Visiting with Alice on Wednesday

I finally went to Alice on Wednesday in March. It is a fun multi-level store with many cute items. Located just off of Meiji Dori in Shibuya near Harajuku, it was not crowded like Takashita Dori. 

Visitors are shown this little door to enter through. Inside were many Alice in Wonderland items. It was so difficult to chose what I wanted to buy.

I ended up chosing items related to tea, all with really cute packaging.

Like this little hanging ball filled with cookies.

I enjoyed these little Cheshire Cats with an orange tea during my time in Tokyo.

Besides tea items, they have jewelry and other accessories. I chose this cute pair of ankle socks. On a another day I found these gloves at Tokyu Hands in Ikebukuro.

Back to cute packaging, like this Queen of Hearts Throne box.

Inside were delicious rose cookies. I wish I had more of these. They reminded me of Spritz cookies that I use to make. I might try to see if I can make something similar if I can get the ingredients. I will have to get out my cookie press.

Something else that I wish I had bought more of.

Chocolate hearts. I still can't bring myself to eat the blue one. So very pretty!

There were a few items that I brought home with me. Various dip coffees and teas.

Drink Me soda and a glass covered dish.

The blue and purple packaged teas were herbal tea with a pretty blue green color when steeped.

The glass covered dish is very pretty and useful. I'm really happy with it. 

Inside were hard lemon vanilla candies. A sweet treat.

My next post will be of one of the few places I ate out at during this trip. A restaurant I had not tried before but was very glad I did visit there.

Au Revoir

It was time to say goodbye to Balloon-kun. Actually, I untied the balloon and deflated it so I could take it as a souvenir.

I had a little time so I went out for a walk. I hadn't visited MOS Burger this trip so I stopped in. Time for tea.

This time I tried their veggie patty burger. Not bad.

But the real reason I stopped in was the onion rings. Oishii~!

Outside the weather did what it always does on my last day. Look beautiful.

I had time for more caffeine at my hotel. Free dark roast blend coffee anyone?

I didn't take photos on the train ride to Narita because I've done that before. I wasn't hungry so I just bought a few small things to eat at the 7-11 there. I should have bought more since the flight ran out of all selections for meals except one, long before they reached the back of the plane. And it was something that was really unappetizing to me. So I was left eating a hard roll and cheese, which I also didn't really want. If I ever fly Delta again, I'm bringing something more filling and edible. The panda cookies were good. The little pouch is something a friend gave me a while back, and I keep things in there for the flight, like a pen, ear plugs and lip balm. It's really helpful.

One last photo, of the carpet at Narita Airport. Since I have ones from the other side of the ocean. It's just a green textured carpet. I wonder if the design is to look like tatami mats?

Koé Green, La Vita and Illuminations

With the sun going down and after that long walk through Todoroki Valley, it was time to think about dinner. So I took a short ride from Todoroki Station to Jiyugaoka Station to check out a restaurant I had noted in my online research. Where I ended up is part of the Shibuya koé hotel group. Located at the koé house store in Jiyugaoka is koé green.

There was definitely a Scandinavian vibe to koé house. The restaurant was in the first floor of the store with tables that were placed around the center stairs. Ordering is done at the counter and then you pick where you want to sit. I passed on the pasta gratin selections and went with their green's deli plate.

This came with a battered fish that I think was cod, salad, two deli items, bread and drink. The fish was really nice with a light batter. I don't usually eat fried food in the US, but in Japan, there is much less of an oily taste. I think it's the type of oil that many places use in Japan. Possibly canola oil? I know I prefer it and use it at home. In America, corn oil is used more often. 

Everything on my plate was delicious, with bits of spice and heat in unexpected but nice ways. Tsukemono pickles were topped by cold curried shrimp. Amazing taste! koé green is located at koé house, 2 Chome-9-19 Jiyugaoka, Meguro City.

Finishing my dinner, I went for a short walk. To La Vita.

I think I arrived at a perfect time, with the moon rising in the sky and the sun setting.

La Vita is a little area in Jiyugaoka where the architectural design is based on Venice.

It is only one block in size, but the photos make it seem much bigger. In part because of all the details like the lights and moldings. Even Roman goddess Diana is there hunting. Nice timing with the moon showing up in the sky.

