Glay trip!

Aug. 2nd, 2004 11:29 pm
pez: (Jiro - can you see me...?)
[personal profile] pez
It'll take a while before I can get the photos, so trip report now, and photos later ^^


Day 1
We got to the hotel at around 5pm, after getting lost for a little while (a bloke gave us the wrong directions ^^"). Dropping our things, we headed out! From our hotel at Shinsaibashi, we walked around the Minami area, which were mostly shopping, food, food, some games centres, and more food! From Shinsaibashisuji, to Midosuji, cross the bridge, to gaaah I can't remember the road name right now. We ended up at some America-themed street, as in, all the shops there were opened by young people like us and sold hip-hop clothing.

Then we looked into our guidebok and found a lovely okonomiyaki restaurant. There were about 4 tables, and we had to take our shoes off and sit down on the cushions. But it's not a traditional place - it's at the American street and the diners and waitresses were all young people too XD Soba-yaki and Garlic+Bacon-yaki were both delicious X3 It was a little funny when the waitress discovered we weren't Japanese and panicked a bit, but that happened everywhere XD

After eating we went out again, and just wandered into a shop. The girl started greeting and saying things to us, so I told her that we aren't Japanese, but she only got more excited *snickers* With simple Japanese and English she asked us if we came to Osaka for sightseeing, so I pulled out my Glay guidebook and grinned. She was like OMG OMG!!! and asked us who our fave Glay members were. Chelsea said Hisashi, and I of course said Jiro, and the girl went OMG OMG again and took my hands and jumped up and down with me, saying that Jiro's the best! *L* So after talking a little more, she asked us to look around and ask if we need help, but we ended up not buying anything ^^"

That street had LOADS of gothic and lolita clothing stores. I'm not much into these clothes, but Chelsea loves looking at gothic stuff although their prices were all sky high. Then we decided we've walked enough since it was going to be a hectic day the next day, so we headed back. On the way we passed by a games store where I (finally) managed to get Sweat&Tears 2.

Day 2
We got up relatively early and went to the Floating Garden near Umeda Station after breakfast. It's some 40-storys high structure and lets you look around the city of Osaka. Afterwards we decided though we should've gone at night coz the view would've been prettier, not that we would've had time at night, as you'll read later...

After that, we walked to Hep Five near Osaka Station. It had several floors of shopping (most of which we skipped), food places and Sega's Skypolis. There is also a huge ferris wheel attached to the building XD We didn't get on that though, having just seen Osaka from above at the Floating Garden. But we ate 蛋包飯 (rice wrapped in egg) and it was YUM X3

We did take a look at the shops at Hep Five and that was were I found this gem. I went OMG OMG I have to get this and Chelsea looked at me this way O_o. Oh and we took sticker/card photos at this really really crazy photobooth in Skypolis. You have to choose themes beforehand, along with music, then you go into the booth and take pics. Then you have to CRAWL through a hole to the other booth where there was a camera above eye level and another one near the ground, and we got to choose which one we wanted to use to take the next pictures. After that you get out of the booth to a screen where you can decorate the pics you've taken. Finally the photos are printed. It was completely crazy and real fun!

After we left, we decided to head to the bay area to have a look around. The quickest way from where we were would be to head directly to Universal Studios Japan (USJ), which coincidentally was were the Glay Expo would be held... and we discovered we should've gone there sooner XD

As soon as we exited the Universal City station, we were at Universal Citywalk and OMG, Glay fans, cosplaying Glay fans, EVERYWHERE. People were selling yellow cow tickets to the Expo, the shops were playing Glay music and videos, it was just fanatical! We walked along and saw the back of the stage from afar (like, really far) and got sooooo excited. Then we saw some people had concert goods, so we asked them were they got it and got directed to the carpark, where the concert was going to be held. Turned out the exhibition and goods-sale started that day!!! We went crazy of course, taking pictures of anything and everything. Got our expo goods, other commemerating t-shirts and items, and took a really good look around the exhibition XD They displayed photos, Glay posters from the past (when they were a high school band), videos, the model of the stage, and more.

In Teru's room he showed his artwork, and there was a huge maniped-photo of many Teru's in all different concert clothing standing in a row XD He's a fairly good artist, not totally amazing but fairly good at pop-art. After that it was Jiro's room, and as expected he had a wall of polaroid photos, some with scribbles, of random things. Some are of the Glay members, some are of things he likes, some are from years ago and some recent. HE IS SO CUTE. Then we got to Takuro's room and being the leader of the band, his room showed the history of Glay. Lastly Hisashi's gallery displayed many of his guitars, along with photos of which guitar was used where!

Just before leaving the exhibition there was a small gallery of their concert clothing. Everyone went ooooh and ahhhhh and we took good close-up pictures for future references. Who knows, the urge to cosplay might strike...

By the time we left and got back to Universal Citywalk, it was 6:30. We went to Hard Rock Cafe to eat the "Glay" meal (because hey, since we went all the way there already, who cares if it was just named for the sake of naming). It turned out that FM802 (radio station Jiro has a weekly show in) was having a special broadcast there (not with Jiro of course), so we stayed there until 11pm!!! During the show obviously we couldn't understand most of what the 2 DJs said, but we just kept eating and drinking and watched the whole thing anyway XD They had a little stage and they took requests for Glay songs. The entire restaurant's diners were Glay fans XD They played music and some people even danced! (but we weren't too keen on dancing, having just eaten and all) Then the DJ pretended to be Teru and did the rapping for "Stay Tuned" and danced just like the guy, everyone was in stitches XD Afterwards the other DJ told him that he'd be in trouble if Teru finds out *snickers* Later they played a pre-recorded message from Glay, and they said genki things, about not being able to wait till the concert, and everyone must enjoy they meal, particularly the drinks because they really did design the drinks, etc. *snickers*

On the same night, there was a "pre-concert party" being held inside USJ. The tickets were (I believe) only given to members of their fanclub though. The party was a bit over an hour and I've read reports that the members were asked who their fave characters were, since they were in USJ. Takuro said ET, Jiro likes Popeye, and Teru said he loves Spiderman. But then Hisashi didn't say anything, being the quiet guy as usual, and everyone started screaming his name XD After a while the other members revealed that Hisashi's too embarrassed to tell people that he thinks he looks like Snoopy and therefore loves Snoopy the most. OMG TEH CUTE.

Anyway. We went back to the hotel quite late, and even though we were dead tired we were too excited to sleep XD XD XD

Day 3
According to the organisation, they were going to start letting people in at 1pm and the concert would start at 5pm, but we got up early anyway. Had breakfast, bought food and drink and took it along with us to USJ. We arrived at 10:30am and there were already LOADS of people there. We queued, and at 11am they decided there was too much people so they opened doors and let us in.

The weather wasn't too good. It was boiling hot the day before (me got a little sunburnt), and rained at night because of a typhoon or storm or something. So on the day it was a bit bleary as well (but therefore not too hot). There were a few showers but nothing really bad and nothing could dampen anyone's spirits. *L* So yeah we sat down at 11am and waited till 5pm for the concert. But it was not boring at all!!! There were even more cosplayers around, then there were girls in lolita clothing, in shoes that were literally 5 inches high, we even saw an Ed and a Mustang, but with Glay's hairstyle XD XD XD so it was FMA characters going to watch a concert!!! And oh because the concert had a "pirates" theme, there was a Jack Sparrow cosplayer XD We didn't get to take photos though because it rained a little every now and then and we didn't want our cameras to get wet.

From 1pm there were "radio shows" by the Glay members from backstage! They said loads of encouraging things, like "I can't believe you guys came so early we had to open gates early too! You guys are just amazing!!! Please wait patiently, only xx more minutes to go!" and "Me? Oh my hair's good right now!" (that was Jiro and everyone laughed) Even the quiet Hisashi said loads of things *awwwww*, even though he did at one point talk about the weather *snickers* Then there was this host and a guy dressed in animal suit running around the audience and interviewing people. The girl right in front of us got interviewed (and therefore "talked" to Teru who was backstage), and we were like OMG hahahahaha we're on that huge screen!!! During the radio shows they showed music videos on the big screen. There was stuff from like a decade ago! Teru with long, long, SHINY hair looking as if he was on a vampire-movie cast. And oh that Teru from not too long ago dressed up as Elvis!!! I believe everyone laughed too hard.

And so, at 5pm, the 100-thousand strong audience counted down with Glay and then it started ^_____^ There was an opening movie, of Teru the Super Runner (street running), Jirou the Super Boarder (snowboarding), Hisashi the Super Driver (F1 driving) and Takuro the Big Waver (surfing). It goes like this:

Teru: if you know what street running is... well it's about him and 2 other guys trying to catch this robber. They run and jump across buildings, then finally caught the guy. Yanking his hat off, they discovered that the robber had the same face as Teru! And they said in English, "WHAT??". Afterwards Teru and Teru *L* checked each other's arms for a cheesy yin-yang mark, and hugged each other yelling "BROTHER!!!" (it was hilarious!) After a while the cops arrived, mistakes Teru for his "brother" and catches him. The "brother" pulls a mask off to reveal that he is just some random guy and runs away. Teru goes WTF and jumps really high into the sky...

Takuro: Well he just surfs and surfs and gets swallowed by a wave, surfs more and goes down more, until riding on a wave he is tossed high up into the air and crashes into Teru in 2 dots of lights XD

Hisashi: OMG Hisashi in F1 clothes *DROOL*. So he goes round the track, and some people put out a ramp in the middle, at 15 degrees. Hisashi goes around it and gives the people a look. He goes round again, people put the ramp up to 30 degrees, and Hisashi drives on it, flying high into the sky...

Jiro: I must say he looks YUM in snowboarding clothes. He tries to do this jump and keeps failing, but ends up jumping too high (sticking his arms out like Superman) and crashes into Hisashi XD

The concert then starts with them playing Yuuwaku. They all looked bloody amazing *_* The songs they played included Soul Love, Glorious (their debut song!), Kanojo no Modern, Beloved, However, Stay Tuned, Kuchibiru, (the obligatory) I'm in Love, Acid Head, Shutter Speeds no Tema *grin*, loads of others and I must mention BLUE JEAN. This single's coming out 4th August and it's an amazing song! And they played the new MV in the background and it's the cutest video ever (as cute as the Soul Love video)!!! I MUST DOWNLOAD THIS.

At one point they moved forward to the end of the walkway near where we were and there was actually a mini-stage! It rose high and we got to see them clearly *__* There Teru cried singing I'm in Love and talking about the 10 years since debut. ;_; But soon they did some genki songs and everyone's jumping about again! (luckily they played I'm in Love in the beginning not the end, and they didn't play Viva viva viva at all - I hate that song)

And during a song, whilst everyone's attention got diverted to Hisashi and Takuro's guitars, Teru disappeared from stage XD It wasn't until the screen showed the sky above that we realised he went on a chopper and was flying right above us!!! He gave us instructions and we did a huge jumping wave with 100-thousand people XD The first time he said our timing was bad and asked Hisashi, who was on the stage, what he thought about it, and Hisashi shook his head and did a cross sign with his arms. I could just imagine him saying "zenzen dame!" He was just too cute XD

If you've seen the Glay 99 Expo video, this one is just like it. Loads of people jumping and swinging their arms, flames, fireworks... just great fun!!! 3.5 hours felt literally like 3.5 minutes! And JIROOOOOOO!!! He got teary eyed at the end and Jiro never ever cries in concert!!! *hugs him* I guess 10 years since debut really means a lot. Very few bands could last that long, and that's not counting the 6 (I think?) years before debut!

So, all good things must come to an end. By the time we left USJ and got back to the hotel it was 10:30pm, and most of the eating places were closed already (weird Osaka-jin...) but we finally managed to find a place that sold ramen :) After that we slept like pigs XD

Day 4
Deciding that we didn't get enough concert goods, we went to USJ again because it was the last day those things would be sold. It was bloody hot again and there was even more people than the day before the concert O_O but we did manage to get some of what we wanted, heh.

Then leaving USJ we went shopping for souvenirs, which wasn't very exciting and not worth writing down ^_^" anyway, by 2pm we were too tired to walk, still feeling drained from yesterday, so we sat down at the hotel for a bit then headed to the airport. Home at last!


Me has gone to Comic Fest today with [livejournal.com profile] lina_lau and her cousin (who would make a really good Yuuta cosplayer), and bought 2 really really cute Fuji-bear and Eiji-cat pins! Will show them when I bother to get my camera. Right now me is dead tired, so going to sleep early!

Date: 2004-08-02 03:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vancesca.livejournal.com
waaa~~~ **','**
sure seems like you had a great time! =D

Date: 2004-08-02 04:08 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ex-tremble707.livejournal.com
:O~! Maaan sounds like you had a killer time :D

Omg, Eee~! That shirt rawks, like woah and I wish I could've seen those gothic lolita shops and waaah :O~! That wave thing sounds fun and Hisashi sounds so cute XD

<33 *snuggle loves*

Date: 2004-08-02 04:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vicky-guu-sama.livejournal.com
omg sounds amazing!!!!
u recon Osaka is a good place to explore? haha maybe i should go for a kansai tour when i have money again!

thanks for the report (though i am crying that i wanna go to japan again~____~)it is amazing

Date: 2004-08-03 04:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com
=D It was totally amazing~~~

Date: 2004-08-03 04:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com
I did!!! In fact me is still on a high from the concert and it's been 3 days already XD XD XD

Me saw shirt and went "OMG I havta get this if only to show Ebbeh" XD The entire trip rocks!!!!

*snuggles* <333333

Date: 2004-08-03 04:13 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com
YES IT WAS!!!

Well to be honest? I didn't take a good look around Osaka XD Culturally, I mean, I did'nt visit any of the cultural sites, because I've spent most of my time on Glay related things XD so it's hard to say... eating and shopping-wise, it isn't much different from Tokyo.

And btw! All of the chopsticks we used opened right in the middle!!!

Date: 2004-08-03 06:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vicky-guu-sama.livejournal.com
we have to conclude, therefore
either
1) it is only me who is Osaka jin
or
2) 春日步 has mental co-ordination problems

Date: 2004-08-05 11:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ex-tremble707.livejournal.com
WAHHH~! <333 Glad Pezzy had a good time and got her own shirt, as well.

I'm sorry but that shirt will forever stay in my memory and the image shall be burned onto a disk for later years.

In ten years, I'll look back on the CD and go, "OMG IT'S PEZ AND EEEE~!"

Date: 2004-08-05 05:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rabi.livejournal.com
I came thru the GLAY / Happyswing LJ comm. Sounds like it was a lot of fun XD Can you take some pictures of your expo goods and post them to the communites (or here)? I was kinda surprised that the expo was called EXPO 2004 "The Frustrated" but not a lot of songs from that album was played. Looking forward to the rest of your pictures :)

Date: 2004-08-06 03:48 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com
I had to wait around 1.5hours on the 30th to buy the goods, and by the time I got to the booth the cap, the t-shirt and the towels were SOLD OUT ;_; ;_; we wanted to go again on 31st but the sale was stopped because of the storm, and on the 1st I didn't have the nerve to queue... it was such a hot day wasn't it?? >_<

You ordered by mail? Lucky! I wanted to do that too but I don't live in Japan ;_; so I ended up not being able to get the stuff I wanted the most...

Date: 2004-08-06 03:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com
Yup sure! I'll put those up with the event's photos as soon as I get them, and give a shout to the comms :)

I felt it was a bit strange too, but considering they already had a "Frustrated" tour and will have a "Frustrated Extreme" tour come October, I guess they wanted to focus on their old songs in the Expo and dedicate it to their 10 years?

Date: 2004-08-06 05:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yuki-scorpio.livejournal.com
Me is thinking when me goes to Otakon next year, me will just tell you to look for a girl in the Pez shirt XD XD XD XD XD

Date: 2004-08-06 10:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ex-tremble707.livejournal.com
XD

DO IT! I will find you and be like *tug tug* on your shirt and go, "HI PEZ!" ^___________________^ <3 and go all lubble on you >DD

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