328. light is a place, nagoya

December 26th/27th, 2016

Yuri came out to Tokyo on boxing day. We were going on a short trip to Nagoya, Nara and Kyoto so we figured it'll be good she came over the day earlier because we were going to set out to Nagoya early the next day.

We set out at about 11 am the next day to Nagoya, I was just in Nagoya the month before so I wasn't too excited but I was excited to go to Nabana No Sato again after three years. We arrived in Nagoya at about 2 in the afternoon, dumped our tiny luggage at the Airbnb apartment and went out for late lunch.

We made our way to Sakae and went to a cafe Yuri's friend recommended. Even though we have been to Nagoya a couple of times together, we've never really explored Nagoya because we always end up hanging out with our friends too late, so we get up only when it's dark.

We finally got to see Nagoya a little more this time. I really liked the cafe, Maison YWE her friend recommended. I'll definitely be going there again since I'll be heading to Nagoya more often from now on. I'm pretty excited to go cafe hunting over there too.

Finally a picture of Sakae in the day!

yes we eat done by Chalkboy!

We both ordered the Aichi special. 

The cafe also had some good desserts and coffee. There was also a little clothing boutique just downstairs and a few clothing stores around the area. Also, a Village Vanguard next to the cafe. We chilled a bit before heading to Oasis 21.

It was really windy and cold up there, so we didn't want to stay for too long. We just took photos and left for Nabana No Sato.

*Nabana No Sato* after cut >>

169. in the rain, nagoya

24th September 2014, Wednesday

We slept in a little since we planned to have a day to relax in Nagoya. We left my apartment at almost 11 in the morning and arrived in Nagoya at almost 3 in the afternoon and was greeted with the pouring rain. Definitely something I wasn't expecting because the sky was clear for the last two days.

We went straight to Meitetsu department store which was right next to Nagoya station and got up to the 9th floor to try some Hitsumabushi. This was my fourth time in Nagoya and I've never tried it. Yuri and I are always running to Osu to get cheap taco rice, lol.

When we got to the restaurant, there was a long line. So we just waited, and we waited for about 40 minutes to finally get a table but it's worth the wait because the eel was sooooo good. It puts having eel in Tokyo very unsatisfying. We ordered eel omelette since it was their speciality at this restaurant and two small Hitsumabushi sets.

You had to mix the rice with a couple of things and you could ask for their special tea to add into your rice. The tea has a soup like base which was really interesting. Both little sis and I enjoyed the unagi a lot. We left not long after finishing our meal to 8 ball Tattoo. 

It was pouring outside which made going around Nagoya really hard. We took a while to get to the tattoo studio because google maps kept messing up. When I opened the door to get in, Hiro looked up and went "EH!!! Lyyy~~", his expression was really funny. He was holding onto a kitten which I thought was super cute. I told him I dropped by to say Hi to Yashin but Yashin wasn't around, I actually wanted to get another tattoo from him since he did my last one. 

Hiro told me Yashin would only be back on Monday, and by that time I'll be back in Tokyo already. So I told him it was okay that I get it from another artist and he introduced me to Yusuke, who was in the studio at the time and agreed to tattoo me. Luckily, it wasn't difficult in explaining the tattoo because he could speak English really well, he told me he lived in Australia for 7 years, going back and forth Cairns and Gold Coast. 

Little sis was so cute looking around, it was her first time ever in a tattoo studio and I introduced her to Hiro. We just chilled around and played with the kitten until Yusuke was ready to tattoo me. We got into his studio and noticed there was a "Be Strong" tattoo that he designed on the wall for one of his customers and little sis laughed. 

I don't know if it is, but "Be Strong" is one of lynch.'s song titles. I was getting a lynch. song tattooed on me, so we thought it was really funny. Yusuke was saying that his customer that wanted that tattoo is a "gay boy", lol. He said normally when you tattoo stuff like "Be Strong", you'll never "Be Strong". Also, he said he particularly doesn't fancy white people getting kanji tattooed on them. He told me he and Yashin would laugh about it later on after finishing those kinds of tattoos. Definitely made little sis and I laugh a lot.

Getting the tattoo didn't hurt either this time since it's still a small piece, he finished it in about 15 minutes and I was really happy with it. We hung around the tattoo studio since there was no one there for a little bit and continued playing with the kitten until about 5 in the evening and left for Sakae. Both of them said またね〜 to me and left under the heavy rain.

It was still pouring when we got to Sakae and checked in at the hotel. I wanted to take little sis to Osu and show her around but the rain didn't allow us to go. So, we settled on going to Piggy Cat Diner somewhere nearby but, it was closed again. -__- In the end, we went to Komeda's where we got the coffee milkshake and teriyaki sandwich and I'm glad little sis liked the milkshake! 

