Before introduce Erika Sawajiri's new film to you, it's better to share some information about her.
Erika Sawajiri, born in 1986, actor and singer, played heroin "Ririko" in "Helter-Skelter" movie.
She has started her carrier as model at first after she graduated elementary school.
Then she appeared in TV drama in 2003.
In 2005, she played the leading female role in "1 liter of tears"(TV drama) and in "Pacchigi!"(movie), and she got several prizes in this year.
In 2006, she started her carrier as singer.
In 2007, an incident made her well-known. It was happen at the movie premiere for a movie which she played. She refuse to give any comment in this opportunity to promote the movie, so the media criticized her.
After that, Erika was a kind of disappear from TV or a movie theater.
This "Helter-Skelter" movie is a first movie after long absence.
Based on a legendary Kyoko Okazaki's comic, Erika tried to show us her best acting in this movie.
People might be confused, Erika is Ririko or Ririko is Erika?
Both of them are similar. They are so pretty, challenging, and scandalous.
Directed by Mika Ninagawa, photographer, and a daughter of Yukio Ninagawa, colourful imaged her world will be shown.
I felt story was slow and redundant at some part of this film. but still, I think you can enjoy to watch this movie.
Erika is fabulously pretty in various colourful gorgeous dress in this movie.
"I want to see Erika!"
That's one of the reason that people came to theater, I guess.
2012/07/27
2012/07/22
A Taxi Driver Despaired
It was in Iwaki city in Fukushima Pref.. I took a taxi at the Izumi station. Because I had a reservation for a small business hotel near Onahama port where has been damaged by earthquake and tsunami last year.
A cheerful taxi driver chatted.
"You will be surprised, Onahama port was repaired. Have you ever been to Aquamarine before? It is a very nice aquarium, we're very proud of it. Before earthquake and tsunami, people came to visit many times from all over Japan. I think a director of the aquarium is a really smart person. Oh, it's about 10 minutes walk to the aquarium from your hotel..."
This taxi driver also gave me a information about "Iwaki La La Mew" where people can enjoy shopping and dining. He said only 5 minutes walk from the aquarium.
I had lunch at La La Mew.
A cheerful madame served with smile.
"Hello! Come in, this counter table is ok for you? Where are you from? Thanks to come to visit Onahama...".
And also I was enjoy shopping! I bought an alfonsino at small fish market in La La Mew. There was a cheerful madame too in the market.
"This fish is really yummy! Very nice price too, only 2,800yen. This fish is usually sold with about 6,000yen in Tokyo. How many person in your family, miss? We can cut a fish. Transport to Tokyo? Oh, no problem. We run a fish shop, we know how to send fish to other area. Tomorrow you can eat this fish at home. Well, do you like clam? "
But the last person, this taxi driver was not cheerful, actually he was a little bit despaired.
"You know, today many people visit Onahama, but still they are only from Tohoku area. People from Tokyo never come to visit here, they think Iwaki city is too close to the nuclear power plant. People don't want to eat Fukushima fish, because they are worried about radiation. But fish constantly move, so how can we recognize which fish is from Fukushima? "
"Decontamination takes a lot of money, I'm afraid the government will not be able to afford it. Recently I tend to think, I live here or I will move to another place is same thing. People worry about radiation, but another different disaster can be happen in another place. I don't want to move and honestly I don't feel I need to move."
"I think everything is depend on each other's thinking. There is no clearly answer. Well, I always try to think simply, do not need to do in complicated way... but still, I'm really disappointed. If people never want to come, how can I make living? I'm a taxi driver...."
Before arrived at Izumi station, this taxi driver apologized politely, because he thought he made me uncomfortable.
People I met in Fukushima have warm hearted hospitality and I can say they are honest.
I have not clearly answer too.
But still, this is a good experience to visit Fukushima, to think about them, think about us, and think about our future.
"Anti-nuclear Friday movement spreads beyond capital"(The Asahi Shimbun)
A cheerful taxi driver chatted.
"You will be surprised, Onahama port was repaired. Have you ever been to Aquamarine before? It is a very nice aquarium, we're very proud of it. Before earthquake and tsunami, people came to visit many times from all over Japan. I think a director of the aquarium is a really smart person. Oh, it's about 10 minutes walk to the aquarium from your hotel..."
This taxi driver also gave me a information about "Iwaki La La Mew" where people can enjoy shopping and dining. He said only 5 minutes walk from the aquarium.
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| a small single hotel room, 5,680yen/night. book a room via internet. |
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| a small and compact bath room. |
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| breakfast includes. simple buffet, rice, bread, pork miso soup, vegetables, soup, egg... orange juice and coffee. |
I had lunch at La La Mew.
