Day 4 - Meguro THE LIVE STATION

Yet another day where I woke up at 7am....this is becoming annoying.  I tried to lay around until a decent time, and made it to 8am.  Good enough.  Kim finished getting ready for the day and headed out.  I pondered a bit for what to do, with no actual plans until 5pm.  Which made the decision for me to not do anything big, since I would need time later.

I got sort of ready and decided to go to the 100en shop and find a new make up brush for my foundation.  The one I have is pretty small, and not at all like the one I have at home that Amanda uses.  So off to the 100en shop!  

Nothing much happened there.  I got the make up brush, some Q-tips, some presents for people, and false eyelashes.  Unfortunately I broke one of the eyelashes when I got home ><  Lucky it's a two pair pack!  And the brush is a little stiff...but I suppose it did it's job.  I may find a softer one.  Don't like it too much.

Put on my make up for the day.  I wanted something a little more dramatic than what I'd been having, but nothing too out there.  Just some pink with a long cat eye.  And gloss.

Just showing you I have Jack Skellington hands.

Shirt from Old Navy, skirt part of a one piece from Hot Topic, and tights from Doll Kiss.  Oh, and Alice in Wonderland socks from Walmart! xD

Leaving the house, I decided to just wander around, so I went into Suitengumae station, and took a random exit out.  It was quite the populated area.  I was surprise.  But I walked for a long time, before finally deciding to head back and grab some food.

So I headed to Mcdonalds, my safe alternative.  I feel odd going into actual restaurants alone, so I opt for fast food.  Not healthy, nor too cheap, but it's more comfortable.

Today the girl at the register tried to speak english to me.  It was very cute!  I ordered something new.  The Ebi Filet.  Which, for those that don't know what Ebi is, is a shrimp filet.  So, Ebi Filet, fries, and Qoo.

Something I really like about Mcdonalds Japan is that when you're missing an item, instead of having you wait for everything, or not remembering your face when they have you sit down, they give you a nice little "Your order will be with you soon!" sign. With a number and everything, so they know what you're getting.

A perfect excuse for fresh fries.

The ebi filet looked pretty good, and I was excited to try it.  Mostly because it's something new and, well, I like shrimp.   It was pretty tasty.  I don't think I'll get it again,  but it wasn't bad.  Especially if you only eat seafood, it's a good alternative to the Fish Filet (Which I've never though looked good.)

Slight mess on the wrapper of mustard!  I took a photo because it reminds me of my co-worker Stacy and how messy he is.

Yum Yum insides.

So immediately afterwards I headed downstairs and got on the train.  My first train ride alone, from start to finish!  How exciting LOL.  All in all it was a painless easy ride.  From Suitengumae to Nagatacho, then from there to Meguro.  Busy station, but not bad.  Then I had to wait for Anna and Daria.  We agreed to meet at the East entrance.

Only problem was I couldn't find the east entrance ><  Only the west and central.  So I wandered around.  I'd gotten there about 40 minutes early in case of this, so it was no problem.  But I walked FOREVER.  Until I finally found a map with the right directions on it.

Graffiti.

More Graffiti in Meguro.

As it turns out, there is a second exit. Across the street.  In another building.  Who knew?  

So I hurried over to find Anna and Daria waiting, and I hurried up to them apologizing.  They laughed about it, and we set off.  Apparently the doors didn't open until 6, but Anna hadn't been sure, and thought maybe the show started at six.

I hadn't met Daria before.  She's a very pretty girl, a little taller than me and a little older than me, from Russia.  She's very sweet, and a little shy.  

So we headed over to get some coffee from Dotour.  It's a cute little coffee chain.  I opted out of a drink for a while.  We chatted about lives, and about fashion.  Out of no where Daria commented that I "don't look American"  that I must "look German or something like that."  To which Anna agreed.  I was like "What? Why??"  They both agreed that I looked "Too punk to be American."  I chuckled and told them I was from Seattle.  It's different.

Anna agreed and we talked about how all the parts of America are different than what's on TV.

Anna bought me hot cocoa.

THE LIVE STATION in Meguro.

FINALLY it was time to go to the show.  But we had to run to 711 for Anna to pull out money first.  Then over to the live! It was in an odd little underground spot.  You would walk in, then go down two flights of stairs, then you were at the door.  

