Idol Analysis 1

I spend a lot of time thinking about Idols. I spend my day dreaming time speculating about Idols and the Industry in General. So I will put down some thoughts here

This Week's theme: Good Looking Idols.

Not all Idols are good looking. The truth is, as long as you have the will to be an Idol, with much practice and luck, you can be an Idol. In Japan, there are TONS of good looking people. When I go to Japan, I often see VERY good looking people around me. Many of these people are much better looking than some "Famous" idol. So what does it take to become a "Famous" Idol?

First off, to give you a gauge of which Idols I find Good-Looking, I will give you some examples

	Incredibly Good Looking Idols	Good Looking Idols	Average Looking Idols
Hello!Project	Michishige Sayumi Mano Erina Abe Natsumi	Kudou Haruka Yajima Maimi Kumai Yurina Kikkawa Yuu	Sayashi Riho Sato Masaki Natsuyaki Miyabi Sekine Azusa
48 Group	Shiraishi Mai Miyawaki Sakura	Watanabe Miyuki Maeda Atsuko Tomonaga Mio	Watanabe Mayu Sashihara Rino Matsui Jurina
Stardust Groups	Akimoto Honoka	Sakura Nao Tamai Shiori	Takagi Reni Sakamoto Haruna
Idol Street	Nobody	Maeshima Ami Takeda Maaya	Katsuta Rino
Others	Hashimoto Kanna Arai Hitomi	Aizawa Risa Ogino Karin Tominaga Mimori My Wife (Rena from VB)	Naruse Emi

Highlight Names: My Oshi

Majoriy of the Idols I know fall into the Average to Good Looking Group. Only the Select Few mentioned above belong to the Incredibly Good Looking Idol Group

Incredibly Good Looking Idols: These people have perfect features and small faces.

Good Looking Idols: Theses people have small flaws in their features but otherwise good ratios Eg. slightly Strong Jaws, slightly Flat face, Pudgy cheeks, Slighty Big Faces, Oversize Nose 

Average Looking Idols: These people have major (I use this term loosely) flaws in their features. Eg. Single Eyelids, Flat Faces, Too Strong Jaws. BIG FACES (Just about everyone else)

The Purpose of this is not for me to diss your idol. It is to show you that my I don't necessarily find my oshi the best looking. There are definitely more good looking people than my Oshi(s).

I do not talk about Body Shapes because that is another control I have to deal with. I like to focus on face for now. Beside, there is no limit to the amount of Bra Padding or Photoshop on Cleavage idols can have, so it is not fair to compare this. For now I focus on Natural Facial Features

In case you are wondering, the Idol I find with the most perfect face is Shiraishi Mai.

I'm not being very fair to Idol Street Groups because I don't know them very well. Sorry, I just don't see anyone I particularly thought was incredibly good looking with my limited exposure

How I choose my Oshi

1. I must like the group sufficiently much to have an Oshi. If I am not too into a group, I will not choose an Oshi. I will have girls I like to look at more often during performances, but I do not call them my Oshi
2. Once condition 1 is cleared, I immediately eliminate some members of the group due to them being too "Average Looking"*
3.  I like "Hard-Workers" or at least the impression that they are 努力家. I have ZERO tolerance for idols who "can't be bothered"
4.  I like idols who look like they are genuinely having Fun while they perform. How I tell if they are genuine:
   a. They smile with their eyes
   b. Even when they think nobody is looking, they still look like they are having fun. (They don't give bitch face when they think nobody is looking)
   c. They are not too awkward when dancing or speaking. i.e. Decent Confidence level

* If I like the idol sufficiently much, I will over-look the fact that they are "Average-Looking" 

This is the reason why I took so long to find a Morning Musume Oshi after Eririn left. For more than a year, I didn't obtain a new MM Oshi because I just couldn't decide.

On the other hand, there are some traits so bad that make me "non-oshi" an otherwise perfect idol. Example being Suzuki Airi: She is Good Looking and her singing re-known to be one of the best in the industry. But she has a severe speech problem. I cannot stand listening to her speak more than a few sentences. No matter how much I like her, I cannot oshi her.

I can safely say that most of  the Incredibly Good Looking Idols are the “Popular Members” in each group. If they are not, they have traits/talents other than looks which help them to gain popularity. But after all this is Entertainment Business and looks do matter greatly. There are certain idols whom I have no idea where they get their popularity. I sometimes think that it depends on the Company they come from. 

For example, since I am a H!P wota, I generally "get" why the popular members are popular. Because most Hello Wota think alike. However, for a 48-Groups, I have not idea why "member A" is so popular because I do not think like a 48-Group wota. My priorities and focus is very different.