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| uni-ikura don (a sea urchin and salmon roe bowl), crab miso soup. 2,500yen. yummy! |
"Hello! Come in, this counter table is ok for you? Where are you from? Thanks to come to visit Onahama...".
And also I was enjoy shopping! I bought an alfonsino at small fish market in La La Mew. There was a cheerful madame too in the market.
"This fish is really yummy! Very nice price too, only 2,800yen. This fish is usually sold with about 6,000yen in Tokyo. How many person in your family, miss? We can cut a fish. Transport to Tokyo? Oh, no problem. We run a fish shop, we know how to send fish to other area. Tomorrow you can eat this fish at home. Well, do you like clam? "
But the last person, this taxi driver was not cheerful, actually he was a little bit despaired.
"You know, today many people visit Onahama, but still they are only from Tohoku area. People from Tokyo never come to visit here, they think Iwaki city is too close to the nuclear power plant. People don't want to eat Fukushima fish, because they are worried about radiation. But fish constantly move, so how can we recognize which fish is from Fukushima? "
"Decontamination takes a lot of money, I'm afraid the government will not be able to afford it. Recently I tend to think, I live here or I will move to another place is same thing. People worry about radiation, but another different disaster can be happen in another place. I don't want to move and honestly I don't feel I need to move."
"I think everything is depend on each other's thinking. There is no clearly answer. Well, I always try to think simply, do not need to do in complicated way... but still, I'm really disappointed. If people never want to come, how can I make living? I'm a taxi driver...."
Before arrived at Izumi station, this taxi driver apologized politely, because he thought he made me uncomfortable.
People I met in Fukushima have warm hearted hospitality and I can say they are honest.
I have not clearly answer too.
But still, this is a good experience to visit Fukushima, to think about them, think about us, and think about our future.
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| at onahama port, iwaki city, fukushima. |
2012/07/20
The Nearest Station From Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant
When I checked a train's timetable book, I realized that I have never ridden JR Joban line. So I started to follow the line, how far can I get to by Joban line?
JR Joban line connect Ueno and Sendai(Miyagi Pref.), but Hirono- Haranomachi, Soma- Watari, these 2 part(Fukushima Pref.) have been interrupted since earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
I remember that day. Japan has changed since March 11, 2011. Many people couldn't stop to watch TV news that time. I felt pain in my heart to watch suffered people on TV news. I wanted to do something for them, but only I could do is, some donation. I have another reason why I still remember that day. That day is the last day that my father could walk by himself. He had never realized what happen at that time. Even after earthquake, he tried to insist to go to a bank. From one day after earthquake, he had spent time in his bed until May.
So I decided to go. In this time, I watch by myself not on TV. My plan is going to Hirono first, and then to Izumi where Onahama port and Aquamarine Fukushima locate.
I got on the Joban line's train from Ueno station. The northernmost station from Tokyo by Joban line is "Hirono" station, and this station is also the nearest station from Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant.
Ueno- Mito takes about 2 hours, Mito- Iwaki takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Iwaki- Hirono takes about 20 minutes.
Residents of Hirono were forced to evacuate following the government designation April 2011.
Hirono town's administarative office was relocated. First to Ono, and then to Iwaki. (The Asahi Shimbun "Hirono town hall reopens for business in Fukushima")
Now people who left the town started to return, but most of residents still difficult to choose to return.
The problem is decontamination. JR Hirono station is still the nearest station from Fukushima nuclear power plant and also restricted area.
A view from the train was beautiful country scenery, but it was difficult to find people in outside.
It was silence. Silence in the town, silence of the people.
There was a sign that people returned, but still long way to "everyday life".
JR Joban line connect Ueno and Sendai(Miyagi Pref.), but Hirono- Haranomachi, Soma- Watari, these 2 part(Fukushima Pref.) have been interrupted since earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
I remember that day. Japan has changed since March 11, 2011. Many people couldn't stop to watch TV news that time. I felt pain in my heart to watch suffered people on TV news. I wanted to do something for them, but only I could do is, some donation. I have another reason why I still remember that day. That day is the last day that my father could walk by himself. He had never realized what happen at that time. Even after earthquake, he tried to insist to go to a bank. From one day after earthquake, he had spent time in his bed until May.
So I decided to go. In this time, I watch by myself not on TV. My plan is going to Hirono first, and then to Izumi where Onahama port and Aquamarine Fukushima locate.
I got on the Joban line's train from Ueno station. The northernmost station from Tokyo by Joban line is "Hirono" station, and this station is also the nearest station from Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant.
Ueno- Mito takes about 2 hours, Mito- Iwaki takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Iwaki- Hirono takes about 20 minutes.
