Akihabara 2013

It's been a little over a week since Take-chan and I returned from our two-week vacation in Japan, and it was such an amazing trip! The last two times I visited were during the winter, so it was nice to be able to experience summer this time. The humidity was pretty crazy, though! The moment I'd walk outside the house, my skin would already feel sticky. U__U Not to mention the huge typhoon that was on its way to Japan at the time, and almost every morning there'd be crazy thunderstorms. But strangely enough, it never really rained when we'd go out, so we were really lucky!

After my previous trip to Japan, I really regretted not taking more photos. I'm happy to say that I did much better this time and even got a new digital camera from Take-chan's mom as an early birthday present (♥), but there's still a part of me that wishes I took even more photos! Next time I shouldn't feel so embarrassed about looking like a total tourist. :P

So for our first full day in Japan, I surprised myself by not heading straight to Shibuya. Instead, Take-chan and I hit up Akihabara first, and I was even more surprised that we spent almost the entire day there! We've been watching a lot of anime lately, so it was fun to look at all the merchandise at each store. When it comes to figures in Akihabara, the trick is to check out all the stores for the best price! Because of that, I was able to score a gorgeous Asuna figure for only ¥1,200. ♥ I also bought a bunch of other stuff (mostly Free!, Kuroko no Basuke, and One Piece stuff).

Ready to do some shopping!

Beard Papa! I was so sad when the one in my local mall closed down. T__T

We were bound to run into Shingeki no Kyojin! There was a good amount of SnK merchandise, but nothing cool or cute enough that I wanted to spend my money on. Didn't see any figures, either. It was mostly clear files, keychains, manga, t-shirts, etc.

We entered the first arcade we ran into and found this little cutie sitting on top of some One Piece gachapon machines. One thing I have to say is that I'm extremely glad that Take-chan and I finally started getting into One Piece this year, because you'll find One Piece pretty much everywhere in Japan, be it merchandise, an entire restaurant and stores dedicated to it, or even just tiny references here and there. I would feel so giddy every time I saw anything related to One Piece. ♥

Kuroko no Basuke! I love how Kuroko and Kagami look like they're peeking at you. :3 And for the record, this type of UFO catcher is so rigged! If you look closely, you'll see a pink rubber ball with the shiny prize dangling from it, and Take-chan and I are convinced that it's meant to make you spend a good amount of yen before actually winning. It's difficult to get it in one round due to the friction of the ball against the plastic plate, plus the fact that the prize is weighing the plate down. You pretty much have to edge it little by little on both sides of the plate before it falls, and what's more is that the claw is so weak!!! U__U /rant

There it is again! One Piece appears even when we're just waiting to cross the street. xD

There were arcades everywhere! But more importantly, how cute is that giant alpaca? :3

I kept seeing posters of this gorgeous Junko figure. I haven't played or watch Danganronpa, but I'm particularly interested because Junko is a gyaru! ♥

Chopper dressed up as Buggy!!! I think my heart just melted. ♥

Funasshi army!!! O__O

We stopped to take a break at this random crepe place, and it tasted so amazing!

Mazinger Z is the anime my parents used to watch back in the day (that and Voltes V).

Sailor Moon iPhone 5 cases!!! *__* ♥ And sadly, I don't have an iPhone 5... But I bought a case anyway! I guess that'll be my next phone. :3 I wanted to buy more Sailor Moon merchandise too, but all I could find were these cases and the same so-so figure that ran for at least ¥4,000 at pretty much every store. T__T

I was debating between these two, and I ended up getting the second one. I love how vibrant the colors are! *__* ♥

Portrait of Pirates by MegaHouse is hands down one of the best series of One Piece figures! How I wish I could've taken Zoro home with me. :3

Kotobukiya is also very consistent with producing high quality figures. If I had to choose only one place to visit in Akiba, it would be this store!

So I'll have to post all of my Akiba gets later because I haven't taken any photos of them yet! D: Next post will be about Shibuya. Thanks for reading! ^__^ ♥

Shibuya 109... We Meet Again

The day after arriving in Japan, I was already headed for 109. And it's a good thing Take-chan told me to bring a fraction of my money, otherwise I would've spent most of it in one day! It's just so easy to spend in there... T__T


On the way to the train station.
It was still a few days before New Year's, so 109 wasn't that crowded yet. There were already some great sales going on!


With one of the shop staff from Rose Fan Fan. She was such a sweetheart! :3 I was eyeing her coat, but I figured I should browse other shops first. Rose Fan Fan has a really great variety of clothing, and the best part is that their prices are very reasonable.


