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

Thanks. Actually, I decided to play it safe instead and applied for a ticket to see Mogi in a different slot. It's a "hiki" photo instead of my preferred "yori", but I just didn't want to risk it

As far as I know, 2 shot events are for albums, while handshake events are for singles. So if you wait for the next single, you might not be able to do a 2 shot, just shake hands.

 

Every AKB single now has selfie 2 shot as one of the events, so as long your member isn't a 5-6 slot member (like Mako) you could potentially still get 2shot with her every single. Of course it's not a guarantee 2shot since you'd have to lotto again on the day of the event to see if you win.

 

Thanks so much, I am keeping my fingers crossed for the lineup. A million thanks, brother have a blessed 2018

 

Has anyone ever been to those "special stages" at handshake events and could tell me how exactly they work? I've got a ticket, but is the entrance first-come-first-seved (so good to line up early) or is it some kinda lottery stuff and it doesn't matter when exactly you arrive as long as it's before the stage starts? If it's any more difficult than just lining up there as early as possible, a short guide to the process would be very welcome too

 

@Cristafari Thank you, that's very helpful

 

its kinda a lottery i guess. they divide the audiences into blocks, you'll exchange your handshake ticket for a stage ticket, which tells you what block you will be watching from.

i think the earlier you come the better block you get though since the front center block was fuller then the rest when i went to see jurinas special stage.

 

Thanks for your help. By the way, I'm going to see Jurina's stage too

 

have fun, her stages are great!
try to sneak in a recording when she performs a song.
the worst they can do is tap ur back and tell u to stop anyways.

 

Hmm, to be honest, I prefer not to record during performances and enjoy the moment
But I'm sure that if recording is allowed, one of the other fans will record

 

the member performing will say if ur allowed to record or not.
sayanee allowed fans to record when she sang on chiba hs.

xd sorry bout dat, i shall discourage illegal recordings now.

 

For the HS over the weekend, all stages had at least some photograph or recording time. Usually it's one song but Narumi did a pose and take photos session rather than perform.

If you can't understand Japanese when the member says you can record, you can tell when everyone is getting their phones out. Additionally, there will be guys holding signs with a symbol showing either NO phones and recording or OK to record.

btw, anybody know how far in advance National HS are announced? I'm thinking of buying some Limited Editions of 51st single and want to know if there will be enough time for me to plan a trip or if those tickets are likely to be wasted.

 

Jurina didn't do any songs at all (her performance was watching videos and drawing, lol) and just did a pose for taking photos

 

Yup. Checked the dates and currently working on my June 3 Yokohama schedule right now. The other dates aren't too good for me.

 

Question: in previous events, could you matome at the 名刺お渡し会 business card lanes (non member specific, like the draftee one this single)? Was it still 3 tickets max for first 30 mins then unlimited after, like normal handshake?

 

is it ok to not shake hands with the members?

Spoiler

i have a hand condition and i'd rather not gross them out lol

 

Yeah, the member will reach out with their hands to shake yours but nobody is actually going to force you to touch them, so just ignore their hands and talk to them if you don't wanna shake hands. Also, if your hand condition is one hand only, you can just use the other hand. Do note that the staff checks your hands before they let you to the members though - so if your condition looks like it could put the member at risk (such as open wounds, diseases that could be transmitted, etc.) they might not let you through to the member, and idk how helpful it would be to explain to them that you're not going to shake hands.