Here Today... Gone To Hell!

Before I start, just a little warning, these are just some notes about what happened in Japan. Lots off sightseeing, some observations and just a story about how the trip was.

It's not filled with details about the shows or anything like that, so if you're looking for that, this isn't the thread.  :)

---

(http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/pics/2007/japan/japan_collage1_tokyo.jpg)


July 10th: Europe -> Japan

We're on the plane to Tokyo and it doesn't take long for the first "Lost In Translation" moment.

Since we're flying KLM, everything is first said in Dutch, then English and then Japanese. It seems like the first two takes half the time compared to Japanese (in the movie, the main character is filming a TV commercial clip and is given instructions in Japanese which is then translated to: He want you to turn and look in camera. Okay? ).


July 11th: Tokyo

We arrive in Japan at around 9am local time (which is around 1am back home).

The flight was the longest I've been on, but it went fast. Everything was on schedule and I even managed to watch a movie on that tiny screen.

We walk from the plane to immigration. I'm standing in the line, waiting to get to the immigration officer and it feels very unreal to be here.

Also, as soon as you get off the plane you notice the different climate compared to home. It's humid!


After getting through immigration and getting the luggage, we walk outside where we get the hotel shuttle to our hotel.

The first thing I noticed is that people are very polite here. The driver, the people at the hotel. I'm not used to this kind of service. You want to tip them, but tipping isn't the custom in this country.

We check in. and log in. Broadband in hotel rooms rule!

Our room has a nice view of the Tokyo bay, even though it's a grey day.

AdZ starts pushing the buttons on the washlet (Japanese toilet with a heated seat and shower....). Pretty soon the bathroom floor is wet.



In the afternoon, we walk to the nearest train station. We even manage to buy train cards even though the girl at the ticket office doesn't really speak English.

Take an express train to Tokyo (that will cost you extra, now we know) and then change for the Yamanote line to Shinjuku. Tokyo station is huge. To walk from the Keiyo line platforms to the subway/train took us a while.



So, we get to Shinkuju. Our goal is to find the Metropolitan Goverment Building where you can go up to the 45th floor for free.

I thought it'd be a good way to get an idea of just how big this place is.

After lunch and more walking around in Shinjuku, we took the train to Shibuya. Shibuya is full of shops and a huge video screens advertising stuff. It's kinda like Times Square, only Japanese.


It was around 6PM and I started to feel the effects of not sleeping on the flight over.

Head for the train and one hour later we're at the hotel.

Instead of just passing out at 8PM and waking up in the middle of the night, I decided to go for a walk. Ended up at a 7-11 since I figured I'd buy some water.

The girls working there were practicing their English as I was paying.

"Hello, how are you?"

"Where are you from?"


I said "Finland" and one of them told me she had written Santa Claus (in Finland) a letter. She had even gotten a reply!

Then at around 11PM, I just gave up and passed out.



July 12th: Tokyo


Woke up really early and didn't feel tired at all. Weird.

After checking e-mails etc. (as I said, broadband at hotel rooms rule!), it was time to find some breakfast. We walked to a nearby mall where we found a sandwich shop or cafe. Not sure what exactly it was supposed to be. It was kinda funny trying to pick a sandwich based on how it looked and guessing what it was.

Came back to the hotel to get my camera and headed for the train station.

After a while we were back in Tokyo and headed out to find the Imperial Palace. First we had to find the right exit out of the station, and when we did we didn't really know where we were supposed to go.

An American guy working in Japan happened to pass and gave us directions.


After a couple of minutes on foot we arrived at the Imperial Palace gardens.

Most of the time it was raining. At least it wasn't crowded.

A subway ride later, we were in Shinjuku again. Managed to find a pretty cool record store called Disk Union during our walking.

Did more walking around and had lunch in a noodle shop. Ordering was easy, look at the menu with pictures and tell the guy what number you want. I got 12 which was noodles with some onions, seaweed and pork.

After our late lunch, we headed for Harajuku. There we did the same thing we seem to do every day, walk around and look. Being tourists basically.

Harajuku has a lot of small clothing stores with funny names. Sort of like Camden Town in London, only cleaner and trendier.

