A three day update of all the craziness, and my thoughts on Kikka's concert in Santa Clara!

Hey all, sswishbone checking back in with yet another log of what has been going on.  Well got three days to cover as the days have been balanced and checked, I prefer to do a long post giving lots of details and pictures.  If too long...  Err...  Tell me!

So anyway I will start with the 21st, this day was pretty much a chillout day as I was recovering from my trip to Odaiba.  Not that I just sat in the hotel room watching Top gear or anything!  I decided to stay local in Tokyo and first port of call was Akihabara.  As I said in my last log I had found a massive memory my childhood in a functioning cabinet for super hang on, well for those who don't believe what they are told, time for show to trump tell.

 Seriously, that is one of the coolest things ever!  Ok it's dated and ancient, but it brought back memories of being six years old, pretending I was a champion racer in a holiday camp in Bournemouth!  For me reliving classic memories is part of why I came to Japan, there is so much here for the nerd, geek and nostalgic person!

After dropping some coins in there it was still before noon and I was therefore unable to go immediately where I wanted, so instead began to walk around when I suddenly spied this.

No it isn't a photoshop, that is a genuine Ferrari 458 that has been decorated by an otaku in anime characters!  I feel like someone has played Forza 4 just a little too much and gone 'I have the cash, let's do it!'  I pictured it lining up at Suzuka alongside the proper race-prepared ferraris and wet myself, can imagine Murray Walker going "and look at that!" When it comes on the main straight XD

After stopping myself from laughing further I grabbed a swift coffee and then went to the Hello Project shop here in Akihabara as it has been two weeks since I put in my special order.  Before I set off I had found my receipt and brushed up on an adequate phrase that summarised my request of 'it's been two weeks, where is my order?'

At first there was a bit of an issue as the attendant thought I was saying I'd like to collect it in two weeks, with patience and resolve I explained I had waited two weeks and was wondering if it had arrived.  After this there was a further litany of errors in that they searched the back rooms for some time before they finally found what they were looking for and what I desperately wanted.

Yup that is an A4 sized photo of Fukumura Mizuki from Morning Musume.  Aside from Kikka she is one of the few other idols I really care for.  Online even those who aren't keen say she has two things going for her...  Left tit and right tit XD  I am a little more supportive than that in that I think she has an excellent voice, superb character and gorgeous looks all over her body (though yes her rack is a superb asset I acknowledge that!)

So yes this nice piece shall have a frame found for it upon my return to the UK and placed on one of the walls in my home.  Alongside the other insane amounts of stuff I own!  I do find it annoying that I have so little merchandise for Kikka-sama, main problem being that it is so bloody hard to find!  Outside of concerts and events it just does not exist that easily, oh well, one of the challenges of being an international fan of a totally independent artist!

By now it was around 2pm so I ventured home, showered and then chilled for a while before I decided to head to Shibuya just for an evening meal and to check out the evening.  In between a hellacious thunderstorm hit Nippori so I rightly stayed inside and kept my head dry!  In Shibuya I tried out a food place I had not visited before called 'Freshness burger'

What you are looking at there is a curry burger, wedges and a non-alcoholic mojito...  Bit of a strange combo but hey, I'm on vacation, fuck the rules!  The burger was nice but had a huge egg in it so got that annoying British breakfast muffin problem of it all exploding when you bite into it, nice though!  The mojito meanwhile was actually really nice and refreshing, though would have preferred some rum in it!

Afterwards I took in the streets and noticed that high above the 109 pedestrian crossing, Morning Musume have a gigantic advertising billboard for their newest single わがまま気のまま愛のジョーク and I had never seen one for Hello project there before so that was a nice feeling.  Of course I couldn't resist getting a shot of one of the busiest pedestrian crossings you will ever see.

Yes many people crossing and to cap it off top-left you can see the aforementioned billboard.  After this it started raining again and fearing exposure in a huge storm I leapt on the yamanote line and bolted back to Nippori.  Got in and literally twenty minutes later it hit...  Oh my fucking god did it hit!  Proper nasty rain that was easily as heavy as the rain storms we suffered in 2007, accompanied by proper thunder and lightning, so loud it drowned out my headphones!  I stuck inside and then after it eased off at 11pm I went to sleep.

So on to August 22nd.  Had a nice relaxing morning before I went to Nakano broadway, this was a place I had never visited before but heard loads about.  I got there but was a little earlier and many stores were not open.  Still I managed to find an arcade cabinet which had about 200 roms of classic games on, feeling nostalgic I put on R-type II and went space shooting for around half an hour.