Total it cost 3000en, with the ticket and drink card.  Not too bad.  And in we went.

Anna explained to me that the headliners, Aresz, usually has pretty strict rules for photography, so I had to be careful.  No problem.

The little tiny bar spot.

Merch.

You can hardly see it but here is the fence.

I was surprised by how small the venue was.  I'm used to the ones back in Seattle, where even if the main floor is small, there is a second story.  Anna explained that this was usual for Live houses in Japan.  Sometimes they were bigger, but not often.

My drink ticket, on my leg lol.

We set our bags down near the wall, and took up camp, waiting for people to arrive.

Again, I was surprised.  

By the time the show started...including us, there were only 16 people.  I was amazed beyond belief.  

I understand, for how known Aresz is, they're still not big time popular, and the other two bands aren't either.  Don't get me wrong, they're all great.  But I guess that's an explanation.

Aresz started the show.  They were amazing.  The singer has such a powerful voice.  And such stage presence.  She was really great to watch.  And the music was really catchy.  A little hard, but still really great.  

I think my favorite part of the whole evening was watching the Bangya.  (Bangya is basically the term for VK fangirls, though more intense.  There's very little way to fully describe the feeling they give.)  I  picked up some of the movements they did to the songs,  but a lot of them you had to know the lyrics to properly do.  And I didn't want to put myself out there too much, because I know it's not easy to be accepted by Bangya.  So I just stayed in my corner and interacted when I could XD

I also learned that the singer for Aresz talks SUPER FAST when she's doing MC.  Another Aresz fact is that one of the guitarists is pretty freaking Hot.  Especially when he takes off his coat, and his nice guitarist arms are showing.  Dirty thoughts ensued.  

Promotional picture.  Mr.  Sexy arms is the man on the left.

After their awesome set, there was about 10 minutes intermission time, so Anna explained that they usually sounded better, but the sound here was off.  I was impressed, if they sounded that good now imagine how good they could sound.

So we all went up and ordered drinks.  I got a basic Whiskey Coke.  My favorite, so I was happy.  Then I settled in to wait for the next band.  Whom I actually got a few shots of, since they're small time.

The fans of Aresz moved back from the fence, so the Back Fire fans could take the front.  I was impressed.  There's a sense of loyalty in Japan that the American fans don't really seem to understand.

Anna and Daria had been saying that Back Fire was cute, because they were obviously new.  So I was expecting amateur performance with spunk.

They kind of blew my mind.

Apparently since Anna had last seen them they had greatly improved, even she was surprised.  They seemed like an actual band who had been playing for a while, and not just "a guitar, a bass, and drums all playing at the same time."  Their vocals were really good, and their stage presence was comfortable and fun.

Afterwards, another break, and the Back Fire fans moved so the VAGU*PROJECT fans could take the front.  Still pretty impressive, to me.

Finally VAGU*PROJECT came out and started their show.  I was impressed even more.  I had heard a few clips of them, but they were better than I expected.  They performed a great show and were rather interactive with the crowd.

At one point during the show, they even threw a big yellow balloon into the crowd, to be hit around.  It was fun and pretty amusing when it hit the same girl on the head three different times.  

I took a bunch of photos for Anna.  But I don't want to post them here, so they may end up on my facebook, if I use any at all.

After VAGU ended, there was another break.  The blonde from Back Fire walked around and handed out papers for people to fill out.  Little "How did we do?" surveys.  What peoples favorite song was, if any.  How was the staging.  Anything you want to say to the members?  It was cute.  When he came over to us, Anna started to talk to him in english, and he was like "...eh?"  So Daria translated, and he gave us papers to fill out.

Since my japanese isn't good enough to go into any depth on what I thought, I wrote in japanese at the top "Sorry it's in English~!!" 

Then I filled it out in English, a little silly mind you, and even doodled on the spot to tell the blonde he had amazing hair.  Whatever.  It's not like anything I could have written would have been helpful, so I played around.

Then Aresz came back on stage.  The singer looked even more amazing, as she had curled her hair, and the guitarist had spiked his.  They looked great.  

And they were just as good if not better than before. It was sort of nice having it split into two.  Knowing what you came for, then hearing other bands, then being reminded that they're the headliners.

