CASE.1 Kuramae Kuramae is a blend of the old and the new.
PROFILE
She was a vocalist in the 4-piece band "yonawo" formed in her hometown Fukuoka in 2017, left the band in 2023, and is now a singer-songwriter. Her first solo tour "Hitoribotchi Tour" will start in June and take her to 16 locations throughout Japan. Instagram:@araaraaratani
PROFILE
He is also active as a photographer, directing, shooting, and editing video works. He has been involved in a wide range of productions, including music videos for major artists and brand music videos. His documentary film "Our Beautiful Playground" was shown at the Zushi Beach Film Festival in 2022. Instagram:@kai_vibes251
PROFILE
He runs three cafes/restaurants: Common in Roppongi, Echoes in Sendai, and PART COFFEE ROASTER in Shizuoka. ROASTER" in Shizuoka. With the philosophy of "opening up the landscape," he creates places where people, culture, and values meet, using food, music, art, events, and hotels as content. Follow us on Instagram:@gakuho_sato
Where do the three of you get together when you play?
Sato: Mostly in the Shibuya area. When I say play, I often end up going out for a drink.
Tada: Last time we hung out in Shimokita. We went to a friend's concert and then went out for drinks.
Araya: But we both live over here, so we want to drink around here.
Sato: There are so many good places to eat. There are many good places to eat, such as izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) with a traditional downtown atmosphere.
Tada: Yes, I would. I would love to drink here because there are so many places where you can feel the love in each dish.
Araya: I long to be in a restaurant like that. The atmosphere of downtown Tokyo is similar to that of my hometown, Fukuoka, and there is a sense of nostalgia.
Do you come to Kuramae often?
Araya: I come here from time to time. I have even come to the cafe on the corner there. I like it because there are many good old stores, but also many fashionable ones.
Do you ever go for a walk in Kuramae?
Sato: I like walking and sometimes walk as far as Ueno. This area is a fun town to walk around. The streets are laid out like a grid, making it easy to walk, and the look of the town changes as the streets change. It is an interesting mix of old and new stores.
Tada: I like taking pictures, so I often walk around here. I like Shibuya, but Kuramae is totally different from Shibuya in terms of stores, people, and lifestyle. Just walking around here is fun.
Araya: There's the color of the city. It's both old and current.
Sato: I like to take the long way home and walk along the Sumida River. I feel that the river is good for something like luck. The river is calm, the breeze is pleasant, and I feel refreshed.
Tada: It feels good just to walk around, doesn't it? The view from the Sumida River is always so beautiful that it makes me want to come.
The Sumida River is certainly a pleasant place to be. Do you often create songs at home or in a studio? Do you ever think about lyrics in a pleasant place like the Sumida River?
Araya: Basically, I am in the studio most of the time. But sometimes I walk outside while listening to music and think about lyrics. The change of scenery stimulates me to discover new things, and sometimes I get inspired. If I stay indoors at my desk, I get stuck in my thoughts. It might be a good idea to come to the Sumida River.
