Gachapon machine in Kyoto. I got a Rena and a Satoko. I was going for Rika and Hanyuu, but I ran out of 100 yen coins. I’ll take a picture of them when I get back home. I was surprised by the quality. Rena even comes with her little billhook. I haven’t opened the Satoko gachapon yet. Wonder what she comes with, traps? Too bad Higurashi gachapons are 50% more expensive than the Hetalia ones.
Things I’ve noticed:
- Japanese is much more intimidating without fansubs
- Not once have I been able to say, "Kyon-kun denwa", "baka inu" or "moe moe kyun."
- Words I haven’t heard once since I got here: konnichiwa, shitsuree shimasu, sayounara
- Words I hear all the time: bikurishita, sumimasen, gozamaisu, gozamashita (what’s the difference between the two?)
- There’s ice cream shops all over the place. What do they do in the winter?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I think the difference between gozamaisu and gozamashita is that the latter is past tense. I may be wrong, I haven’t done that in class yet.
.-= Libera´s last blog ..A Higurashi hello =-.
Heh, let me know when you get there. I really should’ve taken at least a basic Japanese course before coming here. It would’ve made all the difference in the world.
If Kanon 2006 speaks the truth then they must eat taiyaki. Lots of them.
Too bad you haven’t gotten the chance to say those words. It’ll be priceless to see their reactions, really.
If you could manage to get some zetsuboushita! somewhere in there, like Japan has left you in despair. That’ll be hysterical. I wonder how many locals will get it? It might be that chance to find out.
I thought it was a panchiko machine when I first saw the pic lol. Btw, what were the other titles next to these two? Oh, don’t forget to catch the ongoing shows on TV any of these days, with commercials and all that it must feel very different.
.-= keikakudoori´s last blog ..Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou – 02 – Purple haired menace =-.
The Taiyaki is a lie! Actually, I’ve seen one taiyaki stand, and that was in some festival. And I’ve seen about 5,000 ice cream shops, cafes and European-style bakeries. I think the taiyaki was part of Ayu’s dream world, because I don’t see anybody eating taiyaki round here.
There were 8 gachapon machines in that cluster. I didn’t recognize what the other 6 were. I think Higurashi and Hetalia were the only anime related ones. The others were like cell phone straps, random cute animals, and super sentai I think.
Ah, good ‘ol gashapon. I saw so many of those when I was in Akihabara. One of the floors in Yodobashi (a huge electronics store) has tons of them lined up in two isles.
I’m surprised you haven’t heard “konnichiwa.” It’s only used in the afternoon hours while “ohayou” and “konbanwa” are used in the morning and evening respectively. “Shitsurei shimasu” is usually only used when entering someone’s house. And “sayounara” is only used when you won’t be seeing someone for a long time. Usually “mata ne” (see you later) or some variation of it are used daily.
.-= Yumeka´s last blog ..“When” do you blog? =-.
I hear ohayou and konbanwa all the time, but yeah it’s a little strange that I’m not hearing konnichiwa. I do hear the shopkeepers say irrashaimasen often though.
Ah, maybe that’s why I’m not hearing shiturei shimasu, I thought people would say that on the buses and stuff too, but apparently not. Either they say sumimasen, or (more likely) they just push their way through.
I guess it’s cause I’m a paying visitor at most places, everytime I leave, I usually hear arigato gozaimasu.
I hope people speak more english in tokyo though. Everyone assumes I’m Japanese, so when I just nod and say hai and arigato, I think people just assume I’m a mute or something.
We just had a bunch of Japanese kids come over to hang out in our Japanese club, and we were forewarned to not talk about anime or the like, as it has become ostracized in Japanese culture. We ended up not talking too much anyway, but we did play rock band together, and they all wanted to play the Lady Gaga songs. Hopefully we talk more next time we meet up in a bowling alley.
That’s interesting. I see anime or anime-style characters all over the place though. In store windows, on street signs, etc. I was surprised, because I figured I’d see that stuff in Tokyo, but didn’t expect it in Kyoto.
Cause Higurashi is 50% more awesome.
That’s great though…I’d want a Rika and Hanyu myself, as well as Shion, and a Satako to keep Rika company and then I’d want a Rena to finish the set…
.-= Janette´s last blog ..Senko no Night Raid episode 1 First and Final Impressions =-.
You left out Keichii. :p
I don’t need no stinking men!
.-= Janette´s last blog ..Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou 02-Korone =-.
A Higurashi hello is a good kind of hello. Wish I was out there to sink money into trying to get Rika and Hanyuu out of that machine. They must be liberated!
Ice cream is good at all times of the year I say.
.-= FlareKnight´s last blog ..Angel Beats! – 02 =-.
I can’t wait to see what they have at Akiba. :p
It’s very exciting to see mundane swag for shows that generally don’t hit it big in the US.
Haha thats a trap,
making you put in more and more, so that you can get what you want XD
then you realise, shit im spent a lot ^^” thats what happen to my friend.
.-= Fabrice´s last blog ..Toyosaki Aki – love your life =-.