5x10 Kokuritsu complete trip report ft. 2009.08.28 concert
An epic experience deserves an epic report, here's mine including the Kokuritsu Kasumigaoka Concert on Day 1, 2009.08.28. Please bear with me if you will.
Day 1 - the arrival
Took NH flight 8.15am to Narita. Landed in Narita at 3.55pm Japan Standard Time. There's a one hour time difference between Singapore and Japan.
We then bought the tickets for the 4.30pm limousine bus from the airport to Shinjuku directly. As it was quite hot and I hadnt slept the night before, I snoozed on the bus...not knowing that it would take 2 hours due to terrible peak hour traffic orz!!! The journey would only take about an hour or less during other times.
From there, my travelmate pettomomo and I took a taxi to our hotel in Shinujuku san-chome. Its such a hole-in-the-wall hotel that the driver only managed to find it on his 3rd try!! I dont think I could've managed if I had done it on my own, dragging my luggage around orz...
The lodging
Hurriedly dumped everything there and left for dinner after a 10 minute rest.
Whilst walking around looking for chow, we were approached by some great looking new halves! I just smiled at them and declined the flyers they were handing out! (while not forgetting how they always featured so prominently in Arashi's bangumi hehe!) :P
Too many yakitori and curry rice shops later, finally spotted a ramen-ten to ease that growling tummy! Lunch was 7 hours ago without nary a snack! Ordered the chasyu ramen which is what I usually eat. But the surprise! Halfway through the dinner, Everything came on the radio and we were so asdfghjkl ureshii!!! XDDD Suffice to say, had to take a short break and sing a few lines of course hehe!
Left promptly for Shibuya to hunt down Tokyu Hands. Too bad it had closed for the day by the time we reached!! *gasp*
Doshiou??? Ahh, no hope for it! Our uchiwa dreams shred to smithereens, we had to think of something quick! (yes, buy those unofficial uchiwas!) More on that later.
Quickly made our way to Tsutaya to check out mags and CDs. Kyaa!! Happy doesnt begin to describe our emotions when we were greeted by Arashi's ALL THE BEST album display plus they were playing the montage video on the small TV on display!! Was tempted to buy the RE but no! Must save the money for goods tomorrow!
Took the elevator up to 6th floor. The thing I hate about indoor Tokyo is - their aircon is always in the 20s range to the point of stifling you! Left after half an hour with only Hanako in hand.
Was too high to sleep thinking of the upcoming con so we decided to watch AAA on my laptop. Gahh!! So excited already!! How to control ourselves tomorrow?!!
After spazzing for like 5 songs in, we received a phone call from the staff that we had to quieten down as it was past midnight. Erm, I was cho contrite and apologetic! NOT!! But of course I didnt tell him THAT!! Said my profuse apologies like any good girl would then went back to fangirling, albeit with the volume turned down and voices too.
Day 2 - JE shop and THE KOKURITSU KASUMIGAOKA CONCERT!!!
Left bright and early for Johnny's shop after light breakfast in the room. Ate stuff from the conbini to save time.
Was to meet karened in Harajuku station but she was late, so we made our way to JE shop but oh, the crowds! We were told to take a number outside the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line exit and queued up to wait. Then my eyes lit up when I saw the 2 fangirls infront of us carrying the 5x10 Eco bags!!! asdfghjkl *cue heart goes doki doki*
The shop was too crowded when it was our turn to go in! The basement was open as well this time (it wasnt on my last trip in May09). Decided to give it a try since the first level was too packed... =(
The situation's only a little better but we just jumped right in! Made my selections quickly as the crowds just kept coming...then walked up the stairs for a look at the pics there. Nothing much different except there were even more fangirls there!! But, I spotted some nice Everything pics which I wanted! However, the pushing, shoving and people blocking my views was too much to take! Why they didnt move and make room for other fans will forever remain a mystery to me!
And there was this girl, she had even bigger hamburger hands than Nino! She used her left hand to support herself while busily scribbling down her order in the chit. She wasnt tiny like most Jap girls so I cant guess her nationality but I was just so pissed she overstayed her welcome there by not moving elsewhere after a good ten minutes! O_O
No time to lose! Paid for my pix then left to have a quick lunch at deli shop Douter. I love their shrimp baguettes +iced tea yay! Too bad they dont have a set for me as they only had coffee for those orz...
When we arrived at Gaienmai station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza line (had to change at Omotesando from Harajuku), it was already close to 1pm gasp!! My feet were already killing me as I was wearing new shoes (vainpot paying the price!) Had to ask for directions since I saw the baseball stadium but not the Kokuritsu. Kept walking another 10 mins in the blazing sun and our tension went up a notch when we came upon the 5x10 flags billowing in the breeze!!! ^____^
The venue
Kokuritsu stadium in our sights with 5x10 flags billowing in the breeze
Side gate, so excited to spot this sign! Met so many fangirls along the way. One of the gates from Kasumigaoka.
The Queues! OMG when we were nearing the goods area, we knew our work was cut out for us!! The sea of people was just enormous. I reckon there must be at least a few thousands of them there braving the midday sun for their beloved Arashi goods. Without further ado, we plunged right in as that was our intent!
The scene of the crazy con goods queue...20 deep rows...! >.>'
Just hadnt bargained for the burning weather which was in the mid 30 deg Celsius by my estimation. Had to keep drinking to prevent dehydration! Then had to replenish when my supply eventually ran out and left the queue to do it. If I had gone alone, it would be taihen ne...
Long story short! While we were reaching the end of the line, some older fangirls thought they were better than the rest of us and did the unthinkable! They left the line and took a shortcut! Ugly fangirls are the bane of my life now!
5 mins in, and the announcer kept saying the concert was going to commence soon. Since there were still gadzillions out there in the lines, I knew there was no way they were going to start on time that day.
When we were finally allowed to get our goods, we decided to abandon the idea as it was already 5.15pm!!! No choice for it but to dash to the con area!! Maybe luck was finally on my side as the expected ID checks DIDNT happen! (I was so worried I wont get to see my beloved Arashi that I was afraid it would show on my face!!)
After a cursory bag check, we flew at top speed to the Kokuritsu South gate where our Arena seats were located!
Am I glad the moving stage was so near us!!!!! The only bad news was, its quite a distance from the central circular stage - VERY HARD (read almost impossible) to see from our position as our seats were on level ground with the rest of the arena audience. (I've always preferred gradient seats - the eternal moviegoer in me :P) Anyway, that's just a small complaint since I FINALLY GET TO BE IN THE KOKURITSU WITH ITS IMMENSE PALPABLE ATMOSPHERE of 70000 other fans! Dream come true yahoo! AAA Taipei seems such a distant memory to me orz...
Note: fan was pointing at moving stage placed in front of section
The excitement had built up to such a huge level that I was afraid my heart wouldnt be able to withstand anymore!! However, it survived (but only barely) when our 5 lovely adorkable boys made their eye-catching appearance for their first song of the con with Kansha Kangeki Ame Arashi in their bling bling white sequinned tunic tops and gold long pants!! They flew from above the grandstand and made their way over to the Olympic flame!!! Was so worried for Shokun that he wasnt going to make it due to his fear of heights but seeing him approach it like the complete professional he is earned my respect all over again. \(^_^)/
The version's slightly different from the one I heard last year as this WAS the original without the Chinese/Korean lyrics for AAA. Gah! Had to pinch myself! Iaminadream!
They then followed that up quickly with the uptempo Step and Go and was looking forward to their cute actions in the PV! Grr being cho far from the central stage, I could only watch the jumbo screen in front of us. Following that was Lucky Man, We Can Make it, ?? then kya! Kaze no Mukou e was saikou!!
Was thinking back to last year's Music Lovers when they first performed it live among their fans and now truly getting to see it live in Kokuritsu is something special! Couldnt stop singing along to the chorus since Sakurap is way out of my league!
My snack, since dinner would be very late...lunch was at 12.30pm...
When Crazy Moon came on, I was literally jumping up and down where I was standing as I loved the PV too much! Love them in hot dance moves since we dont get to see them often enough and all those Utaban and MS lives had made me so jealous of those studio audience... Again, I sang along to it with my section of fans. *_*
The thing I love about this concert was the fact that they perform Arashi songs for their solos. Aiba-chan doing PIKA★NCHI was a nice touch! There was also Horizon, Dangan Liner, Kokoro Chirari and the kawaii Arerugi (Allergy) when the boys danced with fruits and vegetables props! Maximum kawaii!! XDDD Carnival Night Part 2's turn after that.
Demo hey presto! Nino doing the rock star routine for his solo was so cute! Strumming his guitar, he sang his lungs out in Taisetsu na Mono!!
