I went to Japan 2019

Last March 2 to 8, 2019, I embarked my journey to Tokyo, Japan for the second time. I was supposed to cancel my trip due to work-related conflict. But, my urged to see the Sakura tree to bloom is more powerful.

Boarding a Boeing 787-900 aircraft

It is my first time to fly All Nippon Airways (ANA) to Japan. This will be my first time fly with Japanese airline other than Philippine Airlines (PAL). It will be a multi-airport as before but in an opposite itinerary. It is also my first time to board a Boeing 787-900 aircraft in which I was amazed by the large window with no flapped shade. The best part of this flight is that every seat have an In-Flight Entertainment.

En route to Haneda, I chose the chicken option with mashed potatoes on their meal service. For dessert, they served Häagen-Dazs ice cream. 

As we arrived at Haneda at 8 in the evening, as I disembarked from the aircraft, the cold weather welcomed me at 7 degress. I rushed myself going to my hostel in Akihabara. Fortunately, a rapid monorail was about to arrive at the terminal. It only took me for at least 45 minutes to get through to my hostel. After check-in, my first order of business is to eat in a nearby ramen house. It was delicious indeed! The meal is so heavenly, I finished everything. At 10, some shops are closed, good thing Taito station is still open, so I played a few rounds of REFLEC BEAT and NOSTALGIA.

Weather at Tokyo Area

My Ramen meal at Ramen Hidakaya

The next day, I revisited Akihabara, it always amazes me the intense anime and game subculture of Japan. I was able to buy BEMANI games, soundtracks, and figures in Book-off, Traders, Mandarake, and Surugaya. I also went to a Muji branch in AKIBA TOLIM. I only bought mostly food because the Muji in the Philippines doesn't sell food. 

My Shopping bag!

Not far from my hostel, I went to Ameyoko, located in Okachimachi Station. They sell a variety of goods such as branded shoes, luggages, bags, and street foods for a cheap price. 

On my third day, it was a drizzling day at Tokyo.  I went to Shibuya to buy Rootote bags, which my aunt asked me to buy for her. After that, I revisited the Shibuya Crossing and took a sip of White Mocha at Starbucks Tsutaya records. After Shibuya, I went to Shinjuku Station for some shots and searched for Book-offs nearby.

Next day, I went to Yokohama, to see the Ramen Museum, unfortunately, they are closed every Tuesday. Out of sadness, I just enjoyed the sights of Yokohama Pier and the Nissan Gallery where future of automobiles are being displayed. I also visited the Yokohama Ramen Museum, a museum dedicated for Ramen in all prefectures of Japan. The museum interiors is based from the old Kowloon area in Hong Kong. 

Panoramic view of Oosanbashi Pier

 

On my fifth day, I went to Ueno Park in Taito Ward, to see the Sakura trees blooming, although only a few of trees were blooming as Spring is still a weeks away during my stay. Had the chance to visit the Tokyo National Museum. Entrance fee to the museum is around 600 JPY. Unfortunately, photo taking is not allowed on some cultural artifacts, so I decided not to and just look around. While in Ueno, I stumbled a Muji shop that has Meal & Cafe. They had a lunch promo, 1000 JPY you have the option for 3 variants.

For only 1000 JPY

On the sixth day, Just before I leave my hostel, the accommodation management informed us that they will relocate all guests to other nearby hostels. They said that a faulty electric wiring was the cause of relocation. The hostel management will cover all expenses including the transfer fees.  I revisited, the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. Thanking the deities for the blessing that I received. After Sensoji, I went to Yoyogi Park, it is located between Shibuya and Shinjuku, though the entrance to the park is in front of Harajuku Station. 

As I return to my hostel and packed up, the hostel management apologised for inconvenience and thanked me for understanding.  The new hostel has better facilities than the previous one, Although, the previous one has better transport connections especially going to airports.

On my last day, the hostel has breakfast buffet for 600 JPY which is reasonable. After breakfast and completely packed, I head off to Tokyo Station to take a bus going to Narita Airport. The airport bus only cost 1000 JPY. The bus station is located at the Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station. For me, bus option is recommended for travellers with large with two luggages going to airport, as you won't be guarding your luggages and comfort.

Breakfast buffet in my new accommodation for only 600 JPY

Arriving at Narita Airport, all ANA international and domestic flights are at Terminal 1. After checking-in, had the chance to look around. There I was able to buy Royce' chocolates. The Royce' I bought were sold this season such as Sakuraberry chocolate.  Our aircraft going to Manila is a Boeing 787-800. This aircraft has First class cabin though not being sold to passengers. As we take-off, a beautiful sunset is in the scene as we increase altitude. En route to Manila, During meal service, I opted the Pork mushroom with rice, I was delicious! Also, I had the chance to buy an ANA tote bag for 1500 JPY. Good thing I was able to register to ANA's Mileage club. My purchase added miles to my account (1 mile = 100 JPY / approx. 50 PHP). A few minutes before descending to Manila, I browsing their In-Flight magazine, I found an article about ANA purchased stake from Philippine Airlines. Too bad that the article is in Japanese though.



