17 April – 心斎橋、大阪

Spiderman at 心斎橋


Went to Shinsaibashi today. I wanted to relax today and take my time, so I set off at 11am.

I went to Johnny shop again.. Haha. Just for fun, since I passed by. Aiyo, only few people in the shop! Imagine I got to queue at Tokyo (><) Anyway, bought few photos again.. see if Rose wants it, and also to sell some away and earn pocket money.

I found my way to America Mura (american village). The clothes there are really US style. I like those checked clothes. Very nice.Tempted to buy one but it's a guy shirt. In fact I like guys to wear checked clothes. I think it makes them look natural. I so am very happy that Masha`s wore a checked shirt for this new single.

First time i went to a muscial instrument shop.. I was attracted by the guitars. This shop sells new and used guitars.. wah those electric guitars are so beautiful and attractive. Unlike the ones that Spore has. And the picks they sell, so colorful. It is probably a luxury for music lovers to live in Japan.. so many choices!

I walked around, sightseeing. Ate Takoyaki (delicious) for my lunch, Sat in the small park at America Mura. Quite relax, though got pigeons around me.. haha.

I found a shop (few storeys) selling second hand cds and walked into it. To my surprise, they also sell used concert phamplets and magazines. I started to search for my favourite Masha and w-inds. Wah, they sell Masha`s 3 past concert phamplets and quite alot of BROS newsletters. Well, I have them all anyway.. just want to try my luck to find the old newsletters. Then , I saw Naohito Fujiki 2003 concert phamplet selling at 800yen. Just bought it for Rose and consider about my luggage weight later.

Walked to Dontoburi and found 松竹座. This concert hall held stage plays and concerts. Kan Jani 8 hold their concerts there before. The building is of european structure, quite prominent among all the buildings in Dontoburi. I would like to attend concert here one day.

Went to my favourite Tatsuya and saw display of Masha`s singles and Tokyo Tower novels and relevant books when I stepped in. So happy... I can see him and hear his new song almost everywhere. Then I saw Keita`s pictorial book!!!! Suppose to be out on 19 April. Anyway, just bought it.. it is heavy.. hmm I walked around, looking at cds, listened to Mr Children`s album Home. Decided to buy it. I like Mr Children` s music.. but do not like Sakurai`s voice though.. I had my tea break at Starbucks inside Tsutaya. Ate New York Cheese cake and drank Moca. Chose a seat where I can see Masha`s PV and hear his song.. it was relax to just have a tea break there. Too bad S'pore do not have such an environment. Though Borders have it.. It only have English books and play English songs I suppose.The Moca and Cheese cake are delicious. I do not know why.. it just taste different from the ones in S'pore.. or is it my psychological thinking??

I went to the shop selling idol photos opposite Tsutaya (saw it from Tsutaya). It was located at the 4th floor of the building. The lift was damn old. Anyway, I managed to find Masha`s concert photos there!!! To my surprise! And the press conference photos of the Kose products and other photos as well. When the shop owner told me few of the photos I picked are sold out, I asked him to get from the display shelf. He said Masha is really 人気　and alot of fans come to his shop when he has concerts in Osaka . I told him I am from Singapore, went to his concerts at Matsuyama and have supported him for 12 years. He was shocked! Haha. He asked me whether Masha is famous in S'pore etc. And he was so excited and asked me to wait. Then he brought out a whole basket of Masha`s photos for me to chose. Those photos are not displayed for sale. He only showed to die hard fans like me. Oh gosh, there are photos where Masha played guitar, talked in MC, etc... these photos are taken continuously during concert, so must chose carefully.. only have slight difference. Shall not disclose how much I paid for all the photos.. anyway, I am satisfied and happy with what I bought. 店長　asked me to come to his shop again when Masha has concerts. Haha. He is kind of friendly, unlike the ones at Tokyo. I do not know why, just feel that Kansai people are more friendly, Kanto people are very cold.. er, this exclude my friends at Kanto. Sorry folks if I have offended you.

Shopped for a while before I return to Umeda. Wanted to have my phone charged at the charger boxes at Yodavashi. While my phone is charging, I want to go UNIQLO. And to my horror, I found Jump Shop!!!! Jump is the comic publisher that publishes all the popular comics like slam dunk, dragon ball, prince of tennis, Reborn, Death Notes, One Piece etc. And I found Reborn goods! Different from the ones at Animate. Oh they have the t-shirts and even Tusna`s school uniform and the necklace that identify the Vongola Family. I bought 2 items only. hehe. And friends who like Prince of Tennis, I bet you will get crazy when you enter this shop! So many goods and nice posters. I stayed in the shop for about 30 minutes! Wah, got to collect my mobile phone.

Went for dinner at the same shop called めしや. Got to purchase coupons for the food you want to eat. I like the sanma set and ate it again. Stayed in Kinki Hotel for past 2 times and did not realise this shop sells delicious food till this time round. Bought Mr Children`s album at Tsutaya near hotel and just came back hotel.

Got to take shower and start packing. Time really flies.. my 15 days trip is going to end tomorrow. This is my longest trip so far. I thought I would be homesick, but none at all. My parents got mad at me and　called me last Saturday why I did not call home or email to Wai. Well, dad said need not call them if nothing happen. I am really surprise that I did not miss home at all. Did not think about my dad`s cooking, my bed etc.. and of course work. Well, guess I am really enjoying myself.

I think my trip will not be so fruitful without my friends. Thanks to(name not in order) - Miho and Su for taking your time to meet me, Thanks Miho for lending me the coat and sweater.. Thanks Maki for coming all the way from Saitama and your omiyage, please say big thanks to your mum for Masha`s poster (this poster is really fabulous- travel from Saitama, to Tokyo, to Shikoku, to Osaka, to Spore!), Thanks Noriko san for getting w-inds FC ticket for me and attending the event with me, Thanks Mami for attending Masha`s concerts with me all the way Kobe, getting the tickets for me, chatting with me.. Thanks Nakayama san and Tomoko san for bringing me to see sakura and giving me treats, Tomoko san for lending me the wool jacket, Thanks Kato san for coming all the way from Chiba to meet me and accompany to buy digital dictionary, Thanks Aoki san for chatting with me on the way back to Kochi city, waiting the bus with me, Thanks Sato san and wife for taking care of me when I was at the hostel... Thanks to those whom I have met and talked to unintentionally during the trip...

Thanks to Ryuichi for showing me how good your dance is and giving me the power to continue learning dancing, Thanks Ryohei for showing me how good your dance skills is now and Thanks Keita for your superb singing.

Most important of all, Macho Thanks to Masha who is so thoughtful and asked about overseas fans and said Thanks and Hello to me. Thanks for the fabulous concerts! You have given me good memories that I will never forget! I hope to see you again soon.

Though my this trip ends tomorrow, I am not sad about it and instead bringing with me good memories which I have never experienced before. I am looking forward to the next journey... in Summer - w-inds has announced that they will have concerts starting in July! So Japan, see you again!