Then we had the brilliant idea that we should have something cool to drink after all that walking in the hot humid weather. We found a little bar and ordered our drinks. Apparently Corona spoken with an English accent sounds like Coca Cola.... Fosters said in with a Finnish accent on the other hand is still a Fosters.

Before leaving Harajuku, it was time for yet another coffee!

We've learned that ordering cappuccino is better than trying to order a black coffee. I got my cappuccino and AdZ got a iced black coffee. At least it wasn't a Coke this time.

The day was starting to become evening, so we went back to Shinjuku for drinks before heading back to our hotel.



July 13th: Tokyo



Started the day with breakfast at a coffee place and from there we went to a supermarket. It doesn't take much to get a small town geek like me excited. A Japanese supermarket with an arcade is more than enough. ;)

AdZ beat me in that drum game where you're supposed to drum along to the song and keep the beat  (no pun intended).

After that we headed to Tokyo, Shibuya to be exact. Visited HMV and walked around. Saw a place called Ghetto Family Dining. Didn't visit it though.

We also went into this six storey place filled with junk. Everything from shampoo to bikes. Total chaos!

As it was getting closer to evening, we took the train to Akihabara to see the place where the geeks hangout.

Lots of electronics stores and stores selling Manga stuff. Must be heaven if you're into that. Personally I have no idea what it's all about.

It was becoming evening so we thought it'd be nice to have some dinner. A walk around the area resulted in us sitting at Curry Kitchen.

You buy a meal ticket in a machine, give it to the person at the counter and after a while your meal arrives. For those who care: Japanese curry and rice isn't as spicy as Indian curry.

The food made us thirsty, so we decided to go check out Ginza. First we thought about going to Roppongi, but Ginza was closer.

We found a bar, which isn't always easy because they're not all on the first floor facing the street. We ordered drinks and sat there for a while before heading out to find another place.

The funny thing is, we found an Irish themed place where they were waiting for the Japan vs United Arab Emirates football game to start.

They had like two kinds of beer: A Japanese kind and Guinness.

The place eventually became packed which meant there was about ten people in there.... One of the regulars was a Canadian guy who's lived in Japan for ages. So there we are in Japan on a hot July day talking about... Ice hockey!

Made it back to the hotel without falling asleep on the train.



July 14th: Chiba

Show #1.

Met Hiromi and her husband at the hotel before the show. They were actually staying at the same hotel as we were.

Then walked in the rain to the venue which was across the street.

Made it to the venue as the doors were opened.

As the doors opened, security didn't allow the fans to run to get to the barricade. Instead, they were first led down to the floor from the entrance, then as they were escorted onto the floor, they startd walking towards the front. Those who tries to run, were slowed down by security standing in between them and the front rows. I'd never seen that before.

Show time and those fans were really into it.

I was doing updates until my phone died. Must be the fact that it was on in the subway where there's no network...

Everybody thought the show was over until Ron and Axl came back. Ron did his solo and then Axl joined him on Don't Cry.


Amazing experience.


Met up with sukeberon and Hiromi after the show. I  also got to use sukeberon's phone to e-mail confirmation that yes Axl did sing Don't Cry with Bumblefoot after Paradise City.


Since we're in Japan, the show ended but it was still kinda early so we went and had dinner. Had some sake before the dinner.

Typical Japanese food, which was nice as I hadn't had the chance to try much of the food. NICE!

That was followed by drinks. A few of them....



July 15th: Chiba

Walking back to the hotel in the morning we can see a blue sky for the first time.

We were told the typhoon would take the rain with it.

Get some sleep and then head to Pronto in th afternoon where we were supposed to meet some people from the board. I had some coffee and waited, but we didn't see anybody.

The second show in Chiba was at least as great as the first if not even better. The crowd was simply amazing. Again.

After the show, we once again had a few drinks and got back to our hotel at 8AM. We both actually fell asleep on the train and missed our stop.

(http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/pics/2007/japan/japan_collage2_nagoya.jpg)


July 16th: Tokyo -> Nagoya

I took a three hour nap and checked out. Oh, apparently there was an earthquake too. I didn't notice it.

Then we got the Shinkansen bullet train to Nagoya. It's a very comfortable way to travel! Nicest train I've been on.

