Japan Trip 2010 Entry #2 ~ Niigata Edition

While traveling on the Shinkansen to Niigata, this was on the second last day of our trip. I realized that the scenery changed from looking like spring to winter. At certain parts, the roofs of houses and mountains were capped with snow. And the temperature in the carriage was cooler than how it was when going to other parts of Japan on this train system. Not too many pics here since my Aiphone can't zoom in to capture better photos ^^;

This is how it looks from Niigata station.

Scenes along the way as we walked to the mall. All in all, I think Niigata is a nice place to live in if it wasn't so darn cold.

This shot almost seems like a postcard :)

I'm happy I got to visit Niigata since it's Koharu and Makoto's hometown. But I think the part where those two stay could possibly be more rural than where we were at.

This is yakisoba with spaghetti sauce. Strange combination no? We bought this as a meal to eat on the train ride back to Tokyo.

But apparently this is what Koharu has recommended people to try cuz it isn't sold anywhere else in Japan. I bought the flavor she likes :)

The view from the window as we were leaving Niigata in a cab. I have to say I love how you don't have to open the doors to the taxi yourself as they are automated. I get such a kick out of watching the door open and close by itself XD

Bai bai! Tokyo back I go~

Japan Trip 2010 Entry #1 ~ Kyoto Edition

For the first time in my life, I went to Japan. I wasn't certain if I should have gone in the beginning since there were quite a number of factors holding me back. But in the end I'm glad I did go. The main driving force behind my decision to go ahead and fly to the land of Sakuras was so that I could the 2010 MM Spring Concert Pika Pika. This trip was made with Stef, Estrea and Badsaints and boy was it a crazy one XD

I'll be posting entries about the trip but they won't be in order as I write based on 'feel' :P And currently my mind feels like talking about Kyoto so here it is.

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We began our journey on the 8th of April. And on the 6th day in the country, we went to Kyoto. Previously, we were in Tokyo and Yokohama. For Kyoto, we stayed for two nights in this place called 'Capsule Ryokan.' It doesn't look too shabby does it? Badsaints has a great nack for seeking out affordable and comfortable lodging. *salutes* I've never slept on tatami mats and a mattress like this before so I looked forward to the experience. (Sorry about the mess at the corner of the pic. I took off and threw my jackets there as soon as the guy who showed us in left ^^;)

Only problem was, the shower was within the room. And the panel doesn't look very opaque? Yabaii ne~ This could be embarassing.

Inside, the bath looks like a part of a spaceship. Or maybe my brain is filled with so much of Morning Musume that my thoughts just automatically shift towards Eri :D

A random street. Looks right out of a documentary or an olden time period huh? I kept thinking this route lead to some dingy bathhouse. Obviously I was wrong :P I did want to experience what it felt like to take a bath in a public bath? But due to *ahem* some reason, I had to shelve that plan.

Random signs with TakaGaki and Tanaka, Because I'm stupid and a Mowota XD

This tower was visible from our room window but the shot I took of it was in the night and not too clear. Hence, this picture shows what the structure looks like in the day.

Oh and Risa likes to eat Okonomiyaki right? We had that for dinner one of the nights in Kyoto. This place looks nice doesn't it? Feels very authentic ^^

The drinks we ordered came as we were waiting for the dish to be prepared. Guess what each of us got? From left to right, Oolong tea for me, beer (I think it was Asahi?) for Stef and Sake for Estrea. What can I say? I'm a good kid so I don't drink :P

The end product! I know I took pics of this on the plate with the funny mini spade looking thing on the side. But I can't seem to find it in the picture folder. My Aiphone or Mac-cy probably acted up again *sigh*. Unfortunately my things don't seem to like me much

On our last day in Kyoto, we visited two temples which were within walking distance of each other. The whole atmosphere of the surroundings is very surreal and peaceful although there were people about.

For some reason I like this water feature. I think you can pour the water into your hand with the scoop and drink from it? But I'm not sure what it's supposed to symbolize.

When A Miracle Makes You Cry

After waiting ages to be able to buy this DVD (it's the monetary issue, what else XD), and another 8 working days for it to ship to me, I finally have it in my hands!!! Koharu's graduation concert DVD that is - 9 Smiles.

I bought the overseas version cuz it was supposed to have subtitles and I really wanted to know what the other members told the graduating miracle. Unfortunately, the company who makes these editions somehow goofed up hence the first DVD doesn't have it. Blah! *grumbles* They are lucky DVD 2 has the subs or blood will be spilled XD

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The highlight of this concert is definitely the portion where heartfelt speeches are made to Koharu and vice versa. I think it's hilarious how the Nanakie kept wanting to talk about her senpais when the section was meant for them to tell her stuff :D

Ai's part was what I expected of leader. She spoke of how she felt with Koha being the first kouhai she had to see off. I understand completely where she is coming from as I too would have felt the same way.

For Gaki-san, I think it's great how she reminded Koha to be thankful for the people who gave her help and who support her. I felt that this is one aspect that a lot of entertainers (especially the popular ones) forget about after a while. After hearing Risa say this, I feel happy to be her fan ^^

Kame...awwww, the way the tears kept running down her face made me wanna hug her so bad. Her eyes are really pretty when she cries. (Hee, this isn't very relevant to this post but I can't help talking about it. Eri is just so beautiful.) I thought it was sweet of her to stay back and help Koharu with the dance steps even when she had her own things to practice. She must be a good teacher for the miracle to catch on more easily from her than from the actual dance teacher.

