The best tonkatsu in Japan is in Takadanobaba

There are two tonkatsu places worth going to. If anyones tries to tell you Tonkatsu Wako is good, just laugh at them for liking that average place.

NARIKURA

Narikura opens at 11 am and I arrived at 11:30 for a half an hour wait.

Of course I went for the toku (special) roast katsu for 2180 yen.

There's another 20 minute wait while they fry the tonkatsu. They let people in in batches instead of one person in anytime someone leaves.

Is it worth the money?

Oh yeah. Juicy and tender. Slightly bland compared to Tonta (requires more sauce) but still a cut above everything else.

TONKATSU TONTA

The 2nd shop in Takadanobaba is Tonta.

Just go toku roast at the right for 2160 yen.

The volume is not as much as Narikura but its jucier.

Worth the money? Hell yeah. I don't recommend the hire katsu though.

You can find the map to Narikura here:
http://s.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130503/13114695/
Scroll down for map and show it to someone if you get lost. Please not it is closed on Tuesdays and the hours are 11 to 2 and 5 to 10pm.

Link to Tonta's map is here:
http://s.tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130503/13003984/
Its closed on Monday and Sunday.

GAGAGA SP live at Shibuya Star Lounge

I first heard GagagaSP's Sotsugyou and Hajimete Kimi to Shabeta many years ago and have been listening to them on and off since.

GAGAGA SP is easily my 2nd favourite band right above Ulfuls, Spitz etc.

The bad news is that they didn't play Sotsugyou, Hajimete Kimi to Shabeta, Kyoko-chan, Zoku Kyoko-chan and Matsuri no Junbi. :(

The good news is that they did sing Konchikushomei, Senbon Hanabi and a lot of songs that I like bit not enough to remember their names.

They've got 17 years of songs anyway and non of the original 3 look like they've aged.

Star Lounge is basically a small bar with a stage and no tables. Oh yes, the bar had ashtrays and I parked myself closeby.

Never knew his gimmick was to drink water and spit it at the audience. Good thing I chose ashtrays over front row.

Effing awesome towel.

GAGAGA SP's t-shirts are so much better than Sambomaster's. I just hate Sambomaster's current designs.

Fuk, she gave me the wrong t-shirt. Fark! I wanted the super cool one. Nooooooooo.

Normally in concerts during the encore bit where the band takes a shirt breather before playing the last 2/3 songs, fans either chant ankoru or clap.

This live, they all sang through the break which is really cool cause shouting ankoru for 5 minutes is stupid.

Himeji castle and chicken skin gyoza

Met up with Yukimi Sunday last week at Kyobashi station. We were suppose to have okonomiyaki at Sakura in Tenmabashi but luckily Kaori called to check and the were closed for hanami.

Should have taken a picture of lunch. The okonomiyaki and pork wrapped in egg yaki thing were awesome. The yakisoba was bland and needed a lot of sauce. This was first time I had eaten okonomiyaki which didn't rely on sauce for flavour.

Most of the scenary shots are by Yukimi cause I am a crap photographer compared to her.

And finally, the highlight of the trip torikawagyoza aka chicken skin gyoza. Omfg, it tasted like heaven with the spice seasoning. Seriously, it is was so good I went back for more.

Also had deer but torikawagyoza was too awesome for words. Currently trying to find one in Tokyo. Went to a shop in Takadanobaba after finding it on tabelog but turns out it closed a few years ago. Gah!

Did I actually streetpass HKT48's Tashima Meru？

Got a shock when I saw this on my 3DS. No idea who she is but you can be sure I will date her in the AKB game on my vita when I get back.

Looked for proof online but her barcode mii from last year looks very different from this.

 All her info is the same as what I found online. According to her google plus, she is indeed in Tokyo doing a play at Meijiza theatre in Nihonbashi. I must have street passed her in Shinjuku or Takadanobaba.

Could be some guy trolling or it could be real.

Better Half starring Mano Erina, Kazama Shunsuke, Nakamura Ataru and Katagiri Jin

Edit: Didn't realise Nakamura Ataru was actually a newhalf. lol. Her singing voice had no hint she was born a dude.

A bit sick of sakura pictures so I'll post about Himeji later. Unfortunately no Mano Erina concert this trip but for the first time I get to watch Mano-chan and Kazama Shunsuke who did a great job in Soredemo Ikite Yuku on stage!

Went to Shimokitazawa where Shimokita Glory Days was set.

Any jdrama about struggling theatre actors is also set here.

The premise of Better Half is that Kaazama Shunsuke's senpai played by Katagiri Jin used Kazama's face for a dating site and has been mailing with a girl.

Senpai sends Kazama in is stead for the date with Mano Erina. However, Mano Erina like Kazama is also the body double of her friend played by Nakamura Ataru who is a pianist and a newhalf.

Add to that you have Mano-chan playing a character who wants to get into the entertainment business and works at a derihealth and you have a recipe for a lot of comedy.

If you don't know about Japanese health business, go watch Ushijimakun.

Mano-chan gets a lot of dirty comedy from shouting fellatio many times to being Nakamura's sex master eg teaching her the difference between sumata and honban.

I was really surprised to get the tickets this easily cause today's performance included a Mano Erina talk.

It was really funny. Nakamura's newhalf pianist was the most developed and she gave most great musical performances.

The other three just weren't developed that well but its more of a comedy play and it had me in stitches throughout.

Acting-wise everyone was good but Nakamura Ataru stole the show.

The after show talk with Mano Erina was baaically the director making fun of her.

The director Kokami Shoji said that she was too thin and Erina said that she was told she needed to be thinner to get into acting. The director said that guys' idea of thin and girls' idea of thin were different. Totally agree and Erina is cuter with more meat.

Mano-chan thanked her fans for coming cause 90% of the audience stayed for the talk and braving the rain cause it always runs everytime she was an event which is true caused its rained the 3 times I've gone o her live. Kokami Shoji accussed Erina for being ame onna (rain woman) and she blames the rain is caused by her fans gathering.

Mano Erina also said she's been doing a lot of roles where she has to use unusual (dirty) words. Komaki Shoji asked her what role she wants to play and Erina said something to do with sports cause she likes swimming and basketball. The director said I want to see you in a swimsuit, let's to a play call Swimming Monogatari.

OMFG. Among the flyers I got is this for a Legend of Galactic Heroes play in June! By the crest of Kaiser Reinhart! I'm completely out of annual leave.

Really fun. First professional play I've seen and it was great.