Writing to you from beautiful Tokyo, where I have already dropped some cash on stuff I (and you) totally “need.”

We’re here for business and pleasure as usual. ^_^ Our trip began with a bit of light throwing money at the Japanese otaku economy, as we bought some things we couldn’t live without, but I can’t remember what they are now. (!!) And gashopon. The first day we headed out to Shinjuku to enjoy the “Manhole cover fair” at Tokyu hands. We did, in actual fact, buy some manhole cover design goods. Not these. I’m not paying $13 for a manhole cover coaster, sheesh.

We met James Welker for dinner and once again had an absolute blast. He’s always lovely to speak with over a yummy dinner. Meeting him gave us a chance to shop for Valentine’s Day chocolate for fun. 

The next day we headed over to Nakano to see what treasures we could find. I found a bunch of treasures, including the climax of Rose of Versailles in the original magazine. How cool is that? I also found a bunch of things I was not buying.

And this gorgeous thing that, should I have bought it, would have to remain unworn, because I don’t know why, but I kill watches dead if I wear them. But stilll…….I wanted it so much.

Most importantly….and really, this is quite important, Mandarake in Nakano now has a Yuri section. It’s next to the gay manga section, not the BL section and had a bunch of Yuri porn I didn’t recognize and a lot I did, and whole bunch of older Yuri from Yuri Hime, including all the novels I didn’t buy at the time because they looked meh.

We stayed local that night, but Book-Off *still* doesn’t have the second volume of Shitsurakuen, so I didn’t buy anything. There’s a lot-lot-lot more Yuri on shelves these days, even in the used book stores, but nothing I hadn’t already read, oh well. 

Today we took a trip to the Takako Shimura popup shop and mini exhibit in Yurakucho. It was sweet. there were framed prints for sale and some original works on display, a video of her working on one of the illustrations and a little “tools of the trade exhibit.” I picked up a bunch of stuff for Lucky Boxes of course and a few things for myself. 

Then we hit up Tokyo Station’s Character Street, then and headed out to Ueno. After dinner, we decided, because it is Valentine’s Day. we’d go see the Illumination at Shiodome. After watching way lots of light singing “Let it Go” to us, we finally curled up with some Houjicha and Strawberry Tiramisu Kit-Kats. The houjicha one tastes a bit like white chocolate covered ashtray and the strawberry one tasted like strawberry and a barful of alcohol. I think I like them. I’ll probably bring some home.

We’ve got a lot planned for the rest of the week, and I’ll report back in a few days. No YNN report this week, a I’ll be out having fun without you. ^_^

I’ll see you on the other side of Comitia!