13 April 2007 – 松山

内子座

I went to 内子　(uchiko) in Matsuyama, about 20min from the town. 内子was a manufacturing place for wax in olden times.. so the shops and buildings are still preserve as it was in olden days.. It was nice, quiet..and not many people.

The most enjoyable thing was my visit to the Kabuki theatre,　内子座　build 100plus years ago…. it was very old and I found it interesting.

I took the wheel ferry at Takashimaya, it was abit windy.. but nevermind, there was sunlight when I board it.. I could see the whole Matsuyama city. Hmm… this is the first time I took wheel ferry in Japan and alone.. I am glad I do not have height phobia.

I shopped around at the same shopping streets again. Took my time to go bookshops, cd shops, Muji, Animate! I bought stuff at Animate.. haha. my favourite “Reborn” characters.. I am not into anime, but just want to see the stuff they sell.. and guess what, I became the member. Haha.

Before I went back to hotel at night. i stopped by outside Takashimaya and listened to street “live” by 2 boys, who called their group ます　(masu). One of them told us (about 10 audiences only, including me) that he met Masha today at Tower Records! Oh my gosh!!!!! So lucky. Well, I just prayed I am so lucky as well.. got to rest well, for the big event tomorrow and Sunday.

12 April 2007 – 桂浜と松山

土佐闘犬センター

I went to the fighting dog center. This was a traditional sport(?) since olden times. It was quite interesting to see how glamorous this job can be..to the dogs. Haha

Waited for the bus to go Kochi station again, as I was early, I stood at the bus stop with no shelter. It was under some sakura trees. So when the wind blows, the sakura pedals fell.. just like snowing. It was rather beautiful.

Reached 松山 ( Matsuyama) around 5plus. I stayed in a small and quite old hotel.. Anyway, went straight to Takashimaya and the shopping street. The first thing I did was to buy Masha`s new single, which was released yesterday.

The shopping streets are quite long, called みなとまち(minami machi)　and　 大街道(ookaidou). The shops closed rather early. Anyway, I just wanted to see how the area is... bigger than Kochi city, but not much too high end branded stuff. Decided to take my time and shop around tomorrow.. hopefully to meet Masha by chance!

11 April 2007 - 桂浜、高知市

I felt a little sad to leave Shimanto. The place is really beautiful and peaceful. I wish to go back again..


Chatted with 青きさん san on the way to Kochi City. He is 24 years old, quitted his first job as a Japanese language high school teacher after doing it for 2 years. He feels lost and is still thinking about his future. He feels abit lonely during this journey. Gave him my piece of advice and he really appreciates it. Too bad he does not have email account. But if there is a chance, he will go to Singapore and probably we will meet again. His impression of Singapore is - he asked me, littering in S’pore needs to be fine right? Haha. This is Spore`s impression to most people? Anyway, it is nice speaking to青きさん. He even waited with me for the bus to go 桂浜　(katsurahama).


I treasured every person I met during my trips. It is fated for me to meet them and have the chance to talk to them. We may not have the chance to meet each other again for the rest of my life. To me, I always bear in mind a four technical words used in Japanese 茶道 (chadou) - 「一期一会」. This means only meet once in a lifetime. So to me, every person whom I speak to during my journey is an experience and I treasured it.


I reached the 桂浜宿 by bus. The room is big and scenery is nice, facing the sea, However, I felt Shimanto is better and the people in the民宿 is so so. I went to the beach and saw 坂本龍馬 (Sakamoto Ryuma)`s statue. 坂本龍馬 is a famous hero in Japan and many people respect him. I do not know much about his achievement. I remembered when I went to see the statue, the old man (also visitor) said `the statue is so black that cannot even see the face` Haha

10 April 2007 – 四万十川

I woke up early in the morning, about 7.15am, to have breakfast. Sumptuous breakfast as well!


Karen and Jackie left at 9.30am. They are going to Kyoto. Short time with them, but I enjoyed our chats.


Set off to walk around at 10am. I gave up the idea of cycling coz the road is very narrow and steep. I went to the small path that leads to the river, just outside our hostel. Wow, it was so beautiful and peaceful...


