Bokunojpop.com

As one of the best selling female artists in Japan at the moment, it seems that whatever Koda Kumi touches turns to scantily clad gold. In a step closer to what can only be presumed as world dominance, Koda Kumi has teamed up with kimono company Nishizen Shoji Co., Ltd. to create several kimonos which will be known as the 'Koda Kumi Kimono Collection'.

It was recently announced that Aikawa Nanase is six months pregnant with her second child. The announcement came from a message posted by her on her official web-site.

She is currently in the recording studio working on material for a new album, writing a new book, and has her annual special concert scheduled on July 7th, dubbed 'Nanase Day', so called because of the kanji in her name (nana = seven). This year's concert is said to be that bit more special because it's 2007. Despite being pregnant, she has said that she will continue as planned with all her commitments.

Ah, yes. The Friday morning after I arrived, I had the bright idea of going out for a walk to explore the neighborhood. I woke up a little early, but found that I was unable to go back to sleep, so I headed out the door and walked up to a familiar point, and then took off in what direction I think is south.

Perhaps it's because I'm still unsure of what direction it was that I was so confused within the next couple hours.

But I realize something. It wasn't really the language barrier that made me feel so helpless. It was simply the different outline of everything thing here. It's rare to run into a street that actually has a label on it here, and even then, it's not as though the same major street will continuously broadcast its name from block to block.

I walked a long way in one direction, then a long way in another direction, and then I realized it was 9:30 in the morning. Many shops were still closed. I stopped in a couple konbini along the way to buy water and the like, but was convinced that I'd be able to find my way back to Asahi-cho. Then I ran into another street sign, only to realize that I somehow wandered into the next city over.