Once this time passed most of the stores began to open and this place is just awesome if you are in any way an idol, otaku or general nerd.  One store had tonnes of Formula 1 stuff for sale, including a Renault racing suit as worn by Jarno Trulli in 2004, a cap worn by Sebastian Vettel and loads of signed photos of drivers from the 1980's until present day.  Unfortunately all were expensive and I am cautious of my monetary limit, but should I have any spare cash I will be back there!

I also found a bookstore which had some interesting PB's in, one of which was from the high-school maths drama that Reina, Kikka, Sayu, Mano and fucking everyone else from H!P/NGP was in, I was tempted by it but resisted since it was more than likely making of photos which is not what I buy a PB for...  Slap me if I missed a sitter with that one!

Nakano broadway looks normal here...

But then you find this!

I continued walking around the place taking in loads of things I wanted but were just too expensive, one of which was an 8 dvd boxset of solo angles for the Morning Musume concert 'Pika Pika 2010'.  This item is rare and would have made an awesome addition to my collection, but at 27000 yen, not something I can defend purchasing!  I also saw another item I really wanted to buy.

That is seriously one of the most awesome items ever but again, it was 37000 yen!  I might be a huge nerd and think back to the future is the greatest movie trilogy ever...  But I cannot excuse that, not yet anyway!  I continued taking in the stuff here and generally having fun nerding out before I found an awesome local ramen bar, had lunch and then headed off back home.

After this I didn't do much aside from head to Ueno to order some shinkansen tickets so with that I'll segway into the  23rd when I returned to Osaka.  I feel that there was unfinished business here, last time I came was for the amazing kankyukan aquarium, but I never actually ventured into Osaka itself, so that is what I intended to do.

Jumped on the shinkansen at 8am and had a completely smooth journey all the way down to the Kansai region before I set foot out of the station and realised I had done zero recon!  Yup!   This was a totally cold entry and could result in epic awesome or total and utter disaster.  Gulping down any fear I ventured into the unknown after getting a train to Osaka itself and ventured out the south exit.  Without any real plan I walked the streets and ended up, purely by accident, stumbling on something amazing...  A ferris wheel that was on the 7th storey of a building!  Naturally I went up!

Yup that's a shot from out of the ferris wheel, I have more but not got them off my camera yet, so keep an eye on my photobucket account and more will come.  But this was amazing, really got very high, probably around 12th floor in height and only cost 500 yen!  Normally in england these sorts of wheel cost anywhere from £6 up to £30, in GBP 500 yen is about £3.33!  Absolute bargain!

After this I once again started stalking the streets and found myself in a rather dodgy looking side market.  It had loads of pachinko parlours, a porn dvd store, an eatery for those who like very fresh fish and bars designed for slugging shots and getting massages.  No, there was no red lights on, but then it was only around 1pm so might have been a bit early for the fun to start!  

Rare or raw?

Bewilderingly, after this alley came to an end all of a sudden I was in this public space where tonnes of tradition shrines and buildings stood, with locals donating coins and performing Shinto praying rituals, talk about a shift in balance, going from pretty much porn/crime alley to this was the most perplexing experience I have had in a while.

I returned to the station after this as started getting hungry and found this cool underground shopping plaza that is very similar to one that is in Shinjuku.  I walked around for ages and passed loads, but all looked pretty damn expensive, talking over 1000 yen for the main alone.  I started getting a bit frustrated when I noticed a tempura place that looked at a decent price.  Ensuring I was not jumping the gun I went up close and sure enough prices were fine so I dived in and had a fine meal of five tempura, rice and a green tea for just 650 yen.

Yellow signed building is where I ate, damn nice!

When it came to settling the bill I asked for them to please wait before counting out the change and handing it over and thanking them.  At this point the attendant advised my Japanese was good, I said thanks and then began pondering something.  You see, when I met Madoka she also said my Japanese was good, however, on 15th August I got my Japanese AS level result, and I got a disappointing grade.  D for disappointing!

So this caused me to ponder what level I was really at and I think the reason I didn't do well is that the exam and the course material is stuck in the 1960's.  Before anyone says it, I adore my tutor, she is absolutely awesome and so understanding and supportive.  But the exam was obsessed with asking about things that no one really gives a shit about!   One question was about a school fete or something where the tutor dressed as a clown and questions were about prepartion, while another was about an island where climbing became popular and the questions related to toilets, honestly who gives a shit?

