Latest Blog Updates... Iwasa Misaki Dinner Show Live at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo (2017/10/27) (A lovely meal, a gorgeous hotel, and a wonderful Wasamin performance) http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4418 Iwasa Misaki Live at Ginza Enka Matsuri, plus 3rd Concert DVD/Blu-Ray Release Festivities (2017/10/24-25) (Wasamin's 6th time being invited to this event, plus it was furage day for her new concert DVD!) http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4409
A bunch of new writeups from this past weekend!!! Iwasa Misaki Live at Hama-Matsuri, Hamamatsucho (with Hayabusa & Minyo Girls) 2017/11/03 (Wasamin singing in front of a festival crowd. Meanwhile, I am playing grab-ass with Minyo Girls) http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4455 A Theater Win! Team 4 "Yume wo Shinaseru Waki ni Ikanai" Live at the Donki; Chiba Erii's Birthday Show! (2017/11/06) I managed to get into Erii-chan's birthday show via cancel machi. Fun tiems ensue) http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4466 AKB48-Group 49th Single #Sukinanda Individual Handshake Event at Pacifico Yokohama (2017/11/04) (The first of two days of selfie-taking, card-signing, and flirting with Yuka-chan) http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4479 AKB48-Group 49th Single #Sukinanda Individual Handshake Event at Pacifico Yokohama (2017/11/05) (For Sunday I had more tickets, which meant more fun, and even sorer feet!) http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4486
Three new blog posts... 16th Gen. 'Let's Go Kenkyuusei Stage' 4pm Show (11/19) Another Cancel Machi, and I get in by the skin of my teeth. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4532 The Wasamin Weekend Enka Shop Tour (11/18-19) Misaki-chan does four mini-live events, three of them close to my apartment. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4544 Iwasa Misaki Monthly Challenge Campaign at Shinseido Kashiwa (11/15) I have a rare opportunity to see Wasamin's monthly event, which is always a lot of fun. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4525
Newest blog posts up... The SKE/NMB/HKT Handshake Extravaganza at Makuhari Messe (2017/11/23) Lots of HKT tickets, a few SKE tickets, and HKT48's 6th Anniversary Pre-festivities. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4553 Iwasa Misaki Acoustic 'Love Live' Concert at Hamamatsucho Cultural Hall (2017/11/26) Wasamin making this intimate solo concert a twice-yearly tradition. This time we get two shows, and a cool soccer jersey! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4572 OIDEMASE!! ~Gokuraku~ FES☆TIVE New Release Events (2017/11/27-28) Warm reunion as FES☆TIVE tour around Tokyo promoting another single; It's the first time I have seen them in almost five months. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4587 Minyo Girls Solo 'Countdown Live' at Hamamatsucho Cultural Hall (2017/11/25) Wasamin's kouhai, Minyo Girls count down their top ten most popular songs as part of this Nagara Pro/Cultural Broadcasting Concert Series. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4599
Latest Blog Posts... AKB48-Group 11-Gatsu no Anklet Individual Handshake Event at Makuhari Messe (2018/01/07) I trudge through a long day of handshakes, 1-shots, and New Year's Cards http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4654 HKT48 10th Single, NGT48 2nd Single, AKB48 49th-50th Single Events at Makuhari Messe (2018/01/06) I go event-hopping from one group to the other, although I managed to avoid The Idolmaster event next door. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4667 Iwasa Misaki Fan Club Holiday Lunch Cruise (2017/12/09) This is coming a little late, but it was an amazing experience. Lunch with Wasamin on a boat! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4625
Chuo Dori Blog Updates... Iwasa Misaki 7th Single Reservation Events, Part One (2018/01/10-11) I follow Wasamin around from Asakusa, to Jujo, to Ikebukuro http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4674 Iwasa Misaki 7th Single Reservation Events, Part Two (2018/01/12-14) We start in a tiny shop in Nakano, then go to Shinjuku, and finally a big bash at Sunshine City http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4697 Minyo Girls (with Hayabusa) Live in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture (2018/01/13) I really wanted to get a hold of their 4th EP, so I trekked on out to Northern Saitama to see the Minyos http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4682
A little cross-promotion... My good friend DLJ and I had a nice little discussion, which was recorded for the New School Kaidan YouTube Channel. if the video does not show watch the video here We talk about living in Japan, Wasamin events, Minyo Girls, and "The State of AKB." Oh, and a clarification. The SKE member who I asked if I was scary was Sugawara Maya.
