Trip to Korea and Japan: Day 13 - AKB48 Fanboy

(Click here for first day, yesterday and all trips)
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.

(Click here for the next day)