When Everything came on, the crowd was on a high again since its heard almost everyday in CMs everywhere! Time to work those lungs again. Loved it when everyone sang the chorus so well together! XD
Hitomi no naka no Galaxy was mecha kireii!! As it had turned dark by then, the galaxy effects on the jumbo screens were so pretty to look at! Before we could say ahh, they quickly segued into Aozora Pedaru. Ureshii! Its one of my personl faves. ^^
The tempo changed again with Typhoon Generation so we took a breather then Riida! Surprising us all with his traffic stopping neon I-am-the-cho-kawaii-Yano-Kenta-look-at-me costume!! Everyone loved it so much, esp the kids in the audience who identified with the drama!! Earlier on, I had spied a little boy dressed as Yano Kenta at the train station who was leaving after buying goods. Then while queueing for goods in the dreaded heat, a chubby female teen was also dressed in the same clothes, plus hat! That's how popular he is! *happiness, he's due some*
Then came the familiar favorites a Day in Our Life, Oh Yeah and Hadashi no Mirai.
For the latter, they were each perched on 7 meter high elevated circular columns individually. Who's afraid of heights? This person was teased and bullied in the MC! More on that later.
Btw am I the only one who loves the cute actions for this song hehe!
Beautiful Days proved to be another popular tune owing to Nino's role in Ryusei no Kizuna. The crowd loved it and it showed by accompanying them in good voice.
Aibachan was the first to do MC, which was a short and sweet one. Then came the unflappable Riida who choked on his emotions while expressing his thanks and fortune being in Arashi (you'd expect Aibachan not Riida breaking into tears). But we the audience egged him on with our rapt attention and he received a big cheer when he completed his MC saying he was very blessed. *my Riidameter went up a notch*
In addition, Ohchan was massaged between his eyes twice, by Nino and Jun. Jun probably couldnt stand the thought of the Neen having Ohchan all to himself and had to claim ownership too! What fanservice!! They thought he had frowned too much during Kumori Nochi Kaisei. Fanservice kyaa!!
Poor Sho! He was made to stand once more on the high beam when they complained he was only giving a half-*ss performance with his eyes closed. He was ordered to redo it with his eyes fully open with all the requisite hand motions but...there wasnt much improvement! With his eyes semi-open, he sang a verse of Hadashi no Mirai but those hands didnt move very high...grrr stop bullying the poor guy already! T_T
In Nino's MC, he mentioned that he was playing games 10 years ago, and ten years later as well. Was he trying to convey that he hadnt changed much? Anyway, he hadnt finished his convoluted MC before the fireworks suddenly came on! Only learnt later that they were from the baseball field next door hehe! (the second night, it went off during Love So Sweet. =)
Ooh! Aibachan talked about his drama My Girl for quite a bit. He was on very high tension which was understandable! The guy hadnt had a drama since oh, only 2003!
Following that, Shokun appeared in his shiny blingx2 green and white sweater and 3/4 pants for solo TomadoiNagara hiphop style. ^_^ Loved it! He came close to our stand and made some eye contact with us!!!
The next big talking point would be Jun's solo Wish which he did in Jazz-style! Those dance moves were cho nimble and very similar to those by his namesake, MJ!! (Michael Jackson) Dressed in his white silk shirt and black formal pants, he was a picture of eye candy with fringe pinned to his crown and the sides geled! *_* (he killed lots of his fangirls that night, including pettomomo!)
LOL! The songs never stopped and we were hit with Attack it! I need to listen to this song more ah! Followed by truth!! Demo Shokun was immovable, gripped by his fear again. The guys seemed to enjoy poking fun at him, esp Aibachan and Jun who flew past him quickly hehe!
Gahhh!! The epic Ashita no Kioku then came on and it was beautiful and memorable and kawaii!! All the members were shown their pics since birth and had never been seen before! Aibachan and his famous half-naked pic drew enormous laughter! I will say this again! The DVD cant come quickly enough!
After some VTR while the guys went to change their costumes, we had our fangirls' dream realized when, when...the Arashi members came togged out in their infamous white see-through costumes for A.Ra.Shi!!! *cue shrieking fangirls' screams here*
For this performance, Ohchan came to our corner and I could tell he was blushing / embarrassed about it however the cameramen made it even worse for him by pointing the camera at his - you guessed it - crotch!!! *cue more hentai fangirl screams* All in good fun since it was a very party atmosphere in the con kyaa! XDDD
The songs then came thick and fast with Sunrise Nippon, Kimi no Tameni Boku ga iru, Jidai (live is incomparable!), Nice na Kokoroiki, PIKA☆NCHI, TomadoiNagara, Kotoba yori Taisetsu na mono, Hero, Sakura Sake (both were great sing-along), Wish, Kittou Daijoubou, Love So Sweet, Happiness and Believe - gah I was cho high by then! Its such a uptempo song!! What could I do but went with the flow by having a blast of a time with the singing and dancing!!
