[Question] Concert Gear

[novelizedbella.livejournal.com]

Hello all! This is just a quick question, considering my ignorance on the subject. I hope someone has some experience in this.

So, my friend and I are going to our first ever Arashi concert, in Nagoya (June 1st). Yeah! But, I've never been to a concert in Japan, let alone a JE one. I know of the dos and don'ts, as far as behavior goes...and things like uchiwa size rule (I was hoping to make one of my own in these next couple of weeks), but I'm still ignorant as to things like what we should and should not bring with us.

For all those who have been to a JE concert, if any, would you recommend things like waterbottles? If so, do they have to be unopened, like most outdoor concerts in America (I'm American, my friend is Australian). 

Also, I know cameras aren't allowed, even though some people sneak them in. But, the domes have seating, right? So, does that mean bringing purses and the like are okay? Normally in America, I go to concerts with as little as possible, since I go to the "standing-room only" kind of concert generally. But if I'm traveling to Nagoya from Osaka, I would like to bring my purse with me with things like my wallet (which is thick) and miscellaneous items that girls seem to deem "necessary". :)  I was thinking about putting things in a locker at the train station, but I was just curious, in case anything should happen.

That said, any and all information about what would be recommended and advised against, for a JE concert, would be highly appreciated! 

Thanks so much! I'm excited! :D

Comments

[buttrflikissr.livejournal.com]

no waterbottles. you can sneak it in, but sometimes the security asks you to finish it or throw it away :/
this is from my experience though.

and yep you can bring your purses. You don't really need to put them in a locker.

[nekokonneko.livejournal.com]

Why no water bottles? :O

[buttrflikissr.livejournal.com]

im not really sure :/
i just remember at some venues, they'd ask us if we had "petto bottles" (water bottles) and asked us to dispose it or empty the contents into a paper cup.

[nekokonneko.livejournal.com]

So then it wasn't the liquid itself but the bottle....So strange. @.@

[novelizedbella.livejournal.com]

Hmm, that is very strange. But thanks for the input, I'll make sure not to have a water bottle when going into the actual venue, though apparently it's good to have one while standing in line for concert goods?

[gleefilled.livejournal.com]

I have no idea about water bottles *in* the concert hall, but you'll probably want it for while you're standing in line. At the concert I went to, all the drink machines around the venue were completely sold out and it was hot out. T_T JE concerts seem to all have seating, yes, so purses/bags/etc should be fine; you should have room to put them under your seat -- and you may want your wallet for concert goods anyway! XD Good luck!!

[novelizedbella.livejournal.com]

Ah, so the concert goods line is outside the Nagoya Dome for sure? I've been told that it can vary, and if it's outside, then I will most definitely bring a water bottle. Thanks for the info! :D

[honooko.livejournal.com]

The reason for the no-bottles rule; bottles can (and have been) thrown at the performers. :\

Purses are okay, but know that when you walk in, when they take your ticket, they also ask to see in your bag. My Japanese when I went was limited, and I didn't understand what they were asking until my friend poked me and said SHOW THEM THE INSIDE OF YOUR PURSE, IDIOT. XD

[novelizedbella.livejournal.com]

Ah yeah, in that light, then it's probably understandable why they won't want bottles around. >__<

Haha, well, I had assumed they would do a bag check, so that should be alright, I think. Do they do this check before you get near the venue, say, before you get in line for concert goods? Or just before you actually get inside the dome?

[hontowa.livejournal.com]

Okay, weird, I'm also traveling from Osaka (well, Nara technically, but the Kansai area) to Nagoya to see them on the exact same date XD

As Honooko said, they'll ask to see the inside of your purse, but it's rediculously easy to hide a camera. Since they have to check a bajillion people (especially in a dome), they really just have you open it and maybe poke around a little. So if you have a small camera and you hide it well, you may be fine. I wouldn't recommend taking any pictures during the show, but I know some people like to take pictures with their friends outside and stuff.

