‘Tokyo, I’m On My Way!’ (and Yokohama, too!)
As the words of Puffy AmiYumi’s 2007 tour-opening song indicate, the Radical One is about to take a journey of a lifetime – into the vortex of the Far East, the hotbed of creative cultural energy worldwide, the international capital of global pop music.
Yes, the tickets did arrive. Yes, somehow I’ve scraped up enough resources to travel to Tokyo and Yokohama and attend what promises to be the mother of all mega-concerts, the Hello Project 2008 Winter Awards Show at Yokohama Arena, Jan. 26-27.
Naturally, I have many, many questions. Maybe someone else out there with more knowledge can offer some direction. To wit:
*** What exactly will be performed at this concert? If past precedent is any indication, the Hello Project 2008 Winter concert will be much like the prior mega-concerts in 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004 and even 2003 – huge, lavish productions with dozens of singers, astonishing costuming and wall-blasting sound. I have been told that Morning Musume, °C-ute, Berryz Kobo, Haropuro Eggs, Abe Natsumi, Yuko Nakazawa, Kei Yasuda, Atskuo Inabe, Ayaka (Coconuts Musume), Melon Kinenbi, Yuki Maeda, Aya Matsuura, V-u-den and Ongaku Gatas will make appearances. This cast of characters differs from the current “Wonderful Hearts” tour (Gatas, Kinenbi, V-u-den and the other Elders are not on that lineup card, but I understand a separate Elders event will incorporate them). And, I am told, no setlist is released for this event, but rest assured many of the same numbers from “Wonderful Hearts” will make their way into Yokohama Arena that weekend, I’m sure. If anyone out there can further clarify what will happen Jan. 26-27, please comment or e-mail!
*** What surprises might there be? Will Berryz sneak its crazy, seditious new single, “Dschinghis Khan,” in the lineup? What about Buono!? Will Buono! be so gracious as to perform both its singles? Will Gatas do the same? Again, maybe someone else out there has the inside scoop on all this.
*** Where are the seats located? Right now I have a choice of three locations: B7-B19-86, F6-F20-60, and F1-F18-1 (don’t ask me any more about the ticket situation; it’s way, way too complicated and I’ll try to explain later). From what I can see on Yokohama Arena’s Web site, it looks as if the “F” section is located just to the right on the main stage (in other words, it could be this area might be a tough view area, but the tradeoff seems to be being fairly close to the performers on that main stage). The “B” section looks a little better, angle-wise, being off to the left of what appears to be the main stage. But, again, someone out there who has been there might offer some insight.
*** Is it possible to become one of the standing-only fans? Is the floor a place of prestige, or a curse? Expensive or cheap? Can it be accessed easily, or is there a special ticket? That's where I really want to be!
Anyway, this is a start. I need all the help I can get. I’ve taken a crash-course in basic Japanese, can even read a little Kanji and know to be polite at all times. Other than that, what protocols are required? How do I avoid getting crunched at customs?
T-minus 15 days until takeoff from LAX, bound for Yokohama via Narita, the Akihabara Capsule Inn and Shin-Yokohama Prince Hotel. Maybe a bullet-train trip will be thrown in for good measure … I’m petrified.
And, finally … can anyone loan me a few bucks when I get back?
This is Radicalipton signing off – for now.
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Comments
Paul Thomas of Hello!blog is currently in Japan, and has just seen a H!P concert. I know he's a very understanding and patient man, so if he's got the time to help you out, give him a message on his blog...if he can, I'm sure he'd gladly help you out on some of your concerns. He's currently relaying his time in Japan through his laptop which he's took with him.
Anyway, Its great that you're going to see a H!P concert!
Hey Rad!
I too will be going to the shows that weekend, and am staying at the same hotel, however I am coming/going via SFO, not LAX.
the rest of my post got cut off...I'm sure you've seen the seating chart. If not, I have it. So far I have a ticket for Saturday night in lower section F. (still working on Sunday) If last years show is any indication (stage arrangement-wise) every vantage point has it's pros and cons. It's my first show too. See ya there.
Chris
Hi, Chris. Where is your seat on Saturday? I'm also in the "F" section, but I don't know if it's lower or upper ... I'm checking in a day early at the Shin-Yokohama Price (Jan. 25 Tokyo time). Leave me a message there; let's see if we can compare notes after the Saturday show. I'll be in Yokohama Jan. 25-26-27 and then be hanging out in the Akihabara district on Jan. 28. My flight back to the states is Feb. 2. I have no firm plans after Jan. 27.
I've got a matinee ticket for Sunday -- and maybe an extra one on the way, which means I can probably get you a matinee ticket if you want; otherwise, I was going to try and exchange it for a Sunday night ticket or sell it straight out. I really want to get into the Sunday night show.
Let's keep in touch throughout
Hahaha, I guess the best advice I can give you is not go through immigration and say your name is Paul Thomas...nightmare! Seriously I was held up in there for 4 hours all because of my name :S
I must admit for me coming back through English customs was the worst strolling through the nothing to declare section with way over my allowance, but luckily no one stopped me...phew!
You're going to have an amazing time, a H!P concert in an arena, the atmosphere is going to be killer! And if you can manage to get standing then I'd imagine the atmosphere will be even more extreme, lol, I wonder what a H!P mosh pit is like?
Over the next few days I'll be posting some Google Maps up on the official stores and a couple of places that I vistied within Tokyo that had some great H!P merchandise, they may come in handy if you don't already know where the stores are located. And when you're visiting the stores make sure you either really controlled or you've got a fat wedge of cash, I literally looked at the walls and went want, it was so hard to restrain myself. Also if you're after DVD and CDs it may be worth getting them at the concert, although there may be a fight to get to the front of the queue, when I bought all my stuff there they were giving free posters for every X amount of yen (I forget how much it was) you spend, so I also came away with a great collection of free promo posters.
Let us know how it goes, looks like this is going to be a great and unique concert to attend, have fun!!
Thank you for these splendid observations! I am taking zero chances with customs; I plan on traveling as light as possible and cooperate, politely, in every way imaginable. I'm even carrying my US teaching certification (good until 2009) to convince officials that, if anything, this is strictly a holiday, nothing more, for a music teacher looking for new ideas (which is true, but only in a peripheral sense). I'm bringing zero computer equipment and will report on the experience only upon my return (as to avoid further complications with immi).
If you would be so kind, how does one best navigate by train to the Akihabara district from Narita, and back again? I have some train directions but can really use some direction from one fresh back from such a journey.
And what of AKB48? Is it hopeless to obtain tickets for one of their daily theater performances? I thought I would give it a shot on Monday, Jan. 29, and arrive hours early if I have to to try and secure a ticket or a chance at one.
Did you sense at your concert that any H!P management would be open to being interviewed, and is there any English-speaking capabilities with staff? Where was your theater, Tokyo or the one in Osaka? Was there a videotape crew there?
I'm not much of a memorabilia fan, but there is one DVD -- the H!P Wonderful Hearts 2006 Winter arena show -- that I'm after. It was never circulated overseas. Did you happen to run across this title, to your recollection? If not, which shop would likely carry it?
Where did you stay while there?
I know this is quite a load of queries, but I am desperately fearful of the unknown, and I would greatly appreciate your analysis. It's OK to send it on this regular public channel, so others can benefit from your comments. However, do not hesitate to send a private e-mail if you wish to radicalpatriot@yahoo.com.
Many thanks and welcome back!
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