Hey guys!
It's been 3 months since I've arrived back home from Japan and yup, I'm making a second post about it. I'll be honest here, I totally forgot that I already made a post about it but I don't want this one to go to waste therefore I'm going to keep it up!
My first post is a lot more accurate on what I did on which days, etc. but I went a little more into depth on certain topics here. I don't know. It's also late at night so lol but I like it! So think of this as a part two post but I'm sure a few things will be repeated. Some new photos though!
Moving on...
As you can see from the title, I've only been there for 10 days but each of those days were completely worth it.
Before I begin rambling on about my trip I should at least let you know about the first of many photos I am posting here. I had a layover in Honolulu before actually arriving in Osaka and so that was basically my departure photo.
Goodbye, Honolulu/USA and hello Japan!
I was filled with excitement when I arrived but also nervous. After five long years I was finally stepping foot onto Japan once again and seeing the same faces I saw back in 2009. After hugging and saying hello and getting everything I needed we headed out for some food. And man, it was so hot! The humidity was what killed me and I didn't expect it at all. I mean, I knew it'd be a lot but I'm used to Seattle weather, not Japan Summer weather ya know?
Anyway, the first night I was in Japan was fucking amazing. We all stayed up until 3am catching up on anything and everything. It was amazing being in the same house with the same people and, of course, i was even in the same room. I even had an AC fan thing in there to use whenever I needed it.
After all that, I had my FIRST Japanese rock/Visual Kei live! I was shown the entire way there and then had to make my way back alone. It was a little scary but I managed.
It was at the live house Osaka Ruido. There were 10 bands in total and the majority of them were great. At first, I only went for Arlequin but looking forward to Xepher as well. Afterwards, I left wondering who the Uruha look alike was and going crazy over Crimson Shiva!
Osaka, on our way to the live house.
I bought an Arlequin bracelet, towel, photo cards and then a NAINE CD!
A staff member was waiting by the exit to hand out free magazines which also had flyers in them. I was happy to be coming home with so many but man was I freaking out. But, I should probably talk a little about the live first.
Like I said before it was my first live in Japan. I knew lives were different there but I didn't expect the silence in the beginning when PolterGeist and another band came out. Other than those bands though the fans were crazy for everyone else! It was amazing with all the furi and headbanging we've done. And no matter what went on, such as running up to the stage, everyone went back to their exact same spots. No one was squishing each other either like at regular lives back home. After watching everyone do furi I got the courage to join in on the easy ones. ugh. The live was just so fun and my neck was sore for days from headbanging! My favorite is using your entire body, well, the waist up, to headbang. Just go on and lean forward lol.
I was so, so happy too being able to hold hands with Asuka from Crimson Shiva! Just that one little thing helped me pick my favorite in the band hahaha
Anyway, the live was amazing but sooo long. I almost considered leaving but it's great I didn't because Arlequin and Xepher were towards the end. Unfortunately for me though, I was freaking out after the live. I rented a wifi router from PuPuRu (highly recommend) but never noticed that the battery was low so once the live ended... IT WAS DEAD! And that was the only way I was able to use my phone and communicate with my host family.
I was supposed to message my host brother once I arrived at Kakogawa Station and I was sooo worried on how I was going to do it. I felt bad after getting picked up too. I hope I didn't worry anyone OTL
But yeah, I was freaking out bad and I think bystanders noticed my worries. I went on to the station anyway and took all the trains to get where I needed and got back home safely at least.
A guy even complimented my hair when he sat down next to me. After he did though I apologized and told him I didn't speak Japanese and lucky for me he knew a little bit of English! He was kind and then I had to leave.
Okay, moving on! And at this point now I'm trying to try my best to get through this entire thing without writing so much on each photo.
The view from my hotel room in... NAGOYA!
My host mother is from Nagoya and so we came to visit her family. They kept warning me that the family talks a lot and it was hilarious. Everyone was so kind. R's aunt was a Big Bang fan and her bias was Daesung, I got really excited because he's my favorite as well. This was all happening while we were out at dinner together. I'm pretty sure we were loud too lolol.
