Changes midroute, curves and great fall

Sorry about lack of updates. Been travelling so much have had little time to be at home and the new way to get pictures up seems to be very slow so pretty much need to leave computer uploading them all night. Not sure why so slow.

On Monday I resumed traveling the Japan with my JR pass(waste one want not). Goal was to go to see Myotsu-ji temple located east of Tokyo. Unfortunately I was bit careless on my way and thought I was supposed to disembark train on Yokohama when I was supposed to drop off by Shin-Yokohama. Oops! Realized error right away but by the time I had managed to get back it was too late to hop into the Shinkansen I was supposed to take. Godama shinkansen I took next turned out to be way too slow and missed train I was supposed to take on Maibara. Looking at the time table I realized to my horror I would need to wait way too long for next one. I would not be able to make it to Tokyo in time if I wait that long(schedule was already tight as it was). Pondering what I would do I considered staying in Hotel(problem: Wasn't carrying that much cash with me!), going to Kyoto that was nearby(problem: Didn't have idea where to really go there and there's the Kyoto trip planned later anyway) or returning to Tokyo. Eventually I decided to abandon the trip and maybe go enjoy the sights in Yoyogi park or something instead.

However things changed when we stopped at Nagoya. First didn't pay much attention to it but it suddenly flashed to me that wasn't there castle I was supposed to check out at the Nagoya? Thinking moment longer I quickly grabbed my belongings and rushed out of the Shinkansen just before the doors closed. After this I verified from my trip plans from my laptop that there indeed castle here and I didn't just jump out of train for nothing(with no idea when next train leaves anyway). Luckily I had remembered correctly so would get to see one place I was supposed to go after all! But now I was completely improvizing. I had no idea where the castle is, no idea how to get there, no maps and no time tables for return trip.

Good thing I have been here for over a month now plus can speak Japanese to at least some level so didn't feel particularly uncomfortable. If this had happened early in the trip I would have been lot more overwhelmed.

What I lacked was information and what better place to get that than at tadaa! Information point ;) So I started to search for it figuring I can ask staff there. But as it turns out it was not even needed as said information point(if you go to Japan and need help look for 案内 sign) happened to have very nice map showing interesting places nearby and what's more train lines that take there! So after bit of checking the colour codes I found out which line I should take, where I should get off and to what line I should take and where to take off. Then it was just two quick train trips. I also got to try out how the procedure is if you put too little money(I had thought I would need to buy new ticket during the change. Nope. Same ticket). Gate simply says to go balance it up. Doesn't show remaining money. That you see by putting the ticket to the vending machine nearby. Then just insert money and go to the gate. Easy.

Arriving to the station next thing was find the castle. Luckily the exit I chose(based simply that there was toilet nearby) happened to come out pretty much next to the castle. I could have SEEN the walls if my gaze wouldn't have been caught by sight of yet another map. When lost you got to love the maps!

The castle itself is one of the most modernized ones I have yet to visit. This one even had elevator to get up the levels. Seems one of the towers and some sort of palace or something are undergoing restoration process. Luckily photographic wasn't forbidden(flash photographing however was) so was able to get some pictures this time.

(Pictures unfortunately aren't in any specific order)

 This was taken outside the gate from Nagoya station I arrived from.

 Another entrance to the station. Nice station gate!

Sure would hate pulling that huge stone with somebody standing top of that...

 This I found ironic. One of the most powerful mans in Japan and not able to enjoy warm meals. The irony eh!

 Miniature representation of old Nagoya. That's very nicely created diorama!

After the castle I walked through the park next to it. Pretty flowers aplenty as usual. Then I decided to head for home hoping to at least get to sleep at decent time rather than original schedule which would give me 23.15 or so time to return to nearest station from home...

 Even the resting places here are interesting :D

Dinner I ate during the train trip back to Tokyo.

