Attending AKB48 handshakes: how-to (work in progress)

From Fatrain in her thread about what she said:

"starting from 35:40.
she assumed he's American. and she was very worried that she couldn't properly convey her thoughts about cheki, etc. and at the same time she was happy that a complete foreigner came to see her. at the end she concluded that she needs to learn English and said that it was a good experience for her after all."

All-in-all, I think David61 is a winner.

Edit: I think sorasan agrees: Here is what was posted in the other thread:

"I'll say good job lol ... it's not easy for an idol fan to let the idol remember him / her, especially in her case, she has many fans.

I'll say this is a blessing in disguise. At least you left an impression in her and the next time you meet her will be very fruitful"

 

Can someone explain what is the limitation that they wrote on chara-ani site for buying HS in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th round? I believe they put a limit on how many you can buy for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round?

 

I believe you can apply only submit your applications once on the 1st to 3rd round and from the 4th round you can submit multiple times?

 

Ah.. okay. Thanks @Puni @Sakuraism

 

I won't be at the event, but I can give you a general overview. It isn't too difficult.

1. Getting into the venue: They will check your bags, and also ask you to empty your pockets before they check you for metal with a metal detector wand. They also have a few lines dedicated for female fans

2. Getting your tickets stamped: It is advisable, especially if you are an overseas fan. Just take your tickets to the information booth. You give them your tickets and ID (passport is good) they run a check, then stamp your tickets as "pre-approved" so they won't give you any trouble in the lanes.

3. Open tickets and changing members: If you have "day of nomination tickets", or tickets for members who aren't there, or you missed, or you just want to see someone else instead, you can use them at any lane with a *star* above the girls name.

4. Going through the lanes: At check in, they will check your id and ticket. They will also confirm how many tickets you are using. Then they you get to draw for the cheki prize on an ipad (keep in mind, the cheki is instead of the shamekai) If you win the cheki, they will hand you a sheet of paper where you write your name, and pick "san", "chan", "kun" or none. Once you get to the front, you place your bags in one of the baskets. Make sure your camera is ready for shooting.

(keep in mind if you are using a "day of nomination ticket", or using a ticket for another member (that graduated, out sick, etc.) you are ineligible for the cheki prize.)

5. After the shamekai: Once you take your photo, the member will get up to thank you and shake your hand. Once you leave the lane they will ask you to check your photo to make sure it is okay. If so, grab your bags and leave.

5b: if you win the cheki: You get a bunch of extra time since most members will sign the booklet AND the cheki. I think it is a nice prize, and you get a bunch of extra time to talk while the member signs.

6. Time: Keep in mind, the lanes close 30 minutes prior to the end of the slot. For example, Slot 1 is 9-10:30, you must be in line by 10. Also, if you are using a "day of nomination ticket, or a ticket for a different girl that is listed on the ticket, you cannot queue up until 30 minutes after the slot begins. So in that same slot, you can queue with an open ticket between 9:30-10.

7. CD Signing ticket: You must have the Thumbnail CD cover for signing. They won't sign anything else. Before you queue up, be sure and fill out your name on the back of the ticket (again, with kun, san, chan, etc...) They will check your ID, mainly to make sure your name matches what you wrote. If you can write your name in kana, great! If not, romaji is okay too. Once you get to the front, they will take your ticket, and cover, and hand them to the member when it is your turn. The timer will call when time is up, but it really is up to the member since they will take as long as they feel like to sign the CD.

8. Queueing Strategy: Some popular members have particularly big queues. Before the slot starts you will see fans start a queue on the outside. If you have a lot of tickets in a particular slot, you may want to prequeue to maximize your time. Some queues can take an entire slot to get through. When I have a bunch of different members in a slot, I usually do the shortest queues first, then the longest queue last. If I have more than one popular member in a slot, I will prequeue for one of them. Keep in mind, if you run out of time and miss out on using a ticket, you can still use it later as an "open ticket"

 

aah, oops. Well, pretty much the same things apply, except for the photo shooting stuff. It still has the drawing for the special prizes like 1-shot selfie, etc...

 

Not sure where you read that. Only once, because they said my passport photo didn't look like me, did they ask for a second ID. Mind you, this was years ago, before the ticket stamping. I showed them my California drivers license.

One ID should be sufficient.