With only one full day in Japan this time around, there was quite a lot to pack into the span of 24hrs, but somehow I managed to get everything I wanted to do in and made it through to the end of the day in one piece. Sort of.

*****

Anyway, beginning with the morning. After a quick breakfast at the hotel (the food was courtesy of the ultra 便利な AM/PM across the street), we headed off for Shinjuku Station towards Yokohama. The weather was gorgeous and ten times more comfortable than in Taipei. It took about 45 minutes to get to Sakuragi-cho Station and I beelined for the tourist information booth once we got out. I think the only Japanese phrase I managed to say this entire trip was inside the station. “すみません, 英語の地図がありますか?” Brilliant.

We followed the main path towards World Porters and did some intense shopping. Within the span of an hour, we had made a substantial amount of purchases. Although not nearly enough for my liking, it was still good progress for an hour’s worth of shopping.

Moving right on schedule, we made our way towards the Red Brick Warehouse to grab a few more items and lunch. It was starting to get a bit busier around lunch time. Since the weather was gorgeous and it was a weekend, the area was absolutely thriving with activity.

We still had an hour of free time left after eating lunch. I desperately wanted to find Motomachi Shopping Street which I had missed last time due to rainy circumstances. We set off for the nearest train station and took a stop down towards Motomachi.

Stepping onto the street, Motomachi gave off a sense of being a very sophisticated shopping avenue. The stores mostly catered to older women, but it made it very relaxing to stroll in. We stopped at a bakery to pickup some items (which actually came in handy later on in the evening). It was a short but leisurely walk towards the next train station and we got there with time to spare to get to Roppongi.

*****

Being back in Tokyo, the streets were harder to navigate. I was suppose to be meeting Eri at around 2:30pm in front of Starbucks at Roppongi Hills. I got there slightly early, thinking I had lots of time to spare. After waiting a few minutes, I had a sense that something was amiss, so I decided to check at the information desk just to be sure certain I was at the right location. Good thing I asked, because I found out Roppongi has a total of FOUR Starbucks in the same vicnity and I was waiting at the wrong one!

I frantically backtracked and made it to the RIGHT Starbucks arriving only 15 minutes late. Luckily, Eri was still there and spotted me. The green carpet arrival was already laid out, so she took us over to the side where there were a few other Tony fans already waiting. I was introduced to several other people: Anny, Kiki and Paul, who were all very nice.

Since it was still early in the afternoon, Eri had said it would be alright if we left to go explore the area. I didn’t want to leave since they had already been standing there all morning to save the spot. After repetitedly asking her “大丈夫ですか?”, we left for a little bit and grabbed a crepe to eat before making it back to the green carpet.

It was starting to get a lot more crowded by the time we squished back into our spot. We were chatting a bit while we waited for the ceremony to start. There were a couple of Hong Kong fans behind us who were the typical loud chatty types and I could overhear their conversation from a few rows in front. I happened to glance over after hearing some of their comments and they asked if I knew Chinese. Reluctantly I answered so we talked briefly about the festival.

*****

I had pulled out my Canadian moose earlier on so Eri could spot me. I had it out again so I could potentially throw at Tony to catch his attention. Hehehe.

Reporters were getting lined up on the opposite side of where we were standing. There was about 1-2m of space separating us from the side of the green carpet, not to mention the fence that stood in between. Eri was trying to put a poster on the side of the fence for Tony to see and I guess that caught the attention of the reporters on the other side, cause one of them came over along with his cameraman to film us.

He was originally talking to Kiki and Eri in Japanese, so I wasn’t following the conversation. It was only when he read the words ‘我愛偉仔’ off of Kiki”s poster in Cantonese that I had an inkling he was a reporter from Hong Kong. Apparently he asked if there were any Chinese fans there with them and then they ALL turned towards to me. I didn’t really know what to say, so I kind of answered what he asked. The camera was off at the time, but then he asked if it was okay to film us. I didn’t mind being on camera, but I blatantly refused to be interviewed.