Then I walked 4.5km to the bus stop where I alighted yesterday. It took me about 1 hour in total to walk this distance. When I walked, I finally understand 龍一　feeling of what he has said　「ただ一人で自然に会いたがった」（means it is only that I want to meet nature alone). 龍一くん went to climb Minami Alps alone in last Oct and camped there. When I walked along and alone on the road, I can smell the fresh air, hear the birds chirping, listen to the water from the river, saw monkeys... it makes me realised that being alone with the nature is such a wonderful thing. This is the first time I have such an encounter and feeling. I felt that I am so fortunate to be alone with nature at that time.


In total I walked 9km, about 2 hours. I do not feel that it was a torture. I simply enjoyed the walking. It was just that I got a bit of tired. But I am lucky that with my stamina now, I do not feel the tiredness I had last time.

I just lazed around after I reach the hostel. I sat on the bench outside the hostel, watching the scenery, eagle flying in the sky, listened to the birds chirping, felt the breeze, ah so relax! I simply dozed off...


I chatted abit with 青木さん, the guy who stayed in the youth hostel. We did not talked much and he is leaving tomorrow, same day as me. He is going 徳島(Tokushima) while I will be going to 松山 (Matsuyama).


We had an early dinner and I started to pack my things. I wrote a diary at やすら木 diary, the diary at the room where I stayed. This is what I wrote:

2007年４月１０日　（火）天気　晴れ

シンガポールから来ました。
四万十川のことは今中さんから聞きました。四万十川の景色が見たいから、ここに来ました。ここの景色は本当に美しいです。今日は初めて山中に歩いました。龍一くんが言うこと「ただ一人で自然に会いたがった」よく理解しました。私は多分龍一くんと同じの気持ちを続きます。

またいつか、ここに戻ります。　本当に　お世話になりました。ありがとうございました。

Slept really early, 9.30pm!

9 April 2007 – 四万十川

I went to Shimanto on 9 April. It was about 3 hrs journey from 高知市. 四万十川　is the longest and clearest river in Japan. I heard this from 今中さん　and wanted to see how beautiful the place is. So I decided to go, even though it is not that accessible.

I met Ben on the way to Shimanto. Ben is a Scottish and he is taking one month holiday in Japan. He travels by himself and he has sisters staying in Japan areas like Hiroshima. He is going to Beppu, taking a ferry from 宇和島 (Uwajima). So we chatted on our way there. He works as an environmental researcher. Quite interesting job. But I cannot remember his face anymore except for his chestnut eyes. Haha. Thanks to Ben, I managed to catch the train on time, almost miss it coz I went toilet and bought water. Ben helped me to carry my luggage when I alighted from the train. He was surprised how I managed to carry such heavy luggage.

I took a bus to another place, 屋口内 (Yaguchinai) from the train station. I waited almost 2 hrs for the bus. I met an old couple at the train station. They were also waiting for the same bus. We chatted and they came to Singapore last year as they have a relative working in Singapore. They said Singapore is nice and clean, but hot. Anyway, am glad that the youth hostel owner, 佐藤さん was there to pick me at 屋口内 .

I met Karen too. She is staying in England and came to Japan for tour with her sister, Jackie. Karen is an actress in England, doing musicals etc and she has taught English in Kochi 10 plus years back. Jackie is a high school teacher in Melbourne. She told me they have about 3 months holiday per year!

There is another Japanese guy, staying in the youth hostel. He is very quiet and we did not talk at all. I feel he is quite honest type. Will see if I have the chance to talk to him.

I stayed alone in a big room with 4 beds. Oh my gosh, the window, rectangle size, is big! I can see the mountains, the garden and the green trees from my room. So beautiful.

We had a sumptuous dinner at 7pm. There were spagetti, wine etc. Oh gosh, this is much better than the hotels. Mrs Sato is really a good cook.

I slept around 10.30pm (Spore time 9.30pm). Coz nothing to do! Haha. No TV, only BS channel and nothing much to watch. I can’t get any signal for my mobile phone either. This place is separated from the rest of the world. Anyway, I will have a relax day the next day.

8 April 2007 – 高知

高知城

日曜日市

I started my day by going to the sunday market. It is the
biggest market in Kochi which is held once a week.

