Day 12 (Feb 8): Otaru 2 Part 2 - Music Boxes

Location: Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan
Weather: -2 deg + snow shower
Author: Amy

As promised, here's the Special on Music Boxes! We went to several places that showcased (and sells) all sorts of music boxes. Can't remember what the places we went to were called (and I probably couldn't read it anyway).

Anyway, the first place we went to had a lot of antique music boxes. Back when music boxes were first made, they were the size of tables and grandfather clocks!!!

Tall music boxes on left, desk-like music boxes on right and smaller ones at the end

More music boxes. Pretty big, huh?

A piano on the left. I wonder if this was one of the ones that can play by itself...

Other displays. Not sure what they were meant to represent but I think these are still music boxes.

Old style music box. The round disc is what makes the music as it rotates and hits the needles.


A smaller-sized music box. Maybe made during modern-er times? It is still bigger than a toolbox.

The mechanics of how a music box works. The left cylinder rotates and the sharp protruding knobs on the cylinder comes in contact with the 'needles' on the right and produces beautiful sounds. I love music boxes!

How music boxes were made. The knobs on the cylinder appear to be manually inserted! Think about how complex the notes and how precise the maker would need to be to produce so many harmonious melodies with the right timing!

Glass music boxes. These were my favourite. I liked the 'Beauty and the Beast' melody and the 'Canon in D' melody.

I took a video of the music box playing 'Canon in D'. Reckon it's infringement of copyright?

The music boxes were so expensive. The ones I liked (glass ones above) were more than 50,000 yen!!! That's like a grand in AUD (bloody exchange rate...)

More music boxes

LET'S TAKE A BREAK!

It was pretty cold and snowy outside so we detoured to a place that sold lots of chocolates. For 70 yen, we got a custard cream puff and a free hot coffee! So that helped warm us up a bit. I was pretty surprised but the coffee was actually pretty delicious! Although I'm not a coffee drinker, I found that particular one much to my liking.

Time out for a sweet treat



BACK TO THE COLD STREETS....

After admiring the music boxes at this place (and cursing the prices), we went to another place with more modern-style music boxes.

Welcome!

We have lots to offer! Take your time (and lots of pics!)

View from the top (Chrissie's cam captures pics in yellow lighting)

Pretty globe music boxes. Don't break them, Chrissie!!!

Amy staying at a safe distance

A close-up. I think it was a dragon?

A music box that lights up and changes colours

More glass ornaments...

...and trinkets

Glass Santa!

Gorgeous!!

Remind you of Aladdin?

Those were just the ones on the ground floor. We went up to the next floor to Chrissie's favourite section. But before that, a brief interlude...

SILLY CHRISSIE!!!


LET'S CONTINUE, SHALL WE?

As mentioned previously, we went to Chrissie's favourite section which was a lot of metalwork featuring clocks, wall ornaments, mirrors, etc.

Welcome to Chrissie's favourite area! Chrissie went trigger happy around here.

Chrissie Cam

Chrissie Cam again. She liked this centerpiece so...

Amy Cam: Chrissie and fav centrepiece.

Trigger happy Chrissie Cam again.

Me taking a pic of Chrissie taking a pic. See result below.

Cute owls, hey?

Owls are featured a lot in this section.






Me amusing myself

Chrissie and her Prince Charming. She's waiting for him to grow up.

I liked the lamps they used for decorations. If I had a nice big house, I would fill it up with these types of lamps. Something I'm sure Danny wouldn't like so out the window THAT thought goes...

My study lamp...

Danny's study lamp...

Visitor's room lamp?

A little carousel for fun...

My bedside lamp...

And here I am again, amusing myself... I didn't realise it was a mirror until after I took the shot.

THIS is going to the children's room!!!

Here's what our nursery will look like.

In another section, even more goodies!!

Even more!

I love these ones. They can also be used as jewellery boxes. But could possibly cost more than whatever jewellery I actually own... Hmm... Danny? *hint hint*

Close-up

We thought we were taking too many pics without us in it, so got the kind shop assistant to take pictures for us. I've asked so many times, I think I remember it in Japanese...

Chrissie taking pic of a gold carousel.
Amy being funny again and taking pics of Chrissie taking pics

The end result. Gorgeous hey?

But don't think that all the music boxes are just beautiful, ornate and delicate. We also found....

Sushi music boxes!!!!

I thought it was cute... You can listen to music and get hungry...

And that ends today's post!!!

A bit of an FYI, new posts don't always end up being the first. Posts get published according to when they were first started, not when they are published. So there are several posts that you may have missed out.

Next! Otaru Part 3 - Glass blowing!