Blog updates... Minyo Girls' Challenge Stage Vol. 3 at Yokohama O-Site (2018/01/21) Great show, new songs, and after the show I meet some of the members' parents http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4712 Wasamin Pre-concert Party & AKB48-Group Handshakes at Pacifico Yokohama (2018/02/03) I attend the "Ichigo Bonus" Wasamin Party in Kudanshita, take a nice 2-shot, then run out to Yokohama to see Akiyoshi and Kaotan http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4737 Iwasa Misaki 4th Concert at Ebisu Garden Hall (2018/02/04) Wasamin's big concert is a rousing success. Plus, I meet with her a few days later in Odaiba to discuss the show http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4743
Chuo Dori Blog Updates... A Wasamin Weekend Part 1: 7th Single Preorder Event in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture (2018/02/17) I head to outer Chiba to hear Wasamin perform her new single, and get ready for the big Sunday concert! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4781 A Wasamin Weekend Part 2: Nagara Group Enka Matsuri at NHK Hall (2018/02/18) Misaki-chan performs alongside some major Enka heavyweights. I got to meet Kiyoshi too! (plus a few Wasa-news updates) http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4788 Itano Tomomi 10th Single "Just as I Am" and "Forever" PB Pre-order Event at Lalaport Toyosu (2018/02/10) After hearing her new single, I head out to her first promotional mini-live to get a copy of the CD and say hello to Tomo http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4773
Chuo Dori Blog Updates... AKB48-Group 50th Single Handshake Event at Makuhari Messe (2018/03/03) Met my top five girls, and won a lot of prizes. Fun tiems http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4825 Minyo Girls Live 'Dream Paradise' Solo Concert at Asakusa Gold Sounds (2018/02/25) The Mingaru solo shows are a lot of fun. Plus, the group made some very big announcements! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4807 Iwasa Misaki 7th Single Release Week Festivities (2018/02/27-28) Wasamin holds an exciting press event at Osaki Gate City, and I finally get my Happi Coat signed! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4793 Iwasa Misaki 7th Single Release Week FINAL in Western Tokyo (2018/03/04) One last big event for the week, and the fans try to help Wasamin nail down a good spot on the Oricon weekly chart. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4836
Thank you for reading. Yes, sometimes it is hard for me to believe that some of these experiences I have posted about happened 10 years ago. In fact, it was almost 9 years ago to the day that I first encountered Wasamin. She and I have been friends for a long time. Even Kaotan, at a recent event, mentioned that we have known each other for a long time. Sometimes I read some of those old posts, and I can't believe what an insufferable noob I was back then.
I'm enjoying your old posts! I've been reading through them recently and I appreciate the insight into past AKB (and your current write ups are great as well).
