Nestled in the heart of Europe, the small nation of Luxembourg boasts a population of around 670,000. Despite its size, it is renowned for its highly developed financial services sector, which contributes to one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world. The historic district and fortress of Luxembourg City have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, captivating visitors with their historical significance and beauty.
In February 2025, Feel Records visited Luxembourg, a place where history and modernity converge, to promote the Tajima region and foster cultural exchange.
PR Event at a Shopping Mall
At Luxembourg’s largest shopping center, “Belval Plaza,” Feel Records established a DJ set within the Tajima region’s exhibition booth to conduct promotional activities.
The sound of records playing from the turntable seemed to capture the attention of many, as rare as it was to hear in Luxembourg. A significant number of visitors were particularly drawn to records featuring Studio Ghibli works, indicating a wide-reaching appreciation for Japanese animation across borders.
Showcasing Tajima’s Charms through Records and Food
Following four days of promotional activities at the shopping mall, we organized another event at the popular Japanese restaurant “Kamakura” in Luxembourg, where Feel Records showcased more of its offerings.
With local DJ “Miss Sappho” selecting records, attendees enjoyed Japanese cuisine that featured seasonings from the Tajima-based food manufacturer “Tokiwa,” alongside sake from the brewery “Buntarō.” This fusion of records and Japanese culinary culture attracted many who are interested in Japan, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere throughout the event.
Participants engaged in various activities including experiences with dropping the needle on a record, a DJ challenge, and games involving identifying used record needles.
Many attendees were amazed by the sound quality differences provided by JICO’s record needles, especially the warm tones produced by “KUROGAKI,” which uses a wooden cantilever. It was heartening to see some choosing JICO needles as gifts for friends, while others resolved to purchase record players, marking a successful opportunity to cultivate new fans of JICO and vinyl records.
The Current State of Record Culture in Luxembourg
In Luxembourg, where a rich cultural heritage coexists with an advanced economy, there is a significant number of audio enthusiasts, similar to other European countries. As a result, we were able to garner high regard for JICO.
However, many older individuals expressed a lack of opportunities to listen to records, and numerous young people showed interest in records as a fashion statement, reflecting trends similar to those in Japan. By allowing them to experience the sound quality differences provided by record needles, we sparked renewed interest in vinyl.
Moreover, through our interactions in Luxembourg, we observed a genuine curiosity about Japan among many people. It seems, however, that opportunities to engage with Japanese culture are few. Our exchange through the culinary heritage of the Tajima region presented a valuable opportunity for many to discover more about Japan.
We hope that this visit serves as a bridge between Luxembourg and Japan, encouraging many to visit Tajima and Feel Records in the future.
