Tokyo Comic Con: Japan's Take on the American Geek Event

Tokyo Comic Con: Japan's Take on the Popular Great American Geek Event

Tokyo Comic Con is a very young event, especially in light of more established events in town such as Comic Market (a.k.a. Comiket) which has been around for decades.  Even compared to some of the similar, bigger events held at Makuhari Messe, it is smaller in scale.  But, as they say, the show is only getting started, and it has started out pretty well so far.

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Tokyo Comic Con #tokyocomiccon #japan #girl #woman #cosplay #costume #supergirl #superman #dccomics #igers #instagood

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One of the big difference between Comic Con and Comiket is the celebrity "panels" and appearances.  Of course, Comiket does have its share, but they are understated... writers are on site but it's not to the degree that you'd see at Comic Con.  And if you look closely, you'll find some Japanese celebs hiding behind a costume.  In comparison, Stan Lee (who is a god among demigods in the comic book world) was on hand at the first two Tokyo Comic Cons, but unfortunately was only present in spirit in 2018 due to his passing just weeks earlier.

Aside from creators, Tokyo Comic Con brings heavy star power in the form of movie/television stars.  Names such as Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Renner, Mads Mikkelson, and the Phelps twins of Harry Potter fame among others have graced the event with speaking panels, photo ops and autograph sessions.  Those come at a (heavy) price though, but getting to meet a celebrity and having a souvenir from the meeting is your type of thing, it's definitely there for the money.  Many of the major entertainment/goods companies are well represented here as well.  Most are of the "international" brand, but even the Japanese companies have a presence here if you're interested in those as well.  And for all, the things they have on display are great... as they always are here in Japan.

Personally though, I go to Comic Con to soak in the fun, to escape reality and remember all that I found fun in the entertainment world in my younger and present life, and pretend I'm a kid again.  Well, I'm still a kid really, in too many ways, but I also like to take photos now so...

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#ironman #tonystark #tokyocomiccon #japan #japanese #cosplay #armor #marvel #asia #instagood

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And, meeting the Japan requisite of cosplay at any geek event, Tokyo Comic Con does not disappoint.  The numbers may be smaller than other more well established events locally, but they are here:

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Tokyo Comic Con #wolverine #logan #xmen #thebestatwhatido #mutant #tokyocomiccon #japan #japanese #woman #cosplay #costume #instacool

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And of course, what started it all... comics.  You can find those here as well, in English and Japanese.

Compared to the more established events locally, the crowds are not that bad either.  Give it a few years until it starts to approach, say, Wonder Festival's amount of crowd.  Until then, enjoy the Tokyo Comic Con for all it is and be the kid you've always been.

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#rebelalliance standing by! Not sure #anakinskywalker will stay on our side though... #tokyocomiccon #tokyocomiccon2018 #cosplay #cosplayersofinstagram #starwars #japan #admiralakbar #itsatrap

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Recommendations:
- Purchase tickets online in advance; slightly cheaper than purchasing on site and saves time from waiting in line to purchase.
- Many food options, but lines get long during the "common" lunch hours.  Eat early or later to avoid lines.
- Weather outside is pretty cool, but inside the event halls it can get warm due to heating/crowds.  Be versatile.

Specifics:
Tokyo Comic Con
Held every late Nov/early Dec at Makuhari Messe
Trips available via Camp Zama MWR
Location:

Interlude - Why I'm Here

So I've pounded out a few posts featuring several of Tokyo's finest attractions, events, experiences, and all that.  Perhaps now's a good time for a little breather, not that I'll take any actual time away from the process really.  This is just a snapshot into the person behind the posts on this part of the internets.

The initial post on this blog was actually the introduction to me, but the subsequent posts shed more into what my interests are, what I find to be fun and rewarding, things like that.  I'm sure as the posts continue, the layers will continue to be peeled... if anyone is actually attentively peeling, then I guess they are learning about the enigma that is me.  But I'll take this moment to tell the story of the reason I'm here.

