via Japanator.com

Hikaru Utada’s newest album, “This Is The One,” will finally see a CD release in the United States on May 12. To promote and celebrate the release, Utada has teamed up with MySpace Karaoke for a special contest.

Using the MySpace Karaoke service, contestants can submit a recording of themselves singing Utada’s “Come Back to Me.” Utada herself will select the winner, who will get the opportunity (along with three friends) to hang out with Utada to sing karaoke together.

The contest is running from April 26 to May 11. More information is available at the MySpace Karaoke website.

18 year-old Daichi from Japan is so humble that he can kill it so easily…

Here he is at 17.

I bet he gets all the ladies…

We asked some of our Intermixers to record the events of their Intermixi experience before, during and after the tour.

Here’s what they had to say upon coming back:

Katherine Schuh

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind.  I am sitting in the computer lab at school, waiting for my class to begin at 9:15, listening to the Killers on my totally personalized blinged out headphones that are not available anywhere because I made them myself in Japan.

I’ve gotten alot of questions since I’ve been back.  What was it like?  What did you see? Where did you go?  The most common, “What did you eat?”.  I am the pickiest eater and the food issue was really the only reason I was happy to get home, well, besides seeing my mom and my boyfriend as I stepped out of customs.

Now, Its back to my old life.  I’m taking four classes (all fun by the way), working my normal 30 hours a week, all in hopes that one day I will get a chance to go back.  I have so many wonderful memories from the trip, and $80 (and 500 pictures developed) later I am able to share those memories with everyone.  Each person on the trip brought something to the table.  Each person made it enjoyable and fun.  While I was sitting on the plane home we suddenly went from daytime right into the dark morning, but it was amazing to look out the window.  The stars were beautiful from the left wing of the plane, it was the perfect dream ending to a perfect dream trip.  It could have been a movie.  I all needed was a really cool song to start playing and roll into the credits.

I am happy to say that I have come home with friends.  Sasha, Diego, Anjelica, and Heidi, I look so forward to meeting up with you four again.  You are all amazing people and so fun to be around.  I really hope that we can see eachother at Anime Expo, maybe hang out with Isaac at the Intermixi booth.  Gloria is another person who i look forward to seeing.  She’s so optomistic.  I saw the video of her dancing in the airport when the flights were canceled.  if that were me I’d be crying b/c i wouldnt be getting any sleep, but she was laughing, dancing, and having a blast because she was there with friends.  Chubbs and Jones, Will, Angelica, and Josh, thank you for the fun times and the fun conversations.  Kimi, you were one of the first people to step into the country with me and the first night you showed me a real part of japan.  i went to my first ramen shop with you and you made it enjoyable and fun.  You lead me to Shibuya.  You made me laugh non stop.  Isaac, you are crazy, But I could never imagine having anyone else take me around Japan.  The way you lead us, the attitude you have, you have our best interests in mind.  You do Japan the right way, the only way it should be done.  And my sister, Rachelle, thank you for putting up with me.  We can sometimes get on each others  nerves, but we made sure to put everything aside to have a fun time.  I wouldn’t have wanted my first time in Japan to be with anybody else.  I think I remembered everyone, at least I hope i did.  If i forgot anybody, I am soooooo sorry.  Its 9 am and I’m rushing to go to class.

All in all, my trip was a dream come true.  I feel so happy and blessed that I got to share it with so many wonderful people.  There are so many memories, good times, and moments that I will keep with me forever.  Thank you Issac and Kim for the greatest experience I have ever had in my life.  I cant wait until I can go with you guys again!

Sasha Palacio

Back from Japan

And even more pooppy than before… I can’t believe I was there again and left again. I don’t regret any moment of it though, even though it all now feels like an awesome dream. Its so boring being back home, the streets are dull and shady, the people are dull and shady, and the shops are… dull and shady. At least Japan was fun and shady =P

Hmmm I guess I can say, when you leave Japan, everything feels like time has slowed down, people are careless and rude, and life is overall just plain boring. Well enough of my emo rant, now about why Japan is a hellava place!