Having said that, different people are attracted to different "Types" of Idol depending on their priorities and preferences. But... that is another topic for another day

Japan 1-6 Oct 2014 Day 6 and Wrap Up

Day 6

My last day is spent shopping and chilling. My flight is at 6pm so I do not have much time. In the morning I go to Harajuku for a quick walk along Takeshita Dori but due to the typhoon, most of the shops are not open.

After having Omurice at Harajuku, I proceed to Akihabara to visit the H!P shop and other Misc shopping. I buy my new camera at Yodobashi Camera here. It is much more expensive than Big Camera. Since my camera died in Okayama, I had been researching on a new camera to buy and thus settled on Nikon Coolpix S6600. Big Camera was apparently selling it at 12k yen but as I went to check about 2 Big Cameras (Okayama, Osaka) and other electronics stores, they seemed to have sold out . The price was greatly reduced as a new Model is coming out in end of the month (Nikon Coolpix S6900) The reason why Yodobashi Camera still has it because the price is not great. It is still cheaper than in Singapore (SGD340) (18800yen + Tax) so I buy it

It has a flip screen to take selfies and its PINK!

I visit the H!P shop and buy some small Merch. As usual I cannot resist the Gacha Machines.

I also visit the 2nd hand Idol Goods store at Akiba Culture Zone, Trio. I buy more stuff for other people.

This is the very first picture I took with my camera. On Keisei Skyliner.

By this time it is getting late so I go back to Ueno to take Keisei Line to the Airport (2.4k yen for Skyliner as I am running late)

Wrap Up

For this trip, I admit that I was too ambitious. I tried to go for too many events in far away prefectures. Let this be a note to myself to not try a repeat of this trip.

Having said that, I still enjoyed myself tremendously. I don't regret going for a Single event. Yes, even the Berryz Naruchika in freaking Okayama. After all, that might have been the last time I get to see them. Paying SGD600 to fly to Japan and knowing my idols are just a bus ride away (12.5hour bus ride), I can't help it but sacrifice a little of my sleep and energy just to see them. No Idols No Life!  

Japan 1-6 Oct 2014 Day 5

Day 5

This was undoubtedly my most hectic day in the history of my Japan Trips.

I woke up around 5am to catch a 6am highway bus from Osaka to Nagoya. Surprisingly I didn't get lost.

Upon reaching Nagoya 3 hours later, I deposit my luggage at Nagoya station and buy my Shinkansen ticket to Yokohama later on in the day. I am kind of Familiar with Nagoya already since I have been there many times. (Not always willingly)

I then head to the Airport(Nagoya Chubu Airport) about 30mins away for my C-ute Group Cheki. Revenge for my failed cheki the day before!! I am wearing my Team C-ute (gold) Black T today. I arrive kind of late (Not late actually, only time. Just that I am normally early) So I am about 30th in the queue. There are still signs around warning about Airi's eye patch. For group cheki, you are required to show some Photo ID because the ticket has your name on it. This is quite strange for foreigners I think because the people there have no way to verify your name, so it is a little dodgy. I show my passport with my English name on it this time to match the the English name on my ticket. BUT for previous group chekis, my name on the ticket is in KATAKANA, whereas my passport in in Alphabets. But I always get through somehow.

Before you go in, you have to tell the staff what pose you want. I try to tell the staff that I want that degree symbol and C, but he doesn't understand. (Obviously not a C-ute Fan). So when I go in I motion to the members and they all understand immediately.

I am not wearing a Maimi T today so everyone smiles at me (haha). Sadly Maimi chan is sitting in the Back row with Airi on my left and Chisa on my right. It is over in a flash and I have to say bye bye to Maimi chan for the rest of the trip :(

As usual I am glowing after any meeting with Maimi chan. I smile creepily as I look at my cheki. I head back to Nagoya station to collect my luggage and catch the bullet train to Yokohama

This is my first time in Yokohama so I have a little trouble navigating my way around. Plus, my next event is at shopping mall from which is a bus ride away from an unfamiliar (small) station, and I have my luggage with me. When I reach the station, it is pouring.

Yes, I know that my no.1 Oshi and my other High Ranking Oshi whom I am going to meet are both Ame Onna, so I should be prepared for Typhoons. (FYI both C-ute and Kikka have release UMBRELLAs as part of their tour goods)

I walk to the bus stop where I am supposed to board the bus, but am confused by the signs. My bus doesn't seem to be operating... I ask the staff nearby and confirmed that my bus is not operating at the moment. Oh dread. It is raining and the time for the event is about to start.

