bentobox

This is an epic thread.

db

halloween is nonexistent

While I know that there is generally a small following for Halloween in Japan (as recently as 5 years ago there was literally nothing), I must say that last year went off in Osaka. Lots of costumes from ex-pats and Japanese people alike. On the Saturday night, there were huge costume parties at some of the biggest clubs in town: Saza*e, Onzieme, Sam and Dave & Pure (S&D and Pure admitted gaijin-oriented spots). All were packed.

I was white jumpsuit Elvis. Was glorious.

db

Was supposed to be Italo-disco, but was kinda lo-fi for my tastes. Kinda slow grind. Still, it was a lot better than the last time I went though. They had some JV DJ spinning some bad minimal type music.

I would say in general they are kind of electro-focused, but they do have a pretty wide variety of talent that comes through.

Their site lists "DJs" as "selectors" like Herpsky mentioned above though, so sometimes can't tell how much is really their own style.

As a venue its a nice club, but the crowd is always too busy trying to look good to have fun.

I think the sound system in there is kind of shitty compared to places like Unit, but they obviously aren't on the same scale.

Still, its a good time and wicked popular now. Lots of good looking people there on a regular basis.

Cool. Good to know. Last couple of times I have been there it has always been the last stop on a long evening. We have the inside line there so it might be a good place to kick off our Tokyo event. The booth and system, however, undeniably suck.

db

Went to Le Baron last weekend, hadn't been in a minute. Lots of 芸能人 in that place these days.

What was the music like? I'm looking into doing an event there in the future. Maybe a monthly with Kango if his schedule permits.

db

. . . to pick up the . . . Eastern Euro girls there. . .

Is there any other reason to go?

Otherwise it's just terrible music, with shit drinks in a shit atmosphere amidst a shit neighborhood.

BTW, Harajuku Gold's gym is surprisingly small given it's location and profile. Just a heads up for the Tokyo-ites.

db

Ended up in Daikanyama too, at Unit, had a pretty good time.

...Anyone go to warehouse then?

I hit the Warehouse party with some friends from Onzieme in Osaka as well as some of the model crew. It was a good time although not as crowded as the last time the same cast of characters played at Unit. I'd say only about 70% full at Warehouse which was a bit surprising. Music and the scene were both good. Saw Verbal, Dex, RMH and some others before leaving with model bleazie to hit up her friends at New Lex (which was entirely predictable: drunk Estonian girls and terrible Djs).

db

Ginza ain't really the area to go out at night...

Roppongi's the tourist trap night spot of TYO... unless you know where to go...

Ebius, Daikanyama and othe areas are chill.......

Get to Shibuya, hook up and abuse a love hotel.

Shibuya Tokyu Excel is pretty slamming for the price.

db

yeah. anything going on this weekend except the usual warehouse, womb etc?

Ended up at Velour and then Nuts last night. I highly recommend Kango's parties at Nuts. Good fun.

Also, I must say that while Velour can be inconsistent, it was pretty strong last night. Mixed crowd with some aspiring "b.a.l.l.a"s and a modeling agency party (prior to their going to Feria, of course). Dj needs to practice a bit though . . .

db

Anyone else planning on checking out Modular Night at Warehouse on the 22nd? Looks pretty tight.

http://www.creativeman.co.jp/2008/modular/index.html

Planning on being there with Dex and some of the RMC crew.

Should be fun.

db

I read somewhere that something like less than 3% of Japanese people have climbed it. I guess everyone is waiting til they turn 50.

I am going up in sneakers and a windbreaker, plus a flask of cutty sark to keep me warm. Wish me luck.

If you want to see Goraiko, you should get a miner's headlight for the night climb. Gets pretty cold around 4 am at altitude but quickly warms up after the sun comes up (about 430 or so). Sweatshirt, scarf and a windbreaker worked fine for me.

Whatever shoes you wear should be considered DOA afterward. Also, try to rig something to keep the silt out of your shoes/socks. Many outdoors stores sell boot covers that go up to your mid calf which work moderately well. Alternatively, get creative with multiple sockage.

Make sure you bring water. After the close of the climbing season, you can no longer buy it on the way up.

Goraiko is well worth the effort. Good luck.

db

what's up with fpm? he still trying to play disco-house?

FPM is still doing his thing. Still insanely popular at Onzieme in Osaka and World in Kyoto. He didnt play the Vithmic party this year but we did play on the same bill not too long ago. Think Blur Song 2 remix, Star Guitar, some J-Pop remix shit I never heard of and some poppy disco-y house. Its a fun vibe and sometimes he gets some rock in there, but pretty predictable of late. His bi-mothly parties in Kansai are still going strong. Haven't seen him play in Tokyo in a while. When he played with Young Punx at Warehouse I heard good things about his set.

Have you heard his original works? I recently heard them for the first time and was . . . surprised.

