Category Archive for Tokyo + Japan
ARANZI ARONZO: KAWAII STORES IN OSAKA. CUTE CHARACTER GOODS, JAPANESE BEAR & BUNNY DOLLS FOR SALE.
How does alt/Goth shopping differ in Tokyo and Osaka? Harajuku’s easy to navigate; as I explain in my map, it’s a straight walk down Takeshita Doori with several exploratory turns. The boutiques in Shinsaibashi, on the other hand, are spread out. It takes a lot of meandering to find the best stores, like h.NAOTO Gouk…
Black Gothloli bonnet: Innocent World, from Osaka (store photos here)
Punk top: h.NAOTO Blood, from Closet Child
Purple short plaid skirt: Peace Now, from Closet Child
Along the way, you’re sure to meet big, smiling kawaii characters — like this white bear.
We stopped by the Aranzi Aronzo merchandise shop. Inside, there were cute bunny and bear plates, toys, crafts and books.
These little tins with superhero pandas would make a great gift.
I’ll never get tired of Japanese kawaii mascots.
Later, we stumbled upon an obese hippie teddy bear… who reminded me of my fat cat, Basil Farrow! (Have you seen the latest photos on his Scottish Fold blog?)
Are you a collector of cute Japanese stationery or toys? I had an impressive Hello Kitty collection when I was growing up…
Japanese Word of the Day: Katsura = Wig
Song of the Day: The Shamen – Alone Again Or (Acid Goth post-punk?)
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KAGRRA DISBANDS, VISUAL KEI BAND BREAKING UP IN MARCH: FINAL CONCERT TOUR & CD. HARAJUKU COSPLAY BRIDGE, HALLOWEEN COSTUMES & CRAZY STREET STYLE.
Oh SaTaN. Many of you sent me messages yesterday about Kagrra — the latest Visual Kei band to be pulling a Journey and going Separate Ways. After a ten year run, Kagrra is saying sayonara with a final album, Hyakkikenran, to be released February 2nd. Their final tour will start on February 13th and finish March 3rd at C.C. Lemon Hall in Tokyo.
Reader Shadowpal2 sighs, “Is this normal? I mean just looking in the year 2010…there has been countless disbandings and hiatuses…(hiati?)” Just this week, J-rock bands Valluna, nil delete heads, ALiBi, ZEST, Bi;shop and DISQLOC called it quits.
“Anyway… I call it something having to do with companies. This is just getting ridiculous. Honestly makes me want to buy a one way ticket to Japan and just head from the airport to the Ridiculous store.” What do you think?
On a happier and cuter note: Harajuku girls in Halloween costumes! After the Goth wedding, my spooky crew went to Jingubashi (the famous cosplayer bridge) in Harajuku to see and be seen.
As I mentioned before, the iconic Harajuku bridge is usually empty these days. Even on Sundays, you won’t find very many flamboyant cosplayers hanging out on Jingu-bashi (located to the right of the station).
However, on occasions such as Halloween, the ghouls come out to play…
Tourists swarmed us like paparazzi. We retaliated by shooting them back.
Also on the bridge: Heil Hitler? Not exactly. In Japan, the swastika is called manji and represents represents Dharma, universal harmony, balance.
The kawaii award goes to these two…
It’s fun spending October 31st in Harajuku. But for us spooky kids, every day is Halloween!
Thoughts on the latest round of Jrock band breakups? Who do you think is next? How about Harajuku cosplayer fashion — is it dying? I personally think it’s moved to the club scene…
Japanese Word of the Day: Housou = Broadcast
Song of the Day: Aion – Gasp For Breath (Forefathers of Visual Kei!)
LA CARMINA
