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During my recent trip to Los Angeles, I kept telling my friends how great it was to be back.

A few of them asked me the same question.

“Why is it so great to be back here? What do you miss about LA?”

It was an interesting question, and I didn't have a clear answer.

I said it was the culture, but I wasn't sure what part of the culture.

I grew up in Tokyo, spent many years in Los Angeles, and eventually moved back to Tokyo. There are many things I appreciate about life in Japan. Some of my friends in LA even told me how much they enjoy visiting Japan.

One afternoon during this trip, we had a BBQ with some friends. Comel from Time Machine came by, and there were also some families with kids there.

We decided to do suikawari for the kids, a Japanese summer tradition where someone is blindfolded, spun around, and tries to smash a watermelon with a stick while everyone around them shouts directions and tells them when to swing. And of course, we eat the watermelon afterwards.

Comel had apparently never seen it before.

He loved it.

Watching the kids enjoy it and everyone cheering them on, he said something along the lines of:

“This is why diversity is beautiful.”

America feels deeply divided in many ways right now. But there is still something I've always loved about LA.

People here seem to enjoy differences.

Not just tolerate them or accept them.

Enjoy them.

It makes you feel that you don't have to fit in either.

When people appreciate things that are different, it gives everyone a little more room to be different themselves.

That's the part of LA I miss.

Chikara
September 7, 2026

Journal Archive
TRES Journal #001 "Are You Feeling Mike Here or What?!"
TRES Journal #002 "Japan Might Have the Best Beat Scene in the World Today"
TRES Journal #003 "Before It Has a Name"
TRES Journal #004 "Craftsmanship"

What does it mean to be a professional? Whether they make records or shape surfboards, they have something in common.

The work comes first.
The language follows later.

Japan might have the strongest beat scene in the world today. It was something House Shoes said during his visit to Japan. He wasn't talking about the music.

The TRES Journal is a collection of thoughts and experiences behind the projects that shape TRES. In Journal #001, Chikara reflects on a memorable moment from the 3rd Party Special Edition with Thes One. 

Thes One (People Under The Stairs) returns to Tokyo for a special edition of the 3rd Party. Join us on July 12 for a 60+ minute Not-Just Beat Live Set, DJs, beat culture, and the return of the Next Generation Room featuring English-language activities for kids.

House Shoes Presents: BEATS!!!!
THE JAPANESE SOUND!
Release Parties
SAT 5/23 (4PM–10PM) — Osaka
SUN 5/24 (3PM–9PM) — Tokyo FREE / ALL AGES

[FREE DOWNLOAD] Chikaramanga / Marketing the Lifestyle
5-track EP of beats sampling 60s and 70s Japanese TV commercials

We’re proud to announce our official partnership with Third Party Collectives —our exclusive partner in Japan. 

Based in Tokyo, Third Party Collectives is a crew of artists rooted in '90s Hip Hop, pushing new perspectives in today’s beat scene. As our Japan partner, they run the local online shop, offering TRES vinyl, CDs, and apparel directly to Japanese fans.

Together, we’re hosting “the 3rd Party”—a regular event series in Tokyo inspired by the laid-back vibe of L.A. backyard BBQs. Free to enter and family-friendly, it’s all about good music, good vibes, and building community across borders.

The next 3rd Party event happens Sunday, 5/25/2025 in Tokyo.

Stay tuned for more releases, events, and collaborations bridging Tokyo and L.A.

Chikaramanga's MPC60 is fully customized by Bruce at Forat.  One of the benefits of living in Los Angeles for a beat maker is that there is Forat in LA. 

It’s been a while… A new VINYL release from TRES! 

We’ve been keeping this one quiet, but today’s the day—Comel & Ty All (Prod. by Chikaramanga) "Breakfast Love" is out now! Available as a Limited Edition 7-inch vinyl (only 200 copies!). Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of this exclusive drop.

STORE

Comel (of Time Machine) stumbled upon a beat on @tresrecords’ Instagram, and it sparked something special. Produced by Chikaramanga (of Giant Panda), this track is the perfect blend of gritty production and melodic vibes, matched by the dynamic flows of Ty All and Comel. Together, they’ve created a morning anthem about resilience, love, and the relentless pursuit of success.

The surprise is out, and it’s available NOW! Stream "Breakfast Love" on all major digital platforms and grab your 7-inch vinyl before it’s gone! 

Follow Comel @iamthecharacter and Ty All @itstyall on Instagram.

Comel & Ty All "Breakfast Love" (7" and Digital)
Written by Comel and Ty All
Produced by Chikaramanga
Vocals recorded by Mike Cruz at Young Coconut Studio
Mixed and Mastered by NOAH at Galactico Studio

Track List:
Side A: Breakfast Love
Sice B: Breakfast Love - Instrumental

The 2nd chapter in Chikaramanga’s beat-album series, "Progressing to the Stone Age,” delves deeper into the essence of mid 90s Hip Hop beats, skillfully crafted using the classic Akai MPC 60 and Maschine. This album is a fusion of authentic 90s Hip Hop vibes, modern technology, and international music/records of 70s and 80s. 

Track List:

1. Reboot 
2. Echoes 
3. The Warp 
4. 42 
5. The Echelons
6. A Tech Tale 
7. Loop Logic 
8. Digital Past 
9. Telescope 
10. Tokyo Tengoku

Produced by Chikaramanga
Mixed and Mastered by NOAH 

About Chikaramanga

Chikaramanga, revered for his role in the iconic Los Angeles-based hip hop collective Giant Panda, has brought his craft back to his hometown of Tokyo. With a prolific history in the underground hip hop scene of the early 2000s, he was a driving force behind Giant Panda's two acclaimed albums. Known for his mastery of a classic and vintage Akai sampler, MPC 60, and Maschine, Chikaramanga also leads the LA-based label TRES, supporting its mission to "preserve the tradition, yet stimulate the progress." Drawing inspiration from 70s and 80s Japanese vinyl, his beats transcend eras and continents, bridging generations of hip-hop fans—from those who experienced 90s hip hop firsthand to the current generation discovering its timeless appeal.