11 days in Japan for Kinki Kids

Finally I am posting up bit by bits my recount of my Japan trip. Since it was a hard-earned trip, I figured I might as well be as detailed as I could to document my memory without being too lengthy(I hope!). So here goes!

 

The night of 24^th September 2008 was a much-anticipated night. I hustled home after work and dinner to start my packing for my very first self-sponsored trip to Japan to finally watch my idols since I was 12. 8 years..I’m surprised fandom could have lasted that long as it is, when my fandom of Jay Chou did not make past age 15 or 16. There was something fun about last-minute packing that enticed me, seeming to cut short the time I spend pining and shuffling restlessly around the house waiting for THE time to move off.

 

Finally, it was time to jet off. The plane departed on time, bringing me to the skies where the sun was just rising, casting glows with hues of orangey-red across the clouds. Onwards! Towards the Land of the Rising Sun!

 

 Northwest Airlines provided us not terrible but human-enough food on the flight. I was not particular bout it, just disappointed my seat could not be a tad more comfortable. Seriously as Audrey put it, it felt like doing a sit-and-reach exercise when the seat could not be reclined back to a more acceptable degree. Plus, it wasn’t really like sitting on cushion. While I was not watching a movie, I was tossing and turning in the hard seat, having a restless sleep. My feet were restricted to the tiny foot space in front of me and I was afraid if I reclined too far the passenger behind would be in more discomfort than he should be. Otherwise, the flight was free from heavy turbulations.

 

JAPAN AT LAST! Surprisingly, I was not suffering palpitations or butterflies in my stomach from over excitement. Perhaps, the feeling hasn’t quite set in. But I was happy! I heard Japanese, saw Japanese everywhere that it felt exhilarating to actually see another part of the world. We managed to exchange for train passes without much of a problem and boarded NEX to Tokyo!!

The train was EXTREMELY comfortable, we couldn’t help feeling relaxed and sleepy. Sights of the more ‘laid-back’ part of Japan whizzed past my eyes I made myself stay awake to take in these sights. The land houses dwelt in disarray, heights of roofs rising and falling with the uneven contours of land. Stretch of fields and greenery was such a pleasant sight to look at, truly a stark contrast to little Singapore.

 

Ceci and I were eager to breathe in Japan air although after that I found not much a difference except the air was cooler. LOL. I found out that the outside air actually diffuses into the lower grounds of the subway and it’s heartening to know so at least I know I won’t suffocate from stale air if the air-conditioning fails. We trudged on the grounds of the subway, lugging our luggage up and down the escalators and stairs of Ueno subway to finally the exit steps perspiring! Did you know the Tokyo trains are very informative with the train stops detailed on line-charts? The light blinks to indicate which stop we are at. Terribly useful for tourists. Singapore should adopt the blinking indicative lights on her trains!

 

First night of dinner was at the 2^nd floor of a shop house, a tiny eatery with an extremely polite waitress. Even after learning Japanese for slightly more than 2.5 years, I was handicapped at ordering my food. Gosh, what is the Japanese counter to use to order food? If not for Ceci, we will be eating Japan air rather than delicious Okonomiyaki.

 

 

Presented with the pancake batter, we are a little dumbfounded on what to do. So I thought, hack, just dump it on the plate. Plane food was bad, I’m hungry! Happily I dumped the batter onto the hotplate, trying to shape the batter into a reasonable round shape. But wait, something wasn’t right. With horror we realized – WE DIDN’T ADD OIL! Frantic, we poured a moat of oil around the pancake, poking the sides in hope to save our long-awaited dinner. The couple beside us was incredulous at our “gaijin-ness’ and carried on with their dinner, expertly cooking their pancakes and noodles whatever it was while we relied on the Chef to specially help us fry our noodles.

 

Our concert tickets from Nahoko-san, Treasure-Japan. People who require help bidding for concert tickets do use her! Rates are high but she’s excellent!

 

Comfortable in our Asakusa Toukaisou Ryokan…

 

 

 

On our second day in Japan the weather took a sudden turn for cold. Now I understand why Johnny boys like to write on their nikki – ‘Autumn/Winter is coming. It has turned colder today!’. We decided to visit the Asakusa Temple. Armed with our map, (not too sure if it’s trusty or not cause on our last day in Japan I realized actually we took a longer way there when it was actually quite easy to walk there), we walked for some time pass unopened shops and avoided oncoming cars driving through the shop streets! A certain sleepiness permeated the air of this small town, where elderly walk their dogs and young people are seldom seen. Our route to the temple also involved empty wooden stalls. We guessed that a festival was drawing close and those were set up temporarily.

