Osaka: Nipponbashi and Volks

Today was super exciting!!!  Today was the day that we all decided to go and hunt out Volks, so that we can check out the famous Dollfie vender. And. It. Was. Awesome. 

But. Before that. ^.^

We found a place just like a SukiYa right here in front of the university. This was a HUGE relief, and their gyudon is epic. ^.^  It was really nice and refreshing to taste real gyudon again. 

*****
Next, we found ourselves in need to find our way to Volks.  Like yesterday, we took the Hyanku line to Osaka Station, and then we actually switched this time to the Midosouji line to Nanba Station. This was just the easy part though...
We walked for what seemed like FOREVER.  We ended up getting a little lost on Ota, because the directions said Ota Dori. But we didn't see the store. Finally I went to a hobby shop and got someone to show a map and direct us to the store. He was really nice and really helpful.  And before that, we couldn't find Ota, and a really nice man at the conbini (convenience store) showed me where to go.

Gundam shop located down the street from Volks.

And WHALA! We turn the corner, and walk a little ways a BAM! GIANT VOLKS SIGN RIGHT IN THE FACE! lol  It was hard to miss once you come up onto it.

Volks: Tenshi no Sumika (Osaka Showroom)
天使のすみか

The next hard part was going up the stairs.... seven flights... OMG.... But it was a good walk. 

When we got to the Dollfie Showroom, it was everything awesome. :)  All of Volk's best molds on display all around the room. :)  As standard, pictures are not allowed inside the showroom. There were two women working today, and I went to ask about how to do the Full Choice System for when I have saved up my money to come back...

And I got sat down and somehow ended up doing the FCS without really meaning to. O.O  I was really worried about money at first, because it cost me 89,400￥.  I was going to cancel and do it later (as intended), but it would cost me 10500￥ to cancel.  So I had Ashy come with me to withdraw my money from Nephelin so that I could pay for it.  We went back, and I began the wonderfully amazing process of getting my first Volks doll. :)

The nice lady spoke Japanese, but a little English, and we would communicate back and forth with computer translations and denshi jishou.  She was really patient, nice, and helpful, and she explained every step of the way.

She showed me the first section of the binder, which showed me all of the available molds for the FCS. Of course, I went with F-22.  I LOVE Kun, and have been wanting Kun for a little while now. F-22 is such an androgynous, cute and flexible mold that I immediate fell in love with it as both, a girl and a boy.  At first, I was going to begin making Ciel.  The next part was skin color, and then they showed me all of the available wigs. Originally, I was going to make Ciel Phantomhive, but decided against it halfway through and changed to making my original, Rogue. They don't have blue wigs, but I went with a lovely FCS only wig for the time being.

Then I chose the eyes. A really lovely blue, glass style.  Then I got to choose the eye size, if they are to be glued or not, eyelash color and type, and if the eyes and lashes are to be glued in or not. Next is the sex. Boy or girl? I went with my first SD girl. ^.^  With a jointed body type and everything else double jointed. Next is arm length.  I was going to get a case for the doll at first, but I decided to wait a while. I want to save for a violin doll case. They are soooo lovely and wonderful!

The faceup was one of my favorite parts of the FCS. I found a lovely faceup in the examples, and I took that and altered what I wanted from that. They have it just perfect. I can't wait to see it on the doll herself. I am sure she will be really lovely~!  I am worried that her eyes may be a little too black. I told them a little black, but I almost think the brown would be better. :(  I guess I will have to wait and see.

I figured I would wait on the clothing as well. I will get clothing at the Dollpa. :)  I am wanting to get another kimono. <3  I have mine with me right now that she can wear for now.

But that is the basics of the FCS. I can't believe I actually did it.  It is kind of only JUST sinking in. O.o  I should be able to pick her up around November 13. SO EXCITED.

We got to talking to the woman who guided me through my FCS. She has a little over 10 dolls! O.O  She said that her dad thinks it's too expensive, and then laughed about it. lol  I guess a lot of us doll owners who are younger can relate to that and see it as an inside joke. :)  I am really thankful to her. She was super helpful and VERY kind and patient.  :)

My DOD Twing-Key. I plan on making this character out of Volks F-22. ^.^ 

*****
We went to McDonald's on the way back.  We had a lot of fun people watching. :)  We were pretty amazed at the area. It was the super awesome electric/anime district of Osaka. It was all anime, game, figure and hobby shops.  Basically, the Akibahara of Osaka. :)  It was really cool, really big, and really busy!  Loved it!  TONS of maid cafes.  I heard Osaka was famous for some of their Maid Cafes.  Maybe we will go to one this year. :)

Wait for it....

CREEPER!!! O.O

The way back was tiring. The train switched tracks on the way back, so we had to pay extra and double back. It turned a 30 minute ride into a hour and half ride from Umeda to the dorms. @.@ 



But eh. It's Japan. It's big. It's busy. It's awesome. :)

<3
Mimiru

Osaka: Orientation Day 2 & a Little Umeda

Today was perhaps the most nerve wracking part of orientation....the placement test. @.@  I do NOT test well, and I freak out during them. *cry*  But oh well. :)  Whatever happens happens. It was not a pass or fail.  The test did have different parts:  Computer (listening, grammar, reading, vocabulary), Written, Oral interview. Ganbare minnasan!

****

After the placement test, I had to go and visit with the International Affairs Office and my advisor to discuss how to go about getting a job and joining Kendo club.  I was curious because I heard that there was a weight limit to join certain clubs, and Bennett sensei was so funny!  He started to "freak out" and go: "Oh my! I didn't know that I had a limit weight on my club! D:  I wish I would have known about it before~!!"  LOL  He was really hilarious and helpful.  I also mentioned to him about me wanting to take his naginata class.  I love martial arts, and I am excited to continue to take martial arts here. ^.^

Not only did I get to mention that I wanted to join kendo to the instructor, but I also got invited to take nihon buyou dance lessons from one of the other professors at Kansai University. :)  I am VERY happy to continue to learn nihon buyou in Japan. <3   The professor was very happy that I learn and dance, and that I am interested in it. Nihon buyou is not as popular as it should be, and the society it is involved in is very closed.

****

Originally, we were going to go to Nipponbashi to find the Volks showroom, Tenshi no Sumika, but instead we hung out in Umeda for a while and grabbed some noms. We were famished by the time we got out of the placement tests and meetings, and then there was the ride to find a nice place to eat.  We were supposed to go to a SukiYa, but we were not quite sure where it was located, and we were too hungry to go and look. Instead we went to Mos Burger, which was still nice, but more expensive than the SukiYa.

Across from Mos Burger was the good ole' Animate store. ^.^  It was busy, but everyone was getting out of school and work, so of course it was rush hour.

I am happy to have been able to go back to Hep Five and get a new pair of earrings.  I have been missing a pair for a while, and Hep Five has awesome earrings for cheaper than what you can get in the States. I just decided to save my money that way and get them here. ^.^

In the basement of Hep Five, is a huge shopping center connected to the stations, some other malls and tons of food places.

The parfait at one of the many cafes was delicious! Minus the lots of fruit, but I don't particularly like fruit with ice cream and cake. >.<  But either way, it was lovely! 

****
People here in Japan are very friendly and accommodating. There are the few that discriminate, but it is not really much of a deal to me.  Discrimination is everywhere, it happens, nothing you can REALLY do about it except pity the person for their naiivety.

I guess that is all for tonight. There was really a lot that happened today, but after a long day beginning at 6am, it is hard to really want to write minute detail. @.@  Perhaps I will update this post and elaborate a bit more tomorrow. ^.^



Cheers!

<3
Mimiru