During 5x10, we were shown the members group pics in the ten years since debut. Some of those shots are really priceless. XO Quite sure many were left sniffling into their hankies and tissues...it was a close thing for me.
For encore 1, PIKA★★NCHI DOUBLE, Ashita ni Mukatte, Dekiru Dake and One Love were performed. Cho saikou daaaa!!!
In encore 2, we had Fight Song, Gorimuchu and the penultimate A.Ra.Shi which had the entire stadium singing with the boys. Ahh too much rabu!!!
highlights!
1) Aibachan stayed in our section for a verrrrry loooonnnggg time!!! We had him to ourselves for 1.5 songs!! At first he was on the moving stage waving and making eye contact with us but then he got on the high beam again in his white, red and black combo (3/4 pants) and performed right in front of us.
2) Shokun and Junkun also made eye contact with us when they were on those moving stage and the walkway near us. When I shouted Shokun, he really heard me and looked straight at me! %asfghjkl;
3) Junkun kissed the camera during encores!!! OMG! Can this be included in the DVD pleasex3???
Braving the huge crowds post con, we gave the goods stand another try and were lucky it was cool and windy with a shorter line, but still had to wait for more than half hour for our turn.
Bad news! GASP! No more towels?!! Muri, muri desu!! Too much for me to take in!! Bought all the rest of them that I'd set my heart on. YAY!!
Day 3
The Keikarou experience
Fangirls galore. Thats right. We were in the midst of them everywhere, esp the fangirl spots.
We were so fortunate Aiba-okasaan came to explain to us that due to the overwhelming crowds with a line queueing round the block - many came with their luggage and con goods - most of us cant be accomodated as they were closing at 3pm. (it was past 1pm+ then) She said since it was a special day (con!) and that they had prepared a special takeaway menu so that we didnt have to go away emptyhanded. A second queue quickly formed by the narrow lane beside the restaurant side door but the sweltering heat in the merciless sun did us in! We caved after an hour to go somewhere else for lunch as it was past 2pm then...
Btw she declined to have her pic taken. We headed to a nearby konbini for cold drinks before heading for some pasta in a local deli. Eyes lit up when I spied some Japanese newspapers with con news in them! Its great Arashi made the news. ^.^
Plan B: Ebisu Garden Place. The shrine for all MJ/HYD fangirls!
Demo, there were too many kids playing at this monument of monuments which annoyed many of the fangirls there!!!
Didnt stay very long as it was overcast with an imminent storm looking very likely.
Plan C: Kokuritsu again! This time, we heard the con from the outside but it was nothing compared to the interior!
We had to strain our ears for some of the songs and gave up after 30 mins to change location. (too humid as well)
Wanted to join the queue for con goods but were barred unless we started from the park from across the road so I changed our strategy and got us in anyway!
asdfghjkl Beautiful Days then promptly came on!! Got some goods again / milled around the crowds before leaving Kokuritsu for good.
Thereafter was dinner time at 8pm to have that shabux2 I'd been craving. Turned out, we were too drained from our hectic schedules over the past few days to do it any justice.
Day 4
Checked out of hotel at 10.30am when 10am was the cutoff. Huhu the staff called to check on us...but of course! They are so precise ne.
Decided to go for early lunch at Ootoya as we couldnt leave our luggage behind.
Scallop rice in bamboo served with chicken soup in egg
Last stop, Keio Mall. Carrying lots of high end goods as well as midend products, I only got some readypacked maki rolls (gunkan) to tie me over before dinner on board.
Some cute pics taken from the Sky Mall Roof Garden!
Doraemon-chan, Pikachu, Anpanman and Thomas the Train.
I hope it wasnt too exhausting to read. Any mistakes are my own.
This wouldnt have been possible without those online setlists. (Iwastooincoherentthatday.)
PS. 24 hour TV posters were all over the train stations as it was their weekend too!
I just think its so cool most of them went for Arashi's concert on Fri too. ^^
Please do not repost the pictures. Thanks!!