Out here I have found myself needing some of the stuff I learned, but a lot of it, has not been helpful.  So that is why I am going to take a year out, study alone for some context and then have another crack at getting the result I want.

Anyway, after making this bold decision I ventured back on to the streets and eventually found my way down to a huge wide river that led to city hall.  As time was getting closer to my shinkansen back to Tokyo I walked, took shots and enjoyed the sights at my fingertips.

I thought it was awesome to be at this fusion of the wide waterways, traditional crafts and the modern skyline.  The synthesis of old and new is one of the greatest things about Japan, I know that in London, Manchester and York this exists too.  But I think it is the sheer magnitude of it which takes my breath away out here.  Like when I was up the skytree and saw so many eras of Tokyo in one microcosm, just wonderful.

After this I ventured back to Shin-osaka, grabbed a beer while waiting for my shinkansen then ventured back to Tokyo.  Bitten by the sales bug I went to Yodobashi akiba and bought myself a set of JVC HA-XM02X headphones.  They are awesome, really powerful and extremely comfy, cost 5400 yen which is only around £37.  Plus I got an unexpected surprise, not wanting to touch my cash if I could, I decided to use my bank card and unexpectedly, this place had 'chip & pin'!  So easy security, score!  

Now on to the final part of my blog where I mention Kikka's concert in santa clara.  First of all, santa clara is in San Francisco, USA...  I am in Japan!  So I am not there, however thanks to a...  Err... Source!   *Whistles*  I have heard an audio recording of the concert and it was a very unusual gig!  Started with a singles medley of Kikkake ha you, Hapi rapi sunrise, konna watatshi de yokattara and darling to madonna.  She then did something which has made me very jealous of those who are there...  San san go go and I wish!  For those who don't know, they are classic tracks by Milkyway!  and Morning Musume respectively!

The first of that pairing is one of my favourite songs she has ever done whilst the second is just so unbelievably random as to be awesome.  She also bizarrely did Airi Suzuki's solo song Tsuugaku Vector truly random shit!  It was also cool that she the b-sides candy pop and Sweetie before ending with ずっとずっとずっと君がスキだ  Though bless her she did mess up on candy pop, がんばってきっか様！

Yes I am jealous, yes I would love to be there, but having had signings, mini-lives, festival dates, MM live, MM soundcheck, MM handshake, Kikka handshake, Cool hello concerts...  Yeah I reaaally can't complain so to all who are going, I am jealous, I am sorry I am not there, but all have an awesome time in Santa clara!  As for me, it is my birthday in a few days, but as my peeps are all busy on the day, tonight from 5pm we are going to be decimating Shinkjuku.  Brian, Dean, Mika and Nino...  There's gonna be nothing left of the place when we are finished!  Until next time *sets sail*

A trip to Odaiba for Morning Musume event

Hey all, sswishbone's blog update for the past couple of days.  I have been slipping in my entries but then had a lot going on privately and also with my trip here in Japan!  Starting with the 19th, after three concerts in one day and two in one day before that, I needed to just have a nice relaxing day of it.  Started with a lie in until around 9am, normally due to the heat I am up at 6am!  So hey must have needed it.

Hung about doing my blog first thing and then went to Akihabara just to get some air and some lunch.  Naturally this involved me visiting the club sega arcade again!  Seriously I haven't arcade gamed this much since I was 13 and on holiday at Bashley park with my family!  (A dorset/New Forest caravan site when Point Blank was a new title!)

And speaking of ancient games, what did I happen to notice next to a pair of sega rally and daytona USA 2 arcade cabinets...   A  SUPER HANG ON arcade machine!  Proper ride on bike with the screen level with the handlebars!  I have not seen this since 1988 when I was at Naish holiday village, proper blast from the past!  Naturally I had a go but was shite at it, this game I played to death on Sega Mega Drive, but for that you use a controller not a bike you have to lean on!  I will play this more though as it is just too awesome not to.

Once I had emptied a few 100 yen coins into Outrun 2 Sp I hit a mos Burger to get a tonkatsu shrimp burger meal for my lunch, which was damn tasty.  Healthy?  Fuck no!  But I am on holiday and therefore entitled to treat my body to the bad stuff as much as I want!

Went back to my apartment after this to do some laundry and shower, when I got a message from Dean saying he was meeting a Canadian wota friend in Akihabara later that afternoon and I was more than welcome to join them.  Yup!  Never turn down the opportunity to hang out with new people, especially fellow idol lovers!