Then as someone else mentioned, they sell concert goods at the show, so you may want to get there significantly early (an hour or two?) as the line will be long as hell. If you end up with a lot of time left I think it's pretty close to the station so you could go there to grab some food and a drink before the show starts. I also would recommend bringing a large-ish bag if you intend to buy anything. They have shopping bags there, but you have to pay for them (something like 500 yen), so unless you really want one (or a tour bag), it might be best to bring a tote or something, especially in case it's raining. Have you seen the list of tour goods yet? There aren't pictures up yet, but it would give you an idea of how much things will cost so you can prepare :)

[novelizedbella.livejournal.com]

Wow, are you really?? Are you taking a bus, or train? I'm taking a highway bus from JR Osaka, to JR Nagoya.

I don't think I want to take pictures during the actual concert, considering I want to pay full attention during my very first one...but I might try to bring one just for photos with friends.

Also, I will make sure to bring an eco-bag or something! I just saw the good list! I'll make sure to make a list of my own, to curb my own spending. :)

How early would you recommend getting to the concert? The concert starts at four, so when should my friend and I head over to the venue, for goods and to get in line to get inside the dome? 1 PM?

[hontowa.livejournal.com]

I'm taking the train, but I'm going up a few days before and staying with the friend that's coming with me. If we're both getting there early to buy goods, maybe we can meet up somewhere in the extra time :)

I figured you wouldn't want to take pictures inside, it's not like they'd come out very good anyway XD If they do end up finding a camera they'll take it from you, but I think they give you a tag or something so you can easily pick it up at the end.

The tickets say what time the doors open, so I think an hour or two before that would be good? I think that's how early my friends and I went for Osaka Dome last year, and we got through the line with plenty of time to spare. That may have been because it was raining so hard though XD As for lining up to get inside the dome, there's not a big rush to do that. Since your seat number is assigned, you could wait until you see them actually letting people in to get in line. The time the doors open is usually like... two hours before the actual show or something, so you have plenty of time to get in, find your seat, and get settled. And then watch the same video on the screen over and over for an hour XD

[novelizedbella.livejournal.com]

Well, my friend and I will probably get to the venue around 1 PM then, since doors open at 2.

It would be nice to meet up though! Where are you from, actually?

[hontowa.livejournal.com]

I'm from the US, D.C. area. My email address is tsukinobyouin[at]gmail[dot]com if you'd like to talk about meeting up :)

[novelizedbella.livejournal.com]

Ah, I will try to email you soon! Lol, my schedule has been so crazy busy, that it might be a day or two...

[arrowofpain.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure I've brought in drinks/water bottles...o.O They sell drinks inside the venue too though; just don't keep it out when you're actually in your seat in the main hall and you should be okay.

I totally second the bag notion btw unless you're dying for the tour bag (last year's was okay but sometimes they can be cheap/rip-offs).

[novelizedbella.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I hadn't thought about the bag thing, but it definitely makes sense so I'll make sure to bring one. :) Thanks for the advice!

[novelizedbella.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, I didn't even think of that, thanks!

Slightly off topic

[thesidulus.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you asked about this as it gives a lot of hints for seeing them. How'd you go about getting tickets in the first place? I've read stuff like "You have to be a fan club member" to buy a ticket and that they verify whether or not the fan the ticket's issued to is also in attendance. If they're not, you'll be escorted out?

Hope you have a grand time at the concert!

Re: Slightly off topic

[novelizedbella.livejournal.com]

Ah, lol, I'm actually a fanclub members! I've been studying abroad here for the past eight months (two more to go!), so I decided to get my membership so I could go to concerts. I'm just going to let it run out it's year-long subscription though, and maybe get membership again when I come back (I want to do JET, so hopefully I can come back).

You can get tickets through Playguide (public) sales as well, though you need a Japanese telephone number in order to do so. I'm helping out a friend for Sapporo tickets tomorrow actually.

Also, there are things like Yahoo!Auctions and etc., though I've never used them. Others might have more information about it! I'd say more, but I'm actually needing to rush out the door right now...

Re: Slightly off topic

[thesidulus.livejournal.com]

Ah!!! I'm so glad you took the time to reply even though you're in a rush!

Gotta add this to my "visiting Japan" and "seeing Arashi" journal! I'm so glad to hear that they do have public sales available.

Have you (or anyone) heard of people being escorted out of the show if they're using tickets from a fan (and that fan isn't there). That's the biggest reason I'm wary of the Auction tix.