Besides the architecture reminding me of Venice, there is a little bridge over a canal and a gondola.

The canal doesn't go any where and is very shallow. But it is picturesque and a number of people were busy taking selfies there.

It was dark when I made it back to Jiyugaoka Station, which is why I noticed this very creative illumination in the shape of a Gothic arch.

Besides the sakura pink lights in the trees, red and pink rose lights covered the arch.

Along with these other rose lights that changed color.

Before I left Jiyugaoka, I did stop at a couple little shops by the station. I had heard of Cafe&Cake Mozart, and there was a little store outside the station.

So I bought their little chocolate chocolate chip and nut cookies. I think the nuts were almond. These were very nice. Cake&Cafe Mozart's address is Front Exit Jiyugaoka Station, 30, Meguro City.

Being that Jiyugaoka is a place that has a more European style to it, it was not surprising that there was a Dalloyau Paris shop there. Of course I had to get a few macarons. Left to right is chocolate, chocolate orange, and pistachio. I had asked for and pointed to the season special, pistachio with peppermint, but I was given the regular pistachio macaron. Other than that, they were delicious! Crispy outside, creamy inside. Their macarons are a little smaller than I've seen elsewhere, but nicely made. Dalloyau Paris address is 2-chōme-11-2 Jiyūgaoka, Meguro City.

Moi dix Mois ~Scarlet Sabbath~

I'm not sure where to start with this. So perhaps it would be good to begin with a couple photos for the new venue where the Moi dix Mois ~Scarlet Sabbath~ was going to be held. That was the SHIBUYA STREAM. 

Since it was a little unclear on Google Maps where the place was, I made my way there the day before. Just in case I got lost on the way. So once I made it out of Shibuya Station, I found myself going up escalators. Many escalators.

Thankfully they had a lot of signage inside the vast building where SHIBUYA STREAM is. And in case I wasn't sure, there were video screens of flowing water.

Finally the last escalator. Which on the day of the concert was open for everyone to go up. Something else about this building, it is very open. Lots of windows and air flowing through. It is very different from other venues I've been at in Japan. 

The area outside the hall was really large. Lots of room for the goods table. Along with a flower arrangement from ESP Guitars. Because today was the debut for the new Moi dix Mois guitar strap. 

Up another escalator and into the venue. Which was much smaller than I expected. Six rows of seats and then an area for standing behind those. On stage was the familiar Moi dix Mois banner along with the rose gates and the band's instruments. Personally I did not know what to expect. It was my first time experiencing the end of the year show, but this was actually an added live. I felt rather lucky that the time I decided to attend there were two shows. So I found myself sitting next to a vampire for this Scarlet Sabbath. Who told me my shoes were very elegant.

(from Mana's Moi dix Mois Twitter)

I suppose the best way to describe the band's look as they each entered the stage to the instrumental "En Lumiére" is to show Mana's make-up for the night. Everyone wore black with red accents. Mana wore the Moi-même-Moitié Falling Cross Print Gauze Shirt for a more hard-core look with the red contacts and red and black make-up. The feeling from the band's appearance was this would be a dark night of music. And it was.

The first song was "unmoved" followed by "Sanctum Regnum". Right off the audience was into the music and the band responded in kind. For me, I had two questions. The first was how lead singer Seth would sound after his vocal chord surgery.

(from Seth's Twitter)

The answer to that question came quickly. Seth had no problem handling the range of the Moi dix Mois songs. His voice moved easily from a growl into the higher notes needed for some songs. While he had been singing enka since his surgery, this was his first time singing with Moi dix Mois and I can say he sounded great. A test was the chorus of next song, "Gloire dans le silence" and it was marvelous. 

(from Ryux's Twitter)

That was one of the songs I really wanted to hear, so I was happy Mana chose it. What happened next was a big surprise to me. Because it was the one song I had wanted to hear the most. I kind of have mentioned this on Twitter for a few years now. But I did not expect it. The last time it was played live was in 2016 in Hong Kong. Mana did say there would be songs they had not done in a while, so I was indescribably happy when the opening notes of "Deflower" played. It was amazing to hear live, the sound being much deeper and darker than the recorded version. Along with Ryux's beautiful backing vocals, "Deflower" was perfect. I hope Ryux will get to sing more. I love the choral style songs, and he is great backing Seth's singing. I do wish they did "Deflower" more often, but this time, it felt special. My second question had been answered.