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| JR Joban line |
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| to iwaki, fukushima |
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| iwaki station building, there is a small department store near the station. |
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| next station is "kusano" |
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| a train leave iwaki |
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| only 5 people got off the train at the hirono station. |
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| the train can't leave for kido, next station. because kido is in the restricted area, the train just go back to iwaki. |
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| hirono station building. a taxi was in front of the station. a resident came to pick up his family by car. no convenience store, no cafe, no restaurant. |
Residents of Hirono were forced to evacuate following the government designation April 2011.
Hirono town's administarative office was relocated. First to Ono, and then to Iwaki. (The Asahi Shimbun "Hirono town hall reopens for business in Fukushima")
Now people who left the town started to return, but most of residents still difficult to choose to return.
The problem is decontamination. JR Hirono station is still the nearest station from Fukushima nuclear power plant and also restricted area.
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| it's time to go back, only 10 minutes stay at Hirono station. |
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| the train left Hirono station and started to go back to Iwaki. |
A view from the train was beautiful country scenery, but it was difficult to find people in outside.
It was silence. Silence in the town, silence of the people.
There was a sign that people returned, but still long way to "everyday life".
2012/07/16
From An Aquarium To The World
Aquamarine Fukushima, it is an aquarium which locates at the Onahama Port, Fukushima.
It was 1 year and 4 month ago, terribly earthquake and huge tsunami hit this port on March 11, 2011.
Port and aquarium were damaged, lost electricity, most of sea creatures were died, aquarium was forced to be closed for 4 months.
It was 1 year ago, Aquamarine Fukushima was reopened on July 15, 2011.
Aquamarine held small event during 14-17 on this month, people gathered to watch beautiful movie at the entrance of the aquarium. "The magic of the great blue" by Darek Sepiolo was showed under the night sky.
I love this aquarium, this aquarium is really beautiful. Aquarium stands port side, a triangle water tank, fish in humid tropical garden with sound of waves and peaceful music.
It is so sad, people avoid to visit this serene port town because they think Fukushima is not safe place.
Onahama port is not restricted area. Nuclear radiation is always monitored.
People still live and work in this place.
Event which Aquamarine held said "Beautiful sea, we will protect it".
"Revive Our Oceans".
Can you hear their voices?
It was 1 year and 4 month ago, terribly earthquake and huge tsunami hit this port on March 11, 2011.
Port and aquarium were damaged, lost electricity, most of sea creatures were died, aquarium was forced to be closed for 4 months.
It was 1 year ago, Aquamarine Fukushima was reopened on July 15, 2011.
Aquamarine held small event during 14-17 on this month, people gathered to watch beautiful movie at the entrance of the aquarium. "The magic of the great blue" by Darek Sepiolo was showed under the night sky.
I love this aquarium, this aquarium is really beautiful. Aquarium stands port side, a triangle water tank, fish in humid tropical garden with sound of waves and peaceful music.
It is so sad, people avoid to visit this serene port town because they think Fukushima is not safe place.
Onahama port is not restricted area. Nuclear radiation is always monitored.
People still live and work in this place.
Event which Aquamarine held said "Beautiful sea, we will protect it".
"Revive Our Oceans".
Can you hear their voices?
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| aquamarine fukushima, main building. same as before earthquake and tsunami. |
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| from the opposite side of the port. |
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| in certain area of the parking lot, still under construction. |
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| aquamarine's truck. |
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| photos on the wall. |
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| "ganbappe" is same meaning as "ganbarou" |
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| Japan Coast Guard's ship was berthed, mother and kid enjoy to watch the ship. |
2012/07/13
A Doll House at Night
It is a small boutique in a small town.
I pass that boutique every time at night.
I can watch manikins and several items which are displayed in a show window until around 10pm, because lights has not been turned off yet at that time.
When I pass the boutique around 11pm, lights are turned off.
I can't see anything, everything in the dark, in the different world, their own world.
The boutique seems like a doll house.
A doll house that dolls enjoy their time at midnight.
I smile and then walk to home, to prepare myself for tomorrow.
Same as "dolls" do.
I pass that boutique every time at night.
I can watch manikins and several items which are displayed in a show window until around 10pm, because lights has not been turned off yet at that time.
When I pass the boutique around 11pm, lights are turned off.
I can't see anything, everything in the dark, in the different world, their own world.
The boutique seems like a doll house.
A doll house that dolls enjoy their time at midnight.
I smile and then walk to home, to prepare myself for tomorrow.
Same as "dolls" do.
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| at the midnight, different world will be shown. |
2012/07/08
Underground Shinjuku
Tokyo Metro Subway Fukutoshin line connects Wakoshi-station(Saitama prefecture) and Shibuya-station. But from Ikebukuro to Shibuya has opened in 2008, so I can feel certain ambience when I use this line.