Next day travel continued toward Kegon falls located at Nikko. This time no bumps in the road to Nikko station. After that I got another newish experience. Bus ride! Well I had taken bus from airport to Shinjuku but that was quite long time ago and I was bit of shell shocked at that time(plus tired after little sleep in the plane). Got myself round-trip to where the falls was located(btw I was following guideline from little web site that deals with water falls around the world. Very nice page if you want to visit water falls!) that cost me 2000 yens. Not sure how cheap/expensive that is compared to Finnish bus lines.

Think I have mentioned it before but I just love the mountain views here.

Trip to desired destination took me through one of the craziest roads I have had experience to be in. There might have been similar roads in Norway but since I was there as a child long long time ago can't remember it clearly. This one had ridiculous tightg curves(48 of them. There was actually number of each curve located somewhere along the curve!). I think road is one way actually. Didn't see any traffic coming to opposite direction and the way road was good thing too. We were switching between left and right lanes all the time as bus needed space to do the 180 degree curves. Also the road was constantly rising steeply(well we were going up a mountain...) giving some spectacular sights to enjoy.

 This shot was purely accident! I was just looking at the screen where next station was announced and when I looked back I saw something rushing toward me and instinctively pressed camera's button(camera was pointing out of bus all the time) and by some miracle luck this was result.

That's postcard I bought showing the curvy road!

Mid way I started to ponder that this feels oddly familiar. ”Nikko, ridiculously curved road on a bus train. Feels like I have encountered this before”. But since I have never before gone this that felt weird. Then it hit me. Last year I read first manga series in Japanese. It was called Hourou Musuko and in one of the volumes class took school trip to Nikko(and boys took advantage of the swinging by faking losing their footing falling top of girls much to their annoyance). No wonder this felt familiar. First time I was in same location as any of the Mangas I have read(well apart from very generic ones like ”In Tokyo” :D).

Once off the bus I wasn't quite sure where to go so picked one direction where I ran into this huge lake and gate that told me there's shrine ahead. But I spotted map and from it didn't find Kegon falls. Think I took turn to wrong direction! Turning back I headed to bus station and went to opposite direction quickly spotting ”Kegon falls” sign. Yup. Wrong direction.

Finding the falls rather than take the free viewing platform(that I took later) I headed straight to elevator(560 yen I think it was) that took me 100 meter below where the view was quite stunning. Not sure have I seen as tall water falls before(this one was tad short of 100 meters). Obviously the rushing water sound was quite loud. 

Eventually I returned up and took view from the free platform(which did give me some sight to upside of the fall). Then I headed back to town. Though first I went to souvenir shop and got reminder again to mind what you buy here. Things can be more than a bit weird here :D I was looking at towel with anime girl in it. Nothing spectacular. Was wondering if anybody I knew would like one. Then the shop staff came in and started explaining in Japanese. Word ”nude” was very obvious one though. I rechecked the labels and sure enough if you put the towel into water(hey it's towel so that's what you are SUPPOSED to do :D) the picture changes into one of a nude girl. Wtf? Towel with picture that changes when wet? That's something I have not heard before and I'm pretty sure at least one receiver candinate and parents of both to whom I considered to give would not be particularly pleased about THIS present :lol:

Sure hope none of the souvenirs I have bought have no similar surprises :D

After that experience I went for lunch(curry and rice again. Haven't eaten that for a while), took view from view platform and then headed for the temple. After this back to Nikko station.

 No the drink on left is NOT beer. It's ice cold oolong tea!

 What...is...THAT!?!

 On my way saw statue I considered to go take pictures but decided I won't jump out of bus midway not even knowing how far until the station. On station I considered what to do since I still had some hours so went for search of a map. On it I found there was world heritage shrines and temples about 2 kilometers away. That's nice! Looking at directions I let out some curses as the area was WHERE I HAD JUST COME with a bus. Haha! So that was 2 kilometer walk back the same way with all the way being uphill climb. School kids here who take this trip every morning must have no trouble staying fit(I figure there are such school kids as on my way back I saw several going down so probably they go up as well. Unless they all were there to enjoy sights with their school bags and uniforms of course). Well sure is good exercise for me as well. Arriving to the place where the temples and shrines would be I found out the stature I had wanted to photograph was right next to it...Couldn't help but laugh at this. Ah well. Good exercise.

