Thrifting in Okubo, Kyoto

I enjoy thrifting more than shopping for new goods. There's something fun about wandering into a shop where you have no idea what you'll stumble upon. Or being on the hunt for that one elusive item you've yet to find. Japan is great for this as re-sold used items are usually in immaculate condition and the shops well-organized. On this grey January day, I ventured out to a couple of shops I'd had bookmarked for a while.

 

This was the agenda. A 30-minute train ride from Nara to a Kyoto suburb. Then a 20-minute stroll to our destination.

The soundtrack for the train ride was the album 'Lounge Designers Killer' by capsule.

When I got off the train, it just began sleeting. Let's take a quick bus ride to the shop instead. I hate taking new busses. So many procedures I'm not yet accustomed to.

Today's target was this 'Eco-Town', made up of an Off-House, Hard-Off, and Hobby-Off. Go ahead and snicker.

They do exist!

Wall of 100 yen CDs and DVDs.

Judy and Mary are a great band. Look them up.

No idea. But how could I resist? Review to follow.

Well, if the person who bought discs 1 and 2 doesn't return for the rest, this store is screwed.

100 yen retro grames, thoughtfully arranged for easy perusing. 

It wasn't until I got home that I realized I already owned 'All-Star Pro-Wrestling' parts 1 and 2. Collection complete!

I bought about 25 EPs, 100 yen each.

Why did the clerk let me buy 2 of the same record?

Shit! I already own this record! This is why I should always consult my Discogs library when buying records.

野球 jerseys.

10 packs of incense for 500 yen?! No-brainer.

Across the street was a Book-Off. No relation. Seriously, they are not owned by the same company. Instead, the owners are just friends who share the branding.

You said it, not me.

600 yen? Okay. That's worth me checking out what the Japanese subtitles look like.

What the crap? Episodes 4-13? Why would they cover that with the sticker? Nowhere else on the box did it say which episodes were (and weren't) included!

Music for the train ride home. For far too long, I've overlooked Public Enemy's first album, 'YO! Bum Rush The Show', for their second album masterpiece. But recently, I've come to greatly appreciate Chuck D's youthful exuberance on this album. Especially this track.