 

Suddenly, as if exiting a forest and reaching a clearing, we saw the temple!

Tourists were gathered at different corners, taking pictures at the stairs to the temple,

 

‘washing’ their hands at the small fountain with scoops of water (I did so too but what’s the purpose?), offering incense or simply in the temple offering pious prayers or admiring the architecture of the temple. The girls each put in 100yen into the box to get a prediction lot. There was an English translation but I don’t really think it’s accurate. Who does those translations anyway?! Haha!

 

 

 

Ceiling of Temple

 

That temple was in my opinion, commercialized, not really to my liking. We proceeded to a street lined with stalls and people! People everywhere! A street crawling with humans! It was so such a breathe of fresh air to emerge from the sleepy cross-streets to an area filled with such activity!

 

I was excited as we explored that street together, peering curiously into stalls selling food, souvenirs, toys, and even ‘fake’ Johnny products! I actually saw little boys looking at key-chains of the Johnny boys saying ‘Kakkoi!”. LOL. Fanboys?

Super smooth and creamy, the ice-cream!

 

Tried super hard to catch ’em in mid air!

 

 

 

 

Along the way, we saw many Junichi posters. Apparently his face is being used to promote safety in Japan or something using of his SP drama? No kidding I tell you. His face is everywhere!

 

  

 

He’s on the RICKSHAW too?!

 

Initially I wanted to see how many pictures I could take of him for fun, but when I realized his omnipresence – I gave up.

 

We headed to Akihabara next, electrical town! There were so many men I wondered where did the women go in daylight? We entered a store that houses electrical goods and I saw SO MANY JAPANESE PHONES! Wahaha. I got my heart set on getting one after that. Men hollered out daily sales items at the entrance/exit. Such guts. We wanted to find maid cafes but gave up the idea later.  But hey, guess what I saw?

 

Rearing the penguins as a form to advertise your ice-kachang?! That dessert looks very much like ice-kachang in Singapore to me! Poor cute penguins stuck in such a small area. There were plenty of arcades stores, but strangely Japan arcades have many many toy catching machines and that Taito drum game, certainly not like Singapore!

 

Taken at some photo machine. We were penniless people so this was a cheaper resort:

 

Tee-hee. Cheap thrill? HA!

 

Next stop, SHIBUYA! 

 

We whipped out our cameras and started clicking. The other Japanese girls were using their mobile cameras instead. Whatever, I don’t care! I have an excuse ’cause I’m a gaijin. Hahaha!

 

 

Saw him before I entered the ‘club’:

 

 

Of My Pride and Joy <3~ :

 

HELP with my limited Japanes on above notes pls?

 

Tsuyoshi: " Ai wo ???(sou?) kimochi wa sutekina hikari wo hou?nda. Minna no kimochi hontouni ureshikatta.Arigatou."

Koichi: " Minna no ai ??tanata(ga-tanata?) toki hontouni ookina chikara ga umareru to ryou kakunin shimashita. Hontouni arigatou!"

 

I’m just guessing…

 

Tsuyoshi: The feeling of the thought of (your) love is like the release of a beautiful glow of light. I feel happy (for your feeling). Thank you."

Koichi: When I receive everyone’s love, I am affirmed by the strength given. Thank you very much!!"

 

And others:

I’m sorry it’s blur, I didn’t take this!

 

I will say this again for the umpteenth time – Shige looks BAD ( I wanted to say hideous) with blond hair. Uh-uh, not the way to go.

 

I totally forgot to take this. Meiyan did!(39!) Hmm..Can you see the relation between handwriting and characters here? And why do Massu and Tego have similar smilies?

 

Xiu Luan, Peggy, betcha like this?

