9th Day: Caribbean Sunday!!!

After having slept for the majority of the day I eventually woke up at around 10pm. I was quite excited about this evening because I knew tonight was the first night I could actually go to Caribbean Sunday since I actually knew how to find Ikebukuro Bed.

I quickly had a shower and something to eat before I left the Hibari Guesthouse. As always I asked the others if they wanted to come but they said no. One of the main reasons they didn't want to come was because of money issues and them not really being as interested in the Reggae/Dancehall scene as I am.

By now I was pretty clued up about when was the best time to get the last train. I got to Hibarigaoka station at about 23:50 and I was just in time to catch the last train. When I got to the Seibu exit at Ikebukuro I decided to walk a different way this time instead of the usual way I knew which would be all the way around the outside of the train station. This time I walked all the way from one end of the Ikebukuro station to the other. This way took me practically to the exit right near club Bed.

When I got inside the club I approached the door man and told him that I was Jamaican. He didn't seem to have a problem of me not being able to prove it and just took my word for it. It was quite funny because the only thing I had on me Jamaican was a little keyring with the Jamaican flag on. The reason I told him this was because it is free entry for all Caribbean and Ladies all night.


Once I walked into the main area of the club I noticed a lot more people compared to Teki Teki Thursday. I think one of the main reasons for this was due to the next day being a National Holiday. The National Holiday in question was actually the Seijin no Hi which is literally the coming of age day. This is when people who become 20 years old are officially recognised as adults by law.


As the night went on the club became so packed to the point where it was a little too much at times. There were too many people in any one space which made it difficult to dance. All through the night the DJs were playing some of my favourite Dancehall songs. They also had Jamaican food being served provided by Good Wood. It was interesting to dance with the Japanese because everyone was there to have a good time. There was no sign of people being bad mind towards one another. Everyone was just there to have fun and enjoy themselves not to start any trouble what so ever. This was a welcomed change compared to what normally happens at many clubs in London.


It was weird at times because I was dancing with quite a few girls but only realised afterwards (from some youtube videos) that some of them were actually somebodies in the Reggae scene. The two I mainly danced with were part of a dance group called AB Squad. I liked one of the dancers more than the other. The one I liked was named Haruka she was very sexy and it was her dancing just made her that more appealing.


Once it got to about 04:00 people started to leave so that freed up space in the club. The party didn't actually finish until about 08:00 which I thought was crazy. While I was in the club I met this African boy named Mahmoud. I recognised him from the night before at Kachi Kachi. He told me that he liked the way I was so relaxed on the dance floor yet I hadn't had anything to drink. Mahmoud told me that he had been living in Japan since he was about 10 years old. I thought to myself wow he is pretty much Japanese by now. On the night he was like many others celebrating his Seijin no Hi that weekend. I told him that I would see him again next week at Caribbean Sunday. After I came out the club my whole body was aching, it felt like I just came back from having a workout at the gym.


I took the train back to Hibarigaoka and as soon as I got in I pretty much went straight to bed because I was so tired. However I did take the time to upload my photos and videos to my facebook profile ha-ha. Overall I would say this was the best night I had so far since I have been in Japan.

8th Day: First Night in Shibuya and First Day in Harajuku

I ended up sleeping for the majority of the day. When I awoke everyone at the Hibari Guesthouse told me that they were planning to go out in Roppongi. I however already had plans to go to 'Kachi Kachi 2010 New Year Party' at Shibuya Axxcis. I found out about this event earlier in the night but thought this may be my only chance to see the reggae dancer Shy-N.

After I had finished getting ready to go out I was in two minds about whether to go to Kachi Kachi or not. While I was on the train going towards Nerima I decided at the last minute to go with the other guys to Roppongi instead. We changed at Nerima to get another train that would take us to Roppongi. As I sat on the training thinking I realised I would much rather go to the reggae night at Shibuya Axxcis than go to Roppongi. I said bye to the others and quickly got off the train at a station where I could get the JR Yamanote Line towards Shibuya.

Once I got to Shibuya station I followed the directions I had written down in my little note book. I managed to follow the directions well until I got to an area where I became confused. I asked some people for help and they told me that the club was down a side road. I told them thanks and then proceeded in the direction they had told me. I kept walking in that direction because the guy said I would be able to see the club. I continued to walk for about 20 minutes until I realised I didn't know where I was. I asked a group of people at a crossing for help and they told me I was in Ebisu now not Shibuya and I had walked way too far.


I walked back towards Shibuya and then asked two ladies for directions. Luckily they actually heard of Axxcis and could tell me where it was. I followed their directions and ended up at the club. I saw a queue of people outside the club waiting to go in. I waited until I got to the front of the queue. I told the lady that I wanted to go to Kachi Kachi on the 4th floor. She told me that the entrance fee is 3000yen, but I could have sworn on the website the picture on the flyer said 2500yen with no flyer. At the time I didn't query it and just paid the amount she asked for. Once I got upstairs I saw some of the flyers for the night on the table. When I looked at them my suspicions were confirmed about the price, however I couldn't be bothered to go back downstairs to argue about be ripped of for 500yen.