I then make a quick decision to take a Taxi to the venue. Honestly I advise AGAINST taking taxis ANYWHERE in Japan because the price is just too incredibly high to justify the means. Comparatively, Taxis in Singapore are cheap. But dire situations call for dire measures. With a wave of a hand, I am safely in a much welcomed and dry taxi. There is quite a Jam to the Shopping Mall. As I arrive at the Shopping Mall and rush to the center stage, Kikka just starts singing her first song. I am just that lucky.

She sings only 4 songs, including her new single's song. There are only about 20 Wota around. Kikka looks a little unsure while performing, but nevertheless she still delivers her songs very well. Actually I have never heard Kikka go out of tune before. Since the first time I saw her in 2011 Hello Con as opening act, nothing fazes her. Her MC is entertaining as usual.

This is when I have the time to look around and realize that this Shopping Mall mostly caters to Young Children.  And how odd it must be to have and Idol such as Kikka to hold her event here. Kikka's recent songs are a touch more "sexy" then your average idol. Not to mention the Samba Outfit that she wore is definitely not "Kid-Friendly". The wota certainly look out of place here. I would have preferred for her to wear a slightly more conservative outfit here. But anyhow, Kikka plays along and tries to get the kids involved, not that there are many near the stage.

When it is time for handshake session, the staff tell me handshake is only when you pre-order the CD. They will mail the CD to you or you have to go back to the same shopping mall to collect the CD when it is released. Both options are not viable for me. Anyhow I pre-order the CD because I want to speak to Kikka. I tell Kikka I am from Singapore (She gives the WOW! SINGAPORE) and that I took a taxi here.

Now I would like to say something about Kikka. She is not the iyasare-type idol. She is the loud in your face HEY HEY LOOK AT ME. type of Idol. BUT, her live has such a calming effect on me. When I listen to Kikka sing, I feel like I am elevated (not quite sure how to explain this). Especially so when she sings songs like "Mizuiro" and "Sweetie". It is a very strange but peaceful feeling which I enjoy very very much. It is funny because once her MC starts, you are brought back to earth. Her MC is usually very clumsy but at the same time very endearing. It makes her very human and relatable.

I swear I took this exact same picture with my now defunct camera phone.

Everything gets a little fuzzy from here on because Im running low on fuel. I take the local train back to Tokyo (25mins), deposit my luggage in yet another locker (my 3rd locker in 1 day). And head towards Odaiba's Tokyo Diver City for UUG mini live and handshake

It is still raining now. I had already changed into my UUG T which I bought at the T-Palette Kanshasai. When I checked UUG blog for details on the venue, it stated Event Plaza. This is next to the giant Gundam which is OUTDOORS. I take a look outside and its still POURING. So despite the rain I run outside to find nothing there! (Gosh I must have been really tired) I check the UUG twitter and they updated that due to the wet weather, they have shifted the event to the Mini Tower Records on the 5th floor.

Cursing my silly-ness, I rush to the 5th floor to find already about 50 people there = =

From the picture, you can tell that it is called "MINI" for a reason. This shop is tiny!! The put a stage on the right side of the picture, facing the inside of the shop. And all the wota crowd into the shop. UUG come out to do a 1 song rehearsal on a TINY stage. Its really funny because they have hardly any space to move about. They shuffled their feet and made small hand movements instead. They told us wota to not jump (as if there was space) or shout (and use our facial expressions to convey our excitement LOL!) so as not to disturb the other neighboring shoppers and tenents. So throughout the live the wota just fist pumped. A very interesting experience. Even during Pump Up when the audience usually goes crazy, everyone just silently fist pumped. Even then you could feel the excitement of the wota buzzing in the air. They performed about 4 songs.

For the handshake, again you need to pre-order a CD. I do so again knowing that I wouldn't be able to collect the original CD. I give away the CD form to another wota for collection. I tell everyone I'm from Singapore. I already know that Ayanon loves Singapore and she tells me again she wants to come to Singapore. When I get to Azusa, even though I am not wearing her orange, she tells me she remembers me from @Jam Hong Kong. We do the excited Jump Together thing again (this is becoming a normal for Azu/Me handshakes) I tell her I like her new hairstyle and she seems genuinely happy (I hope haha). When I get to Maana, I tell her that I have a Indo Friend who really loves her.

After this I go to the food court to grab a bite and stone a little cause I am really exhausted. Just as I am finishing my food, I see UUG running through the Food Court, presumably to go home? I stand up (still wearing the UUG T) and wave at them, they all see me and wave back XD (I try to wave harder at Azu) 

Before my energy left me entirely, I take the train back to downtown Tokyo, check in to my Hotel in Ueno and reward myself for completing the day in 1 piece. Believe, me its no joke trying to look for your hotel late at night, while it is raining heavily and dragging around a luggage. 

Japan 1-6 Oct 2014 Day 4

Day 4

I sleep in for a little today as my 2shot Cheki with Maimi chan is only at 11am.