That's souvenir store.

Unfortunately the heritage place was big and quite a maze and time was running short so I didn't get to see them all but at least a little. Ah well. The trip to falls took bit too much time and not jumping out of the bus was bad.

 Cousins daughter would probably love this one at home :D

Something that struct me here was the rushing water I heard everywhere. Either there were something like this or VERY strong currents were going just beneath your feet which you could see from several spots where are access ways to where the water was running. Quite a strong current which caused quite a loud roar. Was very relaxing walking in the shade with the sound of water.

After this I finally returned back to Tokyo.

Original plan was for me to stay in Tokyo for Wednesday for some rest and continue travelling on Thursday but after checking weather report it seems Thursday is at least in Tokyo rainy while Wednesday is fine weather(well some rain was predicted for around noon but at least light and not heavy like Thursday). Albeit just Tokyo but figured I'll went with that and switched days. So waking up 5.50 again(like on Monday) I started operation Myotsu-ji Take 2. I had missed that on Monday so I would try to see if I can't get there. I also easened up my plan by avoiding the Shin-Yokohama and instead went to Shinagawa for the train. Also less train changing this way and more time to relax in Shinkansen! Hats off to Hyperdia web site by the way. You can not only say where you want to go and from where but also several stations you want to pass. So I just put Shinagawa to one and it gave me nice route and it seems it wasn't even that much slower if at all.

This time trip was less problematic. Unfortunately I had to wait 50 minutes for the final train which I used to walk around the town I was in for a bit(Tsuruga). Didn't see much of anything of note there though. After sitting in another train for hour I arrived at my destination, Shin-Hirano. And boy was I in for a surprise. I had almost literally arrived at the middle of nowhere. I think the place might be even smaller than Hanko! ”Station” was just one rail, small waiting room with vending machine(several drinks showing ”sold out” signs), one toilet(so no men/women separate toilets here) and buildings were old wooden buildings. Felt like stepping into another era actually.

 Another of the trusty meal boxes you can buy here, this time sushi one.

 Rice fields a plenty here(at least I think that was rice field).

 This was taken at the platform of the station...

Well I had map from here to the Temple but not having idea of which direction I was what that didn't do much of help so I started to look for SOME shop, cafe or some random passerby from whom I could ask for directions. No shop in sight. No cafe in sight. Maybe there are those but if so there's no big kanji's to identify them. Maybe locals would know but no locals in sight either. I was starting to suspect all the buildings are living houses and was considering knocking door for help but then I spotted post office. Saved! Got there not only idea of which way was north but also detailed describition of how to get there. So time to start walking. And the walk was seriously long. Took about 50 minutes one way though I did stop periodically to take pictures as the view was positively stunning. Thankfully the google map was showing gas station just next to the corner I was supposed to turn which proved to be very good land mark. Then it was just a loooooooooooooong walk straight. Along the way I passed lots of rice fields and lots of small clusters of buildings but no cafe etc sign. There was family mart restaurant that I spotted and also spotted swimming pool with football field with some kids there so I figured that might be school(correct. Elementary school. On my way out of here I found out that junior high school and/or high school students use train to go to school as just as I was boarding train that would take me out of here small army of uniform clad kids disembarked the train). 

Eventually I found the Myoutsu-ji temple I had come to see. Still had nice Sakura tree next to it and the building itself was definitely old. For a while I walked the outer area starting to wonder is the place empty with nobody else but finally I ran into ticket counter and got myself ticket and priest came soon to show me the inside building(alas no photographs allowed inside).

 Not really good view of the stature.