Unlike Teki Teki Thursday there were a lot more people this night at Axxcis. The lockers here however were 300yen instead of 200yen like at Ikebukuro Bed. Early in the night they were playing Reggae tunes but as the night progressed they moved in to Dancehall. I was one of only a handful of foreigners which I liked. Later in the night Shy-N and Issei came out carried out a dance performance. Once they had finished they continued to party with everyone else in the club. I told Shy-N that I knew him from youtube videos and asked if I could get a picture with him which he didn't have a problem with.





The night finished about 6:30am which was good but by the end of the night I was very tired. I was so thirsty after I came out the club that I went to the nearest convenience store and bought a big carton of fruit juice. On my way home I realised it was actually Sunday now and this was the day that people came out to cosplay at Harajuku. I arrived at the station at around 7am but realised people won't be in Harajuku until around 10am at the earliest. I thought to myself what would I do until that time because I knew if I had gone home I wouldn't have come back out. I decided to stay on the JR Yamanote Line for three full cycles to waste 3 hours. One cycle around the Yamanote Line is 60 minutes.


When I got to Harajuku station it was pretty busy and I was feeling very hungry. I decided to stop off at Mac Donalds for something to eat. I decided to wait until around 12pm before I went in search of the cosplayers. To waste some time I walked through Yoyogi Park. I was actually surprised when I saw some ice sculptures on display. I left the park and I then walked around the area looking for the bridge the cosplayers normally gather at. I ended up asking some Japanese but they didn't seem to know what I was talking about. I then asked some foreigners and they told me that they gather right here. I thought to myself right here? The area was right next to the Harajuku Station but it was so small and on TV and in pictures the bridge looked much bigger.


It was about 11am so I decided to visit the NHK Broadcasting Studio to waste some time before I could see the cosplayers. The studio was fairly interesting and they had a lot of Domo-Kun memorabilia. When I got back to the bridge at around 12pm I didn't see anyone in costume. I waited a little bit and eventually I saw a group of people in costumes. I found it quite funny when this American guy went up to the group and asked for a picture and they just said no to him directly.

I decided to make my way back home because not much else was happening in Harajuku at this time. When I eventually made it home it was around 2:30pm. I was so tired because I hadn't slept in like 16 hours and my body was so sore from dancing all night.

7th Day: Studio Ghibli / Hip Hop night but um...where are those girls?

Today was the day that I had planned to go to the Studio Ghibli Museum. I followed the instructions I had received from japan-guide. I went my normal route to get to Ikebukuro from Hibarigaoka. Once I was at Ikebukuro I got on the JR Yamanote Line to change at Shibuya. When I got to Shibuya I changed on to the JR Chou Line for Mitaka. It took me a little while before I got on the right train at Shibuya because I got a little confused by the directions.


Once I left the station in Mitaka there was a little shuttle bus that went directly to the Museum like it had said on the japan-guide website. It took roughly around 5 minutes to get to the Museum from the station. The museum was quite interesting however I did find myself not as interested in certain aspects of the Museum for example the section devoted to Ponyo which I knew nothing about. I didn't stay very long at the Museum because it wasn't very big. Outside the Museum there was a large statute I think from the movie "Castle in the Sky".


I arrived back home early that afternoon. It felt strange being back at the Hibari house to early. Later that night I decided to go back to Ikebukuro Bed this night because the night before the three girls I had met told me they were going to be there again. The night was a Hip-Hop night with a few live MCs and dance performances.

When I got to the club it was pretty packed and filled with smoke. That is one of the things I dislike about the clubs in Japan, everyone can smoke! Fair enough if you are a smoker its not a problem but if you are like me and not a smoker its not a good environment to be hanging out in.

I waited for a little while but it didn't seem like the girls were coming, but unfortunately I was stuck at the club until at least 5:00am so I could get the train back to Hibarigaoka. I saw another guy I had met at Bed the night before and I told him I was waiting for those girls and that it didn't look like they were coming any more and he thought that was bad of them.

One of the MCs came up to me as I was sitting down and started telling me about his group. He was Japanese but had lived in New York for 20 years. The name of his band is 'The Sexorsist', he also gave me some stickers with his bands logo on.

I didn't really enjoy this night that much because I am not that into Hip-Hop and those girls never showed up.

6th Day: My First Night in the Club!

I had been waiting a little while for this and the day (night) had finally come. I decided to go back to Ikebukuro Bed now that I knew where it was for one of their Reggae nights. Before I left I asked the other guys at the Hibari Guesthouse if they wanted to come but they didn't.

I made my way to Hibarigaoka station to catch one of the last trains of the night to Ikebukuro. When I left the train station I decided to quickly get something to eat from Mac Donalds before heading to the club. I managed to remember my way back to the club quite easily. When I got to the club they told me that it would be 2000yen entry and they also asked me for some I.D which luckily I had. I also got a ticket to get one free drink at the bar.


