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!

BEMANI stuff I bought during my Tokyo Trip

When I was in Tokyo, Japan last June I am staying in a hostel a few blocks away from Akihabara. The first thing I did is to look for BEMANI stuff. After checking-in, I started browsing the different shops such as BookOff, Traders, Radio Kaikan, and Mandarake.

BEMANI Stuff I bought

I was able to buy Soundtracks, some pop'n music CS for PlayStation 1 and 2, a Jehuty revoltech, and ROOTS26 beatmaniaIIDX DVD.

I also bought a Rasis figure from SOUND VOLTEX II -infinite infection- for only ¥200! And it’s brand new!

At first, I was overwhelmed by Akihabara’s vast variety of anime, manga, and video game selections. Knowing that Akihabara is the center of everything otaku related in Japan. I think the total damage in my wallet is about ¥20,000.00 for buying BEMANI only.

I went to Japan

Last June is my birthday month. On the day of my Birthday, I went to Japan by myself. Its a 5 days / 6 nights experience in Japan's capital, Tokyo. The trip was memorable and fun. Had the chance to travel alone and see the places that I want to see. Hoping to return next year for the Sakura Festival in Spring.

My flight going to Tokyo

Philippine Airlines' Economy Class Inflight meal. A bit tasty though.

Cruising in the Pacific Ocean

Finally! Narita International Airport (NRT)

No time to lose! Time to browse the city!!

Tried in the infamous Coke Clear!

Most of my omiyages came here, in Don Quijote!

Akihabara Station

Ticketing system in Japan is organised and advanced. I hope the Philippines will have more of these

Time to buy some BEMANI stuff!

Eat.Eat.Eat

Buy more stuff!!

In Ueno at night

A glimpse of the Imperial Palace

Tokyo Station

Clean and peaceful. No squeezing during off-peak hours

Birds eye view in the hostel

Scramble Crossing in Shibuya

Shibuya Station

Hachiko's monument in Shibuya

Hachiko's monument in Shibuya

The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo. Located in Shibuya.

Sensoji Temple in Asakusa

Thank you deity.

Oishi!!!

Sumida River 

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Tokyo SkyTree

The Pokemon Center in Tokyo SkyTree

1:1 scale Unicorn Gundam. 

Royce Chocolates!!!

Check-In counters in Haneda International Terminal (HND)

Planespotting

Planespotting

Last meal before going to Manila (MNL)