160. i caught fire, chofu

After staying in for a couple of days, little sis and I decided to go to one of the last hanabi festivals on Sunday. This one was located in Chofu by Tamagawa. I would always pass by Tamagawa whenever I met up with Yuri in Hiyoshi and we would always say we wanted to go to that river together because of Nana.

We arrived at Tamagawa station at about 4 in the afternoon and went to the konbini to get some bento sets and were on our way. When we got there, there were already a lot of people sitting on the grass, on their mats having picnics. Both of us did the same, and laid out our mat on the grass and had an early dinner. There wasn't much to do, there were only stalls along the river and I was kind of bummed out that the river was blocked off because I wanted to go down closer to it, maybe next time?

We walked along the stalls but nothing interested us (I'm not into festival food), all we got was candied apples and went back to sit on our mat and wait for the fireworks. We took some polaroids to kill time and mostly just talked and talked, as if we don't talk enough, lol.

The fireworks display started exactly at 6.30pm and people even count down for it, which I thought was kinda cute. They were so pretty and went on for an hour. There were different types of it, there were some that even had hearts, smiley faces and flowers. But for fuck's sake, they were so difficult to photograph so I gave up and just took recorded videos of it.

It ended at exactly 7:30pm and since it was so crowded as people were clearing out, little sis and I just hung around the area for a bit. We finally left and made our way back to the station at about 8ish and to my surprise, the trains weren't as packed as I thought it would be. Getting home from Summer Sonic was actually way more difficult. We got home at about 10 and had a How I Met Your Mother marathon till 2am and passed out right after. 

There has been a lot of things on my mind lately, again. It's strange.

159. bubble

Finally after dragging so much heavy stuff for almost 2 hours, I made it back to my old apartment last night. I'm happily moved in and living here from now on. I can't begin to explain how happy I am to be back in this place. Nothing has changed except for a couple of houses down the road. Last Autumn some houses were still under construction and now that it's all done, they're so fancy and pretty. I'm glad that the おやじ living just down the road managed to get his garden done, it's so pretty right now with sunflowers blooming. 

Being back here just brings me back to those feelings I had last Autumn, I was so happy and "safe" in my little bubble. Almost a year later and so much has changed but it feels like I can start again when I'm here, so I'm just going to do that.

Today little sis and I stayed in to hide from Tokyo's summer heat and she cooked dinner while I did some cleaning up and rearranging of things. So happy to finally have a home-cooked meal after a long month. 

158. countdown to hell, chiba

Yesterday was the first day of Summer Sonic, little sis and I got up really early because it takes almost 2 hours to get to Chiba. We both slept on the way there, she's actually a morning person but as you know, I really, really, really am not.

Once we arrived at Makuhari Messe, there was no time to waste because the first band we were going to see for the day was about to play at Mountain Stage. coldrain took the stage exactly at 12 noon and opened to Die tomorrow. They didn't disappoint and were as good as the last time I saw them. They also played No Escape, Six Feet Under, Stuck, Aware and Awake, The Revelation, The War Is On and Evolve. I actually wished they were playing later in the day because I couldn't really get into it, being that it was still so early.

The second band we saw was Fear, And Loathing in Las Vegas also at the Mountain Stage but after only 1 song, we walked away and went to meet up with my friend over at QVC Marine Filed. Compared to last year, the weather during Summer Sonic this time was really nice, it was cloudy and windy. I remember dying from the heat last year. It was a really nice walk to QVC, we met up with my friend at the smoking corner, he was with his friends as well. Yay for more Asian Australians!

We separated ways for a little bit because they were going to see different bands. Little sis and I went to the Beach Stage, it was getting even more cloudier when we got there and looked like there was going to be a thunderstorm. When we got to the stage, cinema staff was doing their soundcheck and they took the stage exactly at 2:25pm. I haven't listened to their music in such a long time so it was difficult to recognise the songs they were playing but I was happy they played 奇跡　and The Great Escape! I was actually getting かき氷  when they played The Great Escape.

They were pretty good live but I got a little bored halfway because I think I'm too used to going to see heavier sounding bands, lol. We met up with Gerald and his friends again and took the bus back to Makuhari Messe together. There was still more than 2 hours to kill before the next band we wanted to see take the stage, so he decided to meet up with some of the his other friends at the smoking corner.

He introduced me to the band he was talking to, and we were all smoking together and chilling. It was drizzling so there weren't many people at the smoking area, mostly guys. I was talking to the bassist of the band because I have been following him on Instagram for a while now and I always thought he was cute, actually for a couple of years now, so it was nice to finally talk to him. The band didn't stay around for too long because they needed to do their soundcheck as well and so we went back inside and we went to see a Swedish heavy metal band at the Mountain Stage since there was still some time to spare.