I reach the venue and am sent to a Holding area with fellow Wota. There are about 40 of us in here. Most have already taken the Group Shot Cheki and are waiting for the 2Shot to begin.

At 10.50am we are taken to the actually event hall and are split into the various Member Queue. I am first in Line for Maimi chan. After the AKB slashing incident, H!P has implemented new measures to keep their idols safe.

1. No Bags. All belongings must be kept in a Transparent Garbage Bag Sized Bag. I must have used 5 of these by now. They are pretty sturdy so no worries about tearing them up. 

2. No Watches. This is kind of irriating for me since I always wear a watch. But while the No Bags rule still applies to lesser known idols (UUG Kikka), the No watch rule doesn't apply to less famous idols  

3. No Hats. 

There are also signs all around saying that Airi's right eye was bitten by a mosquito so she has to wear a eye patch. Everyone was pretty amused by that

The event is supposed to start at 11am but it is 11.30 and they are still setting up the booths. I am kinda irritated and nervous as I have a another event to rush to later on. The guy behind me keeps trying to talk to me too. "Ahh I'm so nervous" He says. YAAA IM NERVOUS TOO.

While waiting we are treated to Non-stop replays of "The Power" and "Kanashiki Heaven"

All the while we can hear the girls in the booths making preparations for us. So Finally around 11.40am I step into the booth wearing my Maimi Bday Tee (This must be my all time more worn wota Tee by now) Maimi is in the "Kanashiki Heaven" Outfit and her hair is let down. She gives me a wide Maimi chan smile (Ahahah~ faints) We do a big heart and I spoil the picture. But all is good. Maimi chan is an angel and I have been blessed.

Nothing can ruin my day now. I go on to an Exhibition Hall-like place for T-Palette Kanshasai in Osaka. At the venue, I see many AAA fans so I'm guessing they just had an event there. Most of the fans are young JKs or JCs. They wear Hip Hop style Brightly colored clothing and with Fancy Hair. Totally opposite of my usual crowd

I have already missed UUG's handshake session as it took place while I was doing my 2shot cheki. 

When Lining up to get in (My serial number is 57), I ask the Ojisan (Morisaki Oshi) next to me if he knows when UUG are performing. He tells me they are last and I groan internally. He asks me how I got my ticket and who is my oshi. I reply Sekine, but as I am still wearing Maimi Bday Tee I have to zip up my jacket to hide it. I told him I'm wearing something else today. I also spot another UUG fan(Miiko Oshi) whom I recognize from @Jam HK and we say hi (I don't know his name though I see him all the time)

This is my view of the stage

Sorry if I offend anyone with my comments. These are just personal opinions.

 ①プラニメ (Puranime)
This is a Ex-BIS member and a Soloist newly formed unit. Their performance is very solid and you can tell they are veterans. Up-tempo beats with Hip Hop/Contemp (?) style dance moves. Their Outfits are weird and They are not really my type. They don't seem to have fans yet, but the music is good

②amihime
This is Himesaki Ami from LinQ. She wears a very cute Piano Outfit (Reminds me of Kotone Mai). BUT she lip-syncs all her 3 songs, which is a major turn off for me. Like, how can a SOLOIST for that matter lip-sync in this day and age? She has like 4 maybe 5 very passionate fans though

企画コーナー①ネギネギガールズ（仮）（アップアップガールズ（仮）＆Negicco）
Finally UUG. They perform Respect Tokyo with Negicco doing some of the rapping for them

③キャラメル☆リボン
My intial reaction was, Hey, they sing really well! They are average looking, girl next door type of girls from Osaka (They all claimed to have cycled to the venue). They sing the typical Happy Idol like and Energetic songs. They have solid fans who are mostly Ojisan. The center is a PRC looking girl who smiles a lot and sings the best (Ponytail and Energetic come hand in hand). However there is 1 girl who looks like she rather be somewhere else. Just saying.

④バニラビーンズ
This is where I laid my eyes on my Future Wife for the first time in my life. Nuff said.

⑤ワンリルキス (One Little Kiss)
A trio whom are pretty shaky in their singing and dancing. Looks like they just started out. They have much to improve on. Seems that one of the members was unable to attend.

⑥しず風＆絆～KIZUNA～
This is actually my 2nd time seeing them but I don't remember any of this crazy stuff going on...Misora catches my eye first. She looks a little like Tomochin.  Their dance is great and singing is good enough. One of the girls' who keeps trying to fish me REALLY reminded me of a PikaPikaMaid Cafe girl. Hehe

Then I got a culture shock:

1. Misora steps up to the center sound box and takes a big gulp of water (this is normal during breaks, however this is in the middle of the song) She then proceeds to SPIT ALL THE WATER onto the wota in front. To give her some credit, the water reached back about 10 rows. I have never tried it before so I have no idea how far people can spit water, but I was pretty impressed. 

