Trip to Sapporo: Day 6 - Igloo

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Everyone being a bit on the lazy side, a few of us had decided to build a igloo, i.e. a house of snow, on top of the BUIE Gakuen building. The snow was there after several days of precipitation, but the even temperature below zero meant the consistency was powder snow. We did what we could and built a foundation of about 50 cm. Now it is just a question of waiting for the right kind of block-building snow.

And this is how it will look when finished:

Nah, just kidding, this is the Sapporo Dome stadium.

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Trip to Korea and Japan: Day 15 - Baseball at Sapporo Dome

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The big happening today was that, after a day of me covering inside from the sun and doing some lazy work, I went to see the home team Nippon Ham take on Rakuten from Sendai. After winning the Pacific Legue last year, Nippon Ham sadly holds the bottom place of the same League at the moment, with Rakuten at the top.
I am actually not any good at the finer details of baseball, and the sport is almost non-existent as an exerted sport there, but after seeing my first game ever in San Diego last year (the Padres won that first match), I really loved the whole setting and crowd, and afterwards it was the most memorable experience from that trip I think. With that in mind, I was wondering how the Japanese play baseball. Does going to a Japanese game differ from the "homeland" of baseball as much as say Japanese soccer differs from European?

 Following everyone else out from the subway, you can't miss were to go when there is a big event like a baseball match.

The big Sapporo Dome, shaped a little like an egg, is said to be even bigger than Tokyo Dome

The pitch is not real grass, I noticed. I think the one in San Diego was real grass. Must make some of the play different.

And the game is on!

Let's hope Nippon Ham wins!

The dedicated supporter section. This was the great improvement from the American game, as every time the home team was batting, they lead the home public in singing and chanting quite engaging songs. I added my voice to it and had a great time actually, you really got the idea easily without understanding the language. 

Enthusiastic entertainment from cheerleading girls and the mascots B&B

Anyone wants to buy a beer?

 The first five innings the Fighters actually had the upper hand, but then in the 6th the Eagles showed why they lead the Pacific league and took over the game, Nippon Hamm fighting a loosing battle without giving up.

 OK, everyone, get your balloons ready!

Aaaand,...release! Another superfun event.

Awww, come on! Ganbatte!

Nope. 1 - 4 loss. But it was only the last 2 points that decided it.

Time to go home. Thank you Nippon Ham Fighters, I had a great time. Arigatou Gouzaimasu.

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Trip to Korea and Japan: Day 13 - AKB48 Fanboy

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If you were to take one modern japanese pop music culture phenomena that has the greatest reach among all ages in Japan, I would guess super group AKB48 (and all its similar groups) is the one to go for. Consisting of 48 young girls (roughly 15-25 years old) they are loved by all ages, and this month they are doing a "Summer Dome Tour" where Sapporo and its super big Sapporo Dome is one place they visits. I actually tried getting some tickets but I was a little late for them and the process is really, really complicated for a foreigner (with very basic grasp of japanese...). I think I actually managed to become a member of the AKB48 club (or something) but tickets - no. Still, I and Shuka-san decided to go watch the watcher i.e. the fans at the stadium.

One thing I noticed directly was that, as I have implied earlier, the fans come in all ages and shapes. Boys and girls, small children and old grandmas, they all were there in large numbers, and it was really a general festival feeling. Fanboys (mainly) trading pictures of their favorites members like Pokemon collectors back in Sweden, and in the end, one hour queueing by everyone for AKB48 t-shirts, scarves, towels, fans and other collectables.

I got myself a really nice t-shirt that actually looks like a baseball t-shirt so I will definitely be able to wear it back in Sweden, ほんとに!

AT the subway exit the local superstore sold specially prepared drinks and all along the walk to Sapporo Dome there were special offers and special police that directed fans and traffic for extra safety.

What to choose, what to choose? The long list to the left is on which members personal towel you would like to buy. Some of them sell out quickly...

Lokal 7 store, fans taking a smoke or just hanging out

Final stretch of queueing

The Dome in the background like a giant buried egg.

The girls working at the booth had a lot of customers

Fanboy, before donning his proper AKB48 gear.

A fan fan, if the bad pun is forgiven...

It became a fun present for one of my helpful contacts here in Sapporo

And here you have the fanboy trying his best at kawaii, failing thoroughly. ;-P

Visiting Hokkaido university, this is one of the professor's doors

Nice Udon, a thicker japanese noodle, made by the owner of the restaurant, a professor Shoka knows. Great atmosphere and tasty (おいしい) food.

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