Ayu fan for 12 years .. going Japan for the first time but won't meet Ayumi? :(

[AngieChan]

Just thought I post my situation here and really hoping if anyone has suggestion

I have been ayu's fan since her debut.. boys and girls, appears, etc.. I grew up listening to her music. Now I am finally an adult and working and able to travel to Japan, the circumstances being is I can only go there from 5 Nov to 14 December..

And I realised that - there is no ayumi concert or anything that I can go to, is that right?

Does anyone has any suggestion I can go to Ayumi / Jpop-concert related events at this time window?

Hoping someone who have been to Japan/concerts can tell me how it works.

Thanks so much

[Delirium-Zer0]

I don't know who all is going to be on tour over that time, but yeah, you're going there RIGHT in between Ayu concert times. She'll have her Countdown Live show at the end of the year of course, but yeah you're missing a-nation and her main tour. That sucks!

There aren't any rock festivals or anything like a-nation going on around that time either. Most of that stuff is all during the summer. The only Japanese act that I know is touring around that time is Princess Princess, they're pretty old school but definitely significant, ayu had them on ayu ready? once.

There's Van Halen, too, if you're into that kind of thing.

BUT! You DO seem to have a long trip ahead of you - you probably have time to do an ayu-centric tour around Fukuoka as part of your trip. Somewhere I have the addresses to her shopping spot, elementary school, and her grandmother's hospital & the park next to it. I'll have to find them.

And if Ayu does any video shooting in prep for any of her anniversary countdown releases, maybe if she calls on fans you can check here or TeamAyu (not sure if you're a member) for info on that. We wouldn't know this far out, but if anything gets announced you could be there for it.

Good luck, have fun on your trip regardless of a lack of Ayu. It's still awesome, let's face it. I'm a 12 year fan myself, still have yet to go to Japan in ANY capacity for ANY length of time (despite having been an adult since 2002). You're so very lucky! Have a good time!!

[truehappiness]

One plus to your travel itinerary so far is that you'll be around for at least two of the five upcoming releases which should prove to be interesting. It's also possible she could appear at radio shows while promoting the five upcoming releases so you could look forward to that if that is an option for you. She had quite a few appearance in public this year (some for radio shows, some for just "live talks") so we could get something like that for LOVE.

Looking at upcoming concerts, there's a DREAMS COME TRUE concert in the time that you're in Japan. Also, a member of SOUTHERN ALL STARS (Kuwata Keisuke) has his I LOVE YOU tour during that time as well. Would recommend the Yuming/Yumi Matsutoya concert but it's in early 2013.

[MissElin_]

Too bad it's right in he middle of her concerts! I don't really have anything to add since Deli and true pretty much gave all he good advices. But Koda Kumi will do her return concerts in November and Namie Amuro will have her Dome tour during December. The Tokyo Dome dates is quite late but maybe other cities is earlier. Sorry I dot remember clearly but it's easy to look up!

One last thing I can offer is that I live in Tokyo and do you ever feel the need to go karaoke and sing Ayu songs I'm always up for that!

[AngieChan]

Wow guys thanks for the replies!! I am feeling so much better seeing u guys know how I feel
-----------------------------------------

Delirium Zero - I remember you! Feeling nostalgic and this ayu forum still rocks!!

And if Ayu does any video shooting in prep for any of her anniversary countdown releases, maybe if she calls on fans you can check here or TeamAyu (not sure if you're a member) for info on that. We wouldn't know this far out, but if anything gets announced you could be there for it.

You know what, this will be a dream come true.. I am not a TeamAyu member though.. how does people here get the announcement? Do we have a TeamAyu member? I will surely be checking out this forum more frequently Thanks heaps for the suggestion, at least I have a little bit of Ayu hope!

I don't think I can go to Fukuoka.. but thanks for offering to dig things up

One plus to your travel itinerary so far is that you'll be around for at least two of the five upcoming releases which should prove to be interesting. It's also possible she could appear at radio shows while promoting the five upcoming releases so you could look forward to that if that is an option for you. She had quite a few appearance in public this year (some for radio shows, some for just "live talks") so we could get something like that for LOVE.

True-Happiness - u mean watching the live shows/radio shows on telly right? would be a dream come true to be able to be the spectator/attendee at the live shows.. but not sure how do I find out about this? And thanks heaps I will keep a lookout on Dreams Come True concert..

Too bad it's right in he middle of her concerts! I don't really have anything to add since Deli and true pretty much gave all he good advices. But Koda Kumi will do her return concerts in November and Namie Amuro will have her Dome tour during December. The Tokyo Dome dates is quite late but maybe other cities is earlier. Sorry I dot remember clearly but it's easy to look up!

One last thing I can offer is that I live in Tokyo and do you ever feel the need to go karaoke and sing Ayu songs I'm always up for that!

Miss-Elin, going to Koda Kumi concert will rock!! I will be up for that!! Thanks I will do some searching on dates.

Yes!! if you are free, lets go to Karaoke and sing Ayu songs! I will pm you.. arigatou!!

[truehappiness]

True-Happiness - u mean watching the live shows/radio shows on telly right? would be a dream come true to be able to be the spectator/attendee at the live shows.. but not sure how do I find out about this? And thanks heaps I will keep a lookout on Dreams Come True concert..

I mean watching the live shows live! Sometimes these are free for the public to see. Usually for the radio shows, you can go to where they record segments at the station and there's a large window you can peek through. Usually they announce this a few days to about a week before she actually goes on the radio tour.


She was promoting HEAVEN when this was taken, but it's like this, haha.


This was an event in Nagoya earlier this year.

[AngieChan]

Usually they announce this a few days to about a week before she actually goes on the radio tour.