2. Misora walks down to the audience. Some Ojisan wota immediately rush towards her (this is normal I suppose). Throughout the song she gets lifted BY THE WOTA no less than 3 times. When she went back onstage, I half expected her to Stage Dive (She didn't of course)

Through this experience, I found out that I am not suitable to be an underground Idol Fan. I am used to my idols winking and blowing kisses at me, not spitting water on me

After they are finished with the performance, some innocent wota in the middle were "complaining" about the water. I guess they won't be standing in the middle during Shizukaze and Kizuna performances any time in the future.

They also mentioned during MC that they were warned not to go "too far" during their performances. But due to the the nature of their Group, it couldn't be help.

Boy was I glad not to be standing in the middle

企画コーナー③大阪歌謡メドレー
『大阪で生まれた女』
Kaede(Negicco)、美空(しず風＆絆～KIZUNA～)、深田聖奈(キャラメル☆リボン)、新井愛瞳(アップアップガールズ(仮))
『やっぱ好きやねん』
Nao☆(Negicco)、晴子(しず風＆絆～KIZUNA～)、森咲樹(アップアップガールズ(仮))
『悲しい色やね』
風香(しず風＆絆～KIZUNA～)、ayaka(lyrical school)、佐保明梨(アップアップガールズ(仮))、上野天音 (キャラメル☆リボン)
『大阪LOVER』
レナ(バニラビーンズ)、minan(lyrical school)、佐藤綾乃・関根梓 (アップアップガールズ(仮)、キャラメル☆リボン、藤村鼓乃美(ワンリルキス)
Medley of Traditional(?) Osaka songs. Fun time for everyone. Except some people who didn't bother to remember the lyrics before going onstage (S&K looking at you)

⑦Negicco
My First time seeing Negicco. I have heard their songs before. They have a very Retro Feel about them. And belong to the Iyasare-type Idol. Despite this, their dancing is very very Solid. Singing above Average. I enjoyed their performance a lot. I especially like "Tokimeki no Headliner" Kaepo is very cute and seems like a very nice hardworking girl (I like this type).

⑧アップアップガールズ（仮）
Finally!! I don't think I am exaggerating but more than 60% of the audienceare UUG fans. Because now I am standing in front (No girls only area) And I am surrounded by UUG fans, it was really enjoyable. The whole floor was jumping and hand waving (Whacking each other but not caring in the process) "Pump Up" and "Jumper" are my favorites.

Azusa takes charge of the MCs now-a-days. I'm not too sure of the reason for this. She has trouble expressing herself in words so she often uses Hand-Motions to try to get her point across (to the amusement of the audience). She often uses wrong words in which the audience will try to correct her (similar to Kikka), not sure if on purpose or not. She definitely needs more practice with MC-ing.

They also performed the new Single "Beautiful Dreamer" Azusa is center. This is not your typical Blood-Rushing Fist-Pumping UUG single though. It was composed by the famous "Base Ball Bear" and has a very soothing but still exciting melody. Her vocals are so good as usual. She never disappoints. I oshi jump when she sings and manage to catch her eye maybe once. But as I am not wearing her Orange tee, she doesn't look my way much. I am panting but exhilarated when they are finished. This is the essence of UUG's performances.

⑨lyrical school
Rappers with a real DJ. Im not too interested so I don't pay attention. Besides, I have moved to the back by now to let the real fans stand in front. Some of their songs are very high.

⑩エンディング
At the end there is a high touch session with everyone. This is where I touch my future wife's hand for the first time. Interestingly enough, the S&K girls try to grab my hand even as I only try to High Five them. *shrugs*

The whole thing lasted about 5 hours, long than I had expected. I originally wanted to do a little shopping after the live but it is too late now. Take a stroll down Shinsaibashi while the shops are closing for the day (BTW the Glico Man has been replace by Ayase Haruka), grab a bite and head back to my hotel.  

Japan 1-6 Oct 2014 Day 3

Day 3

The Overnight Bus is supposed to take 11.5 hours from Tokyo to Okayama, but due to a traffic jam, the trip took 12.5 hours instead. Honestly I can hardly remember this extra hour because I am sleeping soundly almost the whole way. Keeping me Company is another Otaku Girl (JK again?!) who is constantly scrolling through her Twitter and retweeting stuff. Mostly 2D stuff anyway, kind of reminds me of my sister. Yeah not only do I eavesdrop, I also peek at other people's phones. I am a badass

We do like 4-5 rest stops along the way and I wake up for each and every one. Don't ask me how I do this, but I feel pretty refreshed the next day.

