[fan account][images] Maria’s 3rd and 4th full Rain concert experiences: ZEPP Tokyo, Shows 1 & 2. (11/25, 26)

— Cloud cover by: Stephe, Managing Editor ^@@^

New Yorker and CloudUSAer Maria (@TonicNY) is back with her final fan account from Japan, which covers the first two ZEPP Tokyo concerts. My favorite part was when she tells about the Rain towel. I had to laugh, too. LOL!

I hope you know, Maria, that we absolutely do not mind you not having any pictures and we certainly understand. We didn’t want any of you going over there and getting in the kind of trouble that was being dished out, no way! You sharing your account with all of us is a delight in itself, and we thank you. Welcome back to the States! Glad you’re safely home.

(BTW… I think a “The Prince” movie premiere Cloudburst would be the Bomb-diggity. Let’s do it! Hooo-yeah!) ^@@^

Image credit: Michele DeMarco

[fan account] Maria’s 3rd and 4th full Rain concert experiences: ZEPP Tokyo, Shows 1 & 2. (11/25, 26)

By: Maria @Cloud USA (@TonicNY)

I am back in the US after my first ever trip to Japan which allowed me to attend Story of Rain 2013 Zepp Tour concerts (two in Osaka and two in Tokyo) and spend time seeing the beautiful sights. I was also supposed to attend one of the Fukuoka concerts, but my flight was cancelled and I wasn’t able to make it on time for the concerts.

After the last Osaka concert on 11/21 which you have already heard about, I left Osaka on Friday morning the 22nd and made a stop at the Shin Fuji station. I really wanted to see Mt Fuji, but wasn’t able to get transportation as there was quite a bit of snow closer to Mt Fuji. Was still able to take several really spectacular photos from a distance. (I will post pictures of my trip on my FB account in the next few days.)

I also made a detour to the Haneda Airport to see another spectacular view. As Rain was on his way back from Hong Kong at 1:30 pm, I decided to go and have a Rain airport sighting adventure. Waiting for him were 400-500 clouds behind a roped area and all very calmly waiting to get a glimpse of Rain. I stood to one side and I was in clear view of where he was going to walk through or so I thought. His bodyguards were waiting for him and one knew when he had arrived as they left to go greet/escort him. I had my camera ready in the hopes I could take pictures at least at the airport, only to be told by a security officer “no cameras allowed.” I had already been told by a Japanese Cloud earlier that pictures were not going to be allowed, but I was still trying my best to take at least one of my own photos of Rain. Rain walked through the area not quite where I thought but close to it, and I was able to get a quick glimpse of him as he walked by before he headed towards the area where the Clouds were. The security officer was very close to me, so I decided to respect the no pictures rule. I heard from other Clouds that on this day Rain didn’t walk as fast as he usually does. They were really happy about it.

Spent the weekend catching up with Michele and Tammy, who arrived Saturday evening, and on Sunday I finally met Naoko. She does such awesome work with all the Cloud USA videos and I was happy that I was able to tell her in person. She is a really sweet Cloud. All of us traveled together to Sendai to visit Japanese Cloud Michiko at her home. She showed us her HUGE collection of Rain goods, as she has been a long time Cloud and Rain supporter. (Michele has already blogged about this day.) It was so great that Naoko was also able to join us for the day so we could all be together.

Image credit: Michele DeMarco

Concert Day 11/25 and 11/26
We had to show up at the venue much earlier in the day, as instructed, in order to pick up our tickets. More Rain Zepp Tour goods were bought. Met more Clouds that I knew of only thru the social sites. For this evening at the time of entering the venue a ZEPP staff was calling all the numbers one by one, and Clouds were entering in a very orderly manner, and there was no pushing or shoving. Tickets were being checked that indeed you had that number. Once inside (for all concerts) you had to give a 500 yen coin and in exchange you got a ZEPP coin to get a drink (I saved all 4 of mine as a keepsake). Once inside if you took the time to get a drink it would take time away from getting a closer standing spot (not recommended). I placed myself at the beginning of the second section about 5-6 rows back from the stage which seemed to be my ideal spot (for all concerts) and on the left side of the stage (or Rain’s right). In Osaka I took notice Rain would go more times to that side of the stage.

I was surrounded by really friendly and happy Japanese Clouds who spoke some English and we were able to easily communicate all about Rain, of course. The room became very hot as we were all squeezed in very tight. Tuesday 11/26 was my last concert. I was able to place a gift for Rain in the designated gift box, so I am hoping he received it and read my messages.

Concert Time for 11/25 and 11/26
It got hotter as Rain appeared on stage. I continue to repeat myself but it is truly so amazing to be able to see Rain dance routines so close and watch how connected he is during his dancing and singing, and the same for his dance team, so much high energy, and they also have a lot of fun together on stage. Such a SUPERSTAR. Oh and that smile and infectious laughter, and yes those many incredible looks he has. At one point he was standing right in front of the area where I was as he was about to throw one of his towels, and it seemed like he was going to throw it to our area (wishing and hoping) but he ended up throwing it to the other side of the stage. LOL!

Rain does make really good eye contact with lots of Clouds, including the Clouds in the balcony, and on Tuesday night he came down from the stage and as soon as he did that there was such a huge Cloud shift towards the front to shake his hand. He added something new to each performance. Rain mentioned even in Tokyo he had caught a cold. His voice was beyond incredible, so extremely talented.

On Tuesday 11/26, my last concert, the two hours flew by and I started to wish that I was staying for the rest of the Tokyo concerts. I am so extremely happy that I made a decision to go to Japan. I do not have one single picture of Rain on stage. As much as I was determined to get at least one during the last concert, I decided to respect the J ZEPP rule to the end. I have memories that will last a lifetime.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they allowed Rain to have some concerts in USA while he is here filming (wishing and hoping again…)? Can we start thinking about a movie premiere Cloudburst or should we wait until the movie is filmed first? LOL!

On this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, I am extremely Thankful for many reasons this year. I am very Thankful and grateful that overseas fans were able to attend these concerts as this was a dream come true for me to see Rain live in concert, and for the help I received in getting the concert tickets. Very Thankful and grateful to have had the opportunity this year to have met some of the most loving, loyal and supportive Rain Clouds out there in the world.

Looking forward to becoming a 9th Cloud member to show and share my continued love and support for our WORLD STAR RAIN!

Hugs to you all,
Maria
NY-USA

(Here are some ZEPP Tokyo images credited to: @iEynaRaINa)