I'm employed by United States Army Garrison Japan (USAG Japan for short), hence my presence here at Camp Zama, Kanagawa prefecture, for a few years, and more to come in the future as we go along in this process of life.  Without a doubt, the complete package of this existence here is the best I've ever had.  The package consists of:

- Location: being in the "suburbs" of Tokyo has the best of both worlds; easy access to the best city in the world and a quieter neighborhood in which to relax and unwind at home.
- Salary/benefits: won't go into detail but I'm not starving for cash and don't have to worry very much about having to shell out large amounts of money  here (really!).
- People (in and out of work): I have international experience with employment, and I will go as far to say that the people working alongside me here in Camp Zama are the best all-around and it isn't even close to anywhere else.  Along with international work experience I've also had extensive international friend experience.  And the friends I've made here in Zama and the Tokyo area are truly the best; maybe not to the level of my best friends in high school but as adults they made time for me when I'm free to have fun, and they've taught me so much, all without even an ounce of judgment or reservation for anything about me.
- Work environment:  Much better than any other place I've been employed.  No "traps", no "gut checks", no backstabbing.

And, I've had previous experience working at and living in Yokota Air Base (nearby) and Camp Foster (Okinawa).  Camp Zama as a whole has both beat in my opinion, and it's not even close.  So if you are considering employment for the US government in Japan, my heart would reach out to you to tell you to come right here to Camp Zama.  If you're interested, I'm not the best source of advice in getting hired over here (I've only been working for the government for less than 5 years) but I'd be happy to share with you what I can and do my best to help.

Coyote Ugly

Coyote Ugly is a bar, a rather lively one at that, which was also the setting for the 2000 movie of the same name.  Since it first opened in 1993, it has grown into a worldwide chain of bars, with one prominently situated in the party/nightlife capital of Tokyo (if not Japan), Roppongi. 

The Coyote Ugly in Tokyo is a relatively new place, having opened in December of 2016, but a visit to this energetic bar/saloon might make you think it's been a part of the Roppongi nightlife scene for much longer, as it fits in very well here among all the izakayas, night shows, bars, and dance clubs in the neighborhood.

The bartenders/dancers (henceforth referred to as the Coyotes) are the heart and soul of this place.  Their enthusiasm and energy are infectious and permeate through the atmosphere of Coyote Ugly and reach the customers in a way seldom seen in any similar establishment.  Their dancing (especially on the bar!) is great, personalities are friendly and welcoming, and seem to be generally beautiful people inside and out.  That alone makes this place quite unique and worth visiting.

The sounds of the place are also noteworthy.  Music tastes can vary from person to person, of course, but the DJing here is very good and contributes well to the atmosphere and theme.  It is mostly (if not all) internationally known music that's being played, and if you're a fan of the movie you might notice that some of the songs from the movie soundtrack will be heard on occasion.  For me to say the music was great isn't an empty compliment; I've been to some places, including in Roppongi, where I was put off by the song selection.  Definitely not here, though.

It varies, but many of the Coyotes I've encountered here are pretty good with English, so don't need to worry about the language barrier too much here.

One of the friendly Coyotes leans over to pose for a pic

If you've been to any other Coyote Ugly in the world, I'd still recommend visiting this one.  It is a Japanese take on a tried and true formula elsewhere, and as I've often vouched for the beauty of the people here, I will, without hesitation, say that Coyote Ugly in Tokyo is the best one of all I've been to.

She was invited onto the bar with the Coyotes for a cool photo op

Recommendations:
- Don't arrive on an empty stomach, as Coyote Ugly does not serve food, only drinks.  Have your evening meal/snack before going, or plan on doing so after your time at the saloon.

- Arrive earlier in the evening, while the crowd is relatively small during happy hour, to have a better chance at sitting at the bar (and therefore up closer to the action on/behind the bar).  Arrive anytime if this doesn't matter too much for you.