Kochi　has　market　everyday, but　the　biggest　is　the　日曜日市 (sunday　market) which　is　near　my　hotel　and　高知城 (Kochi　Castle). The　stalls were all along the streets. There are many stalls. The guidebook said this market has over 200 stalls.

Fruits, vegetables, souvenirs, food etc were sold in the market. I walked along the stalls and took photos. I wanted to browse first and go Kochi Castle.　It　was　interesting. I saw big diakon (white carrot) selling at 100 yen. Oh my gosh! People who visit the market are mainly locals. Of course with tourists too. I saw Japanese from other parts of Japan and a few Caucasians. Coincidentally, I saw 2 female caucasians who took the same train to Kochi as me yesterday.

Kochi Castle is famous. There were sakura at the garden of the castle. The scenery was beautiful. There were people sitting in the garden, under the sakura trees and having pinic. It was so relaxing!

I meet a local volunter who was stationed outside the castle. He told me that he visited Singapore 2 years back. He could speak a little English but we conversed in Japanese.
　
The castle is smaller than Nagoya castle, at least I do not have to walk like made. The steps inside the castle that lead to the roof top are very steep. The breadth of the steps are smaller than the lenght of my feet ( I normally wear size 8 shoes). Going down the stairs is a challenge. Luckily there are only about 6 storeys in the castle.

This time my feeling for the castle is not as shocking. Probably because this is the second time I visited a castle. I saw photos of the various castles in Japan in Kochi Castle. So far I have visited 2 castles. I am going to Matsuyma Castle soon. Perhaps I may ultimately visit all the castles in Japan!

I went back to the market after visiting Kochi Castle. I ate some food and drank the famous giner tea. I bought tomatos, charcoal and chopsticks at the market. The charcoal seller gave me a free charcoal piece. Perhaps he know I am a foreigner.

I ordered handmade name mobile strips from a stall. The seller will send it to my friend's address in Japan. I ordered a few and paid upfront. She did not charge me postage for sending within Japan. Well, I have to trust her. She said she will send in early May, as she has too much orders in hand.

I ate the tomatos in the hotel. So sweet! This is the first time I tasted such sweet and delicious tomatos. I wanted to buy yuzu and cucumber but do not think I can finish all.

Sickening, I cannot tune to Suzuki Talking FM. Cannot hear Masha's programme! Sigh... but luckily I heard All Night Nippon last night!

Went to はりやま橋　(Hariyama Bashi) in the evening. 今中さん　called me last night and told me about the bridge. This bridge is meant to be a romantic bridge. In olden days, a monk fall in love with a girl and waited for her at this bridge. People found out about their relationship, which is forbidden love. If 今中さん have not told me about this story, I would not have gone there. 　

I did some window shopping and bought Oricon weekly because it has Masha's concert report and w-inds FC event report.

I think I am crazy, worried about the luggage weight and yet still buy and buy. Anyway, I will try to pull through, no matter what!

I ate the same 鰹　set at the same stall, same place －　ひろめしば (Hiromeishiba)． The stall helper can recognise me. Haha. The fish is delicious. Today the pieces are bigger slices. Hmm...　

This market is a gathering place for the locals. It is like a foodcourt. People eat, drink and chat. Probably this is how they spend their Sunday night.

Crazy me, bought a Beatles CD when on my way back to hotel. Hopeless. I just controly myself and did not buy Mr Children's CD. Have to buy in Osaka.

Kochi city on the whole is a quiet town. It gives me a different feeling from Toyama. Well, at least there are LV and Emporio Armani boutiques here. Youngsters dress more hip. But I don't see many youngsters though.

Got to start packing. Tomorrow I am going to 四万十川　(Shimanto River) and will stay at youth hostel. Probably won't have email access.

Will try to write diary when I can. おやすみなさい.

7 April 2007 - 高知市

高知市

It took about 7 hrs plus from Tokyo to 高知市　(Kochi). Long journey but I don`t feel bored. I saw beautiful scenery, with sakura along the way, changed trains, slept, listen to songs... to me it is a relaxation where I do not have to think much.

