Retro Hobbies
Pinball
Have you ever played pinball on a real machine?
Do you think pinball is becoming more or less popular (in Japan or globally)?
Stern Pinball, the largest pinball machine maker in the world says their sales bottomed out in 2008. Since then sales have increased by at least 15% each year.
In 2023 they had to move to a larger factory which is double in size.
bottom out = (verb) = to hit the lowest point. Opposite of “peak”
Machines will usually cost between 6 to $12,000
How do you think the pandemic affected their sales?
people needed an indoor hobby at home during the pandemic
nostalgia - the generation who loved pinball as kids now have disposable income and want to try their childhood hobbies. They will also visit bars that have pinball machines
Now the machines will upload your scores online immediately so you can compete with people globally
Back to the future
Jaws
James Bond
Venom
Harry Potter
Black Sabbath
Ozzy Ozborne
Top Gun
Foo Fighters
The Goonies
Stern publishes the most popular themes for the machines each year.
Most are connected to movies or bands.
We can see the age of their customers from the list:
(Pokemon is number 15)
Do you know anyone who knits?
Is knitting cool?
Why do you think knitting is more popular now?
indoors
stress
youtube
instagram
People learn new techniques from youtube
People can show off their designs on instagram and get “likes”
Surprisingly for me, knitting podcasts have also become really popular! Why?
Some people find it hard to find other knitting friends and want to chat about their hobby
They can listen while knitting
Podcast hosts will organize meet ups
Records
Have you ever owned a record player?
When you were younger how did you listen to music? (records, cassettes, CD’s, MDs)
What’s the difference between that format and your current one?
In the US, do you think people buy more CD’s or records?
Can you guess how many record stores are in Kichijoji?
Record sales have been rising for 17 years in a row
In 2021 and 2022 record sales were higher than CD sales (for the first time in 30 years)
Kichijoji seems to have 7 record shops
Why do you think records have become so popular?
Reasons:
Some people believe the sound quality is better… especially compared to digital
People who used to own records (and now have more disposable income) are buying them again… however in the US millennials buy the most records
People like the ritual of hunting for an LP. Taking it out of the sleeve and placing it on the record player
Do you think owning a record player is cool?
Did you have any hobbies when you were younger that aren’t popular these days?
Can you think of any other retro hobbies that may make a comeback?
make a comeback = become popular again