 

 

Leaving there after 2 hours plus of watching the video clips there… to —-> 109 Shopping mall! Finally finally finally I saw something which resembles the image of Japan I know. Flashing neon lights, a sea of PEOPLE and girls with such heavy makeup and big hair you would think when I poked their faces their faces will crack. I was amazed at those people who handed out fliers. They are super enthusiastic, urging you to visit wherever their shop is. Even when the sun is shining, or when it’s dark, they still smile broadly. In Singapore, you get:

 

1)      Utterly bored, ‘I-wanna-die-get-me-outta-here’ faces

2)      A few replica flyers thrust into your hands if you are kind enough to take a flyer.

3)      Middle-aged aunties giving out flyers. (Wouldn’t you be bored compared to if you see young energetic, spirited people?)

 

That night, I think we went also to Ginza.We had hoped to find some swanky skanky women stationed on the pavements but apparently it was too early for them to appear to reel in their catch. LOL. It was too early for skanks, too late to shop. Not that we could afford the stuff in Ginza but still. After Meiyan and Ceci purchased identical purple jackets at the Adidas shop, we walked past closed shops for awhile to at least ‘make worth’ our trip to Ginza before going back to shop near our neighbourhood and back to our ryokan – very much beat.

 

–Ends first part of Japan travel entry- 25 Oct, 4.23am

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Boarded a super early train on 27th September to Osaka where we would be spending 2 days. I loved our apartment there : Weekly Mansion Osaka. We got lost finding our way there but that’s because we’re silly enough to walk the opposite direction. Big enough bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, 2 TVs, a tiny ‘kitchen’ and dining table. Cosy and extremely comfy.

Hallway from door to living area

 

 

 

 

We were late in meeting Bex at Shinsaibashi but she was super nice about it. Do you know there’s this famous seafood place with the big crab signboard in Shinsaibashi-Doutonbori?

We didn’t eat there but dined at another Okonomiyaki restaurant. After lunch the group splitted, Drey and her friend and the rest of us Kinki fans with Bex. Before that however, THIS happend on the bridge:

 

BWAHAHAH. Mei Yan and Ceci look so relunctant. This guy was holding up a sign – "Free Hugs!" and was urging us to come forward. A guy in suit approached him and that guy in guady print shirt pushed him aside yelling, "ONAJI – DOKE!! (We’re the same sex! Outta the way!)"

 

 

Imitating the Glico Man

 

 

Saw this somewhere. Osaka has many comedians? Haa!

 

Bex took us to this Ferris Wheel resting on top of a shopping mall. Can’ remember which but according to her, in Osaka there are only 2 Ferris Wheels and the other is at the Aquarium. What a treat for just ’round 600yen! Panaromic view and the setting Osaka sun!

 

  

  

  

Heart – formed by coins at the pool of water below the Ferris Wheel

 

 

 

Bex entertained us with stories of her Kanjani 8 fandom trails of concerts across Japan during dinner. There was once she went to a concert and Ryo came out with a cap titled "LOSER". In return, she and her friends did the ‘L’ side on their foreheads with their hands but Ryo saw that and was clueless. LOL. She also told us about the kids she teaches in school and how cheeky they are. We joked that she should sign ’em up for Johnny’s and if they do get in, we get signatures and the kids can say their teacher signed them up instead of their mum or sister. Hahaha. Bex is super funny and animated. We parted ways with happy memories in meeting up with a super kind overseas fan. I hope I get to meet her in Osaka some day again.

 

Day after: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS!

 

 

 

 

 

Nice architecture and fake streets and all things cute-halloween-y including Elmo morphed into a pumpkin.ROFL.

  

 

 

 

 

We were contemplating to get the hair bands to get Koichi’s attention – bet he will think it is moe. Lol.

 

 

Ceci said Koichi helped put up this shark thing. LOL.

 

 

 

 

 

Honestly I got tired of snapping pictures and resigned myself to enjoying my time there. The weather was awesome, though it drizzled abit but this kinda weather – Singapore doesn’t have it all the time. I loved the Spiderman 3D ride but to be frank the rides weren’t as awesome as I hoped. As I was walking I half-wished my boyfriend was around. He’ll make things so much more fun. Thre waiting time in queue was a killer it could dampen your spirits. I felt all sleepy standing in line and at moments wished I had a bubble of comfort I could retreat to which automatically moves with the line. Haha..! Anyway,

 

Something funny I snapped in Tokyo:

 

 

 

– End of Osaka entry – 8 November,Saturday

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On 29th September we arrived in Fukuoka. Due to a typhoon in nearby Taiwan, the weather was somewhat affected. We looked for our budget hotel in the rain but missed it cause our heads were nearly down most of the time cause of the rain. Thanks to a good samaritan, we finally arrived at our hotel with relieved hearts.

