Mauikamikaze's Little Section

Lets Visit Japan - Shibuya, Tokyo

2009-06-23T17:22:00.009-10:00

Well since I've been slacking off a bunch I decided to get motivated and do something. So I'm gonna start it off with some information about locations in Japan.

Today's topic will be about Shibuya, located in the city of Tokyo.

One of Japan's busiest areas, Shibuya is one of 23 city-ward's of Tokyo. Founded on March 15, 1947, Shibuya has grown into a metropolis of people. In 2003 the estimated population was averaged around 201,524 persons with a density of 13,337.13 persons per km^2. The total area of Shibuya is 15.11 km^2.

Shibuya is primarily known for its fashion and entertainment trends. These trends are popular among many of the young people in Japan, especially those in their teens. There are many famous department stores located in Shibuya which are popular, but the most popular is Shibuya 109.

Shibuya 109 (ichimarukyuu) is know as the origin of the kogal subculture. A typical Kogal outfit is comprised of "wearing platform boots, a miniskirt, copious amounts of makeup, hair coloring (usually blond), artificial suntans, and designer accessories." (Japanese Lifestyle)

Shibuya is also famous for pedestrian traffic. Located in front of Shibuya Station is a four way stop which allows pedestrian to use the entire intersection. Also called a scramble crossing, this movement of people can be quite problematic if your claustrophobic. However, it is relatively safe so as long as you follow the signs. J-walking in Japan is highly looked down upon.

Also located near Shibuya Station is Hachinko Square. This area is a very popular area for many of the young people to meet. In the center of the square is the Hachinko Statue, named after a dog who waited for his master in front of Shibuya Station every day, even after he passed away.

One cool thing to do while in Shibuya is to head down to the NHK Studiopark. This large building is part of the NHK broadcasting center. It is open to the public for viwing behind the scenes of Japan's Nation broadcasting. On most days you can see a production of a live program as well.

Once you get pass all the shopping in Shibuya there is still much to do, which includes more shopping! There are so many places to visit and things to do in Shibuya it will really make your head spin.

Wanna know more about Shibuya? Visit http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3007.html at Japan-Guide!

NEW TJX EPISODE!

2009-06-08T18:17:00.002-10:00

That's right everyone, DJ City and DJ Gladiator are back with a new episode of TJX: The Japan Xperence (pronounced "experience"). This time they talk about their experience at Anime North 2009. So go turn up your speakers and have a listen at www.jrajio.net

And don't forget to leave a comment! DJ City and DJ Gladiator want to hear from you, the audience! Tell them what you like, hate, or even ask them a question. you can contact them by dropping them an email at: japan.xperence@gmail.com or look under contact information on their website.

-MK

May 2009 Music Releases

2009-05-12T19:39:00.002-10:00

Here are the latest music releases in Japan this month of May. Thanks goes to DJ City for the list.

May 5

BANZAI - Kimura Kaela

May 13

VAMPS - EVANESCENT
My Best Of My Life - Superfly
Love Forever - Miliyah Kato feat Shota Shimizu

May 20

JAP - Abingdon Boys School

May 25

I am XXX - GLAY

May 27

Futari - Ikimonogakari
haruka - GReeeeN
S.P.D. - SPEED
KiSS KiSS xxx - MiChi
sunao ni ienakute - zard

A long while back...

2009-04-26T18:10:00.002-10:00

Well, ever since second semester rolled around, I've been in the house doing all sorts of shtuff. Most of which was school work. Now with last quarter finally here I can almost relax and get back to what I was doing two months ago.

Anyway some updates...

If you haven't already go check out TJX. Episode 30 is up for about a week good to check that out.

I posted Chapter 17 for the story so go ahead and read that.

Megatokyo is up with another scan.

and some other stuff that i forget or is too boring to tell. Anyway catch you all later. Probably won't hear from me till summer break.

2009-03-04T20:44:00.002-10:00

Ah... it's been a while since I've been posting anything at all. Timewise I have none until like June or so.