Blog updates.... Horipro "Thursday FES ~Spring Song Battle~" at Tokyo Diver City (March 15th) Ranran, Myao, Ogiyuka, Harukyan, Kasai, Tomochin, Iwata, MaiMai, and of course my original oshi Meetan LIVE! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4870 SKE48 National Handshake Event at Yokohama Arena (March 18th) It felt like a big concert! Including Kaotan and Tani, I met 19 members, including the adorable 3rd gen draftees http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4865 Iwasa Misaki Mini-Live in Ebina, and a funny little story (March 10th) Basically a mini-live event report, and a few days earlier a mysterious Wasamin tweet about me? http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4844 Mizumori Kaori Mini-Live Release Event in Asakusa (March 11th) I just happened to be in Asakusa, and stumbled upon an event by one of Wasamin's senpai. She had a cute Wasamin story for me too. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4853
Latest Blog Posts... FES☆TIVE One-Man Live at TwinBox Akihabara (March 19th) I wanted to check them out one last time before the triple graduation, two-thirds of the original group is now gone. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4892 Minyo Girls One-Man Live at Asakusa Gold Sounds (March 25th) Another graduation, and an emotional one at that. The Mingaru lose two original members, including their Shamisen player. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4898 Hisashiburi CLEARS, Hisashiburi KissBee! (March 26th-29th) I hadn't seen Tokyo CLEARS or KissBee in quite a while, so it was time to catch up with Rion and Misaki. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4916
Latest Blog Updates.... A Weekend at Saitama Super Arena (2018/03/31-04/01) I attend both the HKT48 show, and the AKB matinee. I also include a little rant about the ticket center, FWIW. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4947 AKB48-Group 9th Album Shamekai event at Makuhari Messe (2018/04/08) I take pics with some familiar faces, and get the inside scoop on Akiyoshi's broken foot http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4935
The latest Chuo Dori updates... Nagara Group Enka Festival at Itabashi Cultural Hall (April 18th) Wasamin and the Nagara Pro gang come to my neighborhood to put on a great show, and I get made fun of by everyone! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4990 HKT48 1st Album Shamekai Event & Iwasa Misaki 7th Single Cheki Event (April 15th) I head to Central Tokyo to take interesting 2-shots with HKT, then run over to Gotanda for Chekis with Wasamin. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4982 SKE48 22nd Single Handshake Event at Met Life Dome (April 14th) Handshake event on a baseball field? FUN! Although I think this is how I caught my bad cold, as Kaotan predicted! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=4967
Latest Chuo Dori Blog Updates... Iwasa Misaki Challenge Stage at Shinseido Kashiwa (2018/05/01) It's rare that I get a chance to see Wasamin's monthly 'Challenge Stage' where she debuts a new cover song http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5004 Iwasa Misaki Mini-Live and Concert DV Preorder Event at Elumi-Konosu Mall, Saitama Prefecture (2018/05/04) My first of two trips to Saitama to see Wasamin perform http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5014 Iwasa Misaki Mini-Live and Concert DVD Preorder Event at Aeon Town Kamisato (2018/05/06) Part one of a 2-post, 2-group doubleheader, I make the long trip to northern Saitama Prefecture to see Wasamin and Minyo Girls http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5020 Minyo Girls 1st Single Mini-Live Preorder Event at Aeon Town Kamisato (2018/05/06) Part two of my doubleheader post on the day's events in Kamisato. I get to see the Minyo's new costumes, and their brand new Shamisen player http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5025 The KissBee/FES☆TIVE Mini-Live Doubleheader at Tower Records Shibuya (2018/05/08) Two idol groups I love appear back to back in Shibuya. I get a hold of KissBee's new album, and meet FES☆TIVE's brand new members. http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5037
Latest Chuo Dori Blog Updates... The Iwasa Misaki Fan Club Bus Tour to Shizuoka (2018/05/16) Wanna know why being a Wasamin fan is so awesome? Look no further than this post http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5077 AKB48 9th Album Shamekai Event at Pacifico Yokohama (2018/05/13) A couple of first-time 2-shots for me, and I finally win the cheki prize...twice! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5066 Tokyo CLEAR'S One-Man Live, Sawabe Rion Seitensai at Shibuya Club Glad (2018/05/12) I finally make it to one of sexy Riochi's birthday lives, and it was a great show! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5059
Latest Chuo Dori Blog Updates... NGT48 3rd Single Zenkoku Handshake Event at Makuhari Messe (2018/05/19) I got dragged to the event, caught an autographed ball, and found my favorite NGT member! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5113 HKT48 1st Album Shamekai Event at TOC Gotanda Messe (2018/05/20) 2nd round of HK2-shots. Double-Akiyoshi, 1st time shamekai with Mio, and a really weird choice of venue http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5121 Iwasa Misaki Live on NHK's Utacon (2018/05/22) I score a ticket for the live TV broadcast, which features Wasamin, E-Girls, and a few 80's idols http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5133 AKB48 Idol Shugyou Chuu! Live Theater Stage (2018/05/23) My theater win drought finally ends. I get a front row seat, and fall in love with Ranchan! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5145 and an encore mention because it was such an incredible experience... The Iwasa Misaki Fan Club Bus Tour to Shizuoka (2018/05/16) Wanna know why being a Wasamin fan is so awesome? Look no further than this post...I mean it! http://www.intlwota.com/chuodori/?p=5077