Arrived in Nagoya, checked in and went out for a walk/lunch.

We also visited a Sega arcade. Played some games that made no sense since we didn't understand the instructions.

AdZ beat me again in that drum game. Our reaction times were a bit slower than usual due to the lack of sleep.



July 17th: Nagoya

Tuesday morning in Nagoya, we went out to do some sightseeing. Gotta make the most of the time in Japan.

We took the subway to Nagoya Castle and walked around the parks there. We still had time before the show, so we headed to this neighborhood called Sakae and walked around more.

One of the stops was the Robot Museum shop. Lots of robot merchandise. Geeky!

I think we covered a lot of that area by foot before having a really late lunch. Then back to the hotel and to the show.

As it was getting close to evening, we had to figure out what train to get to the venue. Or the station closest to the venue.

The train station is a 15 minute walk away and it was pouring down. Good thing they sold umbrellas at the station!



Got to the venue and went outside to see the exterior of the venue once it stopped raining. Lots of fans walking around, smoking and buying shirts.

The show itself was once again great with a great crowd. The band was laughing a lot.

This was the first time I've seen a show with seats in the floor, but that didn't stop the fans from enjoying the show.


Met a guy who was called Mini-Axl. He had the tattoos and everything!

Went back to the hotel after the show since we had an early train to catch.



(http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/pics/2007/japan/japan_collage3_tokyo.jpg)


July 18th: Nagoya -> Tokyo: Budokan


Wednesday morning around 7AM we were on the Shinkansen to Tokyo. At the station I bumped into sukeberon.

Before we left Nagoya, I took a pic of Tom and AdZ.

Got some breakfast before heading to Harajuku and the Meiji-Jingu shrine. Nice to find such a calm place in Tokyo.

In the afternoon we checked in at the hotel (and I posted the photo from that morning) before going to the legendary Budokan for the show.

Tried to meet Hiromi before the show in a coffee place, but she was out shopping.

Once again, the Japanese fans knew how to do it. The band played songs that hadn't been done at the Japanese shows (Liquor & Whores and Used T Love Her). Bubbles made a special appearance.

This is the best show of the Japanese ones in my opinion. One more show to go. Wonder if they can top this...


Ended up getting drunk after the show somewhere in Roppongi.


July 19th: Tokyo

Woke up in the afternoon and went to have some dinner. We found an Indian place not too far from the hotel.

Went back to the hotel and checked e-mails and stuff like that. AdZ passed out again.

Quiet day.

(http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/pics/2007/japan/japan_collage4_osaka.jpg)


July 20th: Tokyo -> Osaka

Woke up at 6:30 in sunny Tokyo.

By 8am, we were on the Shinkansen to Osaka where we arrived after a smooth journey at around 11.

Went out and got lunch before going to the hotel. We had to wait for a while before checking in and then we went out again to do the tourist thing. Ended up in Umeda where we went to the Umeda Sky Building.

Had some dinner in Umeda before meeting Tetsuya (we've been on the same GN'R mailing list for ages) who took us to Shinsaibashi and Amemura for some shopping. I went into this tiny store to check out their t-shirts. Tetsuya started talking to one of the guys who worked there and I guess he mentioned that we were in town to see GN'R. They told us some GN'R members had just been in there. They showed us a signed pic with Chris', Frank's and Ron's signatures on it as well as pics on their digital camera. Funny timing.


Then we went to a yakitori place around the corner for chicken and beers. Nice!


July 21st: Osaka -> Kyoto -> Osaka

The plan was to go to Kyoto yesterday, but since the tourist spots close at 5PM and we checked in at 2PM, we decided to go to Kyoto before the show on Saturday instead. As I mentioned earlier, gotta make the most of the time in Japan.

So we got up early and took the train to Kyoto. Arrived an hour later and went up to the tourist office at the station.

They gave us maps and directions on how to get to the Golden Pavilion Temple by bus. It took longer than expected, but we got there and walked in.

The Golden Pavilion is the ultimate MTV Cribs episode. The entire pavilion, except the basement floor, is covered with pure gold leaf!


Kyoto is so different from Tokyo and Osaka so it was very nice to get to see that. Even if out visit only lasted for a few hours.