 

 

ZARD music is available In-Flight

At 9:30PM I arrived in Manila and finally ends my one week vacation. I am looking forward to visit Japan again, as attractions are ever-changing and adding more. Maybe 2020 would be the best before Olympics fever starts.

The unified Game Center cards in Japan

During my stay in Japan earlier this March, after taking my first bowl of Ramen, I went to a nearby Game Center in Akihabara, Taito Station. When I was looking for my e-amusement card, I just remembered that KONAMI released a new itineration of their e-amusement card. So I looked for the kiosk that dispensed e-amusement cards.

The new e-amusement card design

The new KONAMI e-amusement card is now a unified with other gaming companies such as SEGA's AIME Card, BANDAI NAMCO's BANAPASSPORT and Taito's NESiCA LIVE. Which means you can use one card to other games such as MaiMai or Taiko Tatsujin, etc. Game Cards sold by three gaming companies will have an AMUSEMENT IC logo within. KONAMI released a press release to the new implementation. Bought the e-amusement card for only 300 JPY (400 JPY as of Dec 2019).

e-amusement card dispenser and the PASELI loading kiosk in Taito Station Akihabara

The old Game Cards issued by each companies is still usable though but they can't be crossover. I haven't tried to use the Amusement IC cards in Banapassport enabled games such as Maximum Tune (Old cabinet might be using the old RF readers).

UPDATE: 11 January 2020

As of January 2020, SEGA's maimai DX will be officially connected to SEGA's ALL.NET network in the Philippines, and equipped with Amusement IC readers. It means that e-AMUSEMENT, BANAPASSPORT, and ALL.NET are available in PH!

maimai DX arcade machine at Q Power Station in Makati

The Bishi Bashi Channel / ビシバシCHANNEL

A few weeks ago, Quantum Amusement installed the newest arcade in their QPS Rockwell branch, The Bishi Bashi Channel / ビシバシCHANNEL. The latest itineration of Bishi Bashi series since the 90's. Quantum is half a year late, as it was release last June 2018.

The game attract mode

The Bishi Bashi Channel's arcade cabinet is converted from the MUSECA, a BEMANI game that was recently concluded. They also use the four of the six buttons and monitor from MUSECA. The game has multi-lingual system that supports English/ Korean/ Chinese and Japanese voice-overs during gameplay that players can choose.

When I tried the game for the first time, I tapped my eamusement card, it didn't recognized my card. Usually, when a player taps their card, it automatically starts the game. I even thought that the card I have is defective. Only found out that the game is offline.

The game can be played without eamusement support. Which I wonder why they didn't avail. Maybe Quantum only bought the game but connected to eamusement is not. As of writing, the per credit cost 30.00Php.

Offline mode

Currently, The Bishi Bashi Channel is also available in QPS SM Mall Of Asia. I am hoping that the game would be connected thru eamusement network like other eamusement enabled games that are available in the Philippines.

What I bought in Japan 2019

Last March 2 to 8, 2019, I went to Tokyo, Japan for a week long vacation. During my stay I have visited and revisited places in Tokyo. Of course, it will be not be complete if I didn't buy BEMANI merchs.

It seems figures are the biggest number that I bought. I never thought I would be able to get the 1/8 scale figures and the DAC (Desktop Arcade Cabinet) of jubeat copious. There is also a DrumMania V6 DAC for sale but more expensive than jubeat.

Next are the BEMANI Artist albums and the Game Softs. I was lucky that I able to get hold of TËЯRA's first album, RЁVOLUTIФN and BeForU's 2nd album. The reason I bought Game Soft is to replace my scratched copies due to my PlayStation 2 slim makes circular scratches on the discs which makes unreadable in the future (I dumped my annoying PS2 Slim for 700Php to an online buyer).  

I also bought Gunpla kits such as the Expansion set for my v Gundam Ver. Ka and the limited edition 7-11 HG RX 78-2 Gundam kit. Buying Gunpla is not in the to-buy list though.

The interesting item I bought is an unopened Google Home mini speaker for only 1,950 JPY in their BookOff Shinjuku branch. I was reluctant to buy one because it might not be compatible with Apple products (Apple fan? LOL) but it works! Bic Camera in Shinjuku sells it for 3,000 JPY. They slashed 50% from the 6,000 JPY retail price.

Namba Food Station

Earlier this Sunday, my Mom and I went to Venice Piazza in McKinley Hill in Taguig City. We went there because my Mom never tried to eat there. This is my second time to visit Venice Piazza due to a huge number of mall-goers during weekends and accessibility to public transport.

Menu Standee in front of Namba Food Station

Food counter

While we were searching for a restaurant, we stumbled a Japanese restaurant, Namba Food Station. As we enter the establishment, the restaurant's theme is based on the Namba Train Station in Osaka, Japan. The interior is decorated with railroad maps and Japanese-related decors. They have a spacious place and I think it can accommodate around 60~70 customers.