After dinner, we went to Starbucks to get some cake and went back to the hotel and had an early night's rest. I was bummed that it was raining so hard in Nagoya because I really wanted to show little sis around, oh well. Maybe next time!

I can't wait till the next time I am in Nagoya again, thinking about the future makes me really happy.

131. nagoya iii

Last week was kind of a mess that's why I hesitated writing about it but since it's already in the past, and I've moved on, I am able to also post the little photos I took while in Nagoya. This trip brought out the worst of people, both me and Yuri too but I'm glad we overcame everything together and are closer than ever. At the end of it, I still had fun to an extent and glad that the unexpected things happened. I'm also very over it, it seems so long ago even if it just was last week.

I still love lynch. the same, musically. But let's just say, they're tainted now and I only admire Hazuki, I always have. I will still go and see them but probably not as often. Now, moving onto bigger and better things...

116. the blackest nightmare ii, nagoya

Last night I was in Nagoya to see lynch. again. I got up early yesterday and took the Shinkansen to Nagoya, weirdly this time I was more excited than last week's show. I had major butterflies in my stomach. Maybe because I was alone?

I arrived in Nagoya at about 2 in the afternoon and found my way to Zepp Nagoya. It was easier than I thought it would be, it was only a 15 minute walk from Nagoya Station. I didn't know what to do once I got to the live venue because there was only a cinema and arcade next to it, so I walked back to the station to go to the cafe that Yuri and I went last time. I spent about an hour there and decided to just go to the venue which was such a bad idea because it was freezing! My hands were all numb from texting people. T__T It was so fucking cold in Nagoya plus it didn't help that it was so windy.

I had the cute ducky again :D

I didn't get into the venue till about 5ish and they started on time! They played the same set as Tokyo except for the encores. They were so much more chatty and happy compared to last week. Everyone got to see AK's grandma too. I think they did better in Nagoya for obvious reasons, Hazuki was really concentrating on his voice, so last night almost everything he sang was good. He also threw water to the crowd and some splashed on me -___- Thank god he didn't spit if not, I would have killed him because that is just disgusting.

I didn't get to stand in AK's area because it was so crowded by the time I got in, so I stood infront of Yusuke. I was pretty much at the same spot as last week, lol. Yusuke was so cute last night, I really didn't feel like headbanging because AK was looking over. Yusuke saw that this girl next to me was hardcore headbanging and her looooonnngggg hair kept hitting me, and he signalled a "sorry" sign to me. I know right >< It was kinda painful when her hair hit me.

I only headbanged to EVILLY and THE BLASTED BACK BONE  but I could feel my head dying already. I kept coughing after that for some reason, maybe it was really toooooo cold. Yusuke saw me coughing and signalled me to drink water. I was thinking "awww he's so sweet", but I fuckin' had no water. AK was looking towards my direction and I smiled at him and he smiled back. Seriously though, I think it's so easy to see them in general because I don't know why the spots I always stand, the girls infront of me are all so short. -.-

I am still so in love with AMBIVALENT IDEAL. I love how Hazuki sings it live. And always, I love the whole entire EXODUS EP live, still especially INVINCIBLE.

I had no clue what they were talking during their MC time, all I knew was about the daruma and about AK's grandma.  It was so funny because AK looked over when they were talking and I just looked confused I think and he kept giggling. Obviously, he already knows I can't understand Japanese that well. AK was cute yesterday during the MC because he was awkward and said like "yeahhhhh!!" lol, he was funny.

They talked for so long before they started their encore. Hazuki was taking photos of the crowd and the damn daruma. So they played melt, alien tune, DAZZLE, Discord Number and LIGHTNING first. It kind of feels like they didn't want the live to end because they took a while to get off stage.

During the second encore, they talked even more and played HIDDEN and to my surprise, they played NIGHT again. And they took forever to get off the stage this time. I don't think anyone would mind if they stayed on it forever, haha. Yusuke was cute at the end, he pointed to me and kinda like put his hands on his eyes to make a binocular shape thing, which I think he was trying to say he was looking at me or something. AK came over and also pointed to me and did a heart shape sign. So cute <3333 I was too surprised in the moment and I didn't know how to react, think and feel. But now when I think back, I'm happy. Hazuki took a while to leave the stage, he was smiling the entire time and kept saying how he loves everyone.