Thanks... Where can I get that announcement? will it be from the official ayu website?

[kotora]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

I mean watching the live shows live! Sometimes these are free for the public to see. Usually for the radio shows, you can go to where they record segments at the station and there's a large window you can peek through. Usually they announce this a few days to about a week before she actually goes on the radio tour.


She was promoting HEAVEN when this was taken, but it's like this, haha.


This was an event in Nagoya earlier this year.

Apparently, I am surprised the amount of female who like ayu is far more than the amount of male who like ayu today.

This is my 14th year being a fan of ayu. And I have seen her from "a girl" to "a woman". Her career for me definitely is a way to show her growing up process. Her thinking, approach, attitude has been changing a lot.

Back to the thread: even if you can't attend the tour, you should try to go outside the location and experience the "ayu" crowd! Or you can go to CD store to buy her CD to support her. IMO, you don't have to see her in person in tour if you can't.

[truehappiness]

Originally Posted by AngieChan

Thanks... Where can I get that announcement? will it be from the official ayu website?

Yes, we also usually get early updates from TeamAyu members.

[SunshineSlayer]

Yeah, you are unfortunately going at like the worst possible time for concerts. . As Elin said, if you want to go karaoking or something let's do that!

[KarenPang]

the time frame that you can go Japan is neither here or there but yeah it's quite unfortunate as there wouldn't be any ayumi concerts scheduled during that time frame until CDL '12-'13

but the upside is that from 5th Nov - 14th Dec , quite a lot of artistes will be performing as part of their ongoing tours which's something I will miss out on a lot as I'm going Tokyo at the last week of Dec/the year

I'm sure you listen/support other artistes so you can look at your situation in a more positive manner , instead of lamenting you can't go & see ayumi in concert . Just think of many others out there who want to go Japan but can't given certain circumstances

[ayuuk]

If I were you, I would definitely go see Namie's Dome Tour!!!

[ExodusUK]

Can I ask why only this year? I would save up a little more and maybe go see her next year in April or May

[Sandy]

Originally Posted by ExodusUK

Can I ask why only this year? I would save up a little more and maybe go see her next year in April or May

+1

[Pieces_of_SEVEN]

I've met her and got CDs signed...I'm one of the lucky ones!!

[AngieChan]

Originally Posted by ExodusUK

Can I ask why only this year? I would save up a little more and maybe go see her next year in April or May

hehehe yeah I wish hey! But now I am working full time and the only time I can take out is November..

Thanks again for all the replies guys.. I have checked out Namie Amuro dome tour but its sold out... nvm..

Nevermind.. I'd like to make it up by going karaoke and sing Ayu songs with other Ayumi fans in Tokyo !! Miss-elin / sunshineslayer - hope you guys are still up for this? Lets sing all the old school Ayu songs and hangout one night

Anyone else in Tokyo in November, please PM me if you are interested to hookup for Ayumi karaoke sessions

[Earth_maiden]

My first trip to Japan was in 2008, and I missed the final of a-nation by 1 day, I was pretty devastated. But by the time you get to Japan and experience everything, the food, the shopping, the culture, the sights and sounds, it won't be such a big deal. You'll still have a great time.

[Suteisi]

Everyone's suggestions are great!

I planned both my Japan trips round Ayu, but my work is flexible as long as I let them know ahead of time. I'm sorry you aren't as fortunate, that sucks

If you can find Nakano Broadway in Tokyo, in that mall, there is a small shop that sells loooots of Ayu goods from concerts, TA mags, magazines, etc. I spent 200$ on just Ayu merchandise there, it was well worth the trip. Just follow the Nakano subway line (I think it's red) and get off at the VERY LAST stop. You can probably find more info about it on Google as well.

BIG BANG will be in Tokyo on December 5th, if you are into them, korean band <3

[Tony G]

I've been a fan since 2004, so not quite as long as you but my trip to Japan would have been just as special had I not seen Ayu live.

Use last fm, change your location to Tokyo (or wherever you will be at the time) and check what concerts are on. Tokyo is a hub for international acts so you could see some of your favourite western artists and bands in a Tokyo setting. The Japanese are NUTS at j-rock concerts so I highly suggesting checking out an indie/j-rock concert while you are there. With your time spread, there should be plenty of smaller gigs going on. In most cases you can buy tickets at the door so you don't need to worry about locating tickets. Discover some new music! Musically, that was half the fun for me while I was in Japan in addition to seeing artists I was familiar with.

As someone else has mentioned, you are going to be in Japan during 2 of Ayu's 15th anniversary releases. Go to Shibuya during these times. You'll probably see billboards advertising her releases (I expect there to be more than with A SUMMER BEST, but regardless the Shibuya Crossing area will be a sure-bet to spot an Ayu billboard), possibly ayu TV ads on the big screens in the crossing and nearby and go to Tower Records to see the Ayu-CD stands! They should be on both the ground level and level 1 of the store. I spent hours having a look around the J-Pop levels, they have listening stations to check out some new releases. The store is HUGE. The Shibuya in itself is just amazing, SENSORY OVERLOAD. Soak it all in and enjoy.

And believe me, there is so much to enjoy in Japan that you'll quickly forget that you are missing out on an Ayu concert. Tokyo is my favourite city in the world, and Japan my favourite overseas trip thus far. You are going to have a ball regardless. Eat and drink anything and everything you see and do some quirky things in Tokyo that you'll never see anywhere else.

They love Australians over there, so have fun communicating with the locals!

[AngieChan]

Tony G - thanks so much for taking the time to write that, it means a lot to me, two days to go yay!

Suteisi - yeah i'd love to check out korean songs too.. Big Bang!! <3