Anyway some news:

If you haven't been keeping up, TJX (The Japan Xperence) has released their 26 episode. This episode they talk about some new music released in Japan. Also, they have opened a Twitter account so go check that out for the latest updates from DJ City and DJ Gladiator. And if you want to drop them a message you can email them at: japan.xperence@gmail.com or you can drop them a v-mail (voice-mail) at 206-202-4682.

I just finished Chapter 16 in my story "Destination Japan!" You an check it out at oddhaven.com. Go to the fanfic section and it should be there.

My friend has just recently started a new forum. If you want to be part of the community come down to The Gaming Heaven at: http://gamingheaven.invisionplus.net/?mforum=gamingheaven&act=idx We still need a banner for the page so if you want to be a part of that, come and join the forum :)

Well I'll try and be a little more active. Hopefully my schedule permits me to do some more activity. Until then.

mauikamikaze

TJX New Episode

2009-01-12T19:45:00.001-10:00

That's right everyone> DJ City and DJ Gladiator are back. Check out their new podcast episode 23 at jrajio.net

J-Music Top 100 of 2008

2008-12-24T13:54:00.002-10:00

Well here it is! This years top 100 songs from the J-Music world. Gotta give DJ City a great big thank you for the list. There were some ties in the list so I hope you are not confused by all of the numbers.