It's funny to me that they would actually do this type of things on stage because for the past few times I've seen them, they don't seem to pay attention to the crowd. So I was pleasantly surprised. Also, I never would in a million years think I would get their attention at all, so yes, I am happy. I love them. <3

I'm in love with Nagoya and can't wait to go back. <3

111. proof, nagoya iii

On Thursday, it was our last day in Nagoya. We got up early because we had to check out at 10am and also because my appointment was at 10.30am. We didn't have time to go anywhere to have breakfast, so we just grabbed some orange juice and onigiri at a nearby conbini and made our way to 8 Ball Tattoo.

When we arrived, Yashin wasn't there yet. The guy that helped us the day before was nice and tried talking to us but we couldn't understand his accent again. I felt so bad. All I could understand was "Nagoya" and "Sakae". Soon, the sound of the motorcycle was getting louder and closer to us, so I thought it must be Yashin and true enough, it was. I like his bike though, it's one of those badass cruiser motorbikes. I can't wait till baby sis gets her license!

He came in and apologised for being late but I really didn't care that much. It was so early (well early for me) in the morning, I excuse almost anyone for being late in the morning because I can never get up early for anything. His hands were numb from riding too fast and it was also cold outside, so we waited a while more till his hands defrosted.

Yuri and I were looking at the tattoo magazines, and there were some with yakuza in them. When Yuri told him about the yakuza, he said it wasn't a real one and took out another book from his studio and said that one had a real one. I thought it was cool. Then Yuri was telling him about how her parents hates tattoos and I said my dad did too and he asked if it was really okay to get the tattoo. And I'm like, argh, I just don't care.

He showed me three designs he did for my tattoo and I was surprised because I got to choose! Yuri and I agreed the third design was nicest, so I stuck to that. After that, he told us to go into his studio. Being in his studio made me miss art college, because everyone had their own studio and we obviously decorated it with things we love. His studio was cool, I love the tiny motorbikes on his computer and almost everything he hanged on the wall. Especially love that he had a bookshelf full of tattoo books from different countries. His bookshelf is similar to mine and made me miss my room back home.

I just love looking at artists' studios. Being an artist myself, I pride myself in decorating my room/studio. I love how much character there is in every artists' studio, for mine it's mostly band logos, musicians, cute things and some of my favorite artists' work. I just love artists' studios. He set up everything and was ready to get started.

Honestly I was a little worried and scared because it was my first tattoo but both Yuri and Yashin told me it wouldn't hurt that much.

It was really quick, like only 10 minutes. I was less painful than I expected it to be. I was really happy with the outcome! <3 When he was done, he was joking about tattoo-ing "Gomenasai Otosan" under my tattoo. lol After that, we just hung around his studio because he said the tattoo would bleed a bit so we had to wait for it before he cleans it off. We were just talking about tattoos in general and he was showing  us books of tattoos from different countries. Yuri told him that I was an artist and showed him some of my work which he said was kawaii but honestly, what do you even expect him to think of it when he does all these yakuza, oni, tattoos? lol I loved the fact that he knew it must have taken me forever to draw all my girls' hair! Everyone always just thinks it so fuckin' easy but it really isn't. I take days sometimes to get it done.

After more talking, we left and said goodbye to Yashin. He told us to come back when we can. I would go back to get another tattoo from him! He's really nice. We went to get some food after because we were starving. We had no idea what to get so we just went to Komeda's. I ended up getting the teriyaki sandwich and Yuri got the burger I had the day before! The teriyaki sandwich was so good! The chicken was cooked nicely and it was so smooth.

After our meal, I ordered a coffee shake just because I wanted to take a picture of how cute the "cup" was, but the coffee shake was soooo goood too. Even Yuri who doesn't like coffee said it was good. It was more milky and sweet rather than bitter usual taste. The shake was so fuckin' smooth. I love it. I'm gonna bring little sis to the one in Tokyo when she comes.

We went straight to the shinkansen because I needed to get to THE NOVEMBERS live at Shimokitazawa, which was at 7pm. We were sad to be leaving Nagoya, and didn't want to actually. The train ride back to Tokyo was much faster than it was to Nagoya weirdly. Yuri ordered some matcha ice-cream and let's say she was really funny about it (inside joke). Haha.

I really really like Nagoya and I'm not being biased because all my favorite bands are from there. It's so different from Tokyo. It's way less crowded and more chill. Also, it's easier to get around Nagoya because everything is less complicated and closer to each other. Sometimes I really feel like I'm wasting so much time travelling around Tokyo. I love the fact that Nagoya really reminds me of Melbourne. I just feel at peace and comfortable there.

Yuri and I are planning on moving to Nagoya in the near future. I hope we really can. Seriously, what is more perfect for me? A little Melbourne in a country I love, Japan? Yes please. 

