To celebrate the first anniversary of Feel Records Kyoto Hanare in April 2025, we hosted a special event titled “METRO de Night?” at Kyoto’s iconic club, METRO. As part of the festivities, we launched an Instagram campaign open to attendees, with a unique prize: an exclusive Feel Records Experience Tour. After a careful selection process, we invited Mr. Yoshida from Kyoto City to join us on this memorable journey.

Mr. Yoshida has been a vinyl enthusiast for over 55 years, a passion sparked by his father, who was deeply into audio equipment. He also enjoys exploring places that make use of traditional Kyoto townhouses (Kyo-machiya), a hobby that eventually led him to discover Feel Records Kyoto Hanare—a renovated Kyo-machiya with over 100 years of history. Drawn to the fusion of records and heritage architecture, Mr. Yoshida has visited us several times over the past year.

This tour marked his first visit to the Feel Records location near the JICO headquarters. Like many of our guests, he enjoyed a rich lineup of experiences: listening to vinyl records in a high-quality audio environment, savoring a meal made with ingredients sourced from the Tajima region, and touring our factory, where record needles are meticulously crafted by hand.

Hamasaka (now part of Shinonsen Town), where Feel Records is located, also holds special memories for Mr. Yoshida. Thanks to a family acquaintance, he used to visit the seaside town every summer from high school through college. This trip was his first return in decades, and he was visibly moved as he took in the familiar sights with a sense of nostalgia.

Mr. Yoshida’s journey with vinyl began with his discovery of The Beatles, and he continues to enjoy records to this day. What he looked forward to most on this tour was the opportunity to spend time in our dedicated listening room, which features two distinct audio systems.

When asked about his favorite genres, Mr. Yoshida said he listens to a wide range—rock, jazz, soul, Latin, and more. His deep love for music was evident in how difficult it was for him to narrow down his preferences.

For the tour, Mr. Yoshida brought along two records: Chiraberu Sōtaisei Riron by Sōtaisei Riron and Brilliant Trees by David Sylvian. We were especially surprised—and delighted—to learn that Masashi Yoshida, the bassist for Sōtaisei Riron, is his son. It’s clear that his passion for music has had a lasting influence on his family.

Mr. Yoshida, who says he listens to vinyl when he wants to engage with music on a deeper level, tried both audio setups in the listening room. He remarked on the subtle differences in sound and reflected on how personal preferences, equipment, and the music itself all come together to create a unique experience. “I could have listened all day,” he said with a smile.

Following the listening session, Mr. Yoshida joined a guided tour of the factory. He watched our skilled craftspeople hand-assemble ultra-fine components that go into each record needle—some so small they require a magnifying glass to see. Seeing the precision and care that goes into every step of the process left a lasting impression on him and was one of the highlights of the day.

The tour concluded with a seasonal kaiseki bento lunch made with local ingredients from the Tajima region. Prepared by local chefs, the meal offered a taste of regional flavors and thoughtful presentation. Since he participated alone this time, Mr. Yoshida mentioned that he’d love to return with his wife and share the experience over a meal.

Having spent nearly 60 years manufacturing record needles, it has now been over a year and a half since we began our new venture with Feel Records. In that time, we’ve had the joy of meeting many passionate music lovers like Mr. Yoshida, and we’ve been grateful to share so many meaningful moments.

We will continue to nurture the connections forged through vinyl and aim to create experiences that celebrate both music and craftsmanship. We look forward to welcoming more music enthusiasts to Feel Records.