"Invite to Immorality" played and then the band rocked "Nocturnal Romance". The instrumental "A Lapis Night's Dream" flowed into another not played recently song that I had hoped they would play, "Lamentful Miss". In a way, this song has meaning for the current band, being the first single released where drummer Hayato and bassist Sugiya were listed as official band members. A song about a fallen angel, it really is wonderful to hear live. Next up was the new song "A ghost whispers". It's great to know the actual title of the song. I look forward to when this is recorded and everyone can hear it. Because there is a bit of a story behind it, and I think it is also played out in the samples used for it.

(from Hayato's Twitter)

Next up was a bit of fun. It was time for Seth's MC, in which he reads "Message from Mana". There were announcements for future events like the two Mana-sama birthday shows, Deep Sanctuary VII and Mana going to Russia and America for events in 2020. What also happened was Mana came out with two bouquets of red roses for Hayato and Sugiya, for their recent November birthdays. I give them credit for not tearing them apart and throwing the roses everywhere, like someone else does. Following the roses, Seth had us participate in repeating some crazy phrases that Sugiya and Hayato came up with. Besides the two performing an awesome version of "MAD INGRAIN" together with just bass and drums, we were asked to repeat "Sugi-sama, Sugi-sama, Sugi-sama, Sugi-sama, Sugi-sama" and "Haya, Haya, Haya, Haya, Haya-sama" a number of times as part of "Immortal Madness". The audience did really well. Me, I did okay when I wasn't laughing.

(Sugiya and Hayato from Hayato's Twitter)

All members came back to play "Dead Scape" and "Perish". I have to say everything was right on this night. And Mana looked like he was really into playing guitar. Everything sounded like it was going well. And it was time for another new song. Which we now know the actual title is "Lueur Blanche". Once again, it was exquisite in how delicate yet strong this ballad is. And Seth's vocals were superlative. It's going to be a wonderful moment to hear how this ends up sounding once it is recorded. Another great Seth song is "Twilight Flower". Besides how this has turned into a very elegant waltz complimented with his singing, Seth's movements really bring out the drama of this song. 

Back into more hardcore rock, Mana tore into "Immortal Madness" (this is where that audience participation happened). This was followed by "Beast Side" and then "Ange~D side holy wings~", which has become the closing song. The band left the stage and we in the audience began chanting "Moi dix Mois". Slowly each member came out wearing the new M warm Moi dix Mois hoodies. Well not everyone one.

(from Ryux Twitter)

Ryux came out wearing this thick black faux fur coat. And Mana, well he did have the hoodie with him.

(from Mana's Twitter)

Besides having the draped the hoodie on one shoulder, Mana was wearing black bunny ears, much to the crowd's enjoyment.

(from Mana's Twitter)

Mana continued to wear the rabbit ears while the band played their closing number, 

"Je l'aime". Mana threw his final guitar pick much harder than the previous ones. It made it to the fifth row in front of me, where it disappeared. No one could find it. 

(Mana Death Bunny from Mana's Twitter)

While we were all not wanting it to end, there was a feeling of anticipation. Because the next night would be that annual festive night, Dix inferno XVII ~Last Year Party~. And I was pretty happy because of something nice that had happened.

I, like many, had hoped to get a ticket for a seat. I was concerned that standing two nights in a row would not be easy for me. I had not been lucky, I ended up with a standing ticket. I had been checking Twitter when I saw someone offering for sale at face value, one seat ticket. I contacted this lovely lady and everything worked out. I got my ticket at the venue. Even though I ended up paying for two tickets, it was worth it. She and her friend were sitting in the row in front of me, so that was nice.

And she gave me sweets! The cookies were really good. Thank you very much to this lovely lady for helping me out. And thank you to Moi dix Mois and Mana for another wonderful show. Everything went smoothly it seemed, and the music was excellent. And finally getting to hear "Deflower" live, it was amazingly better than I could have ever imagined.