Ghost took the stage at 5pm and I immediately fell in love with their outfits. They were good live and the backdrop was really pretty. The guitars were really good, all of us don't listen to them but agreed they were good.

We didn't stay around for their entire set because Gerald wanted to get good spots for the next band at Rainbow Stage, he and his friends wanted to be in the circle pit, mosh and do the typical - Wall of Death. So we went over to Rainbow Stage while they disappeared into the crowd, little sis and I tried to find good spots to see the band as well. 

The band was still doing soundcheck when we arrived, little sis hates the DJ. She kept cursing him which I thought was super funny. It didn't take too long for them to get on stage, Crossfaith played at 5:50pm and the crowd went wild. They were good live, better than I saw them last year also at Summer Sonic. I don't listen to them but their energy on stage was really good. Yes, there were circle pits. At one point, the vocalist told the crowd to divide for the Wall of Death.  Chaos. Not really because Japanese crowds aren't that scary compared to western ones but both of us still didn't want to get pulled into the chaos. The Evolution was really good live, and so was Countdown to Hell. I didn't stay around for their whole set, even if I really wanted to but getting good seats for Arctic Monkeys was more important to me.

We left for the Marine Stage again after seeing them play about 5 songs, we took the bus this time instead of walking because it was still drizzling. When we got to QVC, we bought chicken rice (yes, Singaporean chicken rice!) at one of the food booths and went immediately into the stadium to get seats. Robert Plant was still on stage, we were lucky! We got to see him perform Led Zepplin's Whole Lotta Love while eating chicken rice. I can't begin to tell you how much I always miss chicken rice when I'm overseas for a long period of time. 

Arctic Monkeys opened to Do I Wanna Know at 7:20pm, followed by Arabella and Brianstorm. Alex Turner's voice is really smooth live, and he never missed a note. The slower songs were so much better live compared to the record. Little sis and I would do a little scream whenever they played our favorite songs. We were really enjoying ourselves.  We actually wanted to leave when they were playing Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High and decided to miss Avenged Sevenfold for a little bit since we just saw them earlier this year in Melbourne. Thankfully we didn't because right after they played our absolute favorites, Fluorescent Adolescent followed by 505! My favorites from them were Knee Socks, Old Yellow Bricks and 505. While little sis's was I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor, Fluorescent Adolescent and Dancing Shoes. 

They mostly played stuff from their latest album, like Snap Out of It and R U Mine?, and I Wanna Be Yours. I didn't expect to enjoy their set so much and I'm glad I did.

We skipped their encore to get back to Makuhari Messe to see Avenged Sevenfold. Once we arrived back at Mountain Stage, they were already playing Bat Country. I was kinda bummed because I missed Bat Country earlier this year too, after that they played Hail To The King and Almost Easy. It was fun singing the chorus of Almost Easy "I'm not insane x 6" lol, A7X always brings me back to my teenage days. They played slower songs after that, so little sis and I decided to walk to Sonic Stage to see Phoenix for a bit since A7X's song are always really long, most of them are more than 5 minutes.

Phoenix's set didn't look interesting, so we went back to join Gerald and his friends. A7X played Afterlife when we got back, they didn't look like they put in much effort to be honest. They lacked energy, they played really well in Melbourne though. :/  I was bored until the end of their set. They had an encore and they played A Little Piece of Heaven which was fun to sing to as well, Gerald's friends were being funny because the song is about sex and murder. That song is about 10 minutes long... Gerald was laughing at me when A7X played their last song because when I heard the opening, I shouted so loud " Unholy Confessions!" He was telling me how he always find me funny when I get excited over things. I was happy they played that song, I haven't heard it in years.

We hung around for a little while after Avenged Sevenfold finished off, we were just smoking and talking. I felt bad for little sis because she doesn't smoke but she said she didn't mind. It was fun meeting new people once again. I've been pretty happy since little sis got here. We got to do a lot of stuff I've been wanting to for the longest time. We also didn't expect to be at Summer Sonic this year, it was fun once again and our company made it even more so. 

157. pika pika, yokohama

Since little sis hasn't been to Yokohama, we decided to go today because again, the weather was nice (unlike yesterday, it was raining and humid) and there was a Pikachu event going on for the week. Once we arrived at Minato Mirai Station, everything was plastered with Pikachu, there was even a Pikachu inflatable float for kids to play on near the station. There were people handing out flyers and even a paper foldable hat for the event.

