Tuesday 13 September 2011

How to watch Japanese TV

I've been using this for a while now but hadn't gotten around to posting about it (some of you probably already know about this too).

The quality is by no means perfect but it is watchable at Youtube quality. It isn't recordable but its probably the best means of watching free LIVE STREAMING TV from Japan.

Channels include: TBS, TV Tokyo, TV Asahi, and Fuji TV + many others which appear from time to time such as that music video channel called Space Shower tv and animax.


In addition to the tv channels, you are able to listen to most of the major radio stations such as FM-Tokyo.

Another good thing is that this prog. is small and light on memory load and did I mention it's FREE.

Get the program from the official site here: http://www.v2p.jp/video/  (Current version is 3.17 so the interface is significantly cleaner)

user posted image
user posted image

user posted image= Fuji tv
user posted image= TBS
user posted image= NBS
user posted image=TokyoMX
user posted image= TV Asahi
user posted image=TVTokyo


To get an idea of what's on TV check out these TV guides:

Yahoo Japan http://tv.yahoo.co.jp/vhf/tokyo/realtime.html

On TV Japan http://www.ontvjapan.com/

Monday 12 September 2011

Artist of the month: 9mm Parabellum Bullet

9mm Parabellum Bullet

 9mm Parabellum Bullet is a rock band formed in March 2004 from Yokohama, Japan. It consists of; vocalist and rhythm guitarist Takuro Sugawara, guitarist and backing vocalist Yoshimitsu Taki, bassist Kazuhiko Nakamura, and drummer Chihiro Kamijo, who came up with the band's name. Piano pieces included in some songs are performed by Taki, while the characteristic shouts are provided by Nakamura.






The name of the band is fitting b/c these guys just love to play fast and their music hits you like a bullet straight to the face.

For a band whose music is rooted in speed metal/thrash/hardcore punk they have become relatively popular in the mainstream Japanese music scene.

Probably b/c despite the manic guitars, and occasionally screamed vocals, there is quite a bit of melody to their songs. And you can't deny that as musicioans, these guys are tighter than a pair of Ecchan's jeans on Konishiki.

I watched these guys play live at Shibuya O West a year or so back. Unfortunately, it wasn't a "one-man" so they only played 5 songs but it was like watching a bull rampaging full speed through a china shop destroying everything in it's path. It was simply awe-inspiring.

Here are some Youtube links to give you and idea of how they sound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnAqgrpj94Q&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuFndHZ-xrI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OrK_CWMSQg&feature=related


OFFICIAL 9mm Blog: http://9mm.jugem.jp/

Rugby World Cup 2011

By now I hope most of you have at least heard about the Rugby World Cup that kicked off in Auckland, New Zealand. Besides some embarrasing public transport SNAFUs, the actual opening ceremony went extremely well.



So far the tournament has been thrilling with teams like Japan, coached by ex-All Black John Kirwan, giving France a real fright and even having a chance to win the match and cause a major upset.
Yesterday Wales should have been the winners of their clash with South Africa but they only just missed out.

Fans are certainly in for a treat this year with all teams putting up a splendid level of tenacity.



For those of you keen to follow, here is the link to the official RWC 2011 site: