This last December, the wife and I stayed in Shinjuku for a few nights, before heading down to Kagoshima to visit family and friends. Often we just land in Tokyo and fly out that same day, or early the next morning. This trip, we decided to stay for several nights in Tokyo.
This will just be a short post with a quick video and some pics I took while in Shibuya, centered around Band Maid.
Conqueror Release Day
During this trip we did a lot of different things, but one thing I wanted to do was go to Shibuya Crossing again, as it had been many years since I had last been there. Also, I wanted to hit up Tower Records in Shibuya while in the area. This was all right around the time of the release of Band Maid’s newest album, Conqueror! Actually, it was on December 11th in fact.
After coming up out of the station, as usual, we went over to Hatchi took a few pics, then headed over to the crossing itself. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always loved going to Shibuya Crossing. So many people, and I love to look at all the advertising and video screens in the area!
If you need information about the area, you can always stop in at the Information Center. You can’t miss it, it’s a former train passenger car, and it is bright green very close to the Hatchi Statue.
I wanted to go to Tower Records to see what they had to offer in new music, especially to see how they were displaying Conqueror. I had already previously pre-ordered Conqueror, regular and limited editions, so they were already waiting for me at home. Not knowing which covers I would receive, I didn’t want to buy additional and just have copies.
Tower Records did not disappoint me at all!
Shibuya Crossing – I Was Shocked
When I made my way to the Crossing, I started looking around and doing a little filming. I was surprised to see a huge Miku face, essentially Miku’s Conqueror cover, displayed high up on one of the buildings! I posted some of these images on my personal Instagram in the moment, and continued making my way around the area.
After crossing the street, towards Tower Records, we came across a random video display that had advertising for several artists cycling through. One of them was for Band Maid! (You can see this video contained in the video at the top of this post.) I don’t remember what building this was on, but it was right after the crossing, and later, after Tower Records, the wife and I went up and had beer and gyoza on the top floor of this building. I must say, the beer was ice cold, and the gyoza were large and perfectly prepared!
Tower Records – Shibuya
While continuing to walk towards the record shop, we saw another advertisement, Miku again, on the window of a small shop.
We arrived at Tower Records, entering the closest door from the crossing. We promptly found the display for Conqueror and took some pics.
Then, while looking around for other bands I enjoy, I came across an additional display of Band Maid! I took some more pics, and found a few other bands I wanted CD’s of, made the purchase and we left the store.
We left the store through a different exit, and I was shocked again when we got outside. I had totally missed this on the way in because of the door we entered. Upon leaving, we came across the big video screen right outside the doors of Band Maid and additional advertising for them!
One big disappointment I had on the day, which I didn’t know at the time, and would only find out the next day, was that Band Maid came to Shibuya and Tower Records, a few hours after I left the area. They came to do some promotional stuff and I really wish I had been lucky enough to stumble across them that day. It would have been a perfect day in Shibuya! Even though, I would not have been allowed close to them at this stage of their success!
What’s Next For Band Maid?
Band Maid has a new BluRay/DVD coming out soon, on April 29th 2020. You can pre-order Band Maid World Domination Tour at Line Cube Shibuya (Shibuya Kokaido) from CDJapan. I’m looking forward to this release, since I did not get to see them on this tour.
Band Maid has also been booked to perform on Japan’s National Foundation Day* at Nippon Budokan on 2/11/2021!!! This is HUGE for any Japanese performer, as it validates their popularity and success! I’d love to be able to be there for that performance! I’m sure it will be their best ever performance to that time!
*Note: Kenkoku Kinen no Hi, Japan’s National Foundation Day, is always on February 11th, and celebrate’s the mythical founding of Japan, as well as its 1st Emperor, Emperor Jimmu at Kashihara gu on February 11th 660BC.
It Was A Good Day
So, my day in Shibuya was a very good and fun day. Realizing later, that it could have been even better, is fine, but I still had a blast that day, as well as the entire trip! I came out of the day, knowing how popular Band Maid is currently, and knowing they have a huge bright future before them!
If you haven’t already heard of Band Maid, or just haven’t listened to them yet, I say, “What are you waiting for!? Go check them out right now!!!”
As always, you can find Band Maid on CDJapan, Amazon for physical copies and iTunes for your digital copies!!!