- No men allowed on the bar.  Just a warning, but the Coyotes will inform you once you're there.  Ladies are welcome, upon invitation from the hosts.

- Come ready to interact and have fun!  This isn't a quiet bar/izakaya, so one shouldn't come here expecting to blend into the background too much.  The Coyotes will find you and will want to make the evening a fun/enjoyable one!

Specifics:
Coyote Ugly Saloon, Tokyo
Price: Varies with drinks, no cover charge
Hours: 2000-0200 Mon-Thu, 2000-0300 Fri-Sat
Location:

Tokyo Auto Salon

For a nation whose populace relies heavily on its world class public transportation system, it is a bit ironic that the car culture in Japan is also wildly popular.

However, the popularity does make sense in several ways.  Japan is home to many of the world's major automotive companies, and in many places outside of the large metropolitan areas, the automobile is the preferred mode of transportation (due to lack of a convenient local rail system).  Still, none of these can quite explain the driving force (no pun intended) behind the popularity of Tokyo Auto Salon.

Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS) is an event/exhibition focused on the custom car.  This can mean anything from customized exterior/interior (body, lights, seats, audio, etc) to customized mechanics (engine, etc).

From the average Tokyo citizen to the average movie watcher who's seen The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, everyone knows that though not wildly prevalent, there exists a culture of customized autos in Tokyo, from the speed/muscle cars to the more eye-catching ones.  Sometimes, at random moments, you get a glimpse of these cars on the expressways or streets in and around Tokyo, but if you want to see them up close and personal, Tokyo Auto Salon is the place to be.

(Also, the "race queen" culture is very much alive and well in Japan, and TAS is awesome for seeing pretty faces along with pretty cars.  Sometimes the race queens will be in the way of a car photo, but that's the tough life of trying to take in the cars at TAS!)

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Tokyo Auto Sakon #tas2018 #tokyoautosalon #japan #japanese #racequeen #asia #smile #igers #igersjp #instagood #instagramhub

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For the observer and photographer, TAS is sensory overload (in a great way), with so many cars, exhibitors, presentations (and race queens).  For the car enthusiast (car owner) there are, naturally, some more incentives to visit this great event with more than just sightseeing in mind:

- for anyone serious or semi serious about tricking up their ride to any degree, TAS is mandatory.  So many aftermarket vendors and merchandise here if you're going to commit to it (or info to bring home to think/rethink strategy).
- thinking of getting a new/old, cooler ride altogether?  There are a lot of examples to see here, and some are indeed on the market if you look closely.
- on the lighter side, there are a lot of decals/accessories/bling here as well that you could purchase to install on your vehicle

And just from an entertainment perspective, TAS offers quite a bit.  From car companies putting on shows/demonstrations, dance/music performances, and in many cases the cars themselves providing the entertainment, TAS is a great event which can fuel the desire to get more in/out of your ride than the manufacturer specs.

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Tokyo Auto Salon #tokyoautosalon #tas2018 #japan #japanese #girl #woman #racequeen #cars #nissan #gtr #asia #igers #webstagram

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Recommendations:
- The best day to attend this three day event (Friday thru Sunday) is Friday.  Least crowded; even though you actually have less time to spend there than the other days, you'll get more out of it by means of traversing all of the event space and having better access to exhibits/booths.
- Arrive early in the day, perhaps an hour in advance of the opening, to maximize time at the event.  If you don't anticipate going to and spending time at everything there, arrive anytime but plan for at least 2 hours to get a good dose of TAS' goodness.
- Purchase ticket(s) in advance, online, to minimize waiting and make entry to the event a bit easier (especially if trying to get in around opening time).
- Wear layers; it's cold outside in January but the heating (and crowds) will get to you if you try to go around in the event halls all bundled up.  Be able to shed some layer(s) for maximum ease/comfort while you're there.