Went to Liz Lisa of course, and Nan-chan was still working there! ♥ I was so touched that she still remembered me after a year. T__T I didn't even realize it until later, but the outfit I chose to purchase was the exact same one she was wearing... Just like the last time I was there! xD
So after looking around the shops for a while, Frank and I left early so we could go home and get some rest for the next day: Tokyo Disney Sea! :D

Shibuya 109 & Big Gyaru Me2

Hello, everyone! I'm sad to say that I'm back from Japan, but I had the most amazing time! (´▽`) Take-chan and I only spent about 10 days there, so we tried to visit lots of different places. It might've been too much because my poor Take-chan got sick while we were in Kyoto (probably from fatigue and the extremely cold weather). U.U But luckily, he had a speedy recovery! ♥

So my first impression of Japan: Nostalgic. Even though I've never been to Japan until that moment, there was something about Tokyo that felt so familiar and made me feel that this is where I belong. Plus the warm welcome and hospitality from Take-chan and his loving family made me feel right at home. In fact, I wouldn't have been able to go to Japan in the first place if it weren't for them! So for that, I'm very grateful... ♥ I even got two separate gifts from his parents and grandma for New Year's! All of which I spent at Shibuya 109, of course. xD

The day after we arrived in Japan was Big Gyaru Me2, and I had no intention of letting jet lag stop me. xD In a way, the jet lag sort of helped because I was able to wake up extremely early to get ready. I also got some shopping done before meeting up with the other gals.


Take-chan's dad was very generous to drive and drop us off right in front of Shibuya 109. It was the last day of 7 Days Bargain!


About to enter gyaru heaven... xD


First stop: Liz Lisa! This is Nan-chan, the sweetest shop staff ever! (´▽`) She helped me so much, making my first shopping experience at 109 very enjoyable. ♥


She's so cute!!! I just had to snag her outfit! I bought the same coat and boots that she was wearing. ♥


Next stop was W♥C. It was so crowded in there! (ﾟдﾟ) I'm lucky I was able to snap a photo with this shop staff. Unfortunately, I didn't get to ask her for her name.


In front of W♥C! The mannequins' hands move slowly as if they're playing the drums. Take-chan thought it was so amusing. xD


Taking a break at SBY. Their treats are really yummy! ^__^


I felt bad that Take-chan was carrying all of my shopping bags, but he kept saying that it was fine. Thanks, baby! ♥


This is one of the shop staff from Golds Infinity. I totally snagged her outfit too... U.U The gals in 109 sure know their marketing!


After shopping, Take-chan and I went back to the entrance to meet all the gals for Big Gyaru Me2. I was very surprised to see a camera crew there! Little did I know that it was NHK's Tokyo Kawaii TV! (ﾟдﾟ) I'm so bad in front of video cameras... I must've said a lot of embarrassing things. U.U


With my Diamond sister Bambi and her pretty friend Heather. ^__^


I can't believe I met Sara Mari! She is hands down one of the sweetest gals I know, and she's absolutely gorgeous (just like in her photos)! ♥ A big thanks to her for organizing the meet!


More awesome bloggers! xD Bloomzy on the left and Lou on the right. ♥


Group photo! Look at how cute Sara Mari is! :3


After filming in 109, we met up with more gals and headed over to Eggnam for purikura. Here I am with the beautiful Theresa! Isn't her hair amazing? *__*


I also met Nicola and her lovely friend Katja! :3


And last but not least, Thanh Thao! She is so sweet. ^__^


Inside of Eggnam. It was nice that it wasn't so crowded!


Even their trash can is all glammed up. xD


Another group shot! This time with Tokyo Kawaii TV's camera crew. ^__^


After purikura, the camera crew treated us all to karaoke and non-alcoholic beverages! xD I sat at the same table as Charlotte and Rox. They sang YMCA! It was so much fun! :3 These two lovely ladies also helped organize the meet. Thank you both so much! ♥


Shiena was there too!


She was helping me find the song I wanted to sing. She must've done it about three different times because we couldn't figure out what version it was! I didn't know that there were so many. U.U


Shiena's pretty phone deco. ♥


Our last group photo with everyone! This was taken right outside the karaoke place. I wish there was more time in the day to hang out, but Take-chan and I had to leave. We were going to have an amazing dinner with his family. ♥


We took the train back home. It was my first time riding it! Even though it was crowded, it was a fun experience. ^__^


Sushi feast prepared by Take-chan's mom! She is such an amazing cook. ♥ This is just my plate... Everyone had their own! *__*


Salad. ♥


Apparently these were very expensive! I forgot what they're called, though.


Champagne too?! Man, this dinner kept getting better and better.


And it wasn't just any champagne. ♥


To top it all off, we had macarons for dessert! :3

And I somehow stayed awake for all of this. *__* It was just so much fun! My first full day in Japan was a major success. ♥ Thank you so much, Take-chan, for taking me around!