Oh, and +1 on Dex. On four decks they absolutely kill. Showmen of the first order.

db

URL doesn't work. What's this event? How was womb last week? Maybe I'll go tomorrow to get some "fresh scenery".

I have to go to New Lex tonight.

How is New Lex?

Model bleazie central like Feria but shabbier. Poorly mixed music, drunk estonian girls and a stupid coin system for getting drinks. It's perfect

They won't let you sit in VIP unless you are a "model." I told them that I was a model for an agency in Osaka and they fucked off. I later was told by one of the girls that the agency i claimed I was with was only women. Good for a laugh or two.

Enjoy.

db

Burton makes pretty decent bags.

I second this for sure. My Burton bag has enduring a ton of shit since I bought it seven years ago. Still use it for all travel.

Prices are very modest.

Mitchell's Ice Cream FTW.

I am trying to locate two shops in Harajuku to stop in on:

"Dune" and "n id"

Anyone familiar with these two spots?

Thanks in advance.

db

i just brought a macbook this afternoon and i was wondering if there were anyway for me to transfer my firefox bookmarks from my vaio to my firefox on my mac.

if not, then its gonna be a long weekend for me....

Check out Delicious.

You can export your bookmarks to Delicious and then reimport them on a different computer.

http://del.icio.us/

db

bumpidy bump bump

This is an auction for a Ksubi limited edition t shirt which was used in conjunction with a promotional tour in Japan last month involving Van She, Banggang Ds, Dangerous, Dan and others stopping at Daikanyama Unit in Tokyo and Onzieme in Osaka. This t shirt was sold in promotion with Dazed magazine and was produced in very limited numbers. The shirt is new and in its original packaging. $75.

MEASUREMENTS:

ARMPIT TO ARMPIT:49.5 CM"

CENTER BACK LENGTH: 69 CM"

FROM SHOULDER TO SLEEVE 23.5CM" ( SIZE: S - M )

MATERIAL: 100% COTTON

COLOUR: WHITE.

Item ships from Japan. Buyer pays shipping.

chuhai + haichu binge = best tooth-decaying hangover ever...used Aquarius and melon pan as a remedy.

Disgustingly intriquing. Plus rep.

db

I was always a Tskiji Honten afficionado as I have been going there for years (second right hand turn off of Center Gai when entering from Shibuya crossing) but I ate at this spot in Meguro yesterday and I was really really good.

First floor of the Meguro Atore building (across from the JR station) in the very back. Looks like they have long lines some times, but we got seated in about 15 minutes. Zuke Maguro was amazing. Highly recommended.

Having lived in Osaka for over a year now, I can say that I like it just as much, if not more than Tokyo. Initially, I had a ton of trepidation over moving here as opposed to Tokyo, where I always envisioned I would live. It has turned out to be a really good decision. People are nice, less English for better immersion, city is easily navigated, good night life, etc.

As for restaurants, clubs, shops, etc.

Restaurants - Jinen in Shinsaibashi for sushi, Haru no Hana near Utsubo Koen for Okonomiaki, Earth Cafe on Utsubo Koen for Japano/Italian Fusion

Shops - Orange Street in Horie, various shops around Triangle Park in Ameura, Beems on Mido-suji, Commes store attached to Yodobashi Camera in Umeda, denim at Hanoya near Loft in Umeda

Clubs - Onzieme on Midosuji for all kinds of stuff (my events are there) www.onzi-eme.com (good on Wednesdays and Saturdays in particular), Triangle for techno/electro/dnb, Grand Cafe for house and dancehall (on Sundays I think), Joule for super painful japano cyber trance , Club Azure for hip hop (particularly on Saturdays)

Don:t forget the Yabafo ride in the Namba hips building. A bit silly, but a fun drop style thrill ride for ￥500.

db

Anybody have any good suggestions for House clubs in Osaka?

Onzieme right next to OPA in Shinsaibashi has had some good stuff lately, MANDY, Dex Pistols, Tom Middleton James Murphy (from LCD), etc.

http://www.onzi-eme.com/

This Saturday is Van She, BangGang DJs, Riot in Belgium and DJ Juse. My next party there is on the 20th of June.

Other spots include Triangle and Grand Cafe.

PM me if you have any questions.

db

What is a good park just for the sakura?

It was Shinjuku Koen a couple of weeks ago. Amazing.

They are still blooming in Kansai. Maybe an Osaka castle run?

I might migrate from Osaka a couple of times a month to DJ at Velours next month to try to bring some fresh life into the place. I was there too on Saturday and I can attest to the Ginza prom action. Music was shabsville as well but the champagne was free.

Still, on a given night I can see it being a good spot. Certainly has the "hard to find" part down.

Ended up going with some Golas from the Harajuku store. Quite pleased even though I did scuff the shit out of them first day out.

Also available in Gold