Flight Review: Philippines Airlines to Haneda, Tokyo!

 Last month, I went to Tokyo, Japan for one week vacation. I booked my roundtrip to Tokyo, arriving at Haneda Airport midnight flying Philippine Airlines.

PR424 signage

I arrived at the airport 4 hours before the flight. While check in was done online and immigration doesn't have lines, all these was done in less than 20 minutes.

On the airside, I was able to access the PAGSS Premiere lounge for FREE! If you have high tier credit cards from various banks. While savoring my meal, I was able catch the ANA's Pokemon livery aircraft bound for Haneda Airport. I forgot to mentioned that ANA and PAL have a codeshare flight, therefore, I can earn miles on both PAL Mabuhay Miles and ANA Mileage Club.

ANA Pokemon plane

As the departure nears, I proceed to the boarding gate. Unfortunately, this is a fully loaded flight, therefore, I can't change or own the 2 seats on my row.

At the gate

The aircraft will take me to Tokyo is an Airbus 321 NEO SR, SR stands for "Short Range". As I seated, every seat has an In-Flight Entertainment screen with an USB port underneath. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a WiFi and power sockets to charge devices. SR variants at PAL has at least 30 inch legroom, it will be an uncomfortable seating. 

10 inch In-Flight Entertainment

Before take-off the Cabin crews hand out a Dental kit. Although this is 4 hour flight, good thing PAL looks over our dental health even in Economy Class passengers. 

PAL's Dental kit for Economy Class

Upon reaching the cruising altitude, the Cabin crew started the dinner service. I chose the Chicken rice option. The option consists of Chicken meal, tamago maki, small portion of salad, sliced fruit, and creamy pastry as dessert. The meal is not that tasty but not bad.

Upon arrival at Haneda Airport, I had the chance to take photo of the aircraft over the observation deck.

Because I arrived midnight, I have no choice but to stay inside the airport until the first monorail operations. This is my first time to sleep at the airport.

Uniqlo Coffee at Global Flagship store!

Before my flight for Tokyo, I took the opportunity to try the Uniqlo Coffee at the Uniqlo Manila Global Flagship Store in Glorietta 5 in Makati City.

Located at the second floor. It has a selection of hot and cold beverages and pastries. It also has a number of seats including in the balcony. The ambiance is minimalistic and clean, although one staff is only stationed at the counter maybe because low yields.  Because I just had my lunch, I only ordered for a Hot Chocolate. 

Uniqlo Coffee menu

The guests at the time of my visit is quite low, around ten people. I guess this is Uniqlo’s answer for Muji’s Coffee Counter they opened last 2022.

Gacha Gacha at Mitsukoshi!

Last November 8, 2023, Mitsukoshi Mall, a japanese theme mall had it's new attraction to their avid customers.  

Grand opening signage

The Gachapon Bandai Official Shop has hundreds of Gachapon items from Pokemon to Gundam. Gachapon items costs 2 golden coins up to 15 golden coins for premium items. One golden coin costs 65.00PhP, however, if you buy 30 coins will give you a free tote bag.

Aside from cash, the Gachapon Bandai Official Shop accepts digital payments and credit cards. I do hope the Gacha Gacha will have the same items as were in Japan.

Golden coins

Gachapon machines

  

Riyu Kosaka's single and SKY GIRLS Original Soundtrack

 A few months ago, I took a half-day leave at the office. I went to the outskirts of Manila, somewhere near Quiapo area. I stumbled a Japan Surplus which I used to visit years ago,

Front cover art

While I was looking at the CD's, I saw a very interested CD, I found a SKY GIRLS ~OPENING THEME "Baby's tears/Riyu Kosaka" & Original Soundtrack.

Compact Disc

This CD is quite expensive and hard to find back then and I bought it for an affordable price! This CD is the last single by Riyu Kosaka with KONAMI back then which she sang the Opening theme of the SKY GIRLS OVA in 2007. Two of her songs in her single is playable in DanceDanceRevolution SuperNOVA and SuperNOVA2.