 Hmm forgot to flip the picture 90 degree. Ground is on right side of the picture! The temple is dedicated to peace which explains the text. Quoting the pamphlet I got:

"In the ancient times of Enryaku, there lived a mysterious old man. This old man was a practicing Buddhist layman, but he was different from most people, and lived under a great camphor tree here in these mountains. According to legend, it so happened that one night by chance Lord Tamuramaro Sakanoue encountered this man in a prophetic dream. In the dream, Lord Sakanoue was instructed to establish temple here, in the first year of Daido(806), for the sake of peace and tranquility for all people throughout the land..." and "...Since then, for 1200 years, Myotsuji Temple has always been a place of prayer for the sake of all people and the world, and the light of Buddhism has not died out."

Now that's Temple whose principle I can agree with full heart! Peace!

Nice little statue I spotted on my way back out.

Picture from street of one group of buildings. Could have gone through the road and not go here(I bypassed this on my way in) but on return trip figured it doesn't slow me and allows sight to some traditional Japanese houses.

Overall you could definitely get the feeling this is NOT hugely popular tourist attraction but lot smaller one(but nevertheless interesting). I have suspicion not many foreigners come here. Small place, not much else to see and long way from...Well anything! And if you don't know Japanese you might be in bit of a trouble. As it is in Myotsu-ji they couldn't speak English(at least according to themselves) though you do get English written pamphlet with history of the Temple. Think I might have got one sight not many non-Japanese(or even Japanese for that matter!) see. That or I came just in an unusually quiet season ;)

On my way back dropped by the Family mart I had seen before getting couple Nikuman's for quick meal I could eat while on my way to the station. My left ankle was starting to show some sign of pain also. Guess 3 days of traveling and lots of walking(including the 2 km walk uphill yesterday) was starting to take it's toll. I wonder if either my posture or walking manner is bad as it's pretty much always the left leg that starts to hurt?

On station I looked at the time table(I was actually ahead schedule which I had made pretty cautious as the distance looked even longer on the map. Though 50 minute walk is pretty long as it is!) so couldn't rely on my time table. Turns out next would come in 30 minutes and next after that over hour later(that's the one I had planned to leave). Okay got to avoid not getting on next one. I made quick tour on the area(there was map of the vicinity...But only in Japanese! Foreigners definitely rare sight here!). Didn't have much time but spotted quickly the two kanji's that make up word ”shrine” so headed there since it was nearby. Spotted two middle aged women wearing Kimono's(which weren't as flashy as I had seen before so I think these are actually pretty regular clothing for them. Probably pretty old Kimono's handed down to them by their mothers. Seeing price of Kimono's that's pretty common habit here). Again felt like I had arrived in different era of Japan. The shrine too was pretty modest one. Felt more like local shrine than tourist attraction shrine. Next to it was also some nice looking Japanese styled house which looked not that ordinary but I was running out of time so had to leave.

 The guide map. Fun fun fun translating that one!

 Sure would like to know what house that was. Somebody's living home right next to the temple?

Did I already say I love the mountain sights here?

And around this time rain came so the umbrella I had carried in case the predicted light rain would come became useful! Didn't carry it with me all the way from Tokyo for nothing!

And with that the troublesome Myotsu-ji trip came to end leaving only the trip back(in which my dvd player ran out of battery for the first time. That has been one handy purchase!). Overall I found that while the Temple was interesting best parts of the trip were actually the awesome scenery and the old fashioned village(town?) I saw there. I have seen Temples here now before but not such a small old fashioned village. I have READ of them but not seen one before and it's quite different to read about them and then walk in place that looks even smaller than the little town you live yourself. So overall worth the travel though if I had less time at hands for travelling I would not have come here probably. But with 2 month vacation and 4 weeks of JR pass to use I could afford to spend day coming here(Monday doesn't count as day really as I ended up going to Nagoya so didn't spend day going there).

