CK in Japan, Fall 2009 Days 2-3...The Fateful Day Has Finally Arrived

Wow did it get cold last tonight!  I was out to dinner and shopping with some friends in Ueno, and all of a sudden this frigid wind and icy rain hit the area.  Of course my warmest clothes were back at the hotel, so I got to shiver my way through the evening,  The "good" news was we were all equally under-dressed and cold as hell, so i didn't feel alone in my discomfort.  Hopefully things will warm up a bit tomorrow when I see Berryz Kobo in Shinjuku.

I have traditionally purchased my Hello! Project tickets through a deputy service before I arrive in the country.  The good thing about that was 1) I assured myself of being able to see shows before I set foot in the Japan.  And 2) I didn't have to go through the hassle of figuring out how to get tickets on my own.  The problem was that I was paying outrageous amounts of money for mediocre tickets, and rarely getting close enough for a little face time with the idols.  But that all changed on my last trip in May, and it is continuing with this trip.

The fact is that H!P tickets are readily available at the reseller shops throughout Tokyo.  It is an easy process, they have all of the tickets in glass cases with the section, row and price.  You simply grab a salesperson and point to the ticket you want...and that's it!  Today at Gorakudoh they had tons of tickets for Berryz, MoMusu, Arashi, AKB Infinity, you name it!  And the fact is I paid the same price for a great seat as I did for a mediocre seat through a deputy service.  My friend Arden always told me this was the way to go, and Celestia confirmed it.  This is why my seats have gotten a heck of a lot better on my last two trips.

Since I had no concerts to see today, I spent the day doing a little shopping.  And I found some amazing stuff, and a few cool deals...

In a way I feel like a surfer giving away the best surf spot.  But I think everyone knows about Trio2 by now.  This shop is an absolute Wota heaven!  Just imagine a store dedicated to all things J-pop, specializing in AKB48, Hello! Project, Idoling!!! and the like.  That is Trio2 in Nakano.  They have a huge supply of pics, just about every idol mag you can imagine, and tons of used DVDs and PBs.  And anyone who was purchased used stuff in Japan can tell you, "used is new!"  BTW, what the heck are these outfits in the window of the H!P Store Harajuku?

Suffice it to say i have spent far too much money already on this trip.  I had anticipated this problem, and brought more Yen than ever before.  I knew I had to pay cash for all of my concert tickets this time around, and I also knew I was going to be buying the new AKB48 7-disc Sokaku Matsuri behemoth.  That thing was majorly expensive.  But it has 6 different concerts, a "making of disc", a huge photobook and a great picbinder with pics.  I was ecstatic because my random pics included Meetan...and Tanamin!  But the greatest find was at Trio2.

I should be used to this, as it was hinted on the package.  But as I opened my copy of Yazawa Erika's photobook something immediately caught my eye....

It was autographed!!!!!

Isn't that awesome?  I totally adore this girl, although I have never seen Idoling!!! in person before.  It also came with a nice little picset.  Yazawa is the epitome of idol awesomeness.  there is a ton of other stuff I want to buy, but I am pacing myself.  Aww shucks, who am I kidding?

This just might be the greatest experience I have ever had as an idol fan.  I had the chance to see SDN48 for a second time this weekend.  And it just confirmed that what they are doing is taking the entire idol concept to an entirely new level.  Their first stage is nothing less than sensational.  The music is great, and the dancing is superb.  And ever since the first show, I can't stop thinking about...

Hatakeyama Chisaki:  CHAKIIIIIII!!!!!  This girl is an amazing idol!  I believe she is the 2nd youngest in the unit, but she stars throughout the entire stage.  She apparently had a nice gravure career before joinging SDN.  And I know Ray will love her because she looks a lot like Koike Rina.  And the coolest thing is it is her birthday this week, and I have won a ticket for her birthday show!  Oh, and don't tell Meetan, I wrote Chisaki a fan letter!

One of the coolest traditions of SDN shows is the post concert "High Touch".  After every performance the girls line up in the hallway, and you get to "high five" them as you leave the theater.  You can also get a few brief words in with them if you really quick about it.  And you know what this means.......

I was so excited!  The friends I was with decided to hang out until the end because the management might not rush us as much.  And Hiro told me he was going to stop at the girl after Meetan so I can get stuck in front of her.  (hehehe)  We finally jumped into the "high touch line"  And after seeing the first girl (who I think was Misa Okochi) the first person to stop me was Chisaki, who had a huge "sugoi!" look on her face as I passed her.  The same with CinDy, who grabbed my hand and thanked me for coming.  She is adorable too!  After saying hello to Sayanee again, Mine and Hiro's plan began to unravel, and it was all the fault of Nachu...

NATSUKO!!!!!

Nachu is sooo funny!!!  When I got up to her she decided she wanted to teach me her "hand gesture"., which is like a combination of the Hawaiian Shaka Sign and the Vulcan "live long and prosper".  I kept fumbling with it, and in the meantime I started to hold up the line.  Then one of the staff pushed me, which made me fly right by Sato Yukari and Noro Kayo.  But I was able to stop my momentum at Meetan.  Luckily Hiro had said to her that I was right behind him, so she gave me a big smile and "arigatou" as she grabbed my hand instead of slapping it.  But I didn't want to get pushed twice, so I kept moving to the end of the line.  That's okay, I am going to see SDN48 again on Thursday night, so I will have another chance to say hello to Megumi, and this time I will hopefully make eye contact with Nonti and Yukarin.

I am slightly hungover today from a bad combination of Suntory Hi-Ball's and Chu-Hi Strong.  But I should recover in time for Berryz tonight.  13th row center...awesome!!!!!

CK in Tokyo