OSAKA POKEMON CENTER, JAPAN: RARE PIKACHU TOYS, VIDEO GAMES & COLLECTIBLE MERCHANDISE, ポケモンセンターオーサカ
What’s one of the most popular attractions in Osaka? Not the castle, not the aquarium… but the Pokemon Center in Umeda.
The shop is not far from Umeda Station, and the yellow signs make it easy to find. The Pokemon franchise is both evil and genius. The motto, “Gotta catch ’em all,” means…
… that fans must keep opening their pockets for Pocket Monster merchandise.
There are several Pokemon Centers in Japan, and they’re always packed with visitors.
In addition to selling every type of merchandise (toys, home goods, cards, games), the centers have special events for children.
We saw groups of young people sitting on the steps outside, engrossed in their individual video games.
Can you recognize the little plush guy that Yukiro took home?
You can see more Japanese toy shops and Osaka photos in my shopping resource.
Are you a Pokemon fanatic? Who is your favorite character from the series?
PS: is anyone going to the Los Angeles anime convention, PMX this weekend? Look out for First Mate Naomi… she’ll be walking around and giving out La Carmina & The Pirates business cards!
Japanese Word of the Day: Tegaru = Handy, simple
Song of the Day: 13th Moon – Grave Dance
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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