Tracklists

Good thing I was able to snagged her single and good thing I took a half-day leave. :)

 

I snagged a pair of Pocket Pikachu!

 A few weeks ago, I snagged a pair of Pocket Pikachu in our local shop for a very good price. The Pocket Pikachu I bought was the first released monochrome and the colored screen. The Pocket Pikachu functions similar with tamagotchi.

The pair I bought has signs of scratches and fades but still works perfectly. 

Retro: KONAMI TECH GEAR PS2 Station Rack!

 I just received from the mail was the Konami TECH GEAR PS2 Station Rack (RU027). This accessory was released in 2000 and serves as a vertical stand, one DualShock 2 controller holder, a DVD case holder and 3 plug electric outlet. 

box art

Fortunately, the accessory still works! However, it only accepts AC100V. You can still use it by using a transformer. When I installed it to the console, the plastic of the rack was stiff, I had a difficult time in retracting the rack base to the console. The only down side of this rack it doesn't have cable management for the DualShock controller. You have to curl the long cable of the controller.

PS2 Station Rack installed to the console

You can find a few of this at the second hand online shops in Japan but don't expect that is complete, like the one I got. This retro accessory serves as a reminder how booming the PlayStation 2 back then with lots of games and accessories from different third party makers and game publishers.   

Uniqlo x PlayStation UT shirt Collab!

A few days ago, Uniqlo just released UT graphic shirt in collaboration with PlayStation! As far as I could remember, this is the first time that PlayStation made a collaboration with Uniqlo. 

I went to Uniqlo in SM Megamall to check the shirts and buy one, Unfortunately, medium size was sold out!! I guess I'll visit the Uniqlo Glorietta 5 soon before the stocks runs out or they would restock. By the way, the UT shirt costs 790PhP.

I look forward that Uniqlo would continue their collaboration with PlayStation. As we all know, Uniqlo had a frequent collab with Nintendo.

Looking back at Xbox 360's DDR UNIVERSE 2 & 3

A few days ago. I just received a copy of DDR UNIVERSE 2 & 3 for Xbox 360! This is my second time that I bought a DanceDanceRevolution game other than the Japanese releases. Unfortunately, finding a bundled with a dance pad is scarce.  Although, the two games can be played using an NTSC-J Xbox 360 console. 

DDR UNIVERSE 2 & 3 game cover art

 In terms of graphics, the DDR UNIVERSE3 is more refined than its predecessors. Prior to UNIVERSE3 looks like graphics and interface coming from the earlier ULTRAMIX's from the original Xbox. The only thing I hate about the UNIVERSE 3 is the random animations during gameplay is that they are so bright! Good thing that background animations can be turned off. 

Manual and CD art

In terms of songlist, DDR UNIVERSE3 has more new catchy songs available and more DLC! Unfortunately, the DLC are no longer available, as the game server for the game has ended.

A PlayStation dance pad found at the back cover art of DDR UNIVERSE 2

As for unlocking songs, the UNIVERSE 3 has the fastest and easiest to unlock songs, you can unlock it by clearing the BONUS STAGE and EXTRA STAGE in GAME MODE or the longer route, QUEST MODE.  Whereas, the UNIVERSE 2, you are forced to unlock through QUEST MODE.

I bought my first Android phone made for the Japanese market

 Last week, when I was searching in Facebook Marketplace for a back phone. I stumbled one seller who sells Japan marketed phones. He sells a variety of Android phones for the Japanese market.

Sharp Aquos sense 5G phone
 

I scored a Sharp Aquos sense 5G phone for 5,000PhP! The version I bought is for AU KDDI. This phone was a second hand unit and from the looks of the unit, it seems the original owner was very careful in handling this phone. Good thing that the seller sells unlocked phones, otherwise it be will unusable here in the Philippines. By the way this phone was released in Japan last 2021. 

