beatmaniaIIDX FREQUENCY HEADPHONES

Earlier this December, I received the parcel that I bought from Japan last November. One of the items I bought is a pair of beatmaniaIIDX frequency headphones. I sold the other headphone while the other one is for keeps.

Box of the headphone

Originally, KONAMI sells this headphones for 5,500 JPY last 2011. Konamistyle is still selling it for 2,934.00 JPY. The headphones is manufacturer by Audio-technica for KONAMI.

Used the headphone at the arcades

The headphone is lightweight and perfect for on-the-go due its foldable design. The 3.5mm cord plug is suitable to current smartphones, tablets, and computers in the market. With its noise cancelling feature you can use it while playing rhythm arcade games with headphone plug so you hear you gameplay without sound distractions from other arcade games.

Playing music in my smartphone (iPhone 7)

When using this headphones the user must be extra careful, it seems the headband and headphone cushion are not in good quality and might easily peel off overtime. For more information about the product, please see Konamistyle website.

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Megasize Gundam in All Nippon Airways color

In my post six years ago (July 2013), I made a blog regarding to the High Grade (HG) Gundam RX-78-2 in All Nippon Airways (ANA) color. This time I bought a Megasize (1/48 scale) version of the same Gundam that I got online. The Megasize is the biggest scale of all Gunpla kits created by Bandai. I hope that ANA and Bandai would collaborate for another Gunpla.

Manual from kit

Without decals

Applied decals and topcoating

Shield with ANA decal

Buying Online at Mandarake!

I have been an Ebay buyer for more than 10 years. Ebay has been my site to buy video games and figures for my collection whose sellers are from Japan. For the first time, I tried the Mail-Order service of Mandarake. Mandarake is a well-known store in Japan where you can buy vast items of video games, figures, costumes, and toys. I have been to Mandarake store in Akibahara and Shibuya branches and they never ceased to amaze me.

Mandarake's English website

I saw a Megasize Gundam RX-78-2 ANA Original Color Ver. for 7,000.00 JPY. Before I check out the item I sent an inquiry to the item and they sent a response less than 12 hours. Before checking out be sure that all items you are buying are the on the same store just be sure. Although, never tried it, they might charge you an additional shipping fee due to different store location of the item and they might send it separately. Upon check-out in their online store, they will asked your preferred payment and shipping mode. After confirmation, they will check the location of item of its availability. Because most of the items listed in the website is being sold at their stores as well. If availability of the item is confirmed, they will sent the total cost. I opted to pay thru Paypal and EMS (Express Mail Service). In less than a week, I received the item.

EMS tracking from Mandarake to our office

Received the item!!

Good thing that Mandarake offers worldwide shipping. Other shops like Suruga-ya has online shopping only on selected Asian countries and US buyers. Another good point for Mandarake is that they have multi-language website for English, Korean, Chinese, and Spanish. Unlike Suruga-ya is limited to Japanese and you have to use web translation for those buyers who can't read and understand Japanese. When I received the item, the parcel is securely packaged to prevent from damaging the item and the item is wrapped with bubble wrap. I am looking forward to buy another items from their online store.

Before buying anything online be sure to ask the seller if they missed out some description or verify the item and always pay securely.

Japan Fiesta 2019!

This Saturday I went to the Japan Fiesta 2019 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura Taguig City. It is a two-day event organized by the Japan Nation Tourism Organization Manila office, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines. This event is free admission, everyone can enjoy the fiesta.

Japan Fiesta signage in front of SMX Convention Center, SM Aura

Registration area

As you enter the events area, various Japanese companies are present such as Don Quijote (Donki), Japan Railways (East, West, Kyushu), Kirin, Yakult Philippines, Fuwa-Fuwa, Airline companies (Philippine Airlines, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Cebu Pacific, JetStar Japan, and Philippines AirAsia), local travel agencies (JTB, Rakso, Travelbook.ph, Attic, Discovery, etc.), and local tourism offices of Tohoku, Hokkaido, and Okinawa.

Schedule of events

Don Quijote (Donki) booth 

They don't sell products during the event

Glico's Pocky booth

They are selling Pocky! Three boxes for 100Php! They sold out fast and they have to wait for two hours for stock replacement.

All Nippon Airways (ANA/ NH) booth

They have a mini game inside the booth

I won the Second Prize! An ANA file folder! I hope for an ANA original keychain

A Philippine Airlines booth (PAL / PR)

JR East booth

JR Central booth

local tourism office of Okinawa

JR Kyushu booth

Yakult mascot at the Yakult booth

At the opening ceremony, an opening drum performance by the Japan Drum Club Soon after, the Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines, Koji Haneda made his opening speech, as well as Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. Right after, a Kagami Biraki (opening of the lid) officiated by the Japan and Philippines officials. A special singing performance by Sarah Geronimo. Mascots of Pikachu and Eevee at the stage and take pictures to the children.

Drum performance by the Japan Drum Club

Ambassador of Japan in the Philippines

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary

Pikachu and Eevee on stage

Due to foot pain (Plantar Fasciitis) I have to force myself to leave the event area to relax my feet (Seats inside the event are occupied).  I also took the opportunity to take my late lunch at the nearby Food court because I haven't eaten that morning. 