Second set was great, though there was a song at the very end with a lot of interaction which was hard to follow!  She kept changing it!  And unless you'd done it before it was really hard to follow.

Afterwards, people from all the bands came out and went to their merch spot to sell their items and talk to the fans.  

Anna introduced me to members of VAGU*PROJECT, and they were very sweet.  Then we bought the Demo CD for Back Fire for only 100en.  They seemed pretty grateful.  Then back to VAGU.  After waiting for a bit because he was talking to the girls in front of us, Anna was so kind and sweet and bought me three pins and a CD~

Anna and her hide plush, and Daria's hide plush~

Then we headed out.  On the way out the door we talked to the singer, who looked just incredibly in pain.  He has a bad neck, and hurt it, so he was hunched over.  He just looked so sad.  He even said, in japanese, that it hurt so much he wanted to cry. : (  We told him to rest, and that he did a great job, then headed out.  Back to the train station. 

I'd forgotten which random train I'd used to get there (Namboku line...), so I took the same train as Anna and Daria to Shibuya, then we parted ways.  I thanked them for the great time, and said see you later!  Then I hurried down to the platform.

My Back Fire demo, Vagu*Project pins, and Single.

When I got to the platform, the doors had just closed for my train, so I had to wait another five minutes.  No big deal.  I leaned on a pillar and waited.  While I was standing there a group of six or seven boys, maybe end of high school age, walked up.  The second they spotted me they started to walk over.  Swarm is actually the term I would use.  They had dyed hair, and punk clothes, and a few of them had piercings.  In general they were the hoodlum sort.  And they hadn't exactly put on the "Hi, you're a cute foreigner I want to talk to you in English~" face, more of the "Hey, foreign chick, I wanna harass you in japanese." face.  So, before they could close around me, I gave them a very nice polite smile, pushed myself off the pillar, and walked away.  Over to go take a seat around people.

Not to say they were going to do anything bad or anything.  Maybe I should have stayed.  It's nice to talk to people.  But they creeped me out, and it's best to follow your gut instincts sometimes.  So I think I'm glad I walked away.

I got home, and messaged Anna that I was safe.  Snuck into my room around midnight, and went to sleep.

It was a great time and I'm SO happy I got to experience it!

♥Myshappy

Teaser for day 5:  He remembered me...

Day 3 - Aya in Shibuya!

Each day in Tokyo keeps getting better and better.  I don't even know how this month will end, but I already know it involves tears.

Yesterday started with me waking up at a ridiculous hour, then going back to bed.  This happened about three times til I finally got up at 7am.  This being a holiday weekend, my room mate didn't have to get up for school or anything, so she was still sound asleep in her bed.  So I crept out to use the bathroom, then crept back in to grab my laptop.  Then I headed out to sit on the couch til a decent hour.

I blogged for a bit, facebooked, and twittered.  All the basic internet things.  Gradually people started to leave.  The man from the Phillipines introduced himself, though I'm sorry to admit I completely forgot his name.  He left, and a bit later the man (Who I can only assume) from Canada came out to use the restroom. In his boxers, no less.  He mumbled an apology and hurried on.

Nice.

Girl from Taiwan left, and mumbled a good morning.  Then, blogging done, I headed back to my room.  Kim had already woken up and was getting ready to go shower.  Apparently, my early rise surprised her.  She asked what time it was back home, and I said that it was...maybe five, I didn't know.  She laughed and went on her way.

I checked my e-mail, because Aya had said she was coming, and her uncle needed my help with something. But she hadn't said what time.

Quick aside:  Aya is my friend from High School.  She was an exchange student at another school during my Junior year.  We met her through our friend Ryo because they were in the same program~

Back to the day!  She said she was running late, but she'd be at the Royal Park Hotel at about 10:25am, so I should meet her on the first floor.  Alright, an hour to get ready!

So I did...

Then I headed out the door to meet her at the hotel.  It's connected to Suitengumae Station, so it was only about a  minute walk.  

The cutest thing happened on the way.  I walked by the Police office, which is right down the way, and one of the officers was standing out front like he's supposed to.  I looked up and smiled at him, because we made eye contact.  He smiled back and said "Guu moniin~!"  I giggled and said good morning back.  It made my morning.  Really.

