Peter's Japan blog

Yeay, I passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test level 4!! (Level 4 is the lowest level, but still ;p) I got my official certificate in the mail today. I wasn't expecting it so early, because they said it would probably be around the beginning of March.

My scores:
Part 1: Kanji & Vocabulary: 85 / 100
Part 2: Listening: 71 / 100
Part 3: Reading & Grammar: 130 / 200

Total: 286 / 400 = 71.5% (and you need 60% to pass the test)

The statistics for the last test are not yet on the JLPT website.

But I'm so happy that I got it, because I wasn't sure about whether I would pass or not, but I even made it with 11.5% above it ;p Now, on to level 3. I now know a bit more what I must focus on, which is for example, to quickly recognize from what verb a conjugated form comes. Because I know how to form that conjugation, but to do the reverse quickly is very important, especially for the listening test and the grammar, as you don't have heaps of time to think. I had already started on my kanji for level 3 last month, the rest is during the course of the year, and hopefully I will pass again for the exam on December 7th.

I was just browsing through the list of events coming to Tokyo Big Sight during the time I'm in Japan, and freaked out that it was Tokyo Anime Fair :D
From Thursday March 27th until Sunday March 31st Tokyo International Anime Fair is held at Tokyo Big Sight in Odaiba, Tokyo. The first two days are for businesses and the last two days are for the public.

I will go at least one day, as I still had some free time to fill in.
I guess I'm gonna buy a second CF card for my camera for taking pictures ^^. I will sure put up a lot of pictures afterwards. Really looking forward to this!

Tokyo International Anime Fair Official Site

Japan seems to be filled with it: yellow bumpy lines, tiles with a grooves or dots. They are to be used as a guide for blind people. There are a few patterns that indicate different kind of obstacles like stairs, cross walk or cross sections. They can be found on the street, train stations, subway stations, ...

This pictures seems to be taken at the entrance to the subway in Narita Airport. As you can see there are several of these yellow lines here, that can guide blind people around and to the escalator.

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Something is brewing in Ayu-land. More and more hints are surfacing that "Mirror" the intro song of GUILTY will be made into a full song, with PV.
Fans who saw her in Paris, shooting the new PV and heard an extended version of Mirror. Also, in the latest CM for Lumix, a part of the extended version of Mirror can be heard.
And as can be seen in the CM, the song gets a new title: Mirrorcle World ^^;

Will it be an A-side of B-side to her next single? When will it be released? Maybe another digital single? No one knows yet. But stay tuned ;p

Look here at the CM: http://ch.panasonic.co.jp/index.html?contents=00995

Source: AHS

Japense barber shops can be detected by looking for a long tube with a blue/red/white cylinder in it rotating. Each one of them has it, and in all sizes.

I've read stories about these barber shops that have like 12 employees each having another task: one that takes your coat, one to put on a hot towel, one to ask how you would like your hair cut, one to cut your hair, one to ask if you need your side burns done, one to put on the shaving cream, one to shave them, one to finish up, and on at the counter ;p
I haven't been to one personally, but I'm guessing this is not in every little barber shop, but then again, you never know in Japan ^^;

The cover of the dvd from Ayumi Hamasaki's Asia Tour 2007 concert has been revealed on amazon.jp and mu-mo.
I think it looks classy, simple but good. Can't go wrong with something like this. Can't wait to see it!

Asia Tour 2007 DVD on Amazon.co.jp

Credit: AHS

Due to circumstances my friend who was coming along to Japan is unable to join on my trip, so I will be going alone. Booked my flight today, so the dates are settled. Now I'm changing my planning a bit as my friend isn't coming along.

My flight will depart on the 23rd and arriving the 24th of March. And I will be leaving on the 8th of April. This gives me a total of 15 days ^^; Got a flight of 705eur with Brussels Airlines and Virgin Atlantic with a connection in London.

I'm still finalizing my planning, but some of the places that I haven't visited yet include: Kamakura, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kobe, Fukuoka, and maybe Iwakuni, Ise Shima. Will be visiting Kyoto & Osaka again to see a few things that I missed last time. A few museums are also on the visiting list like the Edo-Tokyo Museum and maybe the Sword Museum.

