• Submit News
  • Support Us
  • nl Nederlands
  • en English
AVO Magazine - One click closer to Japan
  • AVO Magazine
    • AVO Magazine, who?
    • About us (日本語)
    • Write for AVO Magazine
    • Colophon
    • AVO Magazine presents
    • Submit News
    • Contact
  • Staff picks
  • News
    • All
    • AVO Community
    • Events
    • Fun Facts
    • Giveaways
    • Japan
    • Music General
    • Staff picks
    Join MyAnimeList’s Anime Karaoke Contest “MAL Sings TenSura”

    Join MyAnimeList’s Anime Karaoke Contest “MAL Sings TenSura”

    Still of "Nevermore", a music video by Bialystocks

    7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 7, 2021)

    David © Resonance

    3rd-anniversary show of SUI’s solo project David in Paris cancelled

    Hellfest to postpone 15th-anniversary edition to 2022

    Hellfest to postpone 15th-anniversary edition to 2022

    ICHION © Photography by Yasuhiro Tango

    ICHION to celebrate new album release with free live broadcast at Studio Zot

    © Philo Ouweleen

    Mini expo of Philo Ouweleen at Liever Hier

    Buinyasu and Yaminyasu: the two cat mascots who love Visual Kei

    Buinyasu and Yaminyasu: the two cat mascots who love Visual Kei

    Musical Snack: MADAME EDWARDA’s unplugged version of “Carnival” in 4K

    Musical Snack: MADAME EDWARDA’s unplugged version of “Carnival” in 4K

    Still from Kubomi's music video 普遍 (Universal)

    7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 6, 2021)

    Trending Tags

    • European Tour
  • Interviews
    • All
    • Artists
    • Conventions
    • Cosplayers
    • Musicians
    • Other
    © Heavenstamp

    AVO Interview with Heavenstamp: “We want to keep evolving from yesterday to today and from today to tomorrow”

    Cilvie © Cilvie Records | Photography by Przemek Sliwinski

    AVO Interview: Cilvie – “The future of the music scene in Japan is going to be different…”

    Velladon | Artwork by: Adam Riches

    AVO Interview with Velladon: “Good friendships make good music”

    Pinky Doodle Poodle © Chicken Ranch Records | Photography by Lucy Calhoun

    AVO Interview with Pinky Doodle Poodle: “We want to see the listener smile no matter what happens”

    © Kenta Hayashi

    AVO Interview with Kenta Hayashi: “With over 200 shows a year I felt I didn’t have enough time to evolve”

    RYU © SOMEI YOSHINO (ソメイヨシノ)

    AVO Interview with RYU of SOMEI YOSHINO: “The Internet makes it possible”

    A FANG OF FIRE © KIHIRO

    AVO Interview with Kihiro: “I want to challenge and use all my talents to create a different road”

    Hanneke's photo of the Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo

    First time in Japan: interview with Hanneke

    HighTechLowLife at Abunai! 2019 | Photography by Francisca Hagen (AVO Magazine)

    AVO Interview with HighTechLowLife: “Save the future!”

    Trending Tags

    • Reviews
      • All
      • Book Reviews
      • Film Reviews
      • Game Reviews
      • Music Reviews
      • Other Reviews
      • Product Reviews
      • Series Reviews
      CD Review: Heavenstamp – From the Basement

      CD Review: Heavenstamp