Once I got on to the dance floor there weren't many people and at the time they were only playing Reggae music when I had actually gone that night to listen/dance to Dancehall music. I went up to the bartender and asked him where I could but my coat and he told me I could put it in the locker behind me. I went up to the locker and it appeared to be a coin one. The cost to use the locker was 200yen. I thought to myself that is not too bad considering my stuff would be kept secure in there until I am ready to leave.

When I got to the club at around 12:30pm it was quite empty. It wasn't until around 1:30/2:00pm that it started to get a bit more lively. It was during this point I met a group of girls that loved dancing to Dancehall music. They danced around me and seemed surprised when I knew the dances to each of their respective songs. All through the night it never got busy so we all just danced with each other. I think one of the main reasons there weren't many people that was because it was a new event.


Thee club stopped playing music around 5:00am but I stayed a little bit whilst the three girls kept talking to me. They all seemed friendly and were interested in finding out information about me. Two of the girls decided to stay a little longer but I left with one of the girls named Momo because we were going home in the same directions. But before I left I asked the girls when they would next be at the club and they told me Friday which would be the later that night. I told them cool, I will come tonight again as well.

Overall that was a pretty interesting night and a good start to more nights out in Japan.

5th Day: The Motivation Day

Today was the day I actually motivated myself to going out somewhere. It helped that I had my little note book with interesting places to visit. Today I decided to visit Akihabara. Akihabara is a place where you can find many electrical items as well as Otaku, Anime, Games and Maid Cafe.

While on the train to Ikebukuro there was a guy next to me just looking at porn like it was nothing. I found that pretty funny because he did it as if there was nothing to be embarrassed about. When I arrived in Akihabara I was overwhelmed by all the lights and shops filled with electronics. I took a quick stroll down the road until I saw a Maid handing out flyers on the street. I thought to myself I might as well check out one of these Maid Cafe so that I can say that I have at least been to one.


The little maid outside was pretty cute but she must have been about 4ft or something because she was very small. Once I got inside I was greeted by all these girls dressed in french Maid outfits shouting "irashaimase, okyaku sama" which means welcome honoured guest or something along those lines. I was overwhelmed once again by all the pink and hearts all over the place. The little maid told me outside (in Japanese) that it would cost 500yen service charge and I would have to buy at least 1 drink which costs 550yen.


Inside the Cafe I saw posters stating that I can not take any pictures whilst in here. As I was sitting a Maid came up to me as I sat at the table and explained what happens in here. She told me that I am the master and she is the Maid. She used a candle to symbolise this bond we would share for this meeting. She also told me I can get her to do stuff for me if I pay, for example she could play a game with me (and let me win I think) like Jenga or we could take a picture together. But each of these things were extra at the cost of 500yen each. I told her the one drink would be fine for now.


As I sat I looked around to see what kind of people attend this type of place. I saw some teenagers, a middle aged guy and then a business man. I was surprised when I saw the business man because I thought he must have a daughter that is around the age of one of these maid kids.

After about 20 minutes the little maid who got me to come in from the street got up on stage and then started singing some song. It was pretty cute but again I thought what am I doing here this place is not for me. If I wanted to pay for women to hang out with me I might as well got to the Hostess club at least there the women are adults and not dressed like Anime characters or maids.

When I left I saw the little maid on the street again and asked her for a picture but she said no you can not have a picture, you have to pay if you want a picture. I guess I was out of luck. As I walked up the road I saw the other Maid that was supposed to be mine whilst I was in there but she left to go do some touting early in to my visit.

Because the day was still early I decided to go to Shibuya to have a look around. I decided to leave Shibuya train station via the Hachiko exit because I was curious to see what type of memorial they have created for this dog. As I came out the station I saw so many people on the streets, the most amount of people I have seen since being in Japan.


Hachiko: A Dogs Story (American Version)

I walked around briefly and crossed the Shibuya crossing which was insane because there were so many people crossing the road. I later ended up in HMV because I was curious to find some J-Reggae CDs which I could possibly buy and take back to London. I was looking for a specific CD but unluckily I was unable to find it whilst in there however I did enjoy listening to the music they had on offer using the headphones.


I didn't spend long in Shibuya because I didn't want to do any shopping and I didn't know what else was good to see in the area. When I was going back to Hibarigaoka from Ikebukuro station there was a mad rush to get on to the train. So many people rushed on the train to find a seat. This was the first time I had ever been in a train as packed as this but I guess it had probably something to do with it being rush hour or something.

When I got home everyone was getting ready to go out. No one was quite sure where it was we were going to go but just decided to go out. The first place we decided to visit was Masters bar but it seemed like he had already closed for the night. We started to walk around and eventually found one bar. Bren was the actual person who found it, but the funny thing about this bar was that it was a Jamaican bar. I was surprised to see such a place in Hibarigaoka. The owner was happy to see us all because we were a large group and deicded to give every the option to drink as much as they like in one hour for 1000yen each. Unfortunately I didn't get a discount for drinking soft drink but what can you do.


It was quite interesting inside the bar because it had been decorated to appear Jamaican. I also asked the owner if they had Reggae music and he said "sure, I do", so he put some music on for us as well all just had a laugh while relaxing in this bar.