Plans for Thursday: Take a day off! Not only do I need some sleep(waking up between 5:50 and 6:20 and getting to sleep 23.00-01.00 takes it's toll! Though I could get some sleep on trains which helps), walking long distances and carrying heck of a load with me(standard load when I leave is pc, portable dvd player, 3 manga's, 2-3 dvd's, 2 liter tea bottle and lunchbox which at least gets eaten on train. Plus the camera. That's surprisingly heavy packet and puts some strain on my neck to carry it around). Also the left ankle is definitely in need of a slight pause. Aaand I need to do laundry or I'm out of clean clothes! So tomorrow it's Tokyo and planning where to go on Friday. Saturday it's trip to Onsen with Japanese persons. GULP! That's bit embarrassing prospect for me but hopefully I can get over that feeling! Then it's somewhere again on Sunday.

BTW note about JR pass. I have now used the 3 week pass for one week and eventhough I was in Tokyo for the weekend it has pretty much paid itself by now. And I haven't counted inside Tokyo trips for the weekend. So basically I'm now freerolling next two weeks! Total outside Tokyo travel km count is now 7789 so I'm definitely going to break 10k limit. My guess is I'll end up travelling somewhere between 12k-15k kilometers by the time I'm done. And that's just outside Tokyo trips...

BTW now it's decided. I'll be going to Kyoto on 17th day and come back on 19th. Should give decent time to enjoy the Kyoto.

Berryz concert take 2

Today another musical dominated day as I would be going to see the Berryz Koubou(the one I went to listen in Osaka) again. Got chance to get ticket(in rather good spot to boot) so why not. In Tokyo scale practically next door as well :D

Left home ridiculously early out of boredom and since from looking map wasn't quite sure how easy it would be to find but as it is not a glitch in finding it(I was helped by noticing local area map in the station that showed station and the hall. And lots of big store names in between giving me easy landmarks to follow. Took picture of map to my phone and had very detailed map which to follow. Beats the google map screencaptures!).

Arriving to hall I was astonished to see the place actually have lots of waiting fans. 2 hours to the concert hall to open and this crowded? Whee. Not only early bird it looks like. Well spent little time browsing concert goods(and buying couple). Then I headed to city to look around. In there I dropped in at Tower Records(one of the biggest music/anime/movie sellers in Japan. The store in Shibya has whopping 9 floors...). Turned out bit interesting timing as there was event I had heard of but never seen(and obviously then never been to one!). Specifically there was idol singer(maybe 15-17 year old?) promoting her 2nd indie single by doing handshake event. So she was there standing and line of guys from early 20's to ones with gray in hair were waiting for chance to shake hands and chat a bit. For a while pondered on joining the line just for laughs and see if appearance of this huge gaijin(think I might be bit over head taller than the girl...) coming to shake hand and chat in Japanese would get ANY sort of reaction besides the standard idol-smile "happy to be here talking to you" ;) Probably not since the idols can play their role pretty well(part of the job description!) but who knows. And it's not like it would kill me! At the very least would get chance to use at least bit of Japanese. But not knowing anything about her(not even name) chickened out...

Feeling actually pretty stupid about it. Not really event that would be "dream come true" to get to shake hands with idol singer I have never heard of before in anywhere but then again it's not like it would cost me much(line wasn't even ridiculously long) and would at least have been new experience. Should have just taken the chance since it happened to be there. Ah well. I can survive not having that experience!

Today got to witness lots of cars that had ads of bands and were playing out their newest releases(presumably) from speakers. Hard to walk streets here without hearing music from SOMEWHERE. If not from some big screen monitor then these cars by the very least :D

Back to concert venue to wait still a while. During the wait one of the weirdest encounters I have had here. Here I was sitting when this young female came and practically begged several of the waiters(me included) to take one of the cd's she was carrying with(one being song sung by Berryz+their sister group, another one was from the sister groups production). Not buy one mind you. TAKE one. I said to her I don't have any money with me(true that. I had blown all I had taken with me! I had maybe 50 yens(less than 50 cents) with me!) and she said free. I asked why and she said something about waiting. Dunno. Maybe she actually works for the company organizing these concerts and is giving free bonuses to particularly long waiting fans or something. That or very kind girl but since she was so insistent on giving took the combo song cd in the end. Wonder if customs will actually believe I was almost literally begged to take this for free :D Might end up paying the import fees but 250 yen or so won't kill me.