Reached Kochi around 4.25pm. It is not so cold here. My hotel, ホテルタウン駅前(Hotel Town Eikimae) is very near the train station. Small but comfortable, with free internet access, cheap breakfast (100yen). 高知市　is small, but I am suprised that there is a big Louis Vuitton boutique! There are not many people around the town. I got to see a few handsome guys though.　（＾。＾）/

Ate 鰹(Katsuo, a type of fish) at the market. This fish is very famous in Kochi. It only cost me 850 yen to have the sashimi set (5 big pieces) that includes rice, miso soup, pickles and green tea. I was full and satisfied with the food! Got to exercise tonight. Can’t just eat and eat!

Kochi gives me a very comfortable feeling. Abit different from 富山 though there are electric trams here. The shopping mall is bigger than 富山. Tomorrow I will go to the Sunday market, it is the biggest market here. And go to Kochi Castle. I think I will enjoy it! Got to rest, take bath and drink sake.. Kochi is famous for sake! And try to listen to Masha`s radio programme. I hope I can tune it! おやすみなさい .

6 April 2007- Tokyo

Queued in total about 1.5 hours to get into Johhny shop at Harajuku and　 pay for the items. Ah, this week is spring holiday. so many people! Nevertheless I enjoyed chosing photos for friends. This time I felt that Imai Tsubasa is really good looking. He is not very handsome but his look is natural. I like chosing his photos, among all the Johnny artists. To me, Okada and Tsubasa are the most good looking among all johnny artists. Oh ya, uncle Sakamoto too.

Ate spagetti at the cafe where Nakayama san, Tomoko san and I went last 2 days. The spagetti is delicious! Continued my shopping for earrings and photos.

Now Ours Inn Hankyu do not allow guests to charge phone in the room,. Got to pay 100 yen to charge 20min. So I got to go Softbank to charge free, also buy prepaid card.

Went to Kawasaki and met Miho and Pekko. The last time I met Pekko is almost 10 years ago, when I first came to Japan, We went Disneyland together. Too bad Pekko cannot stay longer. Miho and I ate ramen at the food court at Larzona Plaza at Kawasaki. I am suprised that Kawasaki has such a BIG shopping mall (opened last Oct) and so many people. Miho recommended a Hokkaido ramen stall to me. The ramen is oily(coz Hokkaido is cold, so oily food tends to give energy), but delicious. Went to LOFT and bought 2 pens for dad.

Returned to hotel early as got to pack and abit tired. Wah, lucky! Got to see the opening of Music station Special Spring Live. Masha is in it!!! He wore a red long shirt with white shirt. He looks 元気 and put on some weight. I guess must be eating too much during concerts. Masha sang new song 東京にもあったんだ。The lyrics are touching and it has been a long time since my tears started to flow uncontrollably after hearing a song. I am not born in country side and come to tokyo to search for my dream. But I can feel the feelings that Masha and many Japanese people have. I am worried that I am just cry when I hear this song in his concert.

I packed and managed to sleep abit early. Still worried of my luggage being overweight...

5 April 2007- w-inds FC event at Zepp Tokyo

I cannot sleep well the night before. Maybe I am too excited. It is the first time I attend the　ＦＣ　event and　go to Zepp Tokyo.

Met のりこさん　at Omori station. I could not recognise her if she did not put my name on the　団扇　(uchiwa). She looks so different. The first time I met her was during last summer.

When we reached Zepp Tokyo at Odaiba, there were people queuing for the goods. I got all the goods except for handphone strip for Perina (each person is only allowed to buy one) and the S size red t-shirt for myself. I got M size instead. But it is abit big. So maybe I take the M size red and S size black tshirts.

I was so nervous that I started perspiring. I do not know why. Noriko san was worried that she cannot endure the standing.

We stood quite a distance, but I can see the stage clearly. The event started around 2.10pm. W-inds started singing Crazy for U. Oh gosh, I was crazy coz of their dance.

Ryuichi has lost weight, so has Keita. Ryohei`s dance has improved, but still lack of groove. He looks more mature now and his dancing has improved so much.

Ryuichi is very high from the beginning. Even Keita do not understand the reason. Ryuichi started to ask the 2 of them to do self-introduction. When it is his turn, he acted shy and said do not know how to introduce himself since the 2 did well. But of course he managed to be very high during self introduction!