Back side

According to the Sharp website, this phone has guaranteed two year software upgrade. Meaning they will support for this phone up to Android OS 13. For full specifications, please see this site.

DDR's only PlayStation 3 game!

A week before 2022 ends, I bought a used DanceDanceRevolution game for the PlayStation 3 from Facebook's Marketplace. The game I bought doesn't have a USB dance pad.  The game was released in 2010. Aside from the only DDR game for the PS3, this is also the only DDR game that has Downloadable content (DLC) as song packs. Unfortunately, my PS3 won't let me change PSN account. I notice from cover art, that this DDR game is not under Konami's BEMANI label. By the way, I bought this game for around 300.00PhP! 

DanceDanceRevolution (2010) cover art

The game has an initial 30 songs with 20 hidden songs. Unlocking songs is pretty straightforward, to unlock songs they must unlock it through the game's CLUB MODE. But filling up a bar in CLUB MODE, it unlocks a song. 

DDR 2010's Video manager

Another unique feature is to be able to record gameplays in game. The bad thing is, this is not available to license songs, only Konami Originals can record. 

It is sad that Konami didn't continue the game for the PS3 and this game was cancelled in Japan, although this was promoted prior to its cancellation. 

Chunithm sighted in QPS Rockwell!

 Last November 1, 2022, a national holiday in the Philippines, QPS Rockwell installed the first Chunithm in Metro Manila. This is the latest addition to the SEGA rhythm game arcade in the Philippines. Prior, Maimai is the only SEGA rhythm game available in the country.

Chunithm arcade machine

After its installation, an influx of avid gamers went to Rockwell Power Mall. After its boot, the version inside is NEW PLUS! The game costs 50.00PhP for three songs. As of writing, Chunithm is also available in Quantum SM Baguio according to the Chunithm international ver. page. 

QPS technicians doing their last checks

Hoping there will be more Chunithm locations nationwide. As one location with 2 machines will not suffice with a vast number of gamers. By the way, QPS Rockwell is now selling AiME cards again with amusement IC for only 300PhP!

Chunithm NEW PLUS!

Chunithm locations as of 13 November 2022.

Muji's first Cafe in the Philippines!

Facade of Muji BGC

A few weeks ago, I went to the Muji's first Cafe in the Philippines. The Cafe was located in BGC. Months prior, the Muji BGC was relocated to a bigger place, infront of the old Muji store. When Muji opened last June, the place was packed. Many Mujirers flocked to the store and experience the Cafe which Muji Japan was a stapled offering.

The Cafe section

When I visited the Cafe, the line was long and slow moving, it was a weekend by the way! It took me approximately 30 minutes to order and only one cashier was opened. The Cafe has very few seats and the seats are fully occupied. some people opted to take their orders out and some tried their luck waiting for someone to end their visit. 

onboard menu

Pastries almost gone!

Unfortunately, most of the pastries are sold out, so I ordered a Peach tea and Cinnamon Roll. Luckily, I was able to snagged a seat who left, when I was to take my order out. I finished my merienda in 20 minutes, so that customers will be able to use the seat after me. 

Peach tea and Cinnamon Roll

Muji should add seats as the available seating is very limited, around 20 guests can be accommodated. I would advise who wants to the Cafe must be early especially on weekends, as customers starts to pile up during after lunch. They should stock more food items especially on weekends. Lastly, an additional staff to take orders, one staff means long waiting time.

I am optimistic that Muji would bring their Cafe in other branches, most favorable if the Meal&Cafe.

BeForU albums from 2003 ~ 2006. (Photos)

BeForU, KI-SE-KI, and BeForU

BeForU tracklists.

KI-SE-KI's tracklist and new members.

Part of the KI-SE-KI is a DVD disc.

BeForU II has a protective cover art.

BeForU II tracklists.

Inside the BeForU II album is a sticker sheet.