So back to akiba and first port of call was to check out the H!P store again, I am still waiting on my Mizuki A4 special photo, it should actually be in now with any luck...  Anyway, we scouted out the merch and laughed at the various silly stuff that is on sale along with the awesome.  Before we settled down in the seated area to joke about a S/mileage concert that was playing.

For all their expense on the store, they really need to sort their playing equipment out!  The resolution of the show was absolutely terrible and had this horrible golden exposure hue over the top of it, it reminded me of a show from the 1970's!  Really really sloppy, but then, I imagine they don't want you watching concerts for free but blowing money on goods!

Once this was done Dean and his mate wanted to go and talk to someone at a place they worked together in Akiba, not being authorised to go up there I went to a local bar and got a pint of Kirin.  What was cool is this place was on two sides of an open plaza, the left-hand bar that I grabbed a beer in was no smoking, whilst across the plaza was a smoking one, absolutely brilliant!  For those who say the smoking ban should be lifted, perhaps this sort of structure would be a good compromise?

Anyway we spent the next 20 or so minutes supping beer and talking about all sorts of things, mostly about how Manchester music was influential.  Not the sort of conversation I expected to have in a bar in akihabara with two fellow wota haha.  Dean was saying how this is the thing about idol fandom he can't explain to anyone else, just that it somehow pulls so many threads together and there is so much crossover interest, knowledge and debate outside of the idol world which is bound together by a love for the girls.  I agree, I remember when I first met Oroboras and we spent a 90 minute car journey debating american muscle cars haha!

Dean's mate then leapt on a train and we briefly visited Yodobashi in Akiba as Dean had been given some stunning Sony studio headphones but they had a cable that was about 4 metres long and he wanted a cable that was shorter.  Being a former music promoter and radio DJ I am familiar with a few things about cabling and setting up so was a useful wingman for the venture.  Inside we found tonnes of things like kettle to kettle leads, jack leads and colossal studio cables with a adaptors that are as thick as a thumb, not useful for plugging into a smartphone!

Eventually an assistant pointed us in the right direction and after running my keen eye over the connectors, found a 1 metre cable that was perfect fit and works fine.  So Dean can now be a smug git with audiophiles who go on about Beats audio and other stuff by just going, 'well mine are used in studios, be jealous!'  lol

We called it a night after this and I just chilled with a few beers.  So on to the 20th, this was the day where I would get to see morning musume live and also attend a handshake event for them.  For those who aren't familiar, this is literally where the group line up at a table as if doing a signing, but instead you shake hands and say stuff to them (if you're confident enough!)  And as I had not met any of the line-up I was excited to see how they'd react to someone being British lol

So first things first, leapt on the yamanote to Shimbashi where I then changed to the Yurikamomoe line (lol Yurikamoe makes me think of Akkyan from The Possible around the time they did 'young days' !)  This was a cool monorail that was quite high above the city and crossed the huge river channels of Tokyo to reach Odaiba.  It naturally had some awesome views out of the window, check these out!

Yeah pretty impressive, the monorail isn't technically cheap but I'd say it's similiar to UK for local journeys and with views like that, plus the fact it is reliable and comfortable, it easily trumps my home country!  Also was a bit strange as halfway through the journey the road and the rail track spiral through a 270 degree turn to cross the water, felt like I was being driven around the famous turn 8 at Istanbul speedway!

Eventually I disembark at the station near Fuji TV and struggled at first to find where I should be, it did not help that there was an event at Fuji TV and the event I was going for, luckily an attendant gave me an event map which I figured out and ventured on over.

Event itself was in what was literally a converted car park, with the stage being high and large, and all seats formed from rows of benches, very much a temporary facility!  Still once inside I was strolling around for a bit indulging in shaved ice and beer and looking at the one piece display, when I notice Carlos sat in a shaded bench area near some straddled gates.  After talking with him it became clear at 2:30pm they would start allowing people to pre-order the 54th Morning Musume single (it's not out until 28th) and get given a handshake ticket for post concert, thus I now have one on order that may make it to my address before I return to england or may not!

Awesome inflatable One Piece ship at Odaiba

Anyway around 1pm everyone darted from their seats and this impromptu horseshoe line was formed, at first Carlos stood with me but then saw wota he knew further forward so went to them.  For ten minutes everything was fine, when suddenly they called that this was not the real queue and it would start along the fencing that formed the exit to the venue.  Which was a good call as we would have clogged a lot of public space otherwise.