So going back to Tokyo was as exciting and adventurous as the last trip. Even though we visited much of the places from the Tokyo Game Show Tour, it had a little more added, or was experienced differently (like more walking), and it was a little more peaceful and less stressful, because I wasn’t desperately trying to get stuff or pictures.

Tokyo, with its Akihabara, Shibuya, Harajuku, and other prefectures, it sure is a wonderful storm of culture and views, if ya know what I mean. The Two new things during our stay in Tokyo were the Tokyo Anime Fair, and the Samurai Experience. Tokyo Anime Fair was like Anime Expo, and I love Anime Expo, but since this was in Japan, it got more points in my book! The Samurai Experience was basically short samurai lessons, and yes it ROCKED. Would’ve been more energetic, but this was our last stop in the day, and we had a FULL active day… “You’re Breaking my Balls Mimi!” Of course, with my lack of rhythm, I was the one a little disoriented and screwing up, but I still had A LOT of fun and recommend it to all. Oh, and don’t wear a skirt and semi-transparent nylons to a Samurai lesson, I thought we’d change to outfits…

So I know, pictures would be GREAT, so at the moment, I’m weeding through my images to better organize and such, but don’t expect any Amazing quality photos, my camera decided to be shitty during the trip. A few good shots, but not a great as the last trips: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sashaart/sets/72157608073053563/

The one thing I regret was not going to an Onsen/Bath House. Maybe next time, but definitely still a dream of mine, but to go to one that’s really traditional and a visual overload and in the mountains.

Now on to OSAKA, yes, it is so wonderful, it needed all caps. Osaka is like Tokyo, but more humble, happier and the people are way HOTTER! Great looking crowds, happy faces, jitensha(bikes) galore, lots of shops and great food all within walking distance. If there was one place or event that made me want a bike so bad, it be Osaka.

The nightlife was just as active and beautiful. Though I didn’t get to adventure as much as I’d like, but I was also so exhausted from the previous fun days. The most beautiful event would have to be getting to Osaka on the Shinkansen, also known as the Bullet Train. I video taped the trip to and from Osaka and will post soon, but it was beautiful. It was like a Hayao Miyazaki film moment by moment. I was also listening to great music matching the view and making me cry.

During our stay in Osaka, we visited Kyoto. I wish to explore Kyoto more one day, because I LOVE the traditional aspect of Kyoto. The Temple on the Mountain, I believe Kiyomisu Temple, was amazing, the Nijo Castle was gorgeous, and all so surreal. The bus guided tour was fun overall, really liked Kyoto.

The only thing I hated was… The plane ride >< but I’ll endure if it means Japan =P I’d like to Thank Intermixi tours for the yet again, wonderful experience, and I’ll miss the friends met and laughs we shared. Oh and meeting up with a pal from that last tour, Will Tam, was awesome! My sister Angelica said “He’s right where we left him” when we saw him at the airport immigration when we arrived lol =D Saying bye was tough this round too, usually happens when we say goodbye to friends that are going home to states far away. Hope to meet you all again, and see some of you at AX09!

Angelica Palacio:

So, apparently I was really Emo when I said I don’t want to blog about my trip this time around. I felt no confidence in my blogging and was really drained from the entire trip. However I will say that I had a great time this tour than the last one. Much more people to talk to and alot of friendly faces. Everyone had this energy about them and always made the trip to places really fun and exciting. We had alot of laughs this time around and I made alot of friends, I’m almost missing you guys terribly. This blog has been taking so much of my time, just me reflecting back and getting lost in the flashbacks made me stop writing and just stare off into space!! But, hopefully I can write about a trip without having to save my writing, shut down, then enter it in the next day’s blog. lol Enjoy! This entire blog is trying to correct my spelling of Japanese cities in English words, it’s awesome. lol