And as Yuri has already said on her blog, everyone always asks us "What's in Nagoya?!" The honest answer - everything. Well, everything important to me at least.

Mount Fuji on the way back. T'was a lovely day.

110. in the sky with diamonds, nagoya ii

On Wednesday, Yuri and I woke up early and went to get breakfast at Komeda's Coffee. I didn't know anything about Komeda's but Yuri was telling me about how EYA goes there all the time and she wanted to try it while in Nagoya because it originated from there.

It was surprisingly good! I ordered a normal burger and cinnamon coffee. I love cinnamon, so. Haha. We also shared a coffee jelly parfait, that was good too. 

After breakfast, we went to find 8Ball Tattoo studio since I wanted to get a tattoo for such a long time, I thought Nagoya would be a good place to start since my tattoo is lynch. - related and they are from here. Yuri was already telling me about tattoo artists from Nagoya when we were still in Tokyo, so I decided to look them up before we arrived here.

It didn't take too long to find the studio and once we got there, we immediately felt awkward when one of the guys was trying to help us. It didn't help that we couldn't understand his accent either, haha. To be perfectly honest, I was always scared to go to a tattoo studio on my own because the guys look intimidating but I was happy Yuri was with me because one of the tattoos artists, named Yashin who Yuri follows on instagram recognised her and came out from his studio to talk to us. 

He was really friendly and nice and already knew we were just gonna be in Nagoya for a few days, so Yuri was helping me explain the tattoo I wanted and he managed to fit me into his schedule for the next morning, since my tattoo was small. 

After that, since I can't speak Japanese that well, he chatted with Yuri for a bit. He was giving us his business cards and stickers! I love stickers so I was glad he gave us some, haha. He asked us what we were planning to do and we told him we wanted to go to Nabana No Sato, and he told us it was really pretty over there but soooo cold. And erm, Yuri and I were wearing sleeveless dresses and we looked at each other and showed Yashin that what we were wearing and he was so funny, and freaked out for us. Haha. 

After some more small talk, we left the tattoo studio and got on the train to Kuwana from Nagoya Station. It took about 40 minutes to get to Kuwana, but I love the scenery on the way there, since we were heading to a rural area.

Once arriving in Kuwana, we took a cab to Nabana No Sato. We were thinking if we should take a bus because it'll be cheaper but gave up on that idea because we were scared to get lost. It didn't take long to get there, about 10 minutes. Once we got there, we were greeted with the trees ready for fall. They were so pretty! The ones in Tokyo have yet to change color, so I was really happy seeing these.

The sky was so pretty that day too, the clouds were all pink and fluffy like marshmallows.  After walking around for a bit, we were getting hungry so Yuri decided to get a meat bun since we saw people walking around with it. I didn't get anything in the end since I wasn't really that hungry just yet. We were just sitting around waiting for the sun to set. 

When it got dark, all the lights literally looked like diamonds twinkling in the sky. It was sooooo pretty and magical, I was happy that I went with Yuri because she was the one that found this place online. 

While walking through the light tunnel, I decided to take out my polaroid camera since it was so bright in there. We were happily taking taking photos on my camera until I ran out of film. I'm glad I brought my polaroid camera along, if not I would be totally kicking myself. 

We walked around for an hour or so when it was dark. They even had an onsen at Nabana No Sato because it's actually a resort in Nagashima island. I really wanted Yuri to try the feet onsen but we couldn't find it on our way out. So we just left because it was getting so cold and my fingers were so numb after all the walking.

We took a cab back again to Kuwana Station and arrived in Nagoya at about 7ish. We went to get cake and sweets at Nagoya Station! 

I got this cute ducky and I had no idea what it is. But it was so good. It's like a sponge cake but filled with pudding <3 and the little things that make the ducky's face were milk chocolate. After our sweets, we headed back to Sakae Station since Yuri was going to meet up with one of her friends in Nagoya. 

I headed back to the hotel and had a warm bath because I felt like I was falling sick. I couldn't stop sneezing and my throat was really hurting. So I stuffed orange juice down my throat and tried to sleep before she got back, but alas, me and insomnia. Insomnia is my really good friend.

109. an illusion, nagoya

On Tuesday, Yuri and I left for Nagoya. It was such a relief to get out of busy and crowded Tokyo. I know I have said so many times that I love Tokyo but staying here is another thing. I love coming to Tokyo on a holiday but I don't think I could live here forever, it would probably drive me insane or to my grave.

We left Shinagawa Station close to 12 in the afternoon and arrived in Nagoya at about 2-ish and we passed by Mount Fuji on the way. It was nice to see it with snow unlike the last time I went. -___- Once we arrived in Nagoya, we immediately went to Sakae Station to check into our hotel. Also, after checking in, we (almost) immediately headed to Kamimaezu Station to get to Club Zion. We didn't want to get lost and not find the show's venue.