001-1. truth - Arashi
001-2. Kaze no Mukou he - Arashi
002. One Love - Arashi
003. I AM YOUR SINGER - Southern All Stars
004. Kiseki - GReeeeN
005. Shuchishin - Shuchishin
006. HANABI - Mr.Children
007. Soba ni Iru ne feat.SouJa - Thelma Aoyama
008. DON'T U EVER STOP - KAT-TUN
009. LIPS - KAT-TUN
010. Beautiful days - Arashi
011. Musekinin Hero - Kanjani8
012. Step and Go - Arashi
013. Waremokou - Sugimoto Masato
014. Ponyo on a Cliff - Fujioka Fujimaki & Nozomi Ohashi
015. GIFT - Mr.Children
016. Nakanaide - Shuchishin
017. The Birthday ～Ti Amo～ - EXILE
018-1. NEW LOOK - Namie Amuro
018-2. ROCK STEADY - Namie Amuro
018-3. WHAT A FEELING - Namie Amuro
019. Taiyou no Namida - NewS
020. Hi wa, Mata Noboru - Aladdin
021. Mayonaka no Shadow Boy - Hey!Say! JUMP
022. Umiyuki - JERO
023. Summer Time - NewS
024. White Xmas - KAT-TUN
025. Dreams come true - Hey! Say! JUMP
026. Happy Birthday - NewS
027. Wahaha - Kanjani8
028. Secret Code - KinKi Kids
029. Toki no Ashioto - Kobukuro
030. Last Christmas - EXILE
031-1. Your Seed - Hey! Say! JUMP
031-2. Bouken Rider - Hey! Say! JUMP
032. Burn ~Fumetsu No Face~ - B'z
033. Mirrorcle World - Ayumi Hamasaki
034. Niji - Aqua Timez
035. Dangan Fighter - SMAP
036. Sou ~new love new world~ - Masaharu Fukuyama
037. Ai no Mama de... - Akimoto Junko
038-1. Pure - EXILE
038-2. You're my sunshine - EXILE
039-1. Sonomama - SMAP
039-2. White Message - SMAP
040. Hanakaku mo Towa no Kanashi - UVERworld
041. Genkai Funauta - Kiyoshi Hikawa
042. Anata to - ayaka x Kobukuro
043. way of life - V6
044-1. Tsume Tsume Tsume - Maximum The Hormone
044-2. F - Maximum The Hormone
045. Tegami ~Haikei Jugo no Kimi he~ - Angela Aki
046. Moon Crying - Koda Kumi
047. love the world - Perfume
048-1. NEXUS 4 - L'Arc~en~Ciel
048-2. SHINE - L'Arc~en~Ciel
049-1. Sonomama - SMAP
049-2. White Message - SMAP
050. HOME - Shimizu Shota
051. No More - Maizu Tsukasa
052. DRINK IT DOWN - L'Arc~en~Ciel
053. Wajima Asaichi - Kaori Mizumori
054. Deai no Kakera - Ketsumeishi
055. Shiawase wa Sugusokoni... - Yoshimi Tendo
056. LION - May'n & Megumi Nakajima
057. Home - Yusaku Kiyama
058. VERB - GLAY
059. Order Made - RADWIMPS
060. SUMMER SONG - YUI
061. Namidairo - YUI
062. Climax Jump DEN-LINER form - MOMOTAROSU, URATAROSU, KINTAROSU, RYUUTAROSU
063. Zutto Issho sa - Yamashita Tatsuro
064. Aiaigasa - Tegomass
065. Sen no Kaze ni Natte - Akikawa Masafumi
066-1. Diamond Crevasse - Sheryl Norm starring May'n
066-2. Iteza Gogo Kyuuji Don't Be Late - Sheryl Norm starring May'n
067. KissHug - aiko
068. O2 - ORANGE RANGE
69-1. LIGHT IN YOUR HEART - V6
69-2. Swing! - V6
70. Saiai - KOH+
071. Chou - V6
072-1. Gekidou - UVERworld
072-2. Just break the limit! - UVERworld
73-1. Beautiful you - Tohoshinki
73-2. Sennen Koi Uta - Tohoshinki
074. Kurikaesu haru - 244 ENDLI-x
075. Nihon no Mikata -Nevada kara Kimashita- - YAZIMA BEAUTY SALON
076. Triangler - Maaya Sakamoto
077. Aishuu no mizuumi - Kiyoshi Hikawa
078. Doushite kimi o suki ni natte shimattan darou - Tohoshinki
079. LOVE ADDICT - VAMPS
080. Dream Fighter - Perfume
081-1. Aka to Kuro to Matadora - GLAY
081-2. I Love You wo Sagashiteru - GLAY
082. Blue Bird - Ikimono Gakari
083. Seikan Hikou - Ranka Lee=Nakajima Megumi
084-1. Koi uta - Tackey&Tsubasa
084-2. PROGRESS - Tackey&Tsubasa
085. Anata ga Koko ni Itara - Porno Graffitti
086. TABOO - Koda Kumi
087. resonance - T.M.Revolution
088. Make my day - Aragaki Yui
089. Glorious Mind - ZARD
090-1. Tsubasa wo Hirogete - ZARD
090-2. Ai wa Kurayami no Naka de (feat. Kamiki Aya) - ZARD
091. Jumon -MIROTIC- - Tohoshinki
092. Story - Yuzu
093. Mou Ichido... feat. BENI - Dohzi-T
094. Futari - aiko
095. Prisoner Of Love - Utada Hikaru
096. Double-Action Climax Form - Momotarosu Uratarosu Kintarosu Ryutarosu Denebu
097. Gift - Porno Graffitti
098. Itaitachi Ichi - Porno Graffitti
099. Kimi no Subete ni - Spontania feat. JUJU
100. Trickster - Nana Mizuki

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Years. I'll see you next year!!!

Almost there... again...

2008-12-11T20:25:00.002-10:00

Well It's almost done of the first semester whcih means finals are soon. Once I finish that I'll be free to do more things. For now though I'm limited with time. Anyway Ep. 22 is out at TJX so go check it out. www.jrajio.net

New Music Release: December

2008-12-08T20:13:00.002-10:00

Well I have just recieved the lateset list lo music releases coming out. Here they are.

12/3
GReeeeN - tobira
Ikimonogakari - kimagure romantic
KAT TUN - White Xmas
JYONGRI - Winter love story-JYONGRI

12/10
Thelma Aoyama - Daikkirai Demo Arigato
Porno Graffitti - Koyoi, Tsuki ga Miezutomo
snowflake - flow
papermoon - tommy heavenly 6

Supermarket Fantasy - Mr.children (album)

12/24
Ikimonogakari - MY SONG YOUR SONG
GIRL NEXT DOOR - GIRL NEXT DOOR

Hope you enjoy your holidays!