We went t Mark Is first and there was a stage and even more Pikachu stuff, there was even a gigantic balloon hanging in the middle of the mall.

We were getting a little hungry so we went to Afternoon Tea for their summer special. It was octopus with tomato base pasta which was actually weirdly nice. We heard some loud music coming outside, so we hurried to finish our drink and went outside to see what was going on. There were Pikachu-s dancing and entertaining the crowd. There were tons of children trying to catch a glimpse of the dancing yellow things so we didn't want to fight with them for a good view. Managed to watch a little of the performance. 

Once the performance was over, the both of us decided to walk around Minato Mirai and we went out of Mark Is, and slowly walked down to the amusement area, where all the rides were and even the ship near it was decked out in Pikachu. It's sail flags were all this little monster, and there was even an inflatable Pikachu on it.

While walking to the other side of the amusement area, one of the Pikachu mascots walked out and got on the ship. It was so cute. Everywhere you turn there was Pikachu... 

We slowly walked to the red brick buildings, there was a beer garden and a little Pikachu Cafe there as well, didn't really bother much about it and we just decided to head back to World Porters.

It was really fun to show little sis around since I was here with Yuri last winter. I also brought her to try the Taiyaki at World Porters, this time we shared the one with black sesame, vanilla ice cream and honey, it was so good. Towards the evening, we walked to Queen's Tower to go to the Pokemon Shop but we didn't get anything, instead I bought her a Naruto surprise box at the Jump Comics shop just opposite and she got the character she wanted. 

We ended the day at Mark Is again, looking at furniture, kittens and ferrets! I haven't seen so many ferrets in my life. They're my second pet option after cats. The last time I actually saw a ferret was in Osaka 4 years ago, the owner even had a leash for it. There wasn't much to do but shop so, we had dinner at a Hawaiian Cafe because we didn't feel like having any Japanese food today. We headed back early because tomorrow is going to be a loooonnnggg day.

I'm more excited about tomorrow because of Summer Sonic. There are so many bands I actually want to see this time, coldrain, Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas, My First Story, cinema staff, Crossfaith, Megadeth, Arctic Monkeys, Avenged Sevenfold and Phoenix. Music man, going to see bands make me happier than more anything. 

156. moominvalley, saitama

Today's weather was perfect to go for a picnic in the park. Little sis and I decided to go to Moominvalley at あけぼの子供の森公園 in Saitama, before I move back to the old apartment because it is much nearer to the place I am currently staying at. We got up early, bought bento boxes at the supermarket and got on the train. We dropped off at Motokaji Station, and slowly walked to our destination.

It didn't take too long to get to Moominvalley but we got a little lost along the way, thanks to Google Maps once again, we managed to find the right path. We passed by a really pretty river, cute little houses and a baseball stadium before settling down at a Asu Sports Park to chow down on our food.

Mostly, it was going uphill and there were a ton of mountains in the area.

After lunch, we continued on our search for Moominvalley, it was a little confusing because Google Maps kept playing tricks on me but after a while, we managed to find あけぼの子供の森公園! I was getting excited because I've been wanting to come here since last winter, just didn't get the chance to. Luckily, it was still quiet when we arrived. Just a couple of families with their kids roaming around. There were three little houses and a small light house in the middle of the pound. I instantly fell in love.

All three houses were completely functional, and you could go into them. There was a living room, kitchen, bedroom and a study in one of the houses. It was really cute but hard to take photos because of all the kids running around. There was a small exhibition and library in one of the other houses too but you aren't allowed to take photos in that house. Everything was really cute and I was so happy because I love The Moomins so much, and by now, all my friends would know how much I love Little My. 

Little sis and I spent a little over an hour here taking photos and just exploring. I was telling her how I would love to come back in winter if it's snowing. Imagine how pretty and magical it would look? But she told me I'm crazy because it would probably be freezing. >< 

We left Moominvalley at about 2ishpm, and there was even a little shop that sold Moomin merchandise outside! I didn't get anything though, I have too much Moomin stuff already, lol. We sat down for a little bit and rested up as I took a smoke. We left at about almost 3pm and made our way back to the station. Since it was still too early to go home, we both decided to head to Ikebukuro to walk around to kill some time. 

We were both already tired before the sunset and too lazy to wait around some more for it to get darker, so we just bought bento boxes again at Seibu food department and went home. 

I'm really happy about going to Moominvalley, helped me get my mind off things for a little bit. I'm glad little sis is here with me now, to be honest. I haven't felt like myself in quite a while and her being here helps.