So the scramble to reform the line happens and I end up around 16th in the queue, Carlos was around 116th!  Shows that sometimes it pays to be patient and await confirmation!  Waited in line for around 90 mins and then we began to be herded forward, then had to fill in a form with my address...  I didn't want to put my UK one as doubt it would be accepted, luckily, my phone has an offline storage for my e-mail, so while internet does not work out here (deliberately so as not to incurr roaming charges!) I could access my current address, lucky!

Afterwards I grabbed some fries and then went wandering when I noticed people crowding around the arena.  Curious, I joined the throng, when suddenly Momusu walked on stage, about 90 mins ahead of schedule in street clothes.  Bemused I stood and watched as they soundchecked!  Now this is something I never expected I would get to see in the idol world.  Having done gig promotion I have seen soundchecks before, but this was odd in that the area only had gates so you could still see.

The girls even got in on the act and were waving and shouting at us lot saying how they could see us watching haha.  It was a surreal experience to see them in street gear, Mizuki wore a shirt that said 'left my heart in Hawaii' which made me chuckle.  They did four songs to check which were Help me, Brainstorming, Ai no gundan and wagamama ai no joke.  What was curious is that during the check they sometimes did not sing all the lines, mainly the high noted ones, which suggests to me they were more focussed on low end vocals and must have had some form of issue getting it right.

After this hung around for ten minutes or so when a guy with a megaphone started talking about access to the venue from the left, initially people just stood to the left but then I remembered seeing a sign earlier with the kanji for entrance pointing right not too far from where we queued.  Walked around and as a result got straight through with no queuing.

Inside I took my position on the fifth row right by the aisle, which was a fantatsic spot as it was not only close, but angled across the whole stage, plus it would transpire that Mizuki spent 80% of the gig on this side so was close to my oshi for Morning Musume, woo hoo!

Sly shot of the stage taken when staff weren't about

During the wait for the gig to start they actually played MM pv's so that alleviated some of the dullness, also at this point Maoh and Madoka came over announcing they had arrived and wanted to meet after the handshake as sadly they had not got a ticket for the handshake.  I was like sure, while I had an amazing spot, these two had some in block A tiered seats, which meant seated gig only, not cool!

Just before Momusu came on a 20 second countdown began which naturally got everyone chanting and massively excited.  When the girls came on, they looked gorgeous wearing an outfit I had not expected!  I anticipated either the Wagamama or Ai no gundan PV costumes, instead we got these.

*Pic sourced by Amped from jplop.com*

Mizuki made me howl, lace and sailor hat, aye aye captain!  Haha.  Setlist for the show was all modern tracks, which disappointed me slightly, as I think it would have been a good opportuinty to showcase a little more of their history, still it was enjoyable.  Tracks were: - Help Me, Waruteka take a chance, Brainstorming, Kimi sae, Ai no gundan and Wagamama ai no joke.  

The gig was still massivley exciting and fun, with kimi sae and ai no gundan being the standout moments.  Also some good comedy happened during the MC's, in second MC Sayumi signalled for Oda Sakura to lead on something, but was looking at the wrong side of the stage, cue Oda going 'Kochi!' to Sayu to get her attention XD

Also in the encore MC where they announced themselves and thanked the crowd, Mizuki went first and called all of the crowd amazing for the volume at which 'encore' was chanted.  After this Macchan began speaking when all of a sudden a bee or some sort of insect started swarming around Mizuki, cue her stomping and swatting furiously which got everyone laughing and Macchan looking around wondering what was going on!

Finally, after the MC, Riho signals for the song to begin and the girls all form the pose for the song...  And are greeted by total silence!  For around ten seconds we are looking around and even the members start getting this sort of 'err... What's going on?'  Look.  I then shouted '音楽どこですか'  (english 'Where's the music?) A few wota laughed and then chanted 音楽 before finally the track 'One Two Three' started to end the gig.

Afterwards joined the line for the handshake and up onto the stage we went, this was a rapid event!  Seriously, not even two seconds before you were moved on!  Anyway mostly I just said to members I was British and thanks for the gig, Suzuki kanon developed a smile wider than the Mersey tunnel when I said that!  For Mizuki I went a little further saying that I had come all the way from britain and I really liked her.  Think it shocked her a bit but she was very grateful, which is always cool.  For sayu I just spoke english and said 'cheers for leading the concert'  she understood none of it but who cares?  lol

Once outside Maoh and Madoka were waiting and we began to make our way out of the event, before leaving we took a walk around Odaiba as I hadn't had chance that morning and got to take a shot of the gigantic Gundam statue and also it turned out another idol group were having a small event at the side of the gundam.  No idea who they were but there was literally twelve people watching them, they were still energetic enough but the music really was not our thing so we scarped pretty sharp.