I'm still here

2008-11-25T21:35:00.002-10:00

Well, i've been pretty busy with school and things so I haven't been getting a chance to post anything. Anyway, being that there is a holiday coming this week, I'll see if I can get something up. Maybe some travel info or something. Anyway yes I'm still here and I will try and get things back up to speed soon.

For those of you who read my story "Destination Japan!" chapter 15 is out for viewing so go ahead and enjoy. If you would like to read my story, go to oddhaven.com, click on the fanfic section and it should be right there.

Also Episode 21 for TJX is out so go ahead and check that out. jrajio.net

New Music Release

2008-11-11T20:13:00.002-10:00

Here are the latest music releases from Japan. Thanks goes out to DJ City for getting me the list:

11/5
beatuiful days - arashi
funky monkey babys - Kibo no Uta / kaze
spitz - Wakaba
chemistry - Koisuru Yuki Aisuru Sora

11/12

CHEMISTRY- Winter of Love
Thelma Aoyama - Mamoritai Mono
Speed - Ashita no Sora

11/19

Jyonetsu no Daisho / Escape - GND
ai need - kimaguren
perfurm- dream fighter

UVERWorld - Hakanaku mo Eikyu no Kanashi

11/26

MAI KURAKI - 24 xmas time
juju - Sunao ni Naretara JUJU feat. Spontania / I can be free
get wild - globe

Cell Phones In Japan

2008-11-06T12:11:00.004-10:00

Now when traveling to Japan, one of the most important things that I find necessary is a cell phone. Japan is number one in the world in mobile phone technology, leading the world at 75% in usage and ownership.

Now a traveler might think it's ok to bring his or her own cell phone when they travel, and it is, to an extent. If the service company provides an international roaming plan one may be able to use their own phone with roaming charges applied. travelers can also rent a sim card in Japan which allows the traveler to use his cell phone, but with a Japanese phone number.

However that is only half that is necessary to be able to use your phone when traveling in Japan. The phone itself must be compatible with japan's mobile phone network. In Japan, there is no GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) So far, only a few G3 (3rd Generation) models are compatible, however the number of compatible phone are increasing. Contact your service provider for more information about if your phone is compatible.

rechargable sim card vending machine

The other option for mobile phones is to rent a mobile phone from one of the services in Japan. Services usually charge for outgoing calls, internet, etc. All in coming calls are free. There are three major phone companies in Japan. NTT Docomo, au by KDDI, and Softbank (originally called Vodafone). NTT Docomo is the most popular out of the three companies. Travelers can pick up a rental phone at Kiosk stands at the airport o have them delivered to their hotel or home. Costs range from 250-1000 yen per day for rental and a usage fee; about 70-200 yen per minute for domestic calls.You may get a discount for advance reservations but at airports, all stands carry the same day rental fees. You will need a photo identification and credit card in order to purchase a rental phone. I recommend this if you plan on staying in Japan for a short to medium range of time.

A cell phone from SoftBank

A third option is to buy a prepaid phone. These can be purchased at cell phone stores and convenience stores located throughout Japan. However you will need some form of photo identification and a place of residence identification. For the traveler, a passport id and the hotel address the traveler is staying at should be sufficient verification, however not all stores will accept this. The most common photo id's are a Japanese Drivers license, a Japaneses passport, or an alien registration card. A basic prepaid phone starts at around 5000 yen. The services provided depends on features on the phone. Credit must be purchased in advance in order to use a prepaid phone. As long as a person still has credit, the phone remains active, however the phone will expire with all credits, if any, if the phone is not used for 4 months to a year.

A fourth option is a paid subscription plan. This is usually paid at the end of each monthly bill cycle. Like most mobile phone companies, the phone itself may be free, however it requires a 1-year or 2-year contract. This service is only available to residents and requires an alien registration card and a Japanese bank account.