Again... Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! :-)

[eddieblackmaru.livejournal.com]

I am an member too-joined about two months ago, also studying abroad. I sent off my money for the tickets (hoping for Fukuoka or Sapporo). Do you know when they will get back if you got the tickets or not? And about the camera, other people will bring them in (I went to two nights of the X-Japan Tokyo Dome concert). Stick it in your pocket so you won't sweat when they check your purse. Get there EARLY for goods. Like 10 or 9 if you can, because things will and do sell out. A Swag bag is good, at Tokyo Dome they had coin lockers so if you bought too much or just dont want to step on anything, I would use that. Also, if you are going alone, take something to entertain yourself with, ipod, dslite, cross word. Because if you thought the line to get into the Johnny's Store was bad(I always took a book), I am sure it ain't nothing compared to the line for Arashi Concert Swag. And you probably won't get a time slot ticket either...smart Johnny...oh so smart...

If I hadn't already sent my money off for tickets...do the members get better tickets than those offered through Playguide?

And if you don't mind my asking, where are you studying at?

[novelizedbella.livejournal.com]

Ah, I never even thought about things selling out! Thanks for the tip! I'm definitely bringing a book with me to the goods line. :)

Also, you can call the hotline and check for tickets now if you want. I just got mine in the mail, but I had called last month (they normally post the date you can call in the fanclub site, but I actually found out when I could call from a friend who has experience with JE fanclubs) and found out I had gotten the Nagoya tickets. Whether or not you call won't affect whether the tickets will be sent to you, so it's not necessary. But it certainly helps with nerves, and it gives you more time to plan a trip if you have to travel a distance to get to the concert!

As far as I know, tickets are completely random. Though I've also been told that Playguide seats tend to be standing room, or higher up seats. So fanclub members will probably get better seats. I managed to get Playguide tickets to the Sapporo concert for a friend, but since I'm going to the Nagoya concert and the two domes are structured a bit differently, I can't really compare whether or not my seats are better than his.

And I'm studying at Kobe Jogakuin Daigaku, in Nishinomiya! How about you?

[eddieblackmaru.livejournal.com]

I did call and I got tickets to the Fukuoka Concert!!! My friend and I are going and 'excited' doesn't even cover the range of emotions felt at this news. I would hope that being a member would help one get better seats as the member price is rather steep. I am kind of thinking of going to another one, even if the seat isn't as good. I am already planing my trip- hostel world is a great place to book from.
I am at Okayama University- you are fairly close to me, only a two and a half train ride away. Have you been here yet? I went to Kobe(is Nishinomiya close to Kobe- I assume because of the name....) for the lights in december and I have also been to Arima- have you gone to the onsen there yet?

[nagoya-mewmew.livejournal.com]

A lot of other people have given you really great advice, so I won't say much, but as for having drinks/food available, don't worry. Connected to Nagoya Dome is a huge Aeon mall with a supermarket, specialty shops, and restaurants available. This could just be me being paranoid about the goods line, but I always went and got in line before they even started selling the goods. I was able to get through quickly and had time to arrange all the stuff I bought, get a bite to eat, and take a bathroom break before entering the venue. Nagoya Dome has a lot of things available, but if the dome is full, then expect long lines for everything. It might be best to make use of the Aeon mall for supplies and a restroom. Have fun! ^_^

[novelizedbella.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, that's incredibly useful to know. Thank you! I'm now thinking that my friend and I should go in right away, get goods, and then go and hang out at the mall for awhile. Would you happen to know when people are able to buy goods, if there's a starting time at all?

[nagoya-mewmew.livejournal.com]

You wrote that you're in the FC, so have you ever logged into the website and utilized that info? If you log in with your FC number and the last 4 digits of your phone number (I think, unless it's changed), you can get the most recent updates on concert info. A few days or a week or two before the concert, they'll post the time that goods are going on sale. I'm going to guess they might start selling at 10am that day.

Oh, and use the subway. Just get off at "ナゴヤドーム前矢田" station, because if you use JR or Meitetsu, you'll have to walk forever, and the subway station is basically underneath the dome. ^_^

"i love sakurai sho"

[(Anonymous)]

me too!
but i don't know how to buy the ticket can you help me to buy the ticket????????



!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!