Specifics:
Tokyo Auto Salon
Held annually in January, at Makuhari Messe, for three days (Friday-Sunday)
Cost: 3500 yen on Friday, 2500 yen on Sat/Sun
Trips available via Camp Zama MWR, and Yokota 374 FSS 

Mame Shiba Cafe

Shiba Inu is (alongside with Akita Inu) the most well known Japanese dog breed.  In so many ways, with regards to its appearance and personality, the dog is very much Japanese, but I won't go too deeply into that here.  You'll find many more expert opinions and observations on the dog itself elsewhere on the internets, but let's look at the beloved Shiba from the perspective of the tourist or even temporary resident of Japan.

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#kuroshiba enjoying the #fall #campzama #japan #asia #shibainu #dog #leaves

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In the past, in order to see Shiba Inu with your own eyes, you'd have to encounter them on their daily walks in their neighborhood, or at a park welcoming to pets.  Places such as Ueno Park and Yoyogi Park come to mind, which are often visited by tourists, especially during cherry blossom (Sakura) season.  But to actually get to meet one up close and personal, there wasn't any truly reliable option for that, until recently.

Mr. Shiba enjoying the snow

Mame Shiba is a small shiba (purposefully so?), noticeably smaller than the typical Shiba Inu.  Aside from its diminutive stature though, Mame Shibas are without a doubt indistinguishable from its larger species, and have a unique charm and cuteness of its own.  In the Tokyo area, one establishment called the Mame Shiba Café opened recently in Harajuku, one of Tokyo's popular tourist destinations.

Since it recently opened, the Mame Shiba Café is a very popular attraction, with lines just to purchase the tickets at times.  Once you buy the admission ticket (880 yen) you'll probably have to return to the café at an appointed/schedule time for your 30 minutes of quality time with the mame shibas.

But once you get in... prepare to be amazed at their numbers (around one dozen of the dogs were in the café when I visited) and their overwhelming cuteness.

The mame shibas were a lot different in personality from my own shiba-san at home, but perhaps that indicates the difference in atmosphere for a dog, between a family home and what is essentially like a dorm for dogs.  Shibas are known to be somewhat cat like in personality, which I saw even more so with these mame shibas... not too friendly as a rule, but when for some reason they find someone they like...

My wife had no shortage of love from those little dogs!  I think these mame shibas could tell that she's a shiba mommy...

For anyone who loves dogs, or even animals in general (especially of the cute and lovable variety), the Mame Shiba Café is definitely a unique place to visit and one I'd highly recommend.




Recommendations:
- Arrive early, even before the café opens (1100 during the week, 1030 on weekends/holidays) to get near/at the front of the line for ticket(s).  Even if you take a while to get your ticket, you might only have to hang around waiting/lunching in the area for an hour or less until your admission time.  This frees up valuable time to check out other things (Meiji Jingu, Yoyogi Park, etc) later!
- Wear comfortable clothes, something easy to sit and kneel in.  These little doggos are... very little, and you aren't allowed to pick them up (touching/petting them is more than okay), so your attire should be conducive to getting closer to the tatami floor easier.
- Go alone or with others, but selfies with the shibas might be difficult.  Let a friend take the photo of you with the mame shibas!
- I don't remember seeing restrooms around the café, but as you have 30 minutes here with the shibas I'd suggest going to a facility elsewhere and before your visit.


Specifics:
Mame Shiba Café, Harajuku
Hours: 1100-1900 on weekdays, 1030-1930 on weekends and holidays
Location:

Kimono Rental

Kimonos are one of those very unique things that to many people symbolize Japan, especially those outside of the country.  Honestly, in the past, and perhaps in the present for some, one might be under the perception that all women in Japan wear a kimono every day.