This is actually my 2nd time in Okayama. I had originally planned to visit a public bath to freshen myself up for the day, but when I arrived at the supposed location of the Public Bath, I find that it is under Construction (just my luck). I ask a nearby Obasan and she directs me to another Public Bath nearby (which doesn't open till 3pm)

As I resign my fate of being a smelly poo for the remainder of the day, I find a secluded but clean toilet to satisfy my basic sanitary needs.

I now troop over to the tourist spots which are convinently located nearby the Okayama Train Station. Namely, Okayama Castle and Okayama Korakuen. By now you must be wondering, where are the G*d*m Pictures? I have a very good reason for this. At this point in time, I realise that my camera refuses to turn on. (Same camera which worked perfectly the day before) This is a big blow to me... I love my camera dearly and It has accompanied me on my numerous trips Overseas.

 Pictures from my previous trip to Korakuen

Instead I use my Phone's Camera to take pictures now. And.... you guessed it. Subsequently my Phone's SD card became corrupted and I am now unable to retrieve all of my photos. Karma?

I guess I will just have to verbally entertain you now.

Or just skip over the parts which have no pictures.

Sad.

Anyhow, I make a quick round Okayama Castle (Don't bother to go inside. Most Castle Interiors are the same anyway unless you are a history buff) And Korakuen. The sky is overcast with grey clouds so the photos weren't excellent.

Now I head over to the nearby Shoutengai to eat and kill time. I see an Animate and pop in to have a look. BEHOLD I SEE THE JK whom I sat next to the entire 12.5 hours bus journey here. We pretty much ignore each other the whole time.

Evening and its concert time! As expected, there are still door tickets, however, the serial number is 400+. There is a girls only area, but the live house is too packed for me to squeeze to the front. I settle for the last few rows. For the entire concert, I can only see Heads (More noticeably Yurina) If I shuffle around I can see most of the members though. In front of me is a tall youngish Salary Man (Risako Oshi) waving a Berryz lightstick. He doesn't move much but seems to be very familiar with all of Berryz Songs.

Weapon of choice for Salary Man Berryz Wota

Berryz's singing and dancing may not be as good as C-ute, but their MC is outstanding. They engage the audience well and react to the audiences Comebacks. Even Yurina who is known for her Air-headness speaks very comfortably to the wota. This is something I wish Maimi chan would improve in. 

They sing many of their Singles (lucky for me since I don't listen to Berryz Album songs), including oldies like "Darling I love you" and "Munasawagi Scarlet". Of course not forgetting the fan favorites, "Special Generation" and "Cha Cha Sing" . Personally I love "Ai ha Itsumo Kimi no naka", because Miya is so awesome in it. Before we go into the Live House, there are signs which warn us "DO NOT JUMP". This doesn't make for a very high concert. There were no oshi jumpers. Even during Cha Cha Sing  and Junjou Oh Seishun everyone just bobbed up and down.  I can kind of understand why banned jumping, the ceiling was pretty low. I could totally foresee some overly excited  wota accidentally knocking himself out. Lol.

At the end there is a high-touch session with all members. There is no time to say anything. I don't have much to say to Berryz anyway so I was sort of relieved. This might be my last time seeing them until they disband. Once again, this was an OK live for me because of my bad positioning and Miya's questionable hair style.

I go back to Okayama station, pick up my luggage from a locker (My 3rd consecutive day of having to use lockers) to catch a Shinkansen to Osaka (45mins). I would have liked to take the highway bus instead but the last one had already left. 

The Japan Traveler's best friend

It is quite late (10pm-ish?) by the time I get to my Hotel. And this is when the fun begins.

Incident 1

Once I have dumped my stuff into my room, I go out to a nearby Conbini to grab some snacks and drinks (Ice Lemon Tea) for my supper. Just as I am paying up at the cashier, 2 Policeman walk in

Policeman: Who  called the police  

MY Cashier: I did. There was a guy punching up another guy. But they are gone now 

Policeman: Ok, let us know if you see them again

At this point I think my jaw has just dropped. This is definitely something you don't see in Singapore. I think the cashier has noticed my jaw hanging and gives me his FRIENDLIEST ありがとうございました

My first time seeing Japanese Police up close. Their mode of transport was by Bicycle

Incident 2

I am still shaken from Incident 1. As I walk back to the hotel, I am looking over my shoulder and trying to get a good grasp of my surroundings. Its not that late so there are still quite a few people walking around.

Which was why I was completely taken by surprise when this Guy (early 30s?) just walk up next to me pushing his bicycle. Then its the usual nampa lines "Where you going?" "Just finished work?". I pretend he is not there but he keeps following me!