Once done with this, we decided to head for the station but on the way, in a really bewildering moment, I saw this.

Really don't know what to make of this, I have somehow transported to New York lol.  Not something I expected to see here in Japan that's for sure!  After seeing this Maoh was explaining that on the rivers here in Odaiba, they often have boats where people drink and party.  I explained to Madoka and Maoh that they sometimes happen in the UK but more common are the drinking buses.  Maoh then suggested Oroboras should drive one for all of us in the future XD

Once back at Shimbashi, Maoh and Madoka announced they were gonna hit a flash burger joint in Kawasaki and would I join them.  Big burgers?  Damn straight I'll join you!  So onwards we went into kawasaki train station/shopping mall, and after navigating a bizarre series of escalators where you have to walk a quarter of the upper level for the next set to emerge, we were there.

This was a proper old fashioned 1950's US diner and it was awesome!  Ordered a chicken burger and it came with one of the biggest chicken fillets I have seen!  I also had one of their oreo milkshakes for the full on diner experience, damn tasty too!  

We spent hours afterwards talking about H!P, previous trips to Japan, Madoka's residence in Oxford and how many idol events Oroboras will try and attend in october!  Maoh also had his laptop with him and tonnes of photos from his previous trips, incuding the Eurowota meet up in London during 2010.  This was wonderfully nostalgic seeing Maimai being shown off on british buses and outside royal albert hall made me chuckle as I hadn't seen them in so long.  Only downer was seeing her who shall not be named during the karaoke photos!

One thing that transpired during the evening, was that this place was where the video for 'lady mermaid' by the Satoyama unit Dialady was shot!  So that's another part of the idol history I can tick off, naturally at evening's end we had to get one of the staff to photograph us all together.

From left Myself, Madoka and Maoh

By now it had got past 10pm so jumped on the half train back to Nippori then literally came home, updated twitter with some inane babble (including how yes I had forgotten names of people, I am terrible at remembering them from meetings, I need to get over that somehow!) and hit the sack.  So today, well I think Mizuki A4 will have arrived in H!P store so gonna go there and maybe try and conquer super hang on again!  Until next time *sets sail*

A final live report for Yuu!

Hi all, before you all start, the title is not me saying I am going home and is actually not my final live report, score for misleading journalism!  No the title is that this is the final event I can attend of Kikka's so from this point on my blogs will about my other antics!

Anyway the previous day to this I was really really really tired, constantly felt on jelly legs when walking and everything.  Initially I just wanted to stick around and do something like the Tokyo Skytree...  But I was simply too knackered, worried at first I had heat stroke or come down with something, so I just stuck my head in some books and took the day off, advantage of a month abroad, if a day feels like shite, you can write it off!

So to yesterday, well the night was Kikka's mini-live event in Shinjuku, but I wanted stuff to do in the day before it.  Fortunately, I saw on my twitter that Nino was knocking about and wanted to go scouting for a potential laptop as well as visit Akiba backstage pass so I thought, fuck it, not done that, let's roll!

So hot morning around 11:15 we meet in Akiba station and head to the huge Yodobashi shopping...  err...  Stadium!  Seriously, if you weren't aware it was a shopping store you'd at first glance think it was a stadium of some sort, they are freaky places which have tonnes of stuff for sale.  Nino and I checked out the laptops and cost was very high, as you'd expect in Japan, but specs weren't the great, mostly mid-rate, on that barrel full of disappointment we headed into Akihabara itself.

I decided I wanted to scout out the Hello Project shop again just in case there was something in there that took my fancy.  (Note: - My rather exclusive Fukumura Mizuki A4 photo is still not in!)  Inside I noticed something I hadn't seen in the H!P store very often, lots of young people!  This was cool and evidently shows the new direction of the groups is generating cross generation interest.  Though I am still not too hot on some of the younger additions (more on that later).

Still I did spy an awesome item I had to pick up featuring the aforementioned Fukumura Mizuki

Yup a lovely clearfile with photocard, what made Nino and I laugh is the blatant copyright rip-off from chupa chups, then again, Kikka-sama got away with ripping off star wars so they have previous when it comes to this sort of thing!