When I got there, I waited around a little, not able to get a wifi connection on my ipod, so I wasn't sure if she was looking for me or not.  Finally she came up the Escalator.  We squealed and hugged, like girls do.  After that she turns and introduces me to her mother and younger sister.  Whom I had no idea where coming!  She explained that they didn't speak English, so I would have to use Japanese to them.  And I should just talk to them.  I told her I would but not yet!  It was too early to embarrass myself infront of her family.  It would have to wait til later.  She rolled her eyes and told me whatever.

We're such sweet friends.

So we headed upstair, while she mildly explained what was going on, cause she hardly knew.  Apparently we were just going to take money, and stand in line to exchange it for packs of coins.  It was for her Uncle's business.  (Which I never found out what that was...)

Apparently I was at the Tokyo International Coin Convention.  We stood around for a moment, trying to figure out what was going on.  Then her mom gave me a badge, and the rest of them went up to get theirs.  So, badges on, we went in where her Uncle met us.  He thanked me, in english, and explained what was happening.  So basically, we took the money he had, got in line, and exchanged it for 5 bags, then did it again.  Til we were all out of money.

Cool.

So we did that for a while.  Like the typical Japanese mom Aya's mother is, she kept telling Aya my bag was too heavy, and she'll take the coins so we don't have to carry them.  She'll watch them.  It was sweet, but I wanted to help.  Aya kept taking my bag from me.  And I kept taking it back.

This went on for a while.  We chatted about our friends, and what we wanted to do while I am in Tokyo.    Then we took the HEAVY bags out to the car, to dump them.  Then we came back in for our next task.

Which was to stand in the ridiculously long line to go get full Japanese coin sets.  Swank.  We separated, so it was just me and Aya together.  More chatting.  Then we FINALLY got into the room where the coins were.  Still a long line.

Chandelier!

Aya in line~

About halfway through the line, a man yelled to the crowd that the people in the back will probably not be able to purchase anything, as their supplies are low.  Lucky for us we were far enough up.  We made it through the line to the purchase counter with no difficulties.

Then down to hand the coins over to her uncle.  Meanwhile Aya's mother was looking online for places to eat, and asking what I wanted, or what food I didn't like.  I kept telling them anything was okay.  I didn't care.  Japanese food is okay!  Finally I narrowed it down to "Not Italian, I don't like Italian."  Which seemed to make it a little better.

Then we headed down to the metro, and without telling me Aya bought my ticket.  Sigh.  So we got on the train up to Shibuya!

Aya's mom, sister Saki, and Aya.

Random shot at Kudanshita Station.

Me and Aya!

20 minutes and a few photos later, we arrived in Shibuya.  Being a holiday weekend it was busier than it might have been any other day. (Sat/Sun. aside.)  But we persisted, heading to a building with a few restaurants in it.  I snapped a shot out the window.

It took a while to decide what we wanted.  Me being up for anything, and them not wanting to take me somewhere I didn't like.  We decided on one restaurant, and headed up the elevator to it.  But it was going to be a wait, so we headed the stairs to the other floor.  And right before the door there was a case of live eels just sitting there!

Kind of cool, really.  I almost took a video, but didn't want to waste time.  Hunger was setting in.  We decided between Omerice and strictly japanese, and took the more traditional route.  It had more options.  So we headed in, and got out seats.  Lucky for me, Aya decided to order for everyone (what we chose of course) to save time.  It was a cute little place.  Full of gyaru.  When one gyaru left, another two came in.  It was pretty intense.

No gyaru here.

Aya forced conversation between us all.  It was actually pretty fun.  She then told me to speak English to Saki, because she might remember some of it.  It was hilarious.  I said "How old are you?"  and for the next minute she mumbled "How...are...you? How.."  Before she finally got it.  It was very cute.

Saki wore a mask because she wasn't wearing make up.  But she's so cute!

Eventually the food arrived, and it looked delicious.  By then I was starved.  Even now I'm hungry just thinking about it, it was so good.

Basically:  Fried chicken, salad, rice, tuna, and miso soup.

We chatted and ate.  Aya kept making fun of me because I couldn't separate the tuna with my chopsticks.  It was hard!!

T-ARA Japanese version of Lovey Dovey coming out.  I want.