Day One
The day started off really groggy, we were so tired and excited at the same time we almost were too tired to even think about the last minute essentials. We kept thinking about the plane ride over and how it was going to make us insane by the time we land. I remember we were also freaking out because we were leaving way late and were so sure we got everything packed that we just put the bags in without a second look. Before we left my 10 year old nephew was trying to fight back tours and play it off like he wanted to go so bad..then as I was leaving and no one was in the house he cried in front of me and I wanted to sob with him! It was so sad and he’s such a softie! If you ever meet him, don’t let his looks fool you! Anyways, we met with our soon-to-be friends at LAX and found ourselves with very little time to eat. After boarding the plane and meeting everybody, we sat down nest to each other (almost) and found out that half our electronics were dying and the movie line-up wasn’t going to be too exciting seeing that we could not see the screen..at all. After our near 12 hour flight, we landed in Japan to see our tour guide/host Kim and an old tourmate! It’s like we left him there the last time we went, it was so last minute and we laughed. This was around the time I realized I did not pack my binder, so I did not do any homework on the trip at all. I hope anyone else who had homework got it done ok though. After we all introduced ourselves and took pictures, we boarded a bus to our hotel in Shinagawa and continued to introduce ourselves. We got to our lovely hotel..at night time? I almost didn’t remember that one there! lol, anyways we ate some asian cuisine and had some beers before heading back into the room and knocking out for the next day.

Day Two
This was technically our day one since the flight and sleep took over the first real day of Japan. We had a pretty impressive line-up with text in bold red ink that it was a full-day walking sightseeing tour. Our tour guide was..Mimi?We first hit up a place I have been before, The Asakusa Kannon temple w/ Nakamise shopping arcade. We went through a different entrance this time around, so it was kinda a new experience all over again. There were some cute Shiba Inus there and alot of adorable kindergarten kids. They had matching outfits and everything! Guh, so cute! We then hit up the Meiji Shrine near Harajuku and took some shots there too, it was very peaceful and beautiful there. We only had about forty minutes to run around Harajuku, so Hydie and I got coffee and some pastries but not before meeting the Mentos street team. They were trying not to laugh at their own antics and gave us free samples, apparently they were releasing a Soda flavored Mentos..and it was so good. I need it in my life right now! Then we busted our asses even more heading uphill to the Tokyo Tower. It was just as I remembered it and it was more fun without me trying to snag a shot of the scenery somehow. We then headed on down to a secret, hidden place for The Art of the Samurai training. It was intense and hardcore, I never knew Kendo was so bad ass! We got to get dressed up as Samurai’s in their own home and we had to battle and intruder/thief. Yes, we role-played in Japan and fucking kicked ass! We then headed back to the hotel and was just so damn tired and sweaty. I think Hydie went to Shibuya around this time and I simply slept and updated my status messages while checking emails.

Day Three
This was yet another full-day walking sightseeing tour, and our feet were feeling it when we woke up. We first met up with our tour guide Wakako at a train station with a lovely bakery, I feel terrible not getting anything to eat there. We then headed to the Ghibli Museum which is always much more magical the more you go. I finally got to the rooftop and got shots of the robot guy, I wish I knew where he is from or what’s the story on him. After buying some things for my friends, we headed into the journey of finding the Manga University. It was hard to find, but we arrived late and it was totally ok. The entire experience was nice and I felt good doodling again. I managed to draw my dollie Chamo which was pretty refreshing, seeing as I don’t draw my original characters as much. After leaving the lesson with Saori Takarai, we headed to Akihabara for the electric town tour. I missed this tour last time, so it was great to be able to make it. Everything in Akihabara is so fantastic and I really love it over there. Once our tour guide, Adrian, told us about a female Akihabara in Ikebukuro..I knew I had to check out that place on my free day. We returned pretty late to our hotel room and my feet were killing me, but my entire body and spirit was so stoked from the entire experience. I almost always forget that my feet hurt like hell but it never stopped me!

