TOWER RECORDS LIVES!... IN JAPAN

The entrance of Tower Records in Kyoto,
on the 9th floor of OPA Building,
 in Shijo Kawaramachi (Kyoto's shopping district).

Remember the days when Tower Records ruled the roost? It was like going to a supermarket, except what you were buying were classical CDs, with forty-seven different versions of Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto to choose from! 

Tears were shed when the chain closed in USA (I've actually been to the famous San Francisco outlet near Fisherman's Wharf and the Lincoln Centre outlet in New York City) and the two outlets in Singapore (Pacific Plaza and Suntec City) both pulled down their shutters for good.

The good news is that Tower Records lives again, but in Japan. Actually it never closed down in the Land of the Rising Sun. Digital downloading has yet to catch up in a big way in East Asia, so physical CD recordings are still selling, but for how much longer? 

There are far more classical CDs here,
than in HMV Oxford Street, London. 

Empty spaces, Empty corridors.
One thing Tower still persists in doing is
to play heavy metal at highest possible decibel levels.
Are they trying to drive customers away? 
(Not that they needed help anyway.)

Neatly arranged CDs, but not in any
discernible or alphabetical order.
In the one-hour or so I spent at the classical section,
I was the only person browsing. A sign of the times?

The music section of Kyoto Yodobashi,
massive department store near Kyoto Station.

More CDs on display. CDs in their Japanese pressings
retail at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Most reissues go at 1000-1200 Yen plus tax.

A selfie for the family. My son had never heard
of Tower Records in all his life.
That's how bad the CD retail industry has become. 

THE COLOURS OF AUTUMN Part 2

A sea of vermilion, along the Path of Philosophy,
near Nanzenji Temple. (29 Nov 14)

More ridiculously beautiful pictures of autumn leaves in Kyoto, Japan. Winter is about to arrive, and there is a sudden chill when the temperature drops from 12 to 2 degrees Celcius. The trees just don't know it yet, but they soon will. In the meantime, its paradise for photographers.

The view from the Hondo of Kiyomizudera Temple,
of the Pagoda of "easy births". (30 Nov 14)

Kiyomizudera floating in a sea of maples.

The garden of Kodaiji Temple. (30 Nov 14)

Has a picture of a ditch looked this beautiful?
Outside Tofukuji Temple (30 Nov 14)

More of Tofukuji 

The covered bridge at Tofukuji,
viewed from another covered bridge.

When it snows petals....
Near Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara (1 Dec 14)

The splendid and free
Yoshikien Garden, Nara

Another beautiful ditch, Yoshikien Garden

Autumn scene, Yoshikien Garden

Spring water, Gioji Temple in Sagano (2 Dec 14)

Last blades of autumn, Shoren-in (3 Dec 14)

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010: Day 19 (29 June 2010)

Second Round:

PARAGUAY 0 - JAPAN 0

(Paraguay won 5-3 on penalties)

Honestly, both teams had surpassed expectations by making it this far. However there had to be one winner in a match that looked like 0-0 from the outset. Both teams defended stoutly and lacked lethal finishing. If only Matsui's strike had curved under the bar... Paraguay were perfect in the penalty shoot-out while Japan rued Komano's miss. While there are still hopes for an all-South American semi-finals, I do not see Paraguay getting past Spain in the quarter finals. Rating: 2/5

SPAIN 1 - PORTUGAL 0

El Classico! In the clash of the Iberian heavyweights, it was Spain that prevailed over Portugal. The match could have gone either way, with Portugal getting better chances in the first half, but it was Spain's dominance in the second half that counted. Goalie Eduardo kept the score respectable with a string of great saves, before David Villa's (who else?) decisive coup de grace. Cristiano Ronaldo was anonymous (other than the spitting incident) and that summed up Portugal's poor evening. Rating: 4/5

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010: Day 14 (24 June 2010)

SLOVAKIA 3 - ITALY 2

NEW ZEALAND 0 - PARAGUAY 0

GROUP F:
Forget North Korea 1966, South Korea 2002, Slovakia 2010 will be remembered as the biggest humiliation of the fabled Azzuri. The World Champions of 2006 have been ignominiously dumped out of the World Cup, finishing bottom of their group behind the likes of minnows New Zealand, Slovakia and Paraguay. Defensive lapses resulted in ALL three Slovakian goals, the last seeing sub Kamil Kopunek ghosting in from a throw-in to lob the ball over the hapless Marchetti. Marchetti is without a doubt Italy's Bonetti. Marcello Lippi and gang go home to another rotten tomato reception. The Kiwis, undefeated in this campaign have a lot to be proud about. Rating: 4.5/5

JAPAN 3 - DENMARK 1

HOLLAND 2 - CAMEROON 1

GROUP E:
Another shock, the Japanese down the Danes with two Braziliant free-kicks from Honda and Endo. Rivelino and Roberto Carlos would have been mighty proud. There will be no comeback for Jon Dahl Tomasson and company, who were brilliant against Cameroon but were overwhelmed by Japan's incessant attacks which resembled a raid on Pearl Harbour. Holland were efficient, with Cameroon and Samuel Eto'o disappointing greatly yet again. They will be the only African team that go hone with zero points. Rating: 4/5

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010: Day 9 (19 June 2010)

NETHERLANDS 1 - JAPAN 0

The Dutch do it again, without too much flair. Japan are the next victims to the accursed Jabulani ball, with goalkeeper Kawashima making a hash of Wesley Sneijder's stinger. The Oranje go through, while Japan needs to beat the Danes next.

AUSTRALIA 1 - GHANA 1

The Ozzies have another man sent off - this time its Harry Kewell for an unintentional handball. They gain a handy single point whilst the Black Stars cannot finish them off. An unlikely win was even possible, but Luke Wilkshire shot straight into the Ghana's Kingson. Australia aren't out of it yet. Rating: 3.5/5

DENMARK 2 - CAMEROON 1

Like Nigeria before them, Cameroon blow a one goal lead and look likely to be eliminated. Very good goals from Bendtner and Rommedahl make the difference, while Eto'o's miss thanks to the crossbar looks very costly now. Rating: 3.5/5

FIFA WORLD CUP 2010: Day 4 (14 June 2010)

NETHERLANDS 2 - DENMARK 0

Missed this as I had opted to watch The Karate Kid with my son instead. No big loss and it wasn't the biggest of surprises. An own goal and Kuyt strike after some a good run by debutant Elia. Holland should top this group unless Japan and Cameroon can change things. Rating: N.A.

JAPAN 1 - CAMEROON 0

Cameroon were disappointing, with Samuel Et'oo employed out of position. Japanese defence was solid, and capitalised on a defensive lapse to score the only goal from Honda. Predictable headlines expected, so I'll add my own "HONDA MOTORS JAPAN TO THREE POINTS". Let's see what they can do against in Dutch. Rating: 3/5

ITALY 1 - PARAGUAY 1

World Champions my foot! The Azzuri are just not good enough to retain the Cup. Paraguay scored first and hung on till De Rossi's equaliser. Both goals came from set-pieces. New Zealand or Slovakia might just go top of this group. Rating: 2.5/5