Speaking of kind people I learned again today You can't accidentally lose ANYTHING here. Hopping to train I swiped the wallet to IC-card reader to pay the trip and in the process seems 1 yen coin dropped from the wallet. Didn't miss that one(was interested in getting out of the way of Japanese behind me) and entered train. Female behind me HAD noticed it and actually picked the coin and came to give me back. I was surprised(to say the least) when she was handing me this one yen(less than 1 cent) coin until I picked enough of what she was saying to realize I had dropped it.

Seriously. She went to trouble of picking up and returning ONE YEN COIN! Holy smoke.

Well the concert was pretty similar to the one in Osaka so won't go over the full concert again. Just some differences.

First difference happened while I was waiting for the concert. There I was sitting in my seat playing igo with my phone for lack of better things to do when I spotted bunch of female looking shapes and whole audience went nuts. Looking at clock told me it was still 20 minutes so wtf was this? Well as it turns out it was the girls who make up newest band under the umbrella Berryz are part of. Some of the Kenkyuusei's(that I mentioned in Osaka concert report) got their big dream fulfilled and got their own band. So they made introductions(I got laugh when one of them mentioned her goal being ATM to remember names of her classmates. Having had trouble with that myself could feel sympathy for that one!) and then sang their first single.

(And yes they ARE young. Looks like junior high students all of them based on the introduction chat so what...12-15 year old?)

Then the concert began. Having already been to this once I could concentrate on details and just enjoy even more of the show. Unfortunately had bit of bad luck in that even the variable parts of concert were almost all same as last one. Bummer! So rather than hearing "Loving you too much" I got to hear the "I love picnic" again. Maybe that's depending whether it's evening or day concert?

(That's one weird make up they are wearing but seems it was pretty popular among teenage girls during last autumn. Bleached hair and seriously strong make up. Go figure. Never claimed to understand fashion! Looks silly to my eyes :D But the rapping part between Captain(my favourite member as a reminder) and Miyabi was fun).

Speaking of Miyabi not sure but she might actually have changed her hair style(AGAIN! She's the most busy one of the band in hair style changing. Colour, length and cut is changing all the times it seems). Not sure but think she didn't look same in Osaka.

Solo songs were almost same though order changed a bit. But first I got to hear new one. And realized who was coming up before she even appeared when hall turned to green(spotted that the light bars people were wearing have indeed button to change colours). How on hell they knew the set list enough to know what the variable performances are today? Anyway the green indicated that Yurina(the tall one I mentioned) came and seeing how I love the way she looks in the costume she was wearing for this part(for reminder it was the pale gown I found absolutely stunning). So certainly had no trouble with this change!

(Hmm seems that song might be her "speciality". That's her singing same song though lot younger(video seems to have been uploaded 2008 though dunno when it was performed. That's LOT younger version of her for sure).

After this Momoko in her pink super-cute cloth(and that silly mini-cape!) came, followed by Risako doing her sexy shy boy song(and again might be slight change to Osaka. Could swear she wasn't wearing the hat in Osaka).

And speaking of Risako today's main colour among fans seemed to be red(Risako's colour). Knew she had birthday sometime around April these but spotted one fan with red shirt that had the birthday marked up. 4th of 4th so the youngest member turned 19 3 days ago. Coupled with being lead singer no wonder hall was red. Surprised there wasn't some sort of birthday related chat from the band actually.

And captain(favourite!) played out her Sprinter again.

Yurina got another task to do in this concert so rather than do the evil step sister performance she had to say something related about Shibuya(ward where concert was held) for 2 minutes.

That pretty much covers the differences between the concerts.

After concert I walked from shibuya to harajuku(just for fun), went to shinjuku, walked around there a bit, ran into some girl doing street performance playing guitar and singing(what's with running into music everywhere today?) and finally returned home.

Tomorrow is Myotsuji temple so another trip outside the Tokyo!

