Peter's Japan blog

Okay, I'm going back to London tomorrow, until Sunday morning. Since it was kind of confirmed that Ayu will be staying until Saturday, maybe Sunday. I will be trying to take more pictures and/or videos. I have a better strategy now and learning from previous mistakes <^-^;>
To other fans in London, see you there!

Flights and hotels are booked for Japan 2010 trip. I'll be flying with SAS this time with connecting flight in Copenhagen. There was a cheaper flight, but that was with Alitalia through Rome, but for an hour shorter flight to Tokyo, I'd pay 20eur ;p.

Will be going from April 6th until April 23rd. My friend Matt who is now coming along for 2 weeks, will only stay until the 19th.
General schedule is 4 days Tokyo, 7 days in the south and then the rest back in Tokyo.

Ayumi Hamasaki concert will be the first concert of the Arena Tour 2010 in Saitama Arena on April 10th, so the whole concert will be a surprise ^^. And we're going to try (but I'm very confident as I may have found some reseller shops in Osaka) to go see Koda Kumi in Osaka-Jo Hall on April 11th.

Sunday afternoon we were left with only 5 people (me, one girl from France and 2 girls and 1 guy from Spain), and we decided to buy Ayu a bouquet of flowers and put a small message in it with our names and countries on it. Since Ayu didn't come out (and later we found out that she wouldn't have come out at all as she was feeling ill), lovely Stan-chan accepted our gift and would give it to her.

And here's the bouquet + message:

I'm in London now, and I saw Ayu today!!! kyaaaaaaaaa!
The story for today.

First we went to the studio by 12 o'clock, but noone was there. Figured she wouldn't record any songs on the weekend. So we went to the hotel where she's staying and arrived there at about 13h30. Then at 14h, 3 big black vans arrived. And japanese people started to come out, and then I recognized her staff and ayu's friend (PJ boss?), but I hadn't seen Ayu, but there was a person who had gone into the hotel first so that was probably her. I recognized many of her staff, so it really was them.
Then we started to wait and wait. And it was quite cold but me and my friend were up for it.
One hour later, things started to get moving again. Some of the staff started to come out so she was coming out, and I approached the exit from the side. And then a small girl in a crazy wonderful outfit came out and I was totally stunned. It was Ayu! But the staff said to us, to wait 40 minutes until they would come back. She was probably dressed up for a PV or photo shoot and had to be there on time.
So 40 minutes later, they returned. She and her staff stepped out of the car, and waved at us that we could come closer. And then Ayu started to sign our stuff. She was sooo friendly and really took her time for us. We were asked not to take pictures though, as they were taking pictures themselves. (most likely because it was an outfit for an album booklet and so it wouldn't leak out ;p). But it was absolutely awesome! She looked so great. And then my pen had dried out (even though I had tested it a few times)!! But someone else got another one and I got my Arena Tour 2007 fan and Days/Green single signed! I saw that she was a little surprised to see the fan, but we couldn't say much as there were some other fans as well.
She was absolutely gorgeous (and small indeed ^^). Then it was over, we thanked her and they went into the hotel. I couldn't believe I stood so close to her and that I got my stuff signed. I will post pictures later, it's a bit difficult on this bloody wifi. I've got just one picture of her when she left at 15h for the photo shoot. All I can say is, I'm very happy ^^

Ayu getting into the car to go the shoot at 15h:

Since it was confirmed that Ayumi has arrived in London last Thursday, I've decided to go to London to see her. I'm not going to miss her like in Paris last time when I didn't go. Many fans and friends are also going, and since it has been confirmed (from her own mouth) that she's staying for 10 days (until next Sunday), the fans will be divided between both weekend I guess. I will most likely also go the second weekend ;p

The second weekend there will be given a special book "A World Fan Book" to her with letters from fans from all over the world.
Ayumi is currently staying in London for the recording of several new songs (which we think would be a new album maybe?), and this will be done at the famous Metropolis Studios. It has also been confirmed that she's staying at the Langham Hotel.

To be continued... with pictures most likely :)

So, here's my list of loot I got back from my New Year Tokyo trip, should be pretty complete:

Books/magazines:
Perfume Livefolio
Hirano Aya Brand New Day photo book
ViVi magazine (Feb 2010)
Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu Vol. 9 (manga)
Megami (Feb 2010)
Newtype 01/2010 (with small Suzumiya Haruhi figure)
K-On! Official Fan Book
Macross Frontier The Movie Official Fan Book
Saki Official Fan Book
Pick-up Voice 26 (2010)
Tetsudou Journal 6 (special Yamanote Line)

CDs:
Yellow Magic Orchestra - Ultimate Collection

Other:
Ayumi Hamasaki CDL Desktop Calendar (with ayupan)
Ayumi Hamasaki CDL Light stick
Ayumi Hamasaki CDL towel
Ayumi Hamasaki CDL Ayupan postcards set
Idoling #7 Yazawa Erika scarf
Idoling #7 Yazawa Erika T-Shirt
Akiyama Mio bag (Comiket 77 exclusive with: phone strap, pencil board, fiber cushion case and poster
K-On! paper fan
K-On! clear file
Fate/Stay night: unlimited blade works bag (Comiket 77 exclusive with: t-shirt)
Black Lagoon clear file (4x)
Black Lagoon book
Black Lagoon phone strap
Black Lagoon small towel
Akihabara station sign big towel
Reimu Hakurei doll (just had to have something from Touhou project at Comiket, might not be C77 exclusive though)
random K-On! nendoroid petit (I got Azunyan)
Hamaya from Asakusa Shrine (bought there at New Year)
Large Ayumi Hamasaki photo (unofficial though)