Janet in Japan - euphoria
by Marlene Bustarde
Japan has a special place in my heart. Fascinated by the culture, marvelled by the landscape beauty and charmed by the people, I love visiting this country. I first visited back in February 2009 with the intention of seeing the Rock With U Tour. Unfortunately, that tour got cancelled but I still decided to make the most of my trip, which turned out to be a fantastic vacation. Since then, I’ve been in love with the country. When I found out there was going to be a Japan leg for Unbreakable, I was absolutely excited and knew that I had to be there with my Japanese Janfam to witness her return.
I arrived in Tokyo, a week prior to the Japanese premiere. Still wired, I dropped my stuff at the hotel and jumped on the subway enroute to Tower Records in Shibuya to purchase copies of the Unbreakable Japanese edition. On the subway ride there, I noticed a huge Unbreakable banner advert at Nishi-Nippori station. If I only I could find a way to remove it and bring it home. It looked really cool, especially in a foreign language.
The following day, I decided to pay homage to the Runaway video by visiting the Daibutsu (Big Buddha) in Kamakura, a seaside town 45 minutes away from the capital. I had a splendid time there visiting my friend Tac whom I first encountered in the Miss Janet chat room years ago. I was without a ticket to the Osaka show and couldn’t figure out how to use the Japanese-language only ticket machines to buy it. But with Tac’s help, she helped me secure one.