HYPER LOCAL NAGOYA
Ah, high school – when being a teenager in late 90s Japan was practically a full-time gig. No smartphones, no compliance regulations – just a bunch of wild kids hitting the streets and taking the city by storm! But enough reminiscing. As part of our “My Hyperlocal Memory” series, we’re taking a stroll down memory lane of Sakae, a central district of Nagoya, with our old school buddies to revisit the landmarks that made our teenage years in Nagoya unforgettable. This content is super personal, but we encourage you all to relate it to your own high school experiences! We are sure we can all share a similar feeling of nostalgia when we think back on those formative years.
*Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are solely our own!
The post-class routine is to head to “Sakae”! That was the classic routine!
Ah, for most high schoolers in Nagoya, “Sakae” was everything back then! We’d go there every day, with no real plan or purpose, just to hang out, meet girls, and explore the endless options of karaoke, cafes, and more. Looking back, it may seem like we didn’t do much, but back then, it was everything! Those memories of wandering around Sakae, trying to find something to do, will always be a cherished part of our high school years.
“Gather at Crystal Plaza!” It’s like a secret password that opens the door to all the fun and excitement in the city!
Meeting up at Crystal Plaza and heading out to the streets of Sakae was the norm for us high schoolers back in the 90s. We’d check our hairstyles in the plaza’s restrooms and rendezvous with our buddies or that special someone. This was the epitome of being a 90s high schooler!
Ah, the shops of the past! They disappear so quickly, it’s like they were never there at all. The only proof we have of their existence is in our memories.
In the past, hitting up the legendary karaoke spot “Mozart,” or “Moz” for short, was a party essential, but now the city’s landscape has changed so much that finding the location can be a real challenge. From gathering at Moz for a revelry, to hanging out at the infamous “Ura-Mac” McDonald’s, and impressing dates over Hagen-Dazs ice cream, those were the good old days! As we revisit the once-popular spots that have since vanished, a flood of memories from that era comes rushing back to us.
It was a time when we could just hang out without buying anything, yet still be seen as cool.
In the past, Parco was the holy grail for high schoolers, boasting an array of fashion brands and music from Tower Records. Meanwhile, Loft was a hub for young people, who gravitated to the trendy Beams store for the latest fashion. And when it came to finding stylish stationery, postcards, or posters. Ah, the nostalgia!
Sakae is evolving from a place for the youth to a more family-friendly destination.
Back in the day, Yaba Park had a certain sketchy vibe to it. Nowadays, it’s like an oasis for families with kids in the middle of the city. Talk about a cruel twist of fate – what happened to all the hoodlums and miscreants? Did they just grow up and become responsible adults? It’s bittersweet to see the changes taking place, as we reminisce about the days when Sakae was bursting with youthful energy and excitement. But at the same time, it’s heartwarming to see more and more families making memories in Sakae, this once-youngster-dominated city.
