HRC Beijing

After Shanghai, I visited the capital of China. Beijing had something special that lead me to China. I had been really interested in the Great Wall since I was a child, so I was so excited that I could finally visit the famous Great Wall.

Beijing was so huge, so I needed to get on taxi wherever I went. There were so many historical places in Beijing, so I was so busy everyday.


Of course, I made a day trio for Great Wall by bus. I was so impressed when I saw the Great Wall in front of me. I had enough time there, and enjoyed walking on the wall.

Photo of Great Wall

At night, I enjoyed Chinese Opera at the theater. As some of you know, Asian HRC did the series pins in 2001 from this show. I enjoyed this historical show.



About HRC Beijing, the location was one of the worst in my Hard Rock Life. HRC was so far from tourist area, and I hardly saw the people inside the HRC. I had lunch at HRC, and bought some pins like X'mas 2001 that looked very cute.


HRC Beijing page

As a result, I really enjoyed Beijing, but I was disappointed in this cafe.


-Check the report from next visit in 2005

HRC Shanghai

China was always the country where I wanted to go, but I needed tourist visa if I wanted to go to China, so I didn't have chance to go there until in the end of 2001. I had enough time to get the visa before my holidays, so I got tourist visa, and left Japan for China.


At first, I visited Shanghai. Shanghai was so huge ! There were so many tall buildings around the city, and I always saw the big traffic jam. I could see the energy of China in Shanghai. I visited many places, and had good days there.

Photos of Shanghai in 2001

I also enjoyed the famous entertainment in Shanghai call as Shanghai Acrobatic Theater. This great show was the best thing I saw in Shanghai.

The former HRC Shanghai was located next to the building of Acrobatic Theater. I had dinner there, and enjoyed their live.

HRC Shanghai page

HRC Makati

After I enjoyed some of Japanese HRCs in 2001, I visited Philippine. I had never heard from any collectors that they visited HRC Makai, so I decided to visit the cafe .

I really had no info about Makati. Only I know about Philippine was Manilla. Philippine was actually good country to visit. There were many of historical buildings & Church including some of world heritage that was built when Philippine was under Spain.


Photos of Philippine

I stayed at the hotel in the area of Makati that was known as the modern area of Philippine. There were many shopping mall, and restaurant. HRC Makati was there inside a shopping mall.

HRC Makati page

After I got some pins, I talked with the manager of HRC Makati, and then I could exchange many pins with almost all staffs of the HRC. It was my birthday, so the GM asked me to take photos with all staffs on the center stage. I was very shamed, but it became one of the best memory of my Hard Rock Life. Thanks, HRC Makati !!

HRC Fukuoka

I had business in Fukuoka for a week, so I was so happy that I could finally visit HRC Fukuoka which was the final piece to complete Japanese HRC visit of mine.


I visited this cafe at night after work. This cafe was located just in front of the huge stadium, so it was so easy to find.


I bought some pins, and had dinner there. For any of you who like to visit all of Japanese HRC, Fukuoka would be the hardest one to visit if you come to Japan, because this cafe is located far from other cafes in Japan. But it was actually worth to visit for HRC fans!
HRC Fukuoka page

HRC Osaka (2nd cafe)

Believe it or not, another HRC came to Osaka in Sep 2001 after HRC Universal Osaka was opened in March 2001. Of course, I was so happy about the cafe that was very close to my home(about 30 min by train).

New HRC Osaka was opened in the center of Honmachi business area after a bank was closed. Of course, I didn't miss the chance to attend GO at this time. In fact, this was my 1st GO, so I was so excited.


At the day of GO, I went to HRC around 8 AM, but then I was surprised that there were many collectors on the line. I saw some collectors from Tokyo area, and Nagoya area. And then we could talk until the opening time(11 AM?). They had some ceremony for the opening, and then we had to wait to buy GO pins !!


New HRC Osaka had new interior that is very different from other HRCs, and in addition, there is DJ booth inside the cafe as well as special bar called as the bank bar. I had lunch with some collectors, and enjoyed my first GO day. Since then, this cafe has been my home HRC, and we have held monthly pin meeting here.

New HRC Osaka page

HRC Universal Citywalk Osaka

Since we lost HRC Osaka, we had been waiting for this good news. HRC Universal Citywalk Osaka was opened in March 22,2001 just in front of Universal Studio Japan.

At the opening day, I had to work, so I visited this cafe at the night after work. I remember I was so surprised at the size of the mega store as well as the size of the restaurant.


Since then, I have visited this cafe many times, and have attended their official pin meeting every year.



My HRC Universal Citywalk Osaka page

HRC Tokyo

In 2001, I could finally visit HRC Tokyo that was the 1st cafe in Japan. I had business in Tokyo, so I was excited I could go to this historical cafe after the work.

My HRC Tokyo page

HRC Tokyo has been located in Roppongi that has been famous for night life in Japan. This cafe was not huge cafe, but the mood of it had something special. I really felt the history !

Since then, I have visited HRC Tokyo many times. I always enjoy HRC Tokyo that could be the kind of memorabilia among HRC fans.

One of my best memory at HRC Tokyo was their official Pin Meeting that was held in 2004. I went to Tokyo by bullet train, and had great time with many of Japanese collectors(about 100 collectors). It is always fun to talk to people who have same hobby, right ?