Some anime locations I will visit this time will be locations from Lucky Star and Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu ^^; (I have a very comprehensive guide ;p)

Ayumi Hamasaki is in Paris to apparently shoot the PV for a full version of Mirror!
Paris is like a 3-4 hours drive from here, I'm excited she's so close to my home country Belgium /O.O\

Source: This and this topic on AHS

the GazettE will release their newest single a year after Hyena on February 13th 2008.
It will be called "Guren" and will be used in the commercial for "Gem Carey" jewelry that will also feature the band members.

The single will be released in the usual two versions: Auditory Impression [CD] and Optical Impression [CD+DVD]. The CD+DVD version will also include a three-fold cardboard sleeve case.

Tracklisting
1. Guren
2. Kairai e
3. Kyomu no Owari Hakodume no Mokushi

the Gazette - Guren (Optical Impression) [CD+DVD] (on YesAsia)
the Gazette - Guren (Auditory Impression) [CD] (on YesAsia)

Created: November 22nd 2007
Update: February 13th 2008, track listing

Just found this in the AHS news section. Avex is going release some remix vinyls again! The last vinyl release for Ayumi was in the end of 2005 (from Drizzly) and the last one from Avex Trax in 2003. The records contain remixes from those featured on the new ayu-mi-x remix album, with an extra version of each remix. Except for one, they all contain 4 tracks. They will all be released by Rhythm Republic on April 9th 2008.
I'm quite excited to hear the remixes ;)

RR12-88521 STEP you/About You
RR12-88522 GAME/Together When...
RR12-88523 Moments/ourselves
RR12-88524 INSPIRE/CAROLS
RR12-88525 No way to say/fated
RR12-88526 Startin'/Greatful days
RR12-88527 HEAVEN/talkin' 2 myself
RR12-88528 walking proud/glitter
RR12-88529 alterna/Beautiful Fighters
RR12-88530 part of Me/decision

Extra info on : http://www.rakuten.co.jp/plazahamada/452275/456015/1850655/

Source: AHS

I was really waiting for this info to come out! And I'm excited ^^;
No dates outside Japan have been announced yet and there's bound to be other dates added.

Update Februari 5th: 8 new dates have been added. Mostly an extra concert in some places, and a new finale, with a finale in Yoyogi. (as it usually is).
So far, no dates outside Japan have been announced...


05/04: Yoyogi National Gymnasium
06/04: Yoyogi National Gymnasium
08/04: Yoyogi National Gymnasium
12/04: Hot House Super Arena (Miyagi)
13/04: Hot House Super Arena (Miyagi) (NEW)
19/04: Shizuoka Ecopa Arena
20/04: Shizuoka Ecopa Arena (NEW)
26/04: Fukui Sun Dome
27/04: Fukui Sun Dome (NEW)
05/05: Nihon Gaishi Hall (Nagoya)
06/05: Nihon Gaishi Hall (Nagoya)
10/05: Hiroshima Green Arena
16/05: Kobe World Hall
17/05: Kobe World Hall
24/05: Osaka Jo Hall
25/05: Osaka Jo Hall
31/05: Fukuoka Marine Messe
01/06: Fukuoka Marine Messe
07/06: Yokohama Arena
08/06: Yokohama Arena
17/06: Nihon Gaishi Arena (Nagoya)
18/06: Nihon Gaishi Arena (Nagoya)
21/06: Osaka Jo Hall (NEW)
22/06: Osaka Jo Hall (NEW)
27/06: Yoyogi National Gymnasium (NEW)
28/06: Yoyogi National Gymnasium (NEW)


Update: 14/12/2007: original posting
Update: 05/02/2008: new dates added

Source: AHS & TeamAyu

The Haruhi PS2 game that just came out, was released with this 3D version of the Hare Hare Yukai dance. It was only available as a pre-order special.

I must say it's very well done, exact to the inch. Also very good animation and cloth simulation, especially noticeable with Itsuki (the guy on the right). I'm guessing this is motion capture animation though, but still, the face are very well done. The created a special face rendering system for the game, to make the faces animated and look the same as in an anime series.

So here's the video, enjoy ^^;

Original story from DannyChoo.com