This part is kinda comedic now but at that time I was just scared

Me: Mumbles  

Him: What did you say? 

Me: I don't speak Japanese 

Him: You just did! 

Me: ...

In the end he gives up. Yeah Finally

I may have developed a phobia of guys who push their bicycles

Incident 3

I am back in my room, just as I am getting ready to take a bath (Shared Bathroom), I hear knocks on my door.  There is no Peephole

Me: Who is there?  

Person: Please let me in 

Me: Who is it!? 

Person: Just Let me in! 

The conversation just goes on like this. WHO THE HELL WILL OPEN THE DAMN DOOR. I might be stupid, but not that stupid...

I am now prepared to hole myself up in my room till morning (The room has no phone).

But that person keeps at it for like 15 mins. I am scared stiff now.

Luckily I have my sister's Japanese handphone with me, so I dial up the Reception of the Hotel. I tell the guy that somebody has been knocking on my door for the past 20 mins. He says, Ok wait there, Im going up now.

I make sure I speak very loudly to the Reception so the guy outside my door quietens down.

Then I hear 3 knocks. I say "Who is there". "Its the Front" (Sounds stupid when I write it in english) he says.

Im not quite buying it so I ask him "Whats my name?" And he answers correctly so I open the door for him.

The Front guy says the guy who was pestering me was drunk and thought that my room was his, which was why he was so insistent on getting in. Fine, I say. The front guy then reassures me that there are security cameras along my corridor so they can see what is happening, and that if anything else happens to call him immediately. Yeah, I say Ok Thanks.

What an exciting Night

Japan 1-6 Oct 2014 Day 2

Day 2

I check out of my hotel in the morning and deposit my luggage at a Locker in Shinjuku, then I head over to Ikebukuro Sunshine City at 9am to line up for my Priority Viewing and Handshake of Juice=Juice Single Release Event at 6pm. There is not much of a queue.

 My number is 74 and I was there on the dot at 9am

After this I set out on a little excursion to Mitake Shosenkyo, in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture. I was hoping to catch some autumn colour, but I am too early. Anyhow it was a nice refreshing hike. I chat a while with a very nice Ojisan. He offered to bring me around Kamakura when I am back in Tokyo but I politely Declined. Sorry Ojisan.  

The "hike" starts at the top of the mountain

 Most of it looks like this. Many of the rocks have names like "Cat Rock" and "Bear Rock" or "Mushroom Rock"

 Photo Opportunity. Most of the people doing this trail are old people or couples. 

 Sengataki Waterfall  

 The trail follows the Arakawa River to the Base of the Mountain. Not Related to the Arakawa river in the Anime "Arakawa under the Bridge"

 I didn't see any bears though

I did see Gozilla 

 An Obasan told me this view would be very nice when the leaves turn red. What a pity. The blue sky is Lovely.

I almost stepped on this Bugger.... Almost peed in my pants :____;

Finally we have reached the bottom!

I head back to Ikebukuro Sunshine City Fountain Area for J=J Mini Live and Handshake. They have a guest Bartender who does cool Bar Tricks for us. Non-alcoholic Drinks of course. Juice, in fact. As she does her routine to J=J music, the wota chants her name. She is very delighted hahaha. 

J=J then perform a few songs. It is a week day so there arent many people, I am standing about 5 people away from the stage which is pretty near. Kanatomo is so cute and when she sings, you can tell she really enjoys it. Chan San's dance is very fierce and perfect. Reminds me Aichan sometimes. 

There are 2 JK next to me. They shout for Kanatomo and Aari. Sometimes mix in a Yuka. They chatter throughout the whole event. Im not complaining. I love to Eavesdrop on other people. Especially Female Wota. Keke. 

For the Handshake, I tell Yuka she is cute (She really is in real life) she gives the "iie iie" thingy which cracks me up. I forget what I said to Sayubee and Chan San, probably something like, their singing is good.  Chan San's eyes are HUGE. Even bigger than Komorins'

When it is Kanatomo's turn, I tell her she is my Oshi. in which she replies "ARIGATOU! URESHII!" and gives me the biggest Kanatomo smile EVER. I beam back at her. ahhh~~

Aarii is last and I think that she heard me say that I am a Kanatomo Oshi, so things were a little weird between us. She has that air-head feel about her anyway. But Aarii is really cute too. Especially when she does that head tilt thing

The live is over and I have to collect my bags from Shinjuku station to catch my night bus (11.5 hours) to Okayama. Despite having gone to this exact same Highway Bus station before, I still manage to lose my way and have to backtrack (once).