 

My miserable room:

 

Cramped as it was, the breakfast was decent and free internet was via laptop there. Thank god for the laptop so I could upload my concert pictures there.

 

Fukuoka in general seems like a pretty boring place and transport was more expensive than in Tokyo. I would have thought shopping would be cheaper but..not so. But we found a shopping paradise at Tenjin station, where there were shops lined up a looong way and we had lotsa fun there. It was SO easy to spend 500yen cause it is a coin and our minds were tricked to think coins are of lesser value. Bull. It is very much the opposite in fact. We craved yakitori at night so we visted a stall. One skewer for each of us but it was expensive!

 

 

 

Fukuoka wouldn’t be completed without…Johnny’s Shop!!

 

 

 

 

Did you know before I went to Johnny’s Shop, I was chatting with Chosoo online telling her we might bump into each other there since we were intending to go go once we finished chatting. Turns out she WAS there! Just that I didn’t know and Drey only told me she saw Chosoo at Johnny’s when we met the next day while queueing up for con goods.

 

SPEAKING OF CONCERT, I edited 29th Sept Concert Entry. Threw in more pictures. Please read my experience of a lifetime – Kinki Kids Fukuoka 29th September Concert here! (Or just scroll down my blog’s main page la!)

 

Our second day in Fukuoka, we went to Canal City. No idea why it’s called the name it is but it does have a pretty unique achitecture. The building is connected to Grand Hyatt and in a curved shape. Grand Hyatt! Ceci and I were day-dreaming our boys were staying in it. The feeling of so near yet so far…

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Canal City we parted with Drey for our 2nd con. Have also edited and put pictures. Read updated entry here!

 

 

 – End of Fukuoka entry – November 15, Saturday

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Wow as the entry drags on I find I am just plain lazy to write more. To carry on, 2-6 Ocotober 2008 was spent back in Tokyo where highlights in no time chronological order were : Tokyo Disneyland! – Harajuku – Shinjuku~!  

The year I went Tokyo Disneyland, it was it’s 25th Anniversary.

 

Cute!

  

 

I actually forgot to take the magnificent castle in it’s day glory.

 

Group picture and goody bags in our hands. Regretted fully why I splurged on them. 

 

I think the queue in Disneyland was worst than Universal studios. I did not like the Smoked Turkey drumstick I bought. Oh why am I so negative? Ok la, good thing was I did enjoy the surroundings. It’s DISNEYLAND after all and the Japanese always seem so eager and smiling in their work. Singaporeans won’t have such attitude. When will I hear from them "Nan-nin sama desu ka" again?

 

I AM GLAD I WALKED HARAJUKU TO SHIBUYA! It was fun taking in roads, noticing how the streets and stalls change from the thin street of Takeshita to a wider view of branded shops like Burberry Blue Label. Omigosh, I love UniQlo! That huge shop there, partnering or part of UniQlo has the widest range of T-shirts which were made to look so fun bottled in plastic cylindrical containers. It is like Giodano cum Muji in Singapore – only better!!

 

 

Uncle Sony brought us to a sugoku taki Hokkaido Seafood restaurant. I think the bill came up to I think $300plus SGD per person. *GULPS*

 

On our last night, we went to Shinjuku.

We entered this area. Don’t know what the Kanji means but in Chinese it sorta translates to ‘Street of Entertainment’. Oh it was ‘entertainment alright. Cause…

 

 

Men in Black aka Hosts/Gigolos prowling the streets.

 

You will not believe how similar they look, sporting the same hairstyle, face sometimes white as sheet – not to mention FAT. Gosh they are not up to standard! So sad. Where have all the ikemen gone to? Ceci said the good-looking ones are either in Johnny’s or TV. We joked that if Koichi would look like a host in that kinda suit and he wouldn’t even be on the streets to look for female preys cause he will be No.1 . HAHA. Hmm, Takki would be a good candidate too. Those hosts zoomed in on Audrey, giving her flyers (they look worse on it) cause she looked the best of the 4 of us that day. LOL.

 

Ok I am ending this whole travel entry. It is time to write about something else!!

 

– Wednesday , November 26 ,9.19pm –