After this we checked a couple more computer stores which somehow had the same machines as Yodobashi but at half the price, score one for rip-off consumerism within one mile of itself.  Thing you'll notice about Akiba is the fierce competition for electronics sales.  If you are in Japan and need a new camera, shop around here is my advice as you may score a bargain!

Once done we were both feeling a little hungry and decided to hit Akihabara backstage pass, for those of you who do not know, this is Tsunku's own maidcafe.  I have never done maid cafes before but have never really been that interested as they mostly seemed about blessing your lunch and being drowned by sickeningly sweet antics.  However, Dean mentioned should at least give it a go and having someone who has been before as a guide was enough of a reason.

When we got up there it was quite amusing as the maid on door duty had to call three times for someone to take our custom haha, I think they were all terrified of these foreigners not being able to understand them, despite the door maids repeated instruction that japanese was ok.  (well...  sort of!)

Anyway eventually we got ourselves sat down and ordered some food, which was decent, usually, from what I have heard, the food is crap but the experience great.  Here it fused both which was nice.  First thing I had to do was sign this form for a members card with my 'producer's name'  (mine in other words!) which was fun.  After food arrived we suddenly got accosted by 海岬まりな who is one of the maids that Nino is a big fan of

Show beats tell usually so there you are!  She was actually very funny, she understood my Japanese and kept asking stuff like how old I was and where I was from, both of which surprised her.  Not entirely sure why me being English is such a surprise, I guess I really am from the grim northern steppes and totally out of my universe or something!

She also made us laugh because Nino and her are fans of the Japanese artist YUI, and she has a song titled 'Please stay with me'  So まりな, bless her, asks two foreigners what it means and how to translate it.  we both broke down laughing with the same wavelength thought...  "err...  is that appropriate for an idol to ask?"  I think she realised and immediately shouted 'dame!'  (Japanese for don't!)  Which just tickled us even further.

After this the stage suddenly became active and five members of the cast came on stage to perform one of their songs.  At this all maid activity stopped and instead I was treated to something I have never seen before.  The maid group on stage sang live, but all the maids suddenly danced the PV dance where they were.  This included behind the car, at tableside, entry to the cafe...  It was...  Awesome, but not something I was anticipating.  Also as a bit of fan service, if you look at one of the off-stage maids while they do this, they come over and pretty much do a one on one dance for you.  Can see now why many are attracted by these places!

I do think we got her in trouble though as she wanted to stay talking to us forever but management kept calling her away from the table, oops!  Anyway next to us two Japanese wota turned up and began talking with us, trying to get Nino to say to a maid that the word for beautiful in Japanese was actually something far worse.  Nino played along at first, before bailing out when she came over.  Maid was called もえのあずき

Japanese wota continued to hound Nino for more fail Japanese but he was just like 'dame!' which got them giggling profusely.  もえ however stuck around talking to us for some time, especially when she mentioned jackie chan and it turned out she was a fan!  I sat there talking about Rush hour, Who Am I?, dragons forever and others which was unexpectedly awesome.  Jackie chan really is the man and if he ever goes to japan I know one maid who'd fangirl massively that's for sure!  Just as we were readying to leave the Japanese wota gave us a parting gift.

Yup, copies of their singles, which was awesome!  Especially as one on the left is actually sealed, shows these guys are regulars!  We settled our bill after this and left, overall, a good experience had.  Certainly fun if you know some Japanese so can interact fully with both the maids and the other customers.  Not too expensive if you are careful, my bill was around 2400 yen for just under an hour.  However, Nino did point out one option on the bill was Dom Perigion at a whopping 40000 yen!  Firstly, champagne is horrible, secondly, especially at that price!

We settled for a swift drink in a bar near the station, though Nino began having issues with his stomach at this point so went for coke while I grabbed a shot of whiskey on the rocks, hey, I can live the high life now and again!  After this went our separate ways and I returned to my room to park my stuff and just chill for a while.

At home I got some news about Morning Musume having a semi-best of album with new arrangements and so forth.  Now, something I have never hidden, is that I do not understand the adoration for Sayashi Riho.  Yes, she can dance well, but she can't sing and just strikes me as dull.  Whenever I have seen comments about her I always get this overwhelming feeling of people being suckered by hype...  Which I broadcast on the forum Jplop...