Hopped on the bus back to the station and back to Osaka to get ready for the show.



Walked from the hotel to the venue and the sun was shining. It was the hottest day of our stay. The sun starts shining when our tour is ending.

Met up with Hiromi, sukeberon, djcleaver, suntorytime, tetsuya and company at the venue. Nice bunch of people.

The last show of the tour was the best one of the five I saw in Japan.


Everything just seemed to click and once again, great audience. I was told that Osaka is a rock city. I guess they were right.

Afterwards I ended up in a club doing shots before going to another place where several band members jammed on a bunch of songs.

Early in the morning, we had to leave to check out and get to the airport.

So we walk out, hail a cab, get to the hotel, pack, check out, get a car to the airport and then wait since the check in desks for our flight weren't open yet.

I tried to stay awake until check in opens. I think I managed, but I'm not sure.

One person who didn't manage to stay awake was AdZ. He passed out as soon as we sat down. Then when I woke him up for check in, he wasn't exactly happy.

We check in, pass through security and go get some breakfast. The place is the worst place I've encountered in Japan. They have food which is basically microwaved as customers order them.

Eventually we get on board the flight to Amsterdam and both of us just pass out. Land in Amsterdam in the afternoon and I have time to kill. I just walk around Schiphol to stay awake before passing out on the flight to Sweden. Eventually I arrive at home around 1am. 24 hours after we left the hotel in Osaka.

What a trip it's been!

I would've done it all over again the next day!

---

Thanks to everybody who made this an amazing experience.

It was nice meeting some of you who post here, and also those who don't post but know of the site.  :beer:




/jarmo

Unreal.  How lucky you were, and how jealous I am.  Thank you for sharing the photos and experiences...   :beer:

cool man, woulda' loved to be in your shoes those weeks ;D

Sounds like one hell of a trip, although that's to be expected.  Thanks for sharing the stories and the pictures Jarmo

What a great read Jarmo, congratulations. It seems it was an amazing adventure, and you dont have an idea how I envy you for attending the last japanese show with that hell of a setlist


that's the rock and roll attitute  :hihi:

Jarmo, can we trade lives?

I didn't read it all but I like the photo presentation Jarmo.

Was that a template from somewhere?

No, I just threw it together tonight.



/jarmo

I always dreamed of going to Japan. I'm very respectful of their culture and traditions and it sound so interesting to me for some reason. And obviously, I know a little bit about the rock band Guns N' Roses and enjoy their concerts (;D), so...all I can say right now, after reading your diary is...how to put it nicely...? You're a fuckin' lucky motherfucker and I wish I had been there.

;)

* sips a glass of French wine in despair *

Do you ever get to talk to Axl?

That was a nice read...  : ok:

Looks good.

Thanks.

I think it turned out quite nice......  :hihi:



/jarmo

Thanks for putting that together for us to read Jarmo.

Glad you had a great time.

I enjoyed reading about your trip. Do you have any pics of "Mini Axl?"  :hihi:

Thanks for posting man, that was a good read.  must have been quite the vacation!!!!

great read! glad to hear you had a great time jarmo, pictures were amazing.

that is so kool !
i love the mini axl part lol.
glad you had a good time !

Jarmo,
  Very cool stuff.  The pics are amazing.  They look professional.  Just amazing!  Yeah, you could say I'm jealous.  :peace: 

Jarmo, either this site is generating lot of money somehow or you've got a great day job because you really get around!

Yeah, I'm envious.... getting to travel around the word periodically to see GNR must be nice! I'll be waiting till the next time they make it to FL.

Yeah, he's got all these secret ads, you can't see them, but they change your mind.

All that stuff you're buying, you're buying them cause of this site... Even though you didn't know it... Until now.

And now I'll have to get that pen out of my pocket, and wear my alien technology sunglasses cause you know too much...

I don't smoke.
I don't have a car.
I don't live in a big house.
I don't spend money on shit I don't need.




/jarmo

Yeah, I hear cigarettes are real expensive in Europe.

I don't smoke tobacco anymore and 'm careful with my money. No chance of me selling my house or my truck though - I'd have to sell the wife as well in order to sell the other stuff.  :hihi:

So I hope & pray we'll see GNR in Florida again in the not too distant future.