Day Four
This was the big one, we were after all in the Intermixi Tokyo Anime Fair tour so we of course had to check out the Tokyo Anime Fair. It wasn’t really my thing, but seeing all the displays and new cartoons was really cool and I liked that part alot. But my feet were still aching terribly and I was sick of conventions. I got some little things here and there and in the heat of the moment I made an angsty vlog..which I did not upload because it was really bitchy and over the top. The Fair wasn’t that bad but it hit a nerve sometime around the first twenty minutes going in. It wasn’t as packed as the Tokyo Game Show though. I like seeing the new shows and I wish I bought some merchandise to shows I wanted to check out earlier. We then headed back into our hotel after grabbing some food in Odaiba. We also hit Joypolis again and it was much more fun with friends, the Haunted Doll room was not as scary this time around..especially after Hydie pointed out it was all just headphones and scary noises. We were aching and heading into our rooms when we realized this was also Club Night. Hydie was on that like white on rice, but my ass was tired and lazy and I decided not to go. it was with DJ Yuki and by the sounds of it..not alot of Japanese people dance well unless it’s for school. I guess I missed out on my tourmates busting a move, I’ll be sure to catch the next one. *cough*

Day Five
This was our free day, and by 6pm we had to turn in our luggage to be shipped out to our new hotel in Osaka. Hydie and I woke up late and missed the group doing their thing on the free day so we took our time and made sure to pack things we wont need tomorrow. We then took our bags down to be taken care of. We went to the train station to go to Akihabara to meet up with friends and eat but we eventually just split up, ate at KFC, and went to the Volks store. After we met up with some tourmates, we somehow all decided to just split up again. Which was no problem since Hydie and I wanted to check out other cities too. We ended up going to the Tokyo stop on the Yamanote line..and it was really boring. I got very cranky there and was still grumpy when we got to Shibuya to eat Krispy Kreme. We ate like fatty fat fats that day and have pretty much nothing to show for it. I didn’t get to go to Ikebukuro again or check out Harajuku once more. However I did have some laughs with Hydie and got some snapshots of Chamo in the newly refurbished Volks Akihabara store.

Day Six
This was a sad day, because three members and a tour guide had to leave us for our extended trip with Akasan. I grew pretty attached, lol. I made great friends with them and I wished we hung out more. After pictures and short goodbyes, we headed off to Osaka with little luggage since alot of us got it done before 6pm. At first I didn’t understand why we had to ship our luggage, until I realized we will be walking and taking the metro during rush hour. So, I was grateful to have one bag with my heavy laptop in it rather than a bunch or luggage flying about. The way over to Osaka was a great view and after putting our luggage in a obviously smaller room we hit the Shinsaibashi town and got used to our surroundings. Osaka peeps are damn foin, btw.

Day Seven
This was a half day walking tour to meet with our Tour guide and bus. We saw the Kiyomizu Temple, the Nijo Castle, and the Sanjusangendo Temple. All of them were beautiful and spacious, the land was kept pretty well. We got a bunch of charms and saw some religious figures. After that we headed back to the hotel and maybe shopped some more. I kinda don’t remember too much of that day. Everything is so bunched up, but I do remember shopping alot with Hydie..so much in fact that my card went to zero rather late the next day. Alot of the shopkeepers are flirtatious..I guess they really like you or need you to buy something so they can stop hitting on you..but why stop there? Just kidding..after I did buy something from a shop near out hotel..they never made eye contact after that. Shame, isn’t it?