Oh boy did this start a war!  Naturally people were defending, which is absolutely fine.  But it proceeded to degenerate when I simply said you have your opinion and I have mine, let's agree to disagree.  An attempt to move the discussion on, water under the bridge, etc...  Some people just don't know when to quit and begin talking about previous dismissals from other forums and such.  I am all for flaming my opinion, that's fine, but when you start to go 'neeer you're not welcome on this place and no surprise' it just makes you look an asshole!


Anyway I wasn't about to let this ruin my evening, with about two hours left before Kikka sama I decided to return to Akiba for some arcade gaming and some grub.  After throwing 300 yen into outrun again (seriously I am addicted to that game!)  I went for a swift matsuya, but while on the way there I saw this outthere and amazing thing.

That's just...  Wow!  Something so out of leftfield from where I am from to be absolutely awesome!  It'd be interesting to see the response if that ever took round the city of Manchester, even here there were nationals taking photos in bewilderment, and that is saying something for a town where maids stand on the street offering you flyers for their cafes lol

So train ride to Shinjuku and I happen to spy some promotion for Momusu at Shin-okubo station, two large posters for the single.  I have to say one thing, ever since these new generations have appeared, the company have finally put the effort in for promoting their singles.  Just a pity that my fave era didn't get the same sort of treatment but ah well!

Finally made it to Tower records and around 9pm bought  a copy of Kikka's album which got me access to the live and the following handshake.  What was interesting here is that the tower records in Shinjuku has a small stage in the middle of the 7th floor and like in Shibuya Tsutaya we had to queue up the stairs between floors depending on the number for your ticket.  As I was a late arrival my number was 123, but not a massive issue considering I had around 6 inches in height on most of the audience so good view regardless!

But it was still a strange experience to be about to watch a concert on the 7th floor of a shopping centre in the middle of a records shop!  Not that it stopped us doing what we usually do at concerts, yup, the glowsticks came out, the chants and more.  Makes you wonder how the staff put up with that sort of thing, then again, welcome break from the monotony maybe?

Kikka rushed on stage and opened with Time to zone which was an unexpected surprise.  Whilst it is from her best of, I wasn't prepared for it.  Worked brilliantly as an opener though being that sort of semi-acoustic dance number at slightly higher than average pace.  Got the crowd clapping and cheering loudly which is always awesome.

Following this she did a brief MC introducing herself and talking about how her next song was one produced by Kimaguren, thus I already knew that 八月の花火  was coming next, before that though, she sang a line from ''cafe ole no uta' before asking us to sing it back to her, which was pretty cool!  It was funny to hear the offset between Kikka's beautifully refined vocals and the crowds harsh rebuttal, it certainly made Kikka chuckle.  As the next song began the crowd continued where we'd left off at Idol Nation in uncharted territory with a song where no real existing wota chanting was in play.

Still we pulled through and got most of the unfamiliar to join in, whilst Kikka continued to display why she is my favourite idol with the great ability to swing between vocal styles with ease whilst having the presence to interact with as much of the crowd as possible.

After this mic went on to the stand as she launched into the ballad 世界中に君は一人だけ I was surprised as this song as it was such a change in pace, but she just absolutely nailed it everytime, really high notes and different keys without as much as hicup.  Following this the pace picked up again with こんな私でよかったら which was as flawless as idol nation before she ended with Sweetie.  The final song was funny as we at the back sort of trolled the crowd because it seemed we changed the rhythm of the chants which threw people off.  I am not sure if Kikka clocked it herself, but she at points stopped singing and pointing at the crowd, so we missed a line before singing for her and she kept giggling.  I reckon it was more coincidence but if not then she truly is amazing!

After the live it was time for the handshake and I spoke with a few of the wota beforehand as once again, in true Japanese fashion, it was pretty rapid.  Kikka2525 was saying how he much preferred the American style we enjoyed in Atlanta where you had much more time.  Still, any time is better than no time, so having queued around I reached her and decided to play safe and simply said that she was the best in the world.  She responded by going 'wow, I love you, Kikkawa Yuu' This made me XD but I just responded with 'I love you too' and she replied with thanks in English while the crowd cheered, nice crowning moment to a very good day and evening overall was that.

Final thing I did was come home, say night to my girlfriend and family before hitting the sack and getting sleep.  Now today...  Err...  Nothing planned!  I have the cool hello concerts tomorrow and sunday so probably going to get some supplies in ahead of those and generally laze about.  Isn't a holiday about relaxing and enjoying yourself?  Exactly!  And I aim to do just that!  Until next time, *sets sail*