DESIGN /
DIGITAL
October 31, 2020
CASIO Privia PX-S1000 × mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection: Creators Resonating with “TOKYO WAVES” Vol. 1 | CASIO
CASIO
A Space for Adults with "Something" Found Nowhere Else — Ryota Nagasaki of Billboard Japan
This spring, a luxury hotel, "mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection" (hereafter, mesm Tokyo), opened in Tokyo's Takeshiba area. All 265 guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with Casio's latest digital piano, the "Privia PX-S1000." This time, Ryota Nagasaki of Billboard Japan experienced the space. What is the appeal of Privia × mesm Tokyo?
Photographs by OHTAKI Kaku | Text by KOIZUMI Yoko | Edit by TSUCHIDA Takashi
Connections Forged Through the Common Language of Music
“I stay at hotels all over the country for work, and places that claim to be ‘luxury’ tend to focus on how expensive they are. But mesm Tokyo offers a quality that goes beyond mere luxury. I think travelers will appreciate this level of refinement even more.”
Ryota Nagasaki experienced Privia × mesm Tokyo for this feature. Nagasaki-san is the head of planning and operations for "Billboard Live," a performance venue featuring top musicians from Japan and abroad.
mesm Tokyo was born with the concept of "TOKYO WAVES," aiming to provide content and services that reflect the ever-changing waves of Tokyo. The hotel is filled with unique tools and content designed to captivate guests' senses and inspire unexpected encounters and discoveries. Among these is Casio's latest digital piano, the "Privia PX-S1000."
“At Billboard, we showcase music, and CASIO promotes it. While our approaches differ, we share the common language of ‘music.’ It was partly due to this connection that we placed CASIO digital pianos in the Billboard Live dressing rooms, thinking, ‘Let’s let people casually try them out.’ Then, world-renowned artists started playing them one after another—they just couldn’t stop touching them.”
The reason they are constantly playing it likely lies in its high sound reproduction accuracy. "I'm amazed by the technical skill in faithfully reproducing the sound of hammers striking piano strings," says Nagasaki-san. Seeing the Privia in the mesm Tokyo guest rooms seemed to evoke a different emotion.
“I realized that excellent product design can also function as interior decor. Of course, you can actually play it, and the sound quality is superb. Even if you don't play, you can connect it to your smartphone via Bluetooth® and use it as a speaker. I appreciate the convenience of digital tools that offer more than one function.”
Content Will Become More Free and Fair
Nagasaki-san was born in Osaka in 1978. Influenced by his grandparents, who were fluent in English, and his mother, a devoted fan of The Beatles, he naturally grew up listening to Western music.
“I was a complete Western music fanatic. I listened to everything, regardless of genre.”
During his “very Americanized” student days, he gained exposure to various music-related jobs through part-time work, which led him to learn about the behind-the-scenes of Western music concerts and become deeply involved.
“The industry was full of interesting people, like先輩s with long hair and blond hair who could work hard without a degree. I could work with artists I loved. I was invited to join as an employee, so I immediately dropped out of university and jumped in.”
For the past 20 years, the essence of what he does hasn't changed, and he expected it to remain the same. However, the spread of COVID-19 forced the music industry, especially the live performance sector, to undergo a major transformation. Billboard Live was no exception. Yet, Nagasaki-san sees new possibilities in this shift.
“The viewers of the live streams we held at Billboard Live were scattered across the country. Previously, only TV stations could broadcast performances to a wide audience, but with the development of platforms, anyone can become a broadcaster. And people all over the world can watch. I find that incredibly fair.”
This is further supported by the diversification of values.
“Previously, targeting the masses was the standard practice in the music industry, but it will be harder to produce artists like Keisuke Kuwata or Yuming, who are loved by the entire nation. After 2020, with COVID as a turning point, new values will emerge in the music industry.”
He believes that while many existing things will be phased out, Tokyo will continue to move forward.
“Tokyo is a world-class metropolis, on par with London and New York. Looking at this city from above, there are many ‘cutting-edge’ elements that can compete on a global scale across various genres, and they are actively appealing to the world. That is Tokyo’s strength.”
Even if the rules of the game change, Tokyo can adapt to those changes and initiate new challenges. That, too, is perhaps part of "TOKYO WAVES."
Enjoying Entertainment Found Nowhere Else
mesm Tokyo is one embodiment of this diversification of values.
“A hotel focused on occupancy rates and targeting the masses wouldn’t typically have a digital piano (laughs). The way the concept is crafted, the hospitality, the friendly service—everything about it feels professional. So, it’s a place for those who have hobbies and a strong sense of self, rather than just a place to stay. It’s a place that selects its guests, and that decisiveness is appealing. It’s a space for affluent adults.”
When asked which musician he would most want to invite to stay here, Nagasaki-san immediately replied, “Sergio Mendes!”
“He’s a huge Japanophile and always arrives early, sometimes even extending his stay. It’s almost as if his vacation is attached to his concerts (laughs). So, he knows a lot about Japanese hotels and cuisine and has countless requests (laughs). But I’d love to bring him to mesm Tokyo and show off!”
Considering his piano performances, he would likely enjoy savoring the Privia to its fullest while staying in the room.
“The rooms are wonderful, but the first thing that impressed me was arriving at the lobby floor (16th floor) via the elevator. They intentionally created a crank in the path, limiting the view, which makes the lobby appear more expansive. The food also has surprises, but they strike a perfect balance without being overly ambitious. Both are meticulously designed experiences, and I was impressed by the level of ‘entertainment’ here.”
Model Name | Privia PX-S1000BK
- Dimensions | Width 1322 × Depth 232 × Height 102mm
- Weight | 11.2kg
- Number of Tones | 18
- Price | Open
mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection
Address | 1-10-30 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo Waters Takeshiba Tower Building 4F and 16F–26F)
Number of Rooms | 265 (Guest room floors 17F–26F)
Facilities | Restaurant "Chef's Theatre," Bar & Lounge "Whisk," Banquet Hall "The Banquet," Club Lounge "Club mesm," Fitness
Rates | From ¥65,527 (per room for 2 people, including breakfast, tax, and service charge)
Tel. | 03-5777-1111
URL | https://www.mesm.jp
Access | 6-minute walk from JR Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line / Monorail Hamamatsucho Station; 3-minute walk from New Transit Yurikamome Line Takeshiba Station
