Hi, minna!

Proudly presenting today's report.


At first B.A. and I got up a bit earlier than yesterday, but we lazed about a bit, so in the end we left late again. XD  I contacted maharan1 and we appointed to meet at Harajuku station at 1pm. Having some time left before that, B.A. and I decided to make our way there on foot, crossing Yoyogi Park and Meiji Shrine. Oh, Meiji Shrine is really beautiful. Up until now I've only seen secluded temple areas, whereas the shrines had always been located right in the city, next to skyscrapers. Meiji is quite different there. It's located in what you can pretty much call a small wood. The fact alone that there's actually a small forest in the middle of Tokyo is amazing. It was really nice and calm there, not too many people, which turned out to be a nice contrast to what we're had the past few days. We wandered through the small woods. You come along Meiji almost automatically. It's a beautiful and rather big shrine area. That's nice because even when it's crowded, you won't feel like it's stuffed. The atmosphere was calm and soothing. We didn't have that much time, though, as we still had our appointment. In the end it turned out to be better that way, because even though the sun was out again and it was rather warm, it was also quite windy today, which made the air a bit cold.



Tori to the Meiji shrine



Meiji shrine area



Main building



Sake for the New Year's ceremony


After some trouble finding each other, we finally met Ran. ^^ She showed us to a near by Johnny shop. Omg, people have to wait in lines to get into the shop because there are so many people. @_@ I've never seen something like that before. In the shop all the walls were plastered with pictures and some artificial walls had been built with even more pics you can choose from. Other than that you'll get a selection of Uchiwa, shopping bags and other goods. Oh, I could have spent my day in there. *_* What I did spend were about 15 Euro for pics and a shopping bag.

After that we made a short stop and Ran showed us a little shop where you can eat delicious octupus balls. We then moved on to and down Takeshita Dori ( @ zombiezahn & monstakarotte: feel farmiliar? XD ). Many stores there sell idol goods I totally had a blast. My foremost interest is, of course, KinKi. But I was SO happy, because I found stuff from that are usually not that easy for me to follow like Kisumai and other non-debuted Juniors. (update: Kisumai-san, cd debut wa omedetou!!!!!) I spent about two hours roaming and then about 60 Euro altogether for fan merchandise. (If B.A. ever ready this, he'll faint. XD ) And theconcert is yet to come. ^^" Oh right, I almost forgot: I AM NOW OFFICIALLY HOLDING MY  KINKI  KIDS CONCERT TICKETS!!!!!!!!!! WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *runs around in circles like crazy*  *holds for a moment to check her bag, making sure the tickets are really in there*  *finds tickets*  *runs around in circles again, screaming*

Okay, that should do. Ahem. Sorry. ^^ Okay, on with the tale. Well, there's not too much more to it. Millions of pictures and a collection of Uchiwa, photobooks and many other things to buy and like. Poor B.A. really had a rough day. I will absolutely have to do something nice for him now. He kept waiting for us patiently, listening to crazy fangirling and even tried to participate in the conversation as best he could. I haven't loved him this much in a very long time. He was nice and sublte and... just gorgeous. Not a single word of rant - and as a result I spent my entire week's expense. XD Mah, it's not THAT bad. ^^ Still, it must have been troublesome for him.



In front of the Johnny's shop



View into Takeshite Dori


Once we were done shopping, Ran left us again and we decided to move on to Tokyo Station and have at least a look at the Imperial Palace. So we got there, but the gates were closed (it's the emperor's birthday today) and we just wandered a bit around the area. We had a fantastic view over what I think was the Ginza skyline lit by the mild light of dusk and the beautifully illuminated Tokyo Tower. A picture almost too beautiful for a photo - especially with the difficult lighting. But B.A., the photography genius did a great job of capturing it.