Their talks were interesting. Ryuichi is a real joker. The 2 of them cannot beat him, Ryohei do not speak much. Keita showed his humourous side by imitating a Japanese opera singer. He did it so well and so serious! All of us laugh like mad.
Ryuichi got Ryohei to say twisted Japanese words and see if he can speak properly. Ryohei was shy and funny.

The dance I love most is　ジレンマ. The dance steps are not repeated. It was awesome! Ryuichi danced with some much feeling. I wish they can sing this at the summer tour. The dance steps for Want Ya was great too. This song is a up tempo song and I feel like dancing when I hear it. It was great to see them dance Boogie Woogie 66 so close. Wah, so electrifiying. Oh gosh, I cannot control myself but to dance with them.

There was video where it showed how they (w-inds and dancers) want to break Guiness Records. There is long jump, walking with the hands, eating pizza etc. Keita managed to win the long jump by jumping from the end, landed a bit and hit 9m. Really cheating. (＾。＾) As usual, Ryuichi is the joker of all. He walked faster than Ryohei and dancer, with his hands, though he is not supposed to be in the race. They scolded him for obstructing them. Eating pizza, Ryuichi and dancer finished first, but Keita managed to find out that they hide the pizza and left the most. Haha. Ryohei is very good in making turns with his hands on the floor (like street dance). He did a total of 14! Ryuichi tries to beat him and failed by only making 1 turn. Haha. Even he tried again, he only did about 3 turns.

I am glad to see them dance and sing 変わりゆく空. They are so happy when they sing this song. I can see the smiles on their face, so close again. Ah, and ハナムケ, it was so nice to hear their voices blended so well. I danced with them, but too bad the space is as usual limited. It is good to see them dance live!

Too bad we did not get the airplanes they throw out. The airplanes are to tie with the theme Journey. It is a good idea.

During encore, they sing Feel the fate. Ryuichi and Ryohei came out with a mask. Ryichi’s mask is I think a Nintendo character with a beard. Ryohei, I cannot remember. Sorry Ryohei. Keita came out with a bug bunny hair clip I think. When Keita was singing, the rest of the 2 just played on stage. The atmosphere is different from concert.

The event lasted about 1.40hour. Very short! But I was glad to see how the event is like, and if possible would like to attend it again. It is strange that I can say Goodbye to them so easily, with no sadness. I guess I know that I will see them again!

Queued again to try to buy the s size red t-shirt and mobile strip but still sold out!

Went to a cafe at Venus Fort with Noriko san after the event, Chatted and after Norko san left, I went to Aqua City and shop around. Odaiba is really cold! Went back to hotel early and rest.. keep thinking about the event!

Songs that w-inds sang at the FC event:

1.Crazy for You

2.Want ya!

3.ジレンマ

4.ハナムケ

5.ブギウギ66

6.変わりゆく空

7.ふたりがふたりで（アンコール）

1.Philosophy

2.Feel The Fate

3.If...

4 April 2007- Tokyo

The desert we ate at Izagaya

Met 加藤さんat 秋葉原。This is the first time I went to Akihabara. I was worried that she felt strange because Akihabara reminds of Otaku　（お宅）

It was still cold as the day before. I got Miho`s orange spring coat and sweater. Hmm, wherever I go, people look at me. I guess coz I wear orange. All the people I saw wore dark colors. Tokyo people like to wear black.

秋葉原 was quite interesting. We went to a few shops to check digital dictionary. I finally bought it at Yodoyabashi. The shop sales give me discount, and　I got to use the points to change for a Sony earphone which I find stylish (latest model) and the digital dictionary case (my favourite color - orange).

We went for lunch and chatted. It was strange. We do not have the luxury to chat when she was working at NUS. But I am glad we have this chance. We enjoyed our chatting very much but too bad she has to rush home. I wanted to go around again but the sky was so dark. Scary. Luckily yesterday I bought an umbrella from UNIQLO.