Clean and new. White shinning paneled walls are really unique.
I got off the train at Shinjuku line's Shinjuku 3 chome station and walked toward Fukutoshin line's station by underground passage. This underground space is like an airport, like a some kind of futuristic world.
If you visit Tokyo, don't miss underground experience!
Clean and new. White shinning paneled walls are really unique.
I got off the train at Shinjuku line's Shinjuku 3 chome station and walked toward Fukutoshin line's station by underground passage. This underground space is like an airport, like a some kind of futuristic world.
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| un underground passage in shinjuku 3 chome station. if you don't familiar with tokyo's subway, you might think underground passages are kind of mazes. but for me, those passages are always fun. |
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| un escalator go down to the platform. |
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| acrylic benches on the platform! I love to sit this bench. cute! |
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| ito-en's vending machine. |
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| inside train |
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| newspapers are available in vending machine. do you want to buy? these two newspapers are sports(and gossip!) news papers for gentlemen(I guess). |
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| shinjuku 3 chome station. this is an underground passage to exit E10 which connect to JR shinjuku station, new south ticket gate. |
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| on the ground. it was saturday, rainy day. |
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| lunch at dominique saibron, marche et cafe. healthy set(soup, salad, breads) 840yen, mix berry smoothy 480yen. B2 floor, LUMINE 1. |
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| famous shibuya crossing. I left shinjuku and then to shibuya for watching mika ninagawa's exhibition at parco. her film "helter-skelter" will be shown on this weekend. I'm pretty sure this movie is a wonderful movie. |
If you visit Tokyo, don't miss underground experience!
2012/07/05
"As Usual" Happy
Japan is in Rainy Season. But we still have an opportunity to enjoy sunshine!
School summer holidays start this month. And many company will close for 3days to 1 week as summer holidays on August.
In my case, my vacation will be on October because of my company's situation. It's ok, I have started to plan my vacation!
Travel agents' brochure, travel guidebooks... browsing websites.. and I wonder if I can buy a new suitcase!
My plan is going to Europe with my mom. Because one of my mom's dream is going to Europe before she get too old to travel.
Going to somewhere on summer holidays as usual.
I realize how valuable "as usual" after 3.11, Tohoku Earthquake. A daily life was destroyed suddenly.
Anything can be changed. If I can go this year, there is no reason to postpone until next year, right?
Well, what's your plan for summer holidays? I wish you would enjoy your vacation!
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| oh, it will be hot today |
School summer holidays start this month. And many company will close for 3days to 1 week as summer holidays on August.
In my case, my vacation will be on October because of my company's situation. It's ok, I have started to plan my vacation!
Travel agents' brochure, travel guidebooks... browsing websites.. and I wonder if I can buy a new suitcase!
My plan is going to Europe with my mom. Because one of my mom's dream is going to Europe before she get too old to travel.
Going to somewhere on summer holidays as usual.
I realize how valuable "as usual" after 3.11, Tohoku Earthquake. A daily life was destroyed suddenly.
Anything can be changed. If I can go this year, there is no reason to postpone until next year, right?
Well, what's your plan for summer holidays? I wish you would enjoy your vacation!
2012/07/01
A Fashionable Vending Machine?
Last Sunday I found a new vending machine in Ladies' Room.
Well, it isn't ordinary sanitary one, but soap, lip balm and mouth wash.
In Japan, there are so many vending machines in everywhere. It is really easy to get soft drinks, cigarett, because they are available via vending machines.
If I'm in hotel, I can get a cup noodle, snack, a tooth brush with only one push. But this time is first time I found cosmetics in vending machine. The hint is the location of Ladies' Room. You know where? At Hikarie, a new shopping and entertainment complex in Shibuya.
Hikarie's Ladies' Room is unique. I watched it in TV news. So clean, so stylish, so comfortable. Modern designed interior and freshly aroma, a new model bag in the showcase.
Ok, do you want to watch ANN news?
Well, it isn't ordinary sanitary one, but soap, lip balm and mouth wash.
In Japan, there are so many vending machines in everywhere. It is really easy to get soft drinks, cigarett, because they are available via vending machines.
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| this vending machine is beside liquor shop's entrance. |
If I'm in hotel, I can get a cup noodle, snack, a tooth brush with only one push. But this time is first time I found cosmetics in vending machine. The hint is the location of Ladies' Room. You know where? At Hikarie, a new shopping and entertainment complex in Shibuya.
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| the left one is for cosmetics. |
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| lip balm and mouth wash! |
Hikarie's Ladies' Room is unique. I watched it in TV news. So clean, so stylish, so comfortable. Modern designed interior and freshly aroma, a new model bag in the showcase.
Ok, do you want to watch ANN news?
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