Shige-pinku's speech was the best imo. It was funny to make the sad atmosphere not so gloomy and allowed the fans to see another side of both her and her kouhai. I laughed when Koha-pinku called Sayumin by her Rainbow Pinku nickname :) It's so true what transpired between them. Usagi-chan might be really mean with the things she says, but she is kind and this can be seen by how she treats Eri. Sometimes I feel bad for her to be the one giving more than she is receiving. Then again, we don't see what goes on daily in their lives so Kame might be treating her very well also.

Ahhh the yankii. It's surprising that Koharu manages to see so deeply within quite a few of the members. She feels that Reina seems tough on the exterior but inside she really is a softie being warm and kind-hearted. I find that very believable. Apparently Reina also worries for her a lot and is someone Koharu talks to about her problems. To me, the kitty just wants to hide her vulnerable side in order to protect herself. Thus she doesn't cry in front of others.

As I was watching Aika, I really felt bad for her. From what she said, you could tell she greatly wanted to fit in and be liked. And she was envious of how her similarly aged senpai (their ages are apart by only a few months) could speak and behave so freely. She spoke of how she watched Koharu from afar and wondered how she could be like this. Then at this point Koharu said "you should join us." I don't know why I smiled upon hearing it. I guess I think it's sweet that she would want to engage Aika?

I know I have ever said I liked Jun Jun more in the beginning but this was overtaken by Lin Lin. But I think JJ is making a comeback. What struck me the most about the taller panda's speech was how she looked forward to get to know Koharu more only to have that hope dashed when the announcement of her graduation was made. She didn't understand why must there be graduations. And I don't too :( Despite her acting cute more these days, I can find it in myself to overlook that. After all, when my fave member is the reaction queen, what else can't I stomach? XD

Lin Lin is the funny, air-headed member who makes Ai laugh. I hate not having TakaGaki but I love seeing leader happy. So if having Lin Lin around does just that, then so be it. Besides, it's about time someone made Ai come out of her shell. If Eri can do it, why can't the most eye-catching member of Momosu right? I didn't expect Lin Lin and Koharu to be that close. But it did seem that way from the way they interacted. The last bit where she said "I'll cry for you today." Man, it really got to me. It's probably one of the sweetest lines in this MC *sniff*

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How many years have it been since I first fell in love with Morning Musume? Frankly I can't remember. I just know that the passion I hold for them is still going strong. And I really wish with all my heart that other fans love them the same way as they did on day 1, if not more as the days go by.

Every time I hear about fans losing interest I feel so sad. Isn't it depressing enough that MM doesn't enjoy high popularity in Japan or sells better?

Please continue to support Morning Musume. The girls deserve that much.

Maple, Canada and Eri

Maple is Eri's 5th solo PB released on 11 October 2007 was shot in Canada. I think it was the only MM PB that was taken in a Western country other than Guam and Hawaii? Many of her fans view this as her best one yet although with Hatachi and Sweet, this could very well change. The thing with Eririn is she photographs so beautifully that it is impossible to not be enthralled by any official photo or publication that features her.

I had a hard time picking out my 10 favorites cuz there were simply too many nice shots of the Rokkie.

The Cover

Don't you feel tempted to pick this up and bring it over to the cashier to make payment just by the cover alone?

10th

There's something about Eri when she bits on her underlip. It's just so...so....gah, I can't describe it. But it's a trait that I love about her and she is just so cute whenever she does it

9th

Eri undressing? @@ Isn't her back view just so awesome? And the way her face is hidden by her top so that she's peeking from behind it? Oh.my.god, it's just the 2nd pic and already I can't stop rambling about how gorgeous the turtle is.

8th

Noooo, stop killing me like this!! One of Kame's best assets has got to be her tummy. Her legs are great too but her tummy is just...WOW. I also like how she pushes her hair behind her ear. It's so feminine.

7th

Besides the sexy pouty lips, the mesmerizing eyes, the alluring thighs (gawd did I use alluring? XD lol I couldn't think of anything else), what else makes you doki doki when you look at Eri? For me it's her dopy smile and sleepy look. Here her dopiness isn't at 100% but it's still enough to make me go awwww :)

6th

Now this pic is just screams 1 word. HAWT! I think the photographer likes having Eri pose with this angle cuz I noticed a lot of her shots share this similarity XD

5th

Kame kissing kame. That lucky turtle got to taste her lips!!

4th

I've always liked plaid and stripes so the outfit in this shot makes it a winner for me. Please ignore the fact that the outfit is a bikini :P Her hair looks extremely good here too. Even the wooden slats look nice. Or maybe Eri just makes anything look pretty ^^

3rd

Converse shoes! I like. The playful mood, her casual clothes and the adorable hair. Need I say more? (^_^)

2nd

She sure likes to play this game huh? Hide-and-seek :D You don't have to hide your face Eri. You're more than beautiful *melts again*

1st

*Sigh* How can anyone be this perfect? As much as I like Gaki-san and Sayumin, I can't lie. And the truth is Kame looks the best out of the 3. If there was a contest for most perfect Asian beauty, the winner has got to be Eri.

かめっ★11

It's terrible to not have a regular dosage of GakiKame (I'm looking at you OnDiet :P) hence I'm trying to translate the blog posts from their 5 stars Monday radio show. The word is TRYING though cuz my Japanese sucks. I need to beg OnDiet for help on some words ^^;

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Wednesday: 27th January, 2010

Iie~ This blog~

It's Kamei Eri.

GakiKame recently is really feeling a lot of happiness.

The contents of the mails that everyone sends is so funny, we can't stop laughing.

This too I hope for a lot constantly.

In addition we would like to have a public recording radio show~ If it's on Gaki-san's birthday the next time it will be good.

However it's still nervous to be on public recordings.

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There! I did it. My first KameMame blog translation. I wonder how many mistakes I've made XD Don't kill/bash/scold me if it's wrong. Onegai~ *runs away*