I met Miho, Su and Maki for dinner at Izagaya at 大森. Chatted and eat and eat. The food was nice. I enjoyed it. Miho is now 5 months pregnant. I am glad she looks 元気. Probably the next time I see her, she may be due for delivery soon. Su looks a bit older. (^ 。^) With more grey hair. He has a date today.. Hmm.. fishy. He said it is not date but meet male friend. Maki and I suspected he is gay. Haha. Maki rushed all the way from Kazo to Omori. Really thanks for her effort.

I was sleepy but not tired during dinner. I felt that my body is different unlike the previous trips. Probably it is due to my stamina after going to gym.

I am excited about w-inds FC　event the next day!

3 April 2007- Tokyo

Reached　Narita Airport around 6am. Wah, it is raining at Narita, all the way to Tokyo. The weather is so cold. Ah, the stupid weather forecast at Singapore is wrong. I only brought cotton clothes and denim jacket.

Saw sakura from airport to Tokyo… it was the first time I see sakura.

Went straight to Harajuku. I wanted to go Johnny Shop but gave up due to the long queue. It is so cold! There is smoke when I blow at the street. Oh gosh, from past experience, I know that the temperature is only about 10 degrees..

Luckily I called Nakayama san earlier and told him about the situation. Tomoko san brought me a wool cardigan. Even with that, I am cold! Just endure! We went to 青山霊園and　千鳥ケ淵櫻ロ-ト (near 武道館）to see sakura.　This is the first time I see so many sakura. It is beautiful. Sakura is especially beautiful when there are so many along the road or river/canal. Tomoko san said there’s sakura everywhere during this time, but whether it is just one sakura tree or many. I then understand why Japanese are so fond of sakura now.

It was cold the whole day and I really admire my endurance. Just to see sakura! We gave up on going to 中目黒 to see sakura light-up at night because of the cold.

On our way to the station from　武道館, I spotted Masha`s small advertisement for Nex Pepsi at a vending machine. He is so cool despite his age.

I messaged Miho at night to call for help to lend me sweater and coat. So worried that I will catch a cold. I have a long journey to go…

w-inds. 全国ツアー 2007

7/7(土）松戸・森のホール21（千葉県） 16:00/17:00
7/8(日) 松戸・森のホール21（千葉県） 14:00/15:00
7/11(水) 川口リリア・メインホール 17:30/18:30
7/12(木) 川口リリア・メインホール17:30/18:30
7/14(土) 仙台サンプラザホール 17:30/18:30
7/15(日) 仙台サンプラザホール 14:00/15:00
7/19(木) 山梨県立県民ホール 17:30/18:30
7/21(土) 宇都宮市文化会館 17:30/18:
7/22(日) 宇都宮市文化会館 14:00/15:00
7/28(土) 北海道厚生年金会館 17:30/18:30
7/29(日) 北海道厚生年金会館14:00/15:00
8/4(土) 新潟県民会館 17:30/18
8/6(月) 長野県県民文化会館 17:30/18:30
8/8(水) 石川厚生年金会館 17:30/18:30
8/9(木) 石川厚生年金会館 17:30/18:30
8/11(土) 神奈川県民ホール 17:30/18:30
8/12(日) 神奈川県民ホール 14:00/15:00
8/14(火) 名古屋センチュリーホール 17:30/18:00
8/15(水) 名古屋センチュリーホール17:30/18:00
8/18(土) 広島厚生年金会館 17:30/18:30
8/19(日) 広島厚生年金会館 14:00/15:00
8/21(火) 福岡サンパレスホテル＆ホール 17:30/18:30
8/22(水) 福岡サンパレスホテル＆ホール17:30/18:30
8/24(金) 宮崎市民文化ホール 17:30/18:
8/26(日) 鹿児島市民文化ホール 第一 17:30/18:30
8/31(金) 日本武道館 17:30/18:00
9/1(土) 日本武道館 16:00/17:00
9/8(土) 大阪城ホール 16:00/17:00

This year’s FC balloting was rather 厳しい. Nさん only got 3 concerts out of 8. She got 5 last year!

I applied for日本武道館 and大阪城ホール tickets and got all! Lucky!!! Hopefully the seats are good and I can see 龍一 clearly, especially his dance and expressions.

龍一くん、今年の夏は逢いましょうね！ （＾。＾）