In 2024, PARCO celebrated 55 years of cultural impact and innovation. To mark this milestone, the year has been filled with special events, including a unique program featuring Yumi Matsutoya and PARCO Bunkasai, organized by Mirai Moriyama and Jin Ohnishi. A standout initiative, PARCO RADIO WAVE, brought together PARCO and five radio stations in a creative collaboration. The theme “Re:Memories” encapsulates the idea of revisiting and sharing PARCO’s rich history of promoting diverse cultures, using radio as a medium for storytelling and connection with listeners.
On November 18, 2024, J-WAVE’s GRAND MARQUEE took a deep dive into PARCO’s influence with Nariaki Obukuro, a London-based singer-songwriter known for curating Shibuya PARCO’s BGM and hosting DJ events. Obukuro shared his personal journey with PARCO from childhood to present day, as well as his aspirations for his future as a DJ, exploring how this iconic space has shaped his musical path.
INDEX
Memories at Urawa PARCO
Celeina (MC): Welcome to J-WAVE’s GRAND MARQUEE. Today, as part of the PARCO 55th anniversary project, we have Nariaki Obukuro as our guest.
Obukuro: It is true; it might be the first time we’re talking directly. You’re joining us remotely from London today. How is the autumn season there?
Celeina：It is true that this may be the first time for us to talk in person. You are speaking to us remotely from London today. How is autumn in London?
Note: Nariaki Obukuro leads FLIP SIDE PLANET, which has a segment within GRAND MARQUEE.
Obukuro: London is already in winter. Right now, it’s 9°C, and it’s expected to reach 12°C later, but the skies remain cloudy. No matter how many years pass, I never get used to this cold.
Nariaki Obukuro is an artist born in Saitama, Japan and lives in London, England. Founder of TOKA Inc.
Takano (MC): How long have you been living in London now?
Obukuro: It’s almost been six years, so it’s been a while since I last spoke Japanese.
Takano: Today, I’d like to talk a lot with you, Mr. Obukuro, focusing on PARCO as our key theme. Thank you for joining us.
Celeina: When did you first visit PARCO?
Obukuro: There was a PARCO in front of my hometown station, Urawa, and I started to become aware of it in high school. When I began commuting by train, PARCO became a symbol of the nearest station. I would stop by Tower Records or go to watch movies.
Celeina：What kind of movies did you watch back then?
Obukuro： I can’t really remember. Recently, I went to see Shin Evangelion: The Movie, especially since I worked on a remix of Utada’s famous song “Beautiful World (Da Capo Version),” which was used in the film’s ending.
Takano: With movie theaters and performance venues, PARCO is definitely a hub for culture.
Obukuro: The Urawa PARCO also has a library, so I often borrowed books there. (※)
※Editor’s Note: The Saitama City Central Library is located on the 8th floor of Comnal, the station building where Urawa PARCO is situated.
Takano: That’s wonderful. When I was in high school, I used to go to the PARCO in Kichijoji. I bought things like miscellaneous goods and clothes, and they even had a flea market on the rooftop. It was always fun to watch.
Celeina: For me, I think my first experience was going to the Shibuya PARCO when I was in upper elementary school.
Takano: It’s clear that PARCO is an integral part of the city.
Obukuro: Each store has its own regional character, too.
Takano: It would be interesting to compare them across different cities.