That's the way to do it....great diary, hon! : ok:

But you drink for three.... ::)

Very cool read, , great pics, and glad you guys had a blast. Seems it was a really great experience , :beer:

come on, EVERYONE spends money on shit they don't need!

on topic, looks like one hell of an awesome trip! I'd love to go to Japan, and I probably will some day.

I wasn't there for the shows, however I have been to Japan before and reading Jarmo's post bought back tons of memories. Thanks for the post!

Great story Jarmo. Thanx to share your experience with us. : ok:

Jarmo,
          Thanks for the post, it brings back so many great memories. It was a pleasure meeting you and AdZ, you guys are legends!


haha... Everyone who comes to Japan has a toilet story. Did you try the traditional ones? My first time was a complete disaster... Oh well, shit happens...  :rofl:



Here's one... He was a really cool guy...

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x134/sukeberon/13.jpg)


You guys missed out on all the free booze at my mate's bar...  :beer:


Yeah, that was totally random. After the drinkathon at the Hard Rock and Shooters, DJcleaver, his brother and myself walked the streets of Nagoya as we had no where to stay and needed to sober up. Finally, we made it back to the station after going the wrong way numerous times. Saw Djcleaver and his brother off and was about to catch my train back home, when I saw you guys. Then I turned around and there was Mini-Axl!!! I had a hangover for days after that.  :beer:


It was a true pleasure meeting you guys and being able to give my appreciation face to face of the great job you do running this site.

I'm glad you guys had such a great experience here in Japan.  It's truly an amazing place.

I encourage anyone who wants to come to Japan to do it, you won't be disappointed. If any of you come to Nagoya, give a PM and I'll meet up with you and show you around... If I don't forget...  :-[


Cameron

You won't forget... 

Google is the word...
:rofl:

Thanks for posting, Jarmo.? Sounds like you and AdZ had an interesting time doing the tourist thing in Japan, in addition to watching GNR history being made, of course.? I'd have loved to hear Axl singing 'Don't Cry' again; emotions must have been running high that night and, I don't know about you, but it's that kind of surprise addition that makes me keep attending as many shows as I do.

Cheers, again!? ?:-*

Sounds like it was an amazing trip! :) A very cool read...

Keep on running this site as it is and enjoy the possibilities you have!  :beer:


Thanks Jarmo!  :yes:

Thanks for that Jarmo, that was cool to read.

mini axl man god damn :rofl:

jarmo, that's interesting! yeah, I enjoyed reading your diary and great pics. so cool.
hmm I like ''hello kitty'' pic! hahaha wow,she wearing Kimono?! sweet.
thanks for posting!

I was so glad to meet you guys!!!! :peace:
 ?

Great story Jarmo!
Im pretty sure this was an exciting trip.
Hope to see the band on the road again soon.
Next time maybe with an album out, and a big
tour in europe:)

Yeah.... Not sure if that's a bad thing. ;)



/jarmo

Awesome pictures and presentation. Thanks for sharing!

Very cool, must have been a great experience.  Thanks for sharing.   :beer:

(http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x134/sukeberon/13.jpg)


I wonder if seeing MiniAxl disturbs "Original" Axl as much as it disturbs me? ???

maybe it's preferble that the mini updates himself a bit but seeing mini doesn't disturb the Original but amuses him I reckon.

great diary. ?:beer:
Glad you had such a good time in japan. It was so nice meeing you adz, the djc brothers, hiromi and her friends and other wonderful people. I didn't know the r in your name was to be pronounced.
(a littel note:jarmo was so jarmo and adz was so adz and everyone was nice. )

Now it's Bon time(mmm something like all saints day) here hotter and more humid than those days.


 :hihi: nice oyaji gag.
I think washlet is a totally great invention.
When I see anyone new to japan I'm tempted to ask their opinion on washlet but I try not to thinking 'hello, how are you, what do think of washlet?' won't make a good first impression of me.


The djclever brothers must have been fated to wander about unknown streets. ;D


Free booze? :crying: How many nice parties had I missed!!!
I ended up not seeting sukeberon and keno.


