Kyoto

It’s not unusual to see highly creative artists in their twenties partying alongside the veterans who helped build the scene’s foundation.
I’m grateful that Kyoto continues to have such an open and welcoming environment, where age barriers rarely exist.
Personally, I’d love to see the various scenes intermingle even further, leading to new mutations and fresh sounds.

Kyoto is a city filled with students and young creatives, where historical culture and contemporary music naturally intersect.
Diverse scenes coexist around live houses, clubs, and small bars, including hip-hop, jazz, reggae, electronic music, and world music.
One of Kyoto’s greatest strengths is its independent DIY spirit, which exists beyond purely commercial motivations.

My hometown of Chengdu has become increasingly exciting in recent years, not only for Hip Hop and Electronic Music, but also for its growing vinyl culture and listening-bar scene.
Around the Yulin district in particular, cafés, record shops, bars, and live houses are naturally connected, fostering communities that transcend genre boundaries.
There is also a strong DIY ethos, with many independent events and alternative parties where younger generations are creating their own unique culture.
At the same time, urban development and regulations can make it difficult for small venues to survive, but Chengdu’s charm lies in the fact that new spaces and movements continue to emerge despite these challenges.