Classical music still thrives in Suginami with its classical music cafes that remain-- these are places that originated when people could not afford their own record players (or good quality ones), and the cafe was created to give them a proper listening experience with a huge collection of classical records. After practically having died out throughout Japan, Suginami still has a handful remaining. Ogikubo leads the classical movement with Mignon, the Ogikubo Classical Music Festival, and history through music critic Moto Otaguro.