Anyhow, I get there on time and set off to Okayama~

Japan 1-6 Oct 2014 Day 1

I have decided to revive this space so as to keep a record of my many trips to Japan a year. Although many people seem to have the misconception that I go to Japan a ga-zillion times a year, I have gone to Japan (2 times a year for the past 4 years). I know I am VERY LUCKY to be able to do this, and I also know that I will not be able to do it for much longer. I kinda regret not doing this blogging thing earlier and torturing people on on Twitter List with incoherent ramblings of an Idol Wota


Day 1 

My flight is at 6am via United Airlines. So my mum very graciously (and with much grumbling) sends me to the airport at 4am. She always tells us kids (including my father) to go to the airport 2 hours before flight and I try to keep to that as much as possible.

The flight is pretty empty, I would say only 3/4 full. So most of the middle seats are empty. I try to get as much sleep as possible because I know the next days is gonna be a full day in which I would be basically running on adrenaline (which BTW works much better than Coffee or Energy Drinks). I manage to sleep maybe 5 out of 7 hours of my flight.

When we land, I see this EVA AIR plane so I quickly whip out my camera to take a snap despite my half-awaked-ness. yehh See me make up words along the way

The nice Caucasian man on the aisle seat of my row help me take down my luggage from the over head compartment because he saw me taking a picture of the Hello Kitty Airplane. My luggage had a Hello Kitty Luggage Tag on it so he assumed it was mine. *rolls eyes* Yeh yeh its mine haha thanks

After landing, I think that I have sufficient time so I take the slow way into Tokyo City Center via the Keisei Main Line (Express Service) This takes about 1.5 hours and costs 1,000yen

As I have already planned out my itinerary down to the hour, I have to rush to Harajuku Ticket Reseller shop to check out the tickets I need to buy. This is where I am presently surprised to see Kanatomo and Friends right smack in the middle of the Tunnel linking the 2 Platforms at Harajuku Station. As I am in a hurry, I take quick snaps of these. Little do I do this is the last time I will see them because they are taken down a few days later

Kanatomo Forever

Kanatomo and Friends

I do a brief stop at the Ticket Re-seller and exit slightly disappointed because I could't find the tickets for the Berryz Okayama Naruchika tour that I will be going for in 2 days time. But I am not too worried because I know there will be Door Tickets (Just really lousy tickets) I did however manage to buy my tickets for Team Makenki Live in Late October @ Sendai (With serial number 150)

Now the sky is getting dark and I know I am behind schedule. I now have to rush to Nippon Budokan for Morning Musume '14 Autumn tour.

By this time, the sky is dark. I find a locker to deposit my luggage (I can't be lugging that POS with me to Budokan). 

All the goods are sold out by now. This is fine by me because there are no Individual Member tees. And I have already secured my Sayu T. 

My ticket is alright... I wouldn't say it a good seat because its all the way to the left side of the stage. Its about 15 rows from the front so that when the girls run to the middle platform, all we are seeing are their butts. 

As there is generally a lot of time from when I enter the venue till before the start of the show, I like to observe the people sitting around me. 

On my left side is a Sayu Fan (Wearing Sayu T) but she also support Maa chan. The typical otaku type of girl (Maybe JK) with glasses. She shouts for Sayu and Maa but doesn't jump much. Furicopies some. 

On my right is a KSS oshi (I am increasingly seeing this types in all H!P cons as of late) Ogawa Rena oshi though he changes into a Duu Orange Shirt after the Opening Act is done. He jumps and Furicopies but is quite quiet.

I always beat myself over this, but REMEMBER TO BRING BINOCULARS. This is VERY important for Grad Cons or Significant cons such a Budokan cons. This is for looking at the 関係者席 which is located right in the middle facing the stages. Famous people will be sitting at these seats. I overhead people saying that C-ute was there. 

As for the con itself. They performed all the New Singles and some old ones (Do it Now) But basically this was a Sayu Solo con with MM'14 as Fillers and Backdancers haha. They also performed 2 Album songs. 

I am looking at Maa and Riho most of the time so I don't exactly notice the rest until they are in my face. Duu is fantastic, her charisma on stage rivals that of Riho. I can only wish that Maa had such Charisma. As usual Maa says some silly stuff and everyone laughs. (Mind this was 1 month ago so I don't remember very clearly)

They also bring out the New 12 Gen Members. They are all really cute, I am already a fan of Maria sama. Nonaka Miki's smile is great too and she speaks english! 

When Sayu sang Aruiteru it was really moving. That was a touching moment and the best part of the whole Concert IMO.

Honestly I don't remember much of this Con LOL. 

After this I go pick up my luggage from the locker and check into my Hotel at Shin-Ookubo. Woots! I have been upgraded to a better room!

A very nice room indeed. Then the lady tells me not to go outside at night as its "not safe" Ok... Im too tired to go out anyway...