Garlic Beef with Miso soup and Kani Salad lunch at Pepper Lunch

To those people who missed the first day, you can still catch up on the Day 2 of the event. I do hope that more Japanese companies would participate on the next event next year. Enjoy the Japan Fiesta 2019!

Traveled to Japan? Use your Suica / Pasmo Card as Game Center Card!

Suica card issued by JR EAST.

Recently traveled to Japan? You brought home your Suica or Pasmo as souvenir? Then, you can use them as an alternative Game Center card! I traveled to Japan twice and used my Suica card for transportation and buying drinks in vending machines and in Konbini such as FamilyMart and Lawson.

My friend's PASMO Card (Credits: A Tokyo in Manila).

When I got home from my trip, a friend of mine told me that the Pasmo card in his wallet recognised by one of the arcade machines. So I searched the internet, tried it on my own in my nearby Game center and it works! Suica and Pasmo cards as game card is compatible with KONAMI's e-amusement enabled arcade games. You can transfer your existing e-amusement data to your Suica by tapping it for the first time, write down the card number generated by the machine, and log-on to your KONAMI account to transfer your account. Please do note when tapping for the first time (for e-amusement), you must cancel entry and mustn't create password, otherwise, it will create a new account. When transferring of data is completed, the same password from your old card will be used in your new Suica and Pasmo card.

Transferring of Suica card to iPhone.

Other features of Suica is you can use your iPhone or Apple watch as a virtual card by transferring your Suica card details to your phone. You can download the Suica app if you wish to load up or create a virtual pass. This feature is available starting from iPhone 7 and Apple watch series 2 sold in Japan. For more information and procedures please click the link.

Transfer complete!

Right now, I am using my iPhone as a Suica virtual card that is linked to my e-amusement account. It means that no more pulling out of wallets or game cards to bring every time I play and I have to do is to tap my phone onto the card reader.

Cosplay Mania 2019!

Cosplay Mania 2019 signage outside SMX Convention Center

Last week I was invited by my friends for the 2019 edition of Cosplay Mania at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia. I last time I went to a convention is the 2017 Cosplay Mania. I came to visit the event in support of my friends tournament of a Rhythm music arcade game (DANCE RUSH STARDOM). The tournament is scheduled on the second day of the convention. As some BEMANI community tournaments are on the first day.

Free ticket!

Quantum Amusement, one of the exhibitors of the event, showcased their BEMANI arcade games with the exception with beatmaniaIIDX due limited space allotted although there is a huge empty space beside them. They also have one non-BEMANI arcade machine at the convention, Disney's Tsum-Tsum.

FREE GAMES at Quantum Booth!

Hige Driver, a famous musician from Japan came and performs one of his creations on stage. Although, I wasn't able to join due to the tournament I was supporting is still ongoing. Hige Driver is also a music contributor in BEMANI such as IIDX. I think last year's Cosplay Mania, kors k was  music guest performer. Let's hope other infamous Japanese music artist would come here more often because K-pop genre is generally common in the Philippines.

When I was looking around the convention, I noticed that there are a few exhibitors in the event, unlike to the 2017 edition that there are a quite number of booths. Suprisingly, The Cultural Office of Embassy of Japan is present at the convention giving about Japan's culture.

Gundam booth

One booth is selling a beatmaniaIIDX figure

Embassy of Japan booth

After the tournament, we took our dinner to the nearest restaurant. A friend gave me a bottle of booze, a Fundador Double Light.

Fundador Double Light

It was a good thing I was able to come to the event, because I was able to meet new faces and catching up with my good old friends who are present at the convention.

CoCo Ichibanya in PH

Earlier Saturday last week, I went to Rockwell Center and took my brunch in CoCo Ichibanya before heading to the arcades. I was around past 11 o'clock in the morning when I arrived. At that time, the atmosphere is well-lit although sunny lights passed thru the glass wall and there is one family (I think first customer of the day) inside the restaurant which is perfect so I can eat my lunch solemnly. Originally, I invited a chum of mine to eat here but she wasn't due to an inevitable event.

CoCo Ichibanya located in One Rockwell, Makati City

CoCo Ichibanya is famous chain of restaurant in Japan that serves Japanese-style rice curry. I never had the chance to try it in their home country although they are ubiquitous.

Menu cover

Customers can customise their curry on how mild or strong the hot taste of the Curry and add up to set 4 on your meal. The food I ordered was superb and servings are huge.  The whole set cost 588.00PhP and I think it's reasonable for a meal if you add set 4. The staff of the branch I visited are warm, accommodating and friendly.

I ordered the Pork Cutlet with Vegetable Curry

A mini salad, one of the sets you can order.

CoCo Ichibanya has branches in the Philippines. Aside from Rockwell in Makati, they have branches in cities of Taguig, Pasig, San Juan, Manila, Quezon City and one in Cebu City. On my next visit, I will try other meals on their menu and I will definitely drag my friend or a family member to try the Japanese-style curry.