Well, the camera starts rolling. I’m practically hiding my face behind my stuff moose. The reporter is asking questions in Japanese to the rest of them and I’m trying to tune everything out. Then as he’s nearing the end, he turns to ME and says, “點可以唔問你ga!~”

So here I am absolutely mortified and coming to the realization that the camera is pointed AT MY FACE. Cursing silently, I answered the questions he directed at me. I honestly can’t remember what I said, aside from clarifying that I’m not from HK – distancing myself from some other HK-ers who obviously have no 口齒! Okay, so I didn’t say so in many words, but the point was there.

After my horrible interview, he turned back to the Japanese fans and apparently asked if there was anything we’d like to say to Tony. Eri got everyone together and we all said ”Tony, がんばって!” which wrapped everything up.

*Side note: I finally found a clip of the interview. It was broadcasted on the TVB paid channel, so luckily it wasn’t like some Scoop footage that would be seen all across HK. Also a bonus for me, our part was cut completely! (Perhaps my interview was really that bad.) You only catch me as the camera is panning across the side of the carpet. Yatta!

But I will forever remember the agony you put me through…stupid 周奕瑋!

*****

Anyway, the rest of the evening went by in a blur. The green carpet arrivals began and I was fumbling with my camera to grab good shots. It was getting dark out, which wasn’t helping at all, plus having to maneuver through all the elbows and arms that were in the way. I managed to get a shots of a few Japanese celebrities, although I’m not quite sure who they were.

It was almost 2hrs into the opening when the cast for Red Cliff was announced. Eri had a look of surprise on her face and she explained to me that they were walking with the Prime Minister. Of course, that meant a frenzy of bodyguards surrounding Tony and I nearly missed him when he was whisked towards the stage. I only managed to get a shot of his back and I totally missed Takeshi Kaneshiro altogether. It was a bit disappointing that Tony didn’t look our way, but I guess it couldn’t be helped in his situation.

The rest of the Red Cliff cast lingered behind on the green carpet. I saw Chang Chen, Vicki Zhao and Lin Chih Ling. When everyone eventually made their way towards the stage, the crowd standing at the green carpet started to disperse.

Eri and I wandered over to the stage hoping to catch a glimpse of what was going on. There was no possible way for us to even see the stage pass the hordes of people, so we relied on the jumbotron at the back to catch what was going on. Tony, Takeshi and John Woo all made introductions and the MCs welcomed everyone to the start of the festival. That was pretty much the end of the opening ceremony outside.

Eri and I made our way towards the theatre and they were showing the live broadcast of the event from the main theatre. I sat through the introduction of the jury members, before they once again presented the opening film. The theatre at this time was half full. I was expecting it to fill up before the movie began, but to my dismay a few more people LEFT the theatre right when the movie started!

Anyway, the atmosphere was a bit different than what I was use to in Toronto. No one clapped at the end of the movie either, which I thought was kind of rude. The movie itself was very good, although I think Part 2 will be even better. It was getting quite late when we stepped out of the theatre. Luckily I had made some purchases at the bakery in Motomachi or else I would have starved before the end of the movie. Eri and I bid our farewell and I thanked her repeatedly for all her help. Then I was on my way back towards Shinjuku.

*****

The night wouldn’t have been complete without me getting LOST inside Shinjuku Station again. Of course, it came at perfect time since I was absolutely starving and going on delirious after being out all day. I made it back to the hotel in one piece before dragging my sister with me to hunt for a ramen shop. With a little food in the system, my brain became slightly more manageable again. I did a little bit of packing once we got back to the hotel and then called it a night.

All in all, it was a pretty good day. I wish I had the chance to say hello to Tony in person, but I’ll just have to bid my time. Although my time in Japan was short, it was fun nonetheless. Can’t wait to have another adventure there!