Like most ayu fans, I'm not a Japanese. I come from Singapore. I fell in love with ayu way back in 2004, and since then, one of my biggest dreams was to attend an ayu concert live. But since I was only a high school student back then, I had no means to fulfill this dream. I saved up money, but without anyone in Japan as a friend and guide, I didn't dare to venture to Tokyo, alone and without knowing how to speak a word of Japanese.

In 2008, a couple of kind friends brought me along to see ayu's concert in Hong Kong, and that was when I fell in love. I thought listening to ayu for 4 long years would have prepared me to see her live, but it didn't. It was totally mind-blowing, there is nothing like seeing her perform live, and being there surrounded by fans. Since then, I've been addicted, and I HAD to attend another live again.

To summarize, I took Japanese lessons, and applied for an exchange programme with my university to come to Japan for study. The happy ending? I'm here in Tokyo now, living out a year-long exchange programme. I've joined TEAMAyu, and have since attended 2 more ayu concerts. Looking back to how I was 6 years ago, I totally understand how an overseas ayu fan feels. Thus, I'd like to provide anyone with a dream to watch an ayu concert with as much help as I can. =)

TEAMAyu is the best way to get tickets at their original price (8500yen). However, one very important thing to note is that TEAMAyu ticketing is done on a balloting basis. Therefore:

1) The purpose of TEAMAyu is to ensure that fanclub members get a HIGHER chance of getting tickets. It does NOT guarantee that if I place an order for tickets through TEAMAyu, I will 100% get it.

2) As tickets are balloted for, there is no choosing of seats. All seats are priced the same, so while there is the possibility that you can get an A-Block Arena seat right in front of the stage, there is an equal chance that you will get a seat on the 2nd floor, right at the back.

3)There are specific times for preorders. The first has already begun, see schedule below. As of now, there is no news that there will be a 2nd round of preorders.

TEAMAyu preorders has already begun. Schedule:
18 Jan, 1pm --> 26 Jan, 6pm: Preorder
2 Feb, 1pm: Balloting result announcement
2 Feb, 1pm --> 8 Feb, 11pm: Payment

Japan is extremely convenient, as there are ticket vending machines in convenience stores, from which you can buy all sorts of tickets.

1) Ayu's concert ticket-wise, this is another way to get them at original price.

2) This method is, however, extremely unreliable. There are many people who queue up at these ticketing machines, just to buy tickets and sell them to resale shops later for a profit. As such, tickets sold this way get sold out really quickly (within a matter of hours, even minutes for popular shows like those at Yoyogi). Therefore, this method is not recommended if you are dead-set on getting tickets.

3)Like TEAMAyu, there is no choosing of seats.



The image in the spoiler shows the date when tickets will be on sale to the general public (view 4th column of your corresponding concert).

Resale shops are scattered all across Japan, but since I live in downtown Tokyo, the shop I frequent most is the one in Harajuku.

1) Good way to get tickets. Easiest if you wish to see shows in Tokyo and its vicinity, like in Saitama.

2) As the tickets are displayed openly in the shop, you get to see the seating. This is good if you are particular about seating, as you can gauge how far from the stage (and ayu) you will be.

3) Tickets are sold at higher than original prices. However, it is affordable, considering that you get to choose seats. Ticket prices will vary with location. For popular shows, like at Yoyogi, an average 1st floor Stand seat in the middle (Blocks E-H) cost about 15,000yen.

http://www.ticket.co.jp

This is similar to buying tickets from resale shops, but done online.

1) If you wish to get tickets through this means, do browse through the website yourself first to pick your preferred tickets. Then let me know the code of the tickets you want to buy, example ""200Lv 234扉　18列　700～730番台Ｂ"".

As the site is in Japanese, I've included a screenshot to explain how to interpret the kanji.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3351/99468729.jpg

Once you've decided which method you'd like to use. Do let me know the following details.

1) Which method you wish to get tickets through
2) The date and location of the concert you wish to attend
3) How many tickets you want to buy
3) If you're using Methods C or D, how much you are willing to pay, and which are your preferred seats (as much detail as possible)

After that, I'll get in touch with you through PM. ;)

NOTE: While it is fine to PM me with questions, PLEASE DON'T PM me all these details mentioned above unless you are 100% confirmed that you are coming to Japan and going for ayu's concert. I don't want to buy tickets, then have the buyer pull out last minute and leave me with tickets on hand.

I accept Paypal. If you wish to pay by other methods, do PM me. :)

NOTE: When you pay by PayPal, do note that there will normally be a fee of 2.9% of the amount paid charged by PayPal. (Example: if you send me 100,000yen, PayPal will charge a fee of 2,900yen.) Please choose the option to bear the fee, and not pass it on to the recipient (me). If you don't do so, the amount that gets sent to me is actually only 97.1% of the paid amount (97,100yen in the example), and I'll count that as incomplete payment. I will still buy your tickets first, but I'll have to add this fee to misc charges later, and you'll have to pay more in the end. So yep. DO TAKE NOTE!!

HOW TO:


The payment procedure will go like this:
1. Once we settle on a specific ticket(s), you forward me the exact amount the tickets cost. When I receive this 1st payment, I'll purchase the tickets asap.
2. When I have the tickets delivered to me, I will take photos of them as proof.
3. Once you have checked the photo and made sure that the tickets are what you requested, then you forward me commission + any extra charges such as handling fees as 2nd payment.
3. When I receive this 2nd payment, I'll ship the tickets out to you. Or if you prefer to meet up personally when you get to Tokyo, it's also possible.

While I wish to help out all fans, I'm doing so in my own time.

Therefore, there is a charge of commission: a flat rate of

USD$10: for Method A
USD$15: for Methods B-D

for every ticket bought.

If you will be stopping in Tokyo anytime, I can meet up with you personally to pass you the tickets (and make friends! ^^).

If not, I'll ship the tickets out to you. The fee for shipping will be covered by the commission mentioned above. I do normal airmail shipping, but if you wish to register the mail or send it through express, you'll have to bear the extra charges yourself.

http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/6108/arenaj.jpg

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/2518/stands.jpg

If you're having problems planning your trip out to Japan, I'll try my best to help you with recommendations like where to stay, how to get around, and stuff like that. ;)