After food we headed out, and Aya suggested we go look at Shibuya 109 (Ichi maru kyu).  I couldn't turn down the offer.  It was mad busy though, so we only browsed for a bit.  Checking a few of the floors, and deciding to come back a less hectic day.  I did nab a few pairs of tights that were 3 for 1050.  A great deal, if I do say so myself.  Then we headed back out.

Aya, Me, and Aya's mom.

We walked a bit before Aya told me that her mom and sister wanted to check out the new shopping center at Hikarie.  ShinQs.  So we headed that way. And, surprise surprise, we had to wait in a line to get into the building.  It didn't take too long though, which was nice.  

We roamed around in there for a little bit.  As I suspected it was full of international items.  Things that hardly interested me, since I'm not really looking for things from back home.  But it was very nicely set up.  

People leaving ShinQs.

Aya explained to me how some of the buildings were set up, and what stores were where.  It's great having someone who knows with you.  It makes it a lot less stressful!

Feeling a little peckish, and looking for something to do, we decided to go to Karaoke and get a snack and sing a few songs.  On the way we stopped by a shoe store and looked around a bit.

It took a minute or so before we realized that all of the shoes in the front display were for the rain!  So stylish and cool...

I may have to go back and get a pair.  Living in Washington and all, it might be nice to have shoes that look cute and keep your feet dry.

When we got to the Karaoke place, the explained there was a 45 minute wait, and we should head to the other one nearby.  So we headed out.

A short walk later and we were at the karaoke place # 2.

Window sign.  Wtf.

We got a room, and a ton of sodas.  Aya started off with a Kalafina song, asking me which one I wanted her to sing.  I was cool with all of them.

Sometimes my indecisiveness is annoying.

We also looked at the dessert menu and found the cutest thing!  

Based on singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu they have the Kyara Parfait Parfait!

Obviously that's what I chose.

And the songs went on!

Aya kept trying to get me to sing a song, until I finally chose one and went for it.  You drive me crazy by Brittney Spears. Woo! 

I did a bad job, but no one cared.

Aya's mom even sang a song.  She has a very pretty voice.

My Kyara Parfait Parfait arrived!  Yummy!

Saki's Chocolate Parfait.

Too soon though our time was up and we had to leave.  So we headed back to the station and I said goodbye to Aya's family.  Well, we all said see you later.  But still.

Aya walked me down to the train, and we said our goodbyes.

Though we did agree to make tons of plans.  She gets off around 7 most days, so we'll go to dinner and such.  And we already have a list of things we're going to do: Disneyland, the planetarium, the movies, shopping, sightseeing, tokyo tower, so on and so forth.

Aya also explained her family to me.  Her mother was really excited to meet me, and several times during the day took photos or videos of us and happily said things like "Aya and her friend~  Who came from America~"  

Apparently I'm the first friend from America that her family has been able to meet, so they're really excited.  They want to take me to go sightseeing, says Aya, and since her dad has a car he wants to.  

I really hope I didn't disappoint them, and that they liked me~

The moving walkway in Suitengumae.

After I got back, I headed home.  E-mailed Aya and told her I got home alright.  Then sat online.  

Eventually, though, I got bored.  Kim went to shower, so I decided to go for a walk and take some photos.

I started by going over Kiyosubashi and taking night photos.  They're my favorite kind, so I had to.

I walked a long ways, in an area I've never been.  But I have faith in my sense of direction, so I went for it.  Eventually coming out on the other side of the bridge.  I passed SO MANY pachinko parlors!  I was amazed.  I hadn't passed more than one before that.  

A few people looked at me while I walked, being foreign and all, but nothing exciting.  

Until I stopped to take this photo.

Cute!

And a man rode by on a bike.  All I heard behind me was "美人ね～! キレイね～!"  I was so surprised!  Some guy on a bike drove by, called me beautiful, then continued on and called me pretty.  It was flattering, and it made me smile the whole way home

Eventually I ended up in familiar territory, finding the grocery store I shop at.  So I decided to walk a little farther.

The shrine was closed.

I ended up making it home around 9:30pm, though it felt later.  My sense of time is a little messed up.

Over all the day was just great.

And a preview for day 4.....

I'm going to a Live.

♥ Myshappy