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Thank you @kyotokimonorental.wargo for introducing my cousin and niece to the wonderful art of the kimono! #wargo #wargocustomers #asakusa #japan #kimono

A post shared by akiba16 (@akiba16) on Nov 28, 2018 at 12:36pm PST

But, for a guy to develop an interest and liking for the kimono... and not just appreciating it on others, but actually wearing it myself, there has to be a story of some kind behind it, right?  It's a relatively short and simple one, which also tells a bit of the background/foundation behind so many of the other things I've been fortunate to experience here in Japan.

My kimono story is actually rooted from baseball, of all things.  Ironically, at that point it had been nearly a decade since I'd stopped seriously following Major League baseball.  So anyway, here's how the story goes:  a friend talks a bit about her liking of Japanese baseball, specifically the Yakult Swallows.  At that point I'd never been to a baseball game in Japan, but had heard about it from fellow Americans who went on MWR/base tours or with experienced friends who went to games at Seibu and Tokyo Dome for Lions and Giants games, respectively.  But the Yakult Swallows seemed like... uncharted territory for Americans.  They played at... Meiji Jingu stadium?  Was it near the shrine in Harajuku?

So, curiosity took over, but the language barrier and uncharted territory made going to a baseball stadium by myself, or with family, very daunting.  So, I ask that friend to bring me to a game.  Cool she says... but I need to pay her a favor in return, which was to accompany her on a kimono outing at Asakusa.

Lovely kimono ladies near the Sumida River

So it actually interested me on its own, the kimono thing.  I was told that there were male versions of it, so I wasn't worried about looking too silly.  As it turned out, the kimono left an impression on me and turned me into a fan for several reasons:

Praying for a nice kimono day?

- There is a definitely a process, a schedule, a recipe in forming the outfit, which is unlike any other fashion outfit (or costume) I'd ever tried.  And it seemed that the one doing the dressing at the rental shop had to be trained in the ways of the kimono.  Even the dressing of one in a kimono was an art form!
- For women, getting their hair styled at the shop seemed almost mandatory.  That told me it was a big deal for them, and I can respect others' passion for the art.
- Wearing the kimono felt like being transported back in time, when perhaps all of Japan were dressed this way in public.
- Walking around in a kimono in the traditional/touristy areas of Asakusa accentuated the time warp feeling.  And, getting to the modern-looking areas (with Tokyo Skytree in the background) did that as well!
- Photography.  That says it all, but I'll add to it: of course photos of people wearing kimono are very nice (even if I'm in it) but for the first time in my life I was having strangers asking to take photos of me.  That tells you how cool it is (not me).
- The moments after getting out of the kimono: think of how nice it is to put on your regular shoes after ice skating for a while.  Transfer that nice feeling to your torso.

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Kimono day #asakusa #kimono #tokyo #japan #asia #yolo #instamood #iphoneasia #instagram #traditional #asian #webstagram

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I've gone out in kimono, through the rental shops, a few times since that first experience, and I anticipate writing about the shops specifically in the future since each shop and its location have some unique aspects that would be useful for one planning out the ideal outing.

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When in Japan... #wednesdaywisdom #kimono #asakusa #japan #tokyo #girl #woman #asia #asian #beautiful #bestoftheday #picoftheday #photoofday #instamood #ethnic #traditional

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Also in the near future, expect to hear about how my following of the Yakult Swallows is rooted from kimonos!

Photo with my sensei, niece, and cousin, thanks to a friendly photographer!

Recommendations:

- Go with a friend or two, or more!  I can't imagine doing this alone, especially for a first timer.  Someone needs to be willing to take a photo of you when you find the right spot/moment.  And it's just one of those things you'll feel more comfortable/secure with in the company of others.  Also, you'd likely want someone to talk to about the amazing experience who'd been through it as well!

- Reservations in advance are highly recommended.

- If you're going to do this in a tourist area, expect that some tourists will want to take a photo of you.  I know some are good with this and some are not, so think about what your answer will be when asked or when someone looks to take a photo of you.

- Check out the weather before reserving; rainy days might make this awesome experience a lot less awesome.