Food we ordered

We ordered two bowls of Namba Special Ramen with eggs for extra toppings, a bowl of Kani Mango Salad, and grilled gyoza. The Ramen was quite good, the Kani Mango has Wasabi paste in the lettuce, and the Gyoza is heavenly.

Inside the establishment

When we were about to leave, we saw a cabinet full of Japanese goodies. They are selling instant ramen noodles, UCC latte, and some Meiji products. Though pricey, it's rare to find shops that sells imported products from Japan (some shops in Little Tokyo in Makati City as well).

Goodies for sale

When we left, Namba Food Station is starting to accumulate customers and seats are starting to fill-in. My Mom and I are satisfied the meal we had at Namba Food Station and looking forward visit the restaurant again.

If you want to try their food, you can visit them at Ground floor of Venice Piazza in McKinley Hill, Taguig. You can easily see them because they are just a stores away from the main entrance.

STARBUCKS STICKERS!

The Christmas feels is already here in the Philippines and decorations already spurring since September. Every time the year ends, Starbucks Philippines has its way in welcoming the new year, by collecting Starbucks 18 stickers for planner. I tried collecting Starbucks stickers once in 2014 but the planner I got wasn't so useful for me and thrown away a few months after. This time they have an option whether you choose a planner or a travel organizer.

Starbucks planner and travel organiser display

 This year, I collected stickers for the travel organizer. Honestly, I don't have plans to collect stickers, however, when I treat my former colleagues, the Barista gave me stickers, so why not collect?

The Eighteen Starbucks sticker I collected

Earlier, this afternoon, I finally completed the 18 stickers. The travel organizer comes with a small notebook and an exclusive Starbucks Card which you can use to register for Starbucks for a year when you load at least 500.00Php. The organizer can store a smartphone, cards and ID's, pen and maybe a wired headset.

Travel organizer fresh from the box

I guess the Starbucks travel organizer has longer use than the planner. If I am going to buy a planner for 2019, I rather buy at Muji which costs around 300.00Php.

UPDATE! My BEMANI Collection

It's has been 2 years since I made a blog about my BEMANI collection. So, this time, this post will be an update of my collection since.

In games, I was able to collect each games from PlayStation, except for Gameboy and Dreamcast. Some of my PSone games are sealed in CD cover so that I could slip in the Obi sleeve of the game. The last game added was Utacchi for Nintendo DS, since then, no new games were bought.

BEMANI games!

Next is my action figure collection. Most of my figs are from SOUND VOLTEX and beatmaniaIIDX. I also have some plushies from REFLEC BEAT and pop'n music but they are my least interest and they are stored inside my container.

Figures made by Eikoh

SOUND VOLTEX x beatmaniaIIDX

Lastly is my records, I started buying when I was in Japan last Summer. I have some game soundtracks but I prefer artist albums because they long versions of music.

MUSIC RECORDS!!!

For my game controllers and merchandises, I wasn't able to take a photo as they are stored in a locked place and I am bit a lazy to pull them out of the storage.

DANCERUSH STARDOM in PH!

Quantum released the newest BEMANI game from KONAMI, DANCERUSH STARDOM in today's observance of holiday (All Saint's Day) in the Philippines. Originally released in Japan of March 2018.

DANCERUSH STARDOM Arcade machine

Tried this game four months ago in Taito Station in Akihabara, Japan. Went to QPS Rockwell Powerplant Mall, luckily I was the first one to play the game.

DANCERUSH STARDOM per game pricing

In Quantum Facebook page, DANCERUSH STARDOM is also available in other branches

beatmaniaIIDX figures haul

Bought a new bought beatmaniaIIDX fig this Friday morning. I picked it up in a nearby mall. Good thing that I am in a weeklong vacation from work. It doesn't cost too much as they sell it as a bundle for an undisclosed price.

The three beatmaniaIIDX figures I bought

I thought these figures are out of the box. When I opened it, they are not, The plastic that covers the figures are still intact and smells like new. Although the box itself are old, dirty, and signs of fades of the box art. It seems that they were stocked in a very long time. I guess the first owner kept these figures very well.

Lilina, a character in beatmaniaIIDX

I only bought the bundle because they had Lilina, the only figure missing in my collection. The spare Tsugaru and Iroha figure will be for resale to other beatmaniaIIDX / BEMANI fans in the Metro.

They are complete!!

Now that the original figures are complete, I have plans in collecting the remix version and the 1/8 scale beatmaniaIIDX figures.

My First Arcade Experience in Akihabara

Playing video games in Akihabara is so much fun. Able to play games that are not available in the Philippines. I was to play the newest BEMANI game, the DANCERUSH STARDOM and some rounds of IIDX in Taito Station, a few blocks from the Hostel where I am staying. Most games in Japan cost 100 JPY or around 50 PHP. For Premium gameplay, IIDX and DDR requires PASELI.  It seems that the Philippines was more cheaper though games are limited.

DANCERUSH STARDOM

A NOSTALGIA Cabinet with extra monitor on top

beatmaniaIIDX!