Kalafina

First couple pictures that got left out from yesterday's blog entry.

Today was basically dominated(for me) by one event: The Kalafina Concert! I had been hoping to get to this from about the day I knew for sure I'm going to Japan. Was waiting eagerly for news that they would be holding concert while I'm here. Was starting to think they won't when I FINALLY heard they would be holding special one day concert at Tokyo. Sent instantly request for Japanese company hiring them to try to buy me ticket which they ended up failing due to sold out. Somehow then 10 days later I managed to get one. Not sure where those tickets had come as the company had tried the same machine I had used as well. Well not complaining! I got the ticket and that's all that mattered.

Leaving up nice and early I dropped first on Akihabara for bit of souvenir scouting since it was like 5 minute train trip from the concert hall(free for me as well due to JR pass). Then straight to nearest station from the concert hall.

Arriving to the concert hall(easy to find from station. Go to east exit, turn left, walk forward, you see name of place on your left soon) I found out that the place was filled with eager fans. Wow. First several waiting rows of specific seat customers. Then fan club seat rows. After those I finally found where I was supposed to wait having number 581 from those. Yikes! Not sure how many listeners there were but probably a lot. After concert doors opened took 30 minutes before I started to get to move. And it wasn't just mad rush toward gate oh no. They were calling people to line up in hundreds. "Numbers below 100. 100+, 200+". Good thing I could recognize when they shouted numbers from 500+ to proceed :D

I had been bit worried about how good place I could get but as it turns out need not worry. I had very good view to stage after all! And since the arena had sort of extension where the girls(well maybe not girls really seeing oldest one is just 2 or so years younger than I am!) sometimes came giving me VERY good view from maybe 8 meters away!

Since this band was not idol band like previous ones there were several notable differences. First one was obvious even before the singers arrived. They had live band to accompany! Guitar, bass(whose outfit reminded me a lot of Agent Smith from the Matrix!), drums, violin, keyboards and also some 6th guy not visible. Not sure what he did? My Japanese wasn't good enough to catch that during the introductions.

Second difference came apparent quickly. Rather than bunch of pretty girls dancing we had three more than beautiful women singing. And I mean singing. The movements they did were mostly with knees and arms rather than choreographed dance performances.

Third difference was that until encore they did whole concert in same outfit.

From left to right, Hikaru, Keiko and Wakana(my favourite).

(Fourth difference: K-18. Not sure why but no entrance for under 18 people!)

Fifth difference: Gender balance in the audience seemed to be more even than with the idols. Lot more female audience on sight. Right around me were several even and lots were visible in the waiting lines.

(Seems I'm having trouble finding youtube videos of several songs. Sorry!)

First song was one I was not familiar. From later talk I THINK it was the name song of their newest album(cover picture above) Consolation. Makes sense really. Since I don't have the album available(it's either on my home or somewhere between Hong Kong and Finland. Either way not here!) can't verify. Second song I have heard but unfortunately can't recall name! ARGH!

(edit: Having received set list first was actually the first two songs, al-fine and consolation from the album. Second was song called Kyrie)

Next three I'm not sure order since I wrote them down later(realized I could write these things to questionaire we were given. Didn't feel like filling it since it would take time). One was Hanataba(again from the new album. Good thing I heard the name), Sandpiper and Moonfesta(this song is btw actually used in opening of some kids singing tv program. As a result is quite different from usual Kalafina songs as it's lot more cheerier.)

(edit: From set list Moonfesta, Mune no yukue(heart's location), Hanataba(banquet), sandpiper.)

After this came first of my favourite songs. Actually it was THE favourite song Magia! This song is the one that introduced me to the band and it still is favourite(though Hikari Furu comes close).

Kiichigo no Shigemi ni was performed after Magia.

Then one of the cheerier songs from the band Hikari no Senritsu(light's melody).

Then song I did not recognize(maybe another from the new album). Start was pretty nice though as the girls got in turn sing solo parts and when they were singing only they were lighted up. First Wakana(hardly negative for song that my favourite member begins :D), then Hikaru and finaly Keiko.

