日本を舞台にした映画『パーフェクト・デイズ』はアカデミー賞を逃したものの、アメリカでも評判がよかった。主人公が古い音楽をカセットテープで聴くシーンが共感を呼び、アナログメディアへの需要が続いている。カリフォルニア州オレンジシティのアンティークショップでは懐かしい品々が見つかる。80年代のエンターテイメント関連商品や音楽、映画に特化した店もあり、懐かしい思い出を楽しむことができる。アメリカ観光の際には、アンティークショップめぐりもおすすめ。
Written and photographed by Tsuyoshi Kadotani (Overseas Writers Club / Writer residing in the United States)
While missing out on an Academy Award, Wim Wenders’ film ‘Perfect Days’ set in Japan received acclaim in the United States. Many cultural figures in both Japan and the U.S. resonated with the main character, Hirayama, played by Koji Yakusho, who listened to old music from the 1970s on cassette tapes.
Even after streaming became the primary way to play music and videos, there is still a high demand for analog format media like vinyl records, cassette tapes, and video cassettes. Hardware is still required for playback.
In the film, there is a scene where Hirayama and his son visit a store that deals in second-hand cassette tapes. There, they find Hirayama’s old cassette tapes being sold at surprisingly high prices.
While some may view old items as junk, others might find them extremely valuable.
Located in Orange City, California, there is an area called Old Town, situated about 50 kilometers southeast from Downtown Los Angeles. Anchored by a circular square known as The Circle, the area is lined with small and large antique shops.
One of the most famous buildings there is the “ORANGE CIRCLE ANTIQUE MALL.” While the exterior appears historic, inside, more than 100 small shops are intricately divided. Perhaps there is some semblance of order, but it feels quite chaotic.
Each shop offers a wide array of products, ranging from clothing, shoes, accessories, paintings, books, sports equipment, toys, furniture, dinnerware, tools, electronics, and many unidentified items. One thing they have in common is their age. The prices are reasonable.
What stands out most to me is the entertainment-related products like LP records, cassette tapes, posters, and T-shirts.
At the time John Lennon passed away in 1980, I was 13 years old and by the time the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, I was 22. Having lived through the 80s as a teenager, I am truly a child of the 80s.
You can sing along to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” on the air or even imitate choreography and dance moves when no one is watching. I cherished my USA For Africa T-shirt and watched the original ‘Top Gun’ movie in theaters over 10 times. I aspired to own Nike’s popular sneakers, the early models of Air Jordans, but I couldn’t afford them back then.
Nostalgic items from the 80s are packed in cardboard boxes or elegantly displayed in showcases, evoking the atmosphere of that era.
There may not be many articles about the 80s, but those who are knowledgeable about the music and movies of that era are drawn to it. While Hirayama has a lot of cassette tapes of his favorite music from the 1970s, I’m sure he also has even older items like James Dean posters or Beach Boys LPs to appreciate.
You might find a once-in-a-lifetime treasure or end up regretting buying junk items later. Different people have different values.
At the very least, antique shops offer a different kind of excitement and stimulation than regular shopping. You might even find unique souvenirs.
Even people who have no interest in old items might find exploring the Old Town of Orange City enjoyable. There are plenty of retro cafes and restaurants, allowing you to spend half a day feeling like you’ve stepped back in time.
Orange City is conveniently located in close proximity to Anaheim City, where Disneyland and Angel Stadium are located. The Old Town lined with antique shops is within walking distance from the Amtrak station. Why not stop by when visiting Los Angeles? Of course, touring Los Angeles while visiting antique shops is also a great idea.
Former Orange Circle Shopping Center
118 S Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866
Written by Tsuyoshi Kadotani
A Japanese-born writer residing in the United States. After graduating from high school in the U.S. and university in Japan, he worked in the IT industry in both countries for 25 years. He later transitioned to coaching, his passion, and has contributed to various Japanese media outlets. A member of the Overseas Writers Club, a group of Japanese writers living in over 100 countries worldwide (https://www.kaigaikakibito.com/).