Day Eight
This was a full-day walking tour with Akasan/Isaac. We had a blast here because we all cracked jokes the previous day and were much more closer as friends. I took as much photos as I could, but knowing we were leaving tomorrow I couldn’t take a snapshot and just wanted to soak it all in. I still took pictures if soaking it in wasn’t enough. We went to the NHK Broadcasting Station in Osaka, Osaka Castle, and the Osamu Tezuka museum. Going to the castle was great, alot of scenery and cute little shops set up for more charms and trinkets. it was a very tall building and it was tough trying to trek through knowing my leg hurt from carrying my luggage on the train ride over. After the castle we all had some good clean fun pretending to be newscasters and weathermen. I think my friend Hydie still has the original recording of our antics..but you all will see it soon enough! We then headed to The Osamu Tezuka museum. When we reached the Yodobashi store station some members decided to stay behind, which was cool since alot of people were tired. Once we reached the museum, the rain let up but the wind blew hard..and tore my new umbrella apart! It was beyond repair! It was like the wind god took the time and effort to spot my cheap umbrella and blow it off the hinges and bend the angles. I was slightly upset, but before we knew it..we reached the station in time and we were all asked a specific question..Anyone wanna go to the Pokemon Center? There was a unanimous vote and only two of us wanted to go. So, after our group of gals split from us, Will and I headed on our own to the Pokemon center and it was a fun trip. It was well hidden and on top of that it wasn’t hidden at all..which made it really funny. The directions on the site SUCK, so I should’ve recorded our trekking through ‘bitch road’ and onward. Once we got there I grabbed things like I was at a Dolpa Event and then put it down somewhere in a corner to separate, I must’ve looked like a mystery shopper to the ‘rangers’ of the shop. Once I went to the register..the cashier could not accept my card. I had to cancel payment and I even tried paying with less items and she still said it did not get through that the card was no good. I could’ve sworn to have close to $200 in my card and it wasn’t working. I waited outside for Will and he was shocked I was gonna just let it go. He offered to pay for the items since this was a once and a lifetime event. So, I thanked him wholeheartedly, and grabbed only two dolls for my friend and I. He helped me out so much, that was the best part of the trip! Thanks so much Will! After we got back to the hotel, I used whatever yen I had left (less than $7) and we even grabbed some lunch. I then met up with Hydie and planned our last minute shopping while she ate someplace else. We went to some shops and whined our way back to the Hotel, we did not want to go back home so soon.

Day Nine
This was the last day, and we all had everything ready to go. I had my last meal just like last time. Coffee and corn soup. It sounds so gross right now, but it was perfect for that chilly day. We all took pictures together and tracked out way back to Shin Osaka station. The three hour ride on the Shinkansen out of Osaka was so silent..and longer than it was getting to Osaka. The shinkansen got packed and alot of people were getting off where we were. My ipod gave me some good tunes to dwell on. I wish I had TV shows to watch on it without killing the battery faster. It was alot of trains and ended on a plane ride back with less things to do. I couldn’t keep myself from smiling and remembering the things we laughed about during the tour and busted out giggling half the time. We were kinda spread out on the plane, but it was still possible to meet up with each other for goodbyes. Before boarding we didn’t get a chance to say bye to Joshua since his plane was totally leaving without him. So, Bye Josh! We’ll miss you! There was also Angela who parted with us on the Shinkansen to another airport, hope your having a good time in Hawaii! Last one to leave us and disappear without noticing was our friend Will. He took the tour with Sasha, Diego, and I before so this was his second time too. It was like we all went on a camping trip, and it was time to go back to work or school. I miss everybody! We need to either do this again or meet while your all in California doing a convention or something! Hope to see you next year! Because I’m totally doing this again, but with a longer wait time.

For the benefit of your eyes, stay tuned for a collected page of pictures, videos and the collected blog from the Neo-Tokyo 2009 Spring Tour!

This is one way to try and get into the Intermixi Yellow Fever Competition:

My body just hurts looking at this…

From the mind of Mr. Aka himself, comes a little competition for all of you to join in:

“Finally the NBA finals are gearing to start up, but I have a another type of competition blooming just for the Intermixers…” – Aka-san

The 1st Annual Intermixi: “Yellow Fever” Awards

Join us in the ongoing forum thread to put your nomination for a contender. After that, the Intermixi staff will pick 8 contenders (of each respective sex) then have semi finalists and then we’ll break it all down to just one undisputed winner.

Just think of it like the NBA playoffs bracket

Kobe vs Lebron?

How about Koda Kumi vs Utada Hikaru?

Or Gackt vs Miyavi?

Once the actual tournament kicks off there will be weekly prizes all leading up to one final winner decided one week after Anime Expo ‘09! (2nd week of July)

So please… sign up/login in and join the beginnings of a great contest you’ll help make!

To celebrate (a I use that term loosely) the brand new Dragonball Evolution movie that came out friday in the states, I give the you the New Zealand 2007 Kamehameha contest!

Is it Sunday night already. It just seems like we left Japan.

Well Japan never left us…

Here’s a new video from Peter Bjorn and John called “Nothing To Worry About”

You can even get the video for free off Itunes, but you better hurry.

*Special thanks to Intermixer Anhelika off the Intermixi forums for the 411!