(from set list: Door. Indeed from the new album. Nice song. Can't wait to listen the album!)

Another song they performed around here was song called Mirai.

(hmm had heard the song, have watched the anime. Didn't connect them before but of course in the Anime you only hear the instrumentals more or less).

This song is called Aria.

Then came song I recognized from lines "kono mizu wa doko e tsutsuku"(where this water continues). The second I heard that part I realized what song I was listening. They actually used smoke machines here to throw lots of smoke around. Have to admit that with lots of smoke and yellow light so that you only saw dark outlines in the smoke it was quite dramatic sight.

Another song I can't put name followed by short solo's by each orchestra member. Nice touch that! They also asked people where they come from and they even happened to ask if by chance somebody is from "kaigai"(abroad). That's me! And some 3 or 4 other guys that I could quickly spot. Wow! Wasn't only foreigner who had came to concert it seems. Then YET ANOTHER song I have trouble finding what it was(doesn't help I don't have my song collection available so can't even check if I would recognize them by ear).

(edit: From set list: Signal and Obbligato, again from new album. No surprise I didn't recognize them!)

Then came one of my favourite songs Manten(part of which works as my phone's ring tone. Little brother can't copy that one :D Mwahaha! Oh wait. He actually has smart phone so if he really wanted guess he could...Oops!).

Then came proper introduction of the orchestra members(funny note from here. After the song crowd was chating(not any word really. Just "HOO! HOO!" type of chanting. Wakana suddenly thrusts arm forward in clearly "silence" order and hey presto crowd stopped and the introduction started. Japanese really follow instructions!) followed by yet another song I'm very familiar with, To the Beginning. Alas can't seem to find non-cover version of it at all. Bummer.

After this band left and people started to clap and shout for encore(I even joined in). This was the ONE cloth change they did in whole concert. And when encore started I realized answer to question that had been nagging me. WHERE's HIKARI FURU! Being their last single I had thought FOR SURE it's performed here but so far not a sign of it. Well when the lights came up again Wakana was standing on front of the extension of the stage(so about 6-8 meters from me at most), the other two were further behind on the main part and the familiar instrumental filled the arena. I could have shouted out for joy! My 2nd favourite song whose beginning is dominated by my favourite member was saved for the encore. Yey!

Pity the new clothes weren't the ones from this single(though had bits that were bit like it).

After this yet another introduction of orchestra(huh?), bit of chat(including inquiring are the standing audience still feeling okay after close to 2 and half hours of standing(and jumping) answered by lots of DAIJOOBU DESU!(Yes we are!) and finally one more song(Yume no Daichi from newest album. Heard the name!). Dreams country(daichi has kanji's for big and land). Pretty nice song so that's good new song from the album for sure.

After this one last round of thanks from all the members and then orchestra left and girls came to end of extension again for thanks and waves before doing final exit.

What an concert. I was having so much fun I was actually jumping up and down at times which I find difficult(too shy!) so if I could do that it's telling how much good time I was having. Only problem I had was that it was too short! Could have listened for more than 2.5 hours for sure!

After concert was over got myself scarf/towel, some sort of 8 page paper and whopping 236 page 5-year history of the band(in Japanese so good reading practice!) from the concert goods sale area. Unfortunately during the concert rain had started to POUR and I had no umbrella! Had to cover the goods with my jacket so ended up doing mad sprint through streets of Tokyo in my t-shirt! Must have been pretty odd sight with jacket in my arms and t-shirt on ;) On my way to home I dropped by 7-eleven and laughingly commented "hidoi tenki desu ne"(horrible weather isn't it) while being totally soaked. Got laughter from the staff for that one. Good thing I brought with me spare shoes as I think I might need them tomorrow...

So overall great day. Maybe not worth the price of coming to Japan but certainly icing on the cake to have this as part of the trip ;) I just hope I can get another chance to listen them live!