebisu Tower Dining
▼ Left to right: Bowser’s Taco Rice, Peach Panna Cotta, Bowser’s Castle Drink
Cafe items can be ordered individually or as a full set, and with any purchase of a main dish you’ll receive one of eight limited edition 2.5-dimensional figures and/or one of six limited edition coasters.
Are you ready to chow down yet? I know I am! Mario enthusiasts should also be sure to check out some of the other awesome collaboration merchandise Tower Records is rolling out here, too.
Source: Tower Records
Top image: Tower Records
Insert images: Tower Records (1, 2)
]]> 244597 JF 1 JF 2 towerrecordsmariosale2 towercafemario2 towercafemario3 JF 3 towercafemario We visited the new JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Café and really liked the elevators https://soranews24.com/2015/06/05/we-visited-the-new-jojos-bizarre-adventure-cafe-and-really-liked-the-elevators/ https://soranews24.com/2015/06/05/we-visited-the-new-jojos-bizarre-adventure-cafe-and-really-liked-the-elevators/#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2015 20:30:38 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=243177 
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure fans, listen up! Or don’t because you might walk away a little disappointed. Tokyo’s Tower Records Shibuya location has collaborated with JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Stardust Crusaders to create a café dedicated to JoJo for the month of JuJune.
As much as we wanted it to be like walking into the real-life world of the bestselling manga and anime, unfortunately it didn’t quite meet our expectations. But then again, they were pretty high…
Our cafe-hopping Japanese staff member, Mr. Sato, had the honor of heading over to Shibuya at 8:30am on June 3 to stand in line for the 10am opening of the JoJo Café (as we’ll be referring to it for the sake of ease).
▼ That’s weird. Not only is the line not out the door, but there were only two people in front of him! Lucky!
While waiting to get in, Mr. Sato reminisced about his visit to Funa Café last year. This cafe, dedicated to fairy pear mascot character Funasshi, was similarly a temporary installment, but had exquisitely Funasshi-esque decor and the food was so intricately prepared that your heart would explode from Funasshi cuteness-overload before you even tasted how delicious it was. Needless to say, the Funa Café was a great success and set the standard pretty high for JoJo and friends.
▼ Do you feel completely engrossed in the JoJo world? No, Mr. Sato didn’t either.
Finally, Mr. Sato got into the JoJo Café and was a little underwhelmed by the decorations. There were pictures on the walls and every seat had an animated place mat, but it was not quite as over-the-top as he’d expected.
▼ There are lots of wall decorations though!
▼ That’s a pretty fun place mat.
Maybe instead of decorations, they put most of their effort into preparing wild and crazy food options? Well, not really… The menu is pretty limited and a little on the expensive side. One notable option was the “‘Dio’s dripping blood’ bloody orange juice with ‘Do you remember how many slices of bread you’ve eaten until now?’ English-style roast beef sandwich set,” priced at 1,800 yen (US$14.50).
▼ Being only 10am, Mr. Sato settled for the “Jotaro Ora Ora Chai” (with coaster) for 750 yen ($6).
Mr. Sato’s bizarre adventure was not quite over though, as he had yet to see the gift shop and anime exhibit on the 8th floor. While the interior decoration of the café was not quite as he expected, Mr. Sato was excited to see that the elevator doors on every floor were fully decked out in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Stardust Crusaders advertisements.
▼ The 8th floor anime exhibition was also pretty good and fans of the series would be pretty pleased with it.
▼ If you go, make sure to check out the elevators on every floor!
While the JoJo Café was not quite as outlandish as we’d hoped and expected after the Funa Café, it was still definitely a themed café that any die-hard JoJo fan would appreciate. And in the end, one has to remember that Funasshi is a pretty hard act to follow.
Tower Records Shibuya meets JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Stardust Crusaders
Open: June 3- 21 (Café), June 3-30 (Exhibit)
Hours: 10 AM- 11 PM (One hour time limit during rush)
Photos © RocketNews24
]]> https://soranews24.com/2015/06/05/we-visited-the-new-jojos-bizarre-adventure-cafe-and-really-liked-the-elevators/feed/ 0 243177 jojocafe1 jojocafe3 jojocafe2 jojocafe41 jojocafe7 jojocafe6 jojocafe5 jojocafe11 jojocafe13 jojocafe12