It grew a bit cold again with the wind, so we moved on to Ginza, having a look around. More of a small look, though, because Ginza is nothing either of us can afford. ^^ We got lucky with a small Ramen store in a small side street, though. They sell delicious Ramen. B.A. and I tried a variation where you get a dip instead of soup and put our Ramen in there. It tasted totally awesome and it was so much we were both stuffed by the time we were done. After that B.A. wanted to move on and find "Lightopia", a huge area with Christmas lights somewhere around the Imperial Gardens. As for me, I was super tired. Fangirling is so exhausting. XD Well, and I wanted to do some laundry before we move on to Nagoya tomorrow. There's a washing machine in the hotel that we can use. So, right now B.A. is still out and I am sitting in the lobby writing my report while I'm waiting for the laundry to finish.



Glass front sky scraper



Beautiful evening view



Brightly lit Tokyo Tower



Ginza by night



Christmas light park


Oh, I almost forgot. This is a nice story. So, B.A. and I went different ways at the Ramen store. I think he was a bit reluctant to let me return on my own, thinking I might lose my way. He's such a cutie. Well, I have to admit that my orientation is not the best. ^^" But I can too walk a way back that I have come. ^_^v  Anyway, as I wrote before, I was really tired, so I decided to ride a different line, one that cost me a bit of money, but I knew would take me directly and quickly back to the hotel. And there, in the station and on the train I had a weird kind of experience. I've read in another travelogue that Japanese people absolutely expect Western people to be a bit lost and completely different from them. The guy who wrote that travelogue said that he was considered a "weird" European, because he ate eel, knew his way around the city and had quite some language skills. Tonight on the train home I totally had that "weird European" feeling. Like, usually people might cast a glance in our direction, merely because western people aren't exactly common. But tonight I was like a total attraction. First off, I wasn't riding a "tourist" line, meaning one that would have been free of charge for me. (You can totally tell the difference, because that line had no instructions in English like the tourist lines). Then I checked the map and paid exactly the price I needed to get to the station I wanted. I had a huge bag from a Johnny shop in hand, and my face was covered with a mask (I had put it on to fight the cold air outside). To top it off, I got my mp3 player out and roamed for some KinKi songs. The guy sitting next to me totally stared. XD  Strangely, in contrast to that, the guys and girls out on the street, who give out flyers and usually ignore me, suddenly approached me and held out their stuff. ^^ It was kind of funny, but I don' think I'd want that every day. And I was really glad when I was back at the hotel.

Ah, I would like to add this. About the masks: I actually bought them as a souvenir. But now I've used them twice and I'd best love to take a year's supply home with me. I really love these things! I have to admit that maybe I'd be more reluctant to wear them when I'm actually sick (even thought it would still be a good idea, I think), but especially as a precaution I totally love them. Really, we should totally adopt this. It takes you about an hour to get used to the feeling, but then it's really a nice thing to have, especially on trains, or other crowded and narrow places. I totally support the idea. ^^

So now I'm waiting for the laundry. ^^ I had a really nice day today. I just hope B.A. wasn't too bothered and that he will like Nagoya. I'm excited that we're moving on now, even though I can't believe we've been here for a week already and that we're already leaving Tokyo again. Well, leaving to come back. ^_^ Now I can hardly wait for the 31st and the first concert! ^^ Well, the second one too, of course. ^____^

Okay, that's it for today. Laundry will still take some time, but I think I've put everything down and maybe I'll have some time to chat. ^^ In case anyone's up. The lobby isn't exactly crowded tonight.

Ah, I don't know yet how my internet options are in Nagoya. I hope I can keep updating as I have. It's nice to sum up your day like this. So, I really hope I can report again tomorrow night and give you a first impression of Nagoya.

Oh, one more thing: B.A. wants to thank everybody for their incouraging words for him and assures that he is (citing): "not half as sweet as you put it". XDDDDD Thanks for following our adventures in Tokyo. Please follow us in Nagoya as well. m(__)m

PS: Once again, a million thanks to maharan1 , who bought our tickets and so kindly showed us around today! Thank you SOOOOOOOOO much! <33333 See you for the concert! ^_^ v