May I? :P

WTF i just noticed that mini axl even has a red watch on his right arm :rofl:

the tattoos are one thing.. but the red watch.. DANG!

Shit that's nothing. He even got the AFD tattoo blacked out! :o
Jarmo, you're a lucky SOB.

Yeah, mini Axl was hardcore. The attention to detail was amazing. He was great. If I remember correctly, he's a singer in a GN'R cover band in Osaka.

somehow only the afd tat doesn't seem real to me. isn't tattoo basically blue based?

No not really, it use to be mostly blue shit but not really anymore, but whoever did his AFD should never pick up a tattoo gun again.

From what I remember his tattoos were actually transfers..

Wow, Mini-Axl Rocks!!!!  Thanks for posting picture of him! : ok:

i personally think mini-axl's far from 'rocking'

from the picture, it looks to me like mini-axl's a freak  heheh

Oh, and great read Jarmo! If GNR ever comes to Brazil again and your non-smoking, non-driving etc savings allow you to come down here, get in touch to knock a few cold ones!!  : ok:

I enjoyed reading that. Thank You!

"miniAxl's" tattoos look hella fake. :)

That was a great read, thanks dude.

I wish I lived somewhere where the humidity didn't soak you.

How "mini" exactly is mini-axl?

I did have a different visual when I read that.

Thanks for the post jarmo...what a great place to see a great show. : ok:

Huh? Mini Axl is a fake??????? :rofl:

Is he anything like "Tiny Elvis"?

He must be really "mini" cos real Axl isnt exactly the tallest person around!

Jonx

(http://weblog.site5.com/images/photos/minime.jpg)

Gotta be honest here, that was exactly my thought when I read "mini-axl"...  :rofl:

Mini as in shorter version of Axl. Not mini in the Austin Powers movie sense.





/jarmo

Damn, that would have been cool...  :hihi:

I think Christos is on to something there......


 :P

Jarmo, you lucky mofo! How the hell did you manage to meet "hello kitty"? You did it for the girls? :hihi:

It was a pre-show/board meeting.

 :hihi:


/jarmo

Did she do any shots at the pre-party? :hihi:

What an incredible trip that must have been!  Looks beautiful there!

Can we add, "I don't have a wife."

Did you not learn anything?

Smoking Guns, can we add to yours, "Soon to be banned & marriage is for pussies"?

haha!  I am not married either!  My wife probably wouldn't let me fly on other side of planet for a couple weeks to see GNR either...  Women are great, but man, they can fuck shit up!  Ha!  Adz, calm down, the trip looked bad ass!

 ;)

Yes, and Japan is a very patriarchal society!  :-*

Mini Axl?

(http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/4962/miniaxlkb6.th.jpg)

sure sounds like a nice trip. So how expensive is Japan? I l ike to go there in autumn but heard everything is bloody overpriced ???

Exactly what I had in mind.

Coming from Scandinavia, I didn't think it was bad at all.


You can drink and eat pretty cheap. I didn't find the subway to be expensive either compared to public transport back home.

If you plan on traveling around Japan, get a Rail Pass (http://www.japanrailpass.net/). It'll save you, especially if you plan on taking the bullet train.




/jarmo

 ;D :yes: ain't that the truth - I used to have money before the wife and the little one - now its hard enough to get an evening pass out let alone 2 weeks off with the lads...  best get back to work...  :nervous:

 8) Sounds fantastic, so glad you had a good time and it looks gorgious there.  I must think about getting out there myself, brilliant place. 

Thanks for posting all that lovely stuff, you lucky monkey.

Hugs xx

Bump for those who havent read it  : ok:

I saw Ville Valo on TV, or maybe it was a picture in a newspaper, and he had this t-shirt on which reminded me of Osaka.

At the Osaka show I saw this girl wearing a t-shirt that had some Finnish text on it.

I thought it was somewhat amusing to be in Japan and see a Finnish t-shirt. So I went and asked her about it. She said it was Finnish and asked me if I knew what it was. I told her "I can guess judging by the text".

She and her friend started giggling.

It said "Adults' Toy Store" in Finnish.... Same kind of shirt I saw Ville wearing somewhere a few days ago.  :hihi:




/jarmo