The food was great and like I said, everyone was nice. We laughed a lot (even though I couldn't understand everyone) and it was an amazing experience. R's grandma was tooooo cute!
After dinner, R and I came back to the hotel and relaxed. The picture above is dessert R's mom brought to us. I didn't expect it at all. But man. ice cream was sure good at that time. I didn't even eat the lollipop yet because it's too cute! I still have it lol
The next day we walked around the city and shopped a little.
When looking at the list of stores on which floor level, etc, I noticed "h.Naoto" and "Mint Neko" so I had to ask my family if we could check it out. Then... I was tempted to buy something. I didn't want to check out the stores without buying anything so I found something not only cute and useful but cheap comparing to the clothing items. I believe this coin pouch was 1000yen? At least somewhere around there, if not, a little more. Plus, they accepted my card too which made it even better! There were multiple coin purses and each one represented a different neko. There was a zombie one I believe which was really popular but I chose this one instead... although I can't remember what this one was supposed to be.
Also, I noticed a girl wearing a GazettE shirt and got excited again. I pointed it out to R and was like 'wooww!'. I regret literally pointing though. I shouldn't have done that but I wasn't thinking and just acted without thinking oops.
Anyway
And here's a random picture... I can't remember where we were walking to.
We went to Universal Studios! I didn't go on much rides but it was still really fun there. I bought a lot at the Harry Potter store, mainly for my friend since I knew she loved HP. The ride was fantastic though! It really felt like you were in the movies with them haha.
But holy fuck it was super hot. I wore jeans and my OOR shirt that day and really regretted it. I tried not to complain about the heat but it was hard sometimes.
I was really hoping to find candies like the chocolate frog but they had nothing like that :(
Photo taken in Osaka on my way to Sony!
What for?
FOR THIS!
the GazettE had a collaboration with the Sony Walkman and I HAD to get my hands on one. I was only able to do a preorder though so I wasn't able to get it until later but at least I got it! (Thank you R so sosososofnsifksd much) and since I went in stores to order I got a free poster! The poster is the exact same as the photo above.
I bought the black Walkman with the GazettE's name logo on the back.
It had HD pictures of the band's Last Heaven outfits AND the PV which is only included in that Walkman. Oh, and a high resolution of FADELESS and INSIDE BEAST. Honestly couldn't pass that up especially when comparing the sizes of the F and S series.
This is another photo taken in Osaka on the same day actually. On my way to ZEAL LINK and then PureSound!
I bought many GazettE goodies ohohoo.
R asked me what foods I wanted to try before I came to Japan and one of the foods on my list was okonomiyaki! It was definitely delicious.
I bought a shit ton of snacks to bring back home. I was so glad the store had a self check out because didn't want the cashier to judge me lol
I SAW THIS AND HAD TO GET IT. GONNA MAKE SOME BOOTY SHAPED PUDDING!
One of the days we went out for some dinner yum yum
R also took me to Kobe and we went to Kiddy Land! I wish I was able to buy so many things there....
This is the last picture before I end my post. My friend and I had many inside jokes regarding Ken (ex. AND eccentric agent) and IV (ViViD) because of the whole gym working out stuff. Like, this picture is so accurate. I'm glad I saw it again so I was able to take a photo hahaha. And that's literally how Ken is now too. He went from beer gut to working dem abs all in 10 months. So proud bb.
Anyway, so much happened but I don't have the time to write it all and I will forget some things no matter what. I'm already remembering more stuff from Nagoya but I'm way too lazy to add it in! (We went to a planetarium, which I ended up falling asleep at, and the aquarium).
I can't wait to return once again and when I do return I'm hoping I can be with a good buddy of mine! Also hoping I'll know a decent amount of Japanese to not be TOO dependent on others. Gotta study hard for that! And I MUST attend a GazettE live.
Japan and Cambodia are really the only places I want to travel to. There are some European places too, typical vacation spots, but Japan is where it's at for me tbh.
Thank you for reading!
P.S. Room updates will be next. All the furniture is done and I already organized my magazines and shit.
P.S.S ONE OK ROCK live at Anaheim was amazing!