Club Zion was too easy to find, once you get out of the station's exit, it's right in front of it. We went to walk around and decided to get pizza since Yuri knew of this place near the venue with good pizza. It was located in an alley way but when we found it, it was closed. So we settled for Taco rice since I was craving it last week! There were so many vintage toy shops and old record/music shops in the alley I thought was cool because it really reminded me of Melbourne.

Surprisingly, the Taco rice in Nagoya was so cheap and it was so good.

After our meal, we went to wander around the alley ways where I went into a few of the vintage toy shops but Yuri got freaked out. Hahaha, I don't blame her, most people do. I honestly find the toys creepy too but I love looking at them. We went around until it was almost time to get into the show's venue. 

I thought the fans in Nagoya would be different but they are the same as in Tokyo. -__- And with DEATHGAZE being a heavier sounding band (they are metal), I thought there would be more guys but no, there wasn't even that many guys at the live. I loved the fact that they were playing Pantera before the bands took the stage. Mouth of War will always remind me of lynch. Because the very first time I saw them, that was their opening SE.

I thought EAT YOU ALIVE would take the stage first but it ended up being DEATHGAZE and I was kind of bummed out standing in the back but thankfully, the venue was small so I could see the band clearly.

They played most of the stuff I loved like RING THE DEATH KNELL, killing floor, paranoid parade, domestic pig #1013 and リヒトゾイレ. I got kind of annoyed that I fell down during one of the songs because I had sprained my ankle before even getting to the train station in the morning and it was hurting so bad after I fell, I decided to not headbang anymore. 

Ai's voice is sooo good live. He sounded so good and I love the energy they had on stage, and I thought he was so funny spitting water on the fans. Literally, he aimed at a person and just continued spitting, like wtf. I'm so glad I didn't stand in front because honestly, to be covered in Ai's spit? No. 

They played for an hour and after they ended my whole head was dying. So Yuri and I left the stage area for a while and took a smoke before getting back in. 

EAT YOU ALIVE took the stage at about close to 8pm. I was impressed with them this time around because they were especially good at this live. And I love how much the fans were enjoying themselves and into the music, the fans in Nagoya are definitely more hardcore than the ones in Tokyo. They only made me enjoy the music more. Ai came out to sing with Hiro near the ending of the show. I didn't know some songs since I've stopped listening to them after Sick.

After EYA ended, Yuri and I rushed out of the venue because we didn't want to squeeze with other people to get our stuff and getting out of the venue. I got a DEATHGAZE shirt too, I'm so happy with it because I love their album art for DECADE.

Once outside, we had a smoke and DEATHGAZE's crew was loading their equipment onto the van. EYA walked out of the venue after that, and to my fucking surprise, AK was with Ryohei. AK, like fucking AK bassist of my fucking favorite band, lynch. 

I was freaking out and contemplating if I should go up to talk to him because I told myself I would never want to meet lynch. (long story). After getting some encouragement from Yuri, I went up to AK and actually talked to him. He was so nice and he bent over to hear what I was trying to tell him and he was smiling the entire time. I wasn't that nervous until I couldn't convey what I wanted to say since my Japanese isn't that good and it doesn't help that Ryohei was staring at me. I got even more nervous with Ryohei staring, my Japanese literally flew out of the window and I called Yuri to helped me.

AK was nice enough to wait for her to come over and she helped me tell him what I wanted to and he was so sweet saying thank you and stuff like that. I just thought he was so cute in person. I already think he's cute but he's even cuter in person (not on stage) and never in a million years would I think I would be able to meet anyone from lynch. 

After he left, I was freaking out and hugging Yuri because I couldn't even believe what just happened. After a few more smokes, we decided to get back to Sakae Station. It was still too early and so we decided to get some food and walked around for a bit. I'm was so happy I felt like I was annoying because I couldn't stop talking about AK. ><

Even though it was really cold out that night, we decided to get ice-cream to end our day. We got berry cheesecake ice cream at this little place near our hotel where we talked some more, mostly about guys and life. I never talk to anyone about guys because they don't get me but I love Yuri because she totally understands how I feel about things. I'm just so glad she was with me.

After ice cream, we were still talking in her room until 3am. When I got back to my room, I still couldn't sleep. I guess I was too happy. The entire time before getting to Nagoya, I was hoping for a tiny miracle (nothing to do with bands or whatsoever, just for myself). But just as I thought I needed another miracle, lynch. and Yuri are already my tiny miracles.