Music Playlist

2008-11-04T21:49:00.000-10:00

Well, I thought it would be good to incorparate some music to my blog so I've added a playlist in. These are just a few songs that I picked randomly. If you want to add a song that's not in the list please let me know and I'll add it in :)

Lang-8

2008-11-04T20:34:00.000-10:00

It's been a while since I have done any kind of Japanese language review. The last time I had a Japanese class was last year. So this year, I'm stuck this year with no language class at all, which is actually quite convenient in a way. However, now I'm stuck with no form of teaching.

That's where I discovered Lang-8. Basically, Lang-8 is an online journal that you write in the desired language you are studying. Then native people from the country of the language you are learning correct any errors or miscues in your journal. For example, I write my journal in Japanese and then someone from Japan reads it and makes corrections as necessary. You also can correct other journals in that you are a native speaker of. So I can correct anyone who is trying to write in English. This site isn't really for lessons but rather more of a tune-up to language skills.

A tip for people using this site that are writing journals in japanese:
I find using romaji is much easier to understand when writing your journal, not to mention easier to see corrections. You may think that writing in hiragana is supposed to be a more standard form, but it's also harder to understand corrections when there are posted, unless you are extremely efficient and understand what they mean, but then why would you be using this website?

If you want to be part of the community, go to lang-8.com for registration. Registration is free and it covers a vast majority of languages, not just Japanese.

The Japan Xperence

2008-10-17T10:43:00.000-10:00

I've been browsing around cyberspace for quite a while now, searching for more information about Japan and I found some pretty good information. I won't be going into detail about all of them because, well, who is going to sit and read two pages about websites that you probably heard about before. Anyway, I found this really good website that gives really good information. Actually, it is a podcast. It is called The Japan Xperence or, as it is known now, TJX. The show is hosted by DJ City and DJ Gladiator, who are two Canadian guys who have an extensive amount of knowledge about Japan. They generally talk about different aspects of Japan, from the music industry to places to stay and things to see while visiting in Japan. However, sometimes they go off topic a little, but I find it quite enjoyable to listen to them rant about how some podcasters are really bad. You can find more information about them at their website: www.jrajio.net If you would like to listen to or download their podcast you can find them at podcast.com

I would like to talk more about them but I think it would be more enjoyable if you listen to it yourself.

About Japan: Friends

2008-10-15T12:32:00.000-10:00

Well, I finally decided what I am going to do with this blog. After much though I decided to dedicate this blog to anything Japan. Yeah, sounds kinda whatever but that's my style.

Anyway, I've taken interest in Japan about 4 years ago, back in the 8th grade. Recently, I began to search around the internet for people from Japan. Trying to get some friends to give me a little more insight about Japan.

I found this really good site called japan-guide.com. Basically it's a travel website that has a lot of information about Japan. As I searched throughout the site, I found some cool features. If you're looking for friends that you can talk to or send letters to, there is a feature which allows you to search through different ads that other users post up. They differentiate in two categories, Find Friend or Friend Penpal. You can also respond to these ads, which is basically the only way that you can contact that user. It will send an email to that user and if he or she responds to your message, you will receive an email message. You can also post your own ad for other users to see, however you need to be a registered member. Not to worry though, as membership is free. One thing that I will say is that you are not limited to searching for people from Japan. You can browse users from all over the world by setting up your search preference.

Also included on japan-guide.com is a forum section, where you can ask your questions in relation to anything about Japan. Also search for hotels, jobs, etc. The variety of categories ensures that most users will find what they are looking for.

Getting Closer

2008-10-05T13:09:00.000-10:00

Well, for the most part school is going well to say the least. I can't exactly say that I'm doing really great but I'm hanging in there. A lot has been going on lately and my schedule is beginning to get bigger. I have to finish some college apps as well as turn in the papers for scholarships. It's kinda getting to be a pain with all the work but nothing is going to change it and the only thing I can do is keep on going.

I guess I finally figured out what do use this blog for. My little personal journal type of thing I guess. I'll figure out the rest later

Back to School

2008-08-19T19:41:00.000-10:00

Well anyway it was back to school today and man, I haven't felt anymore tired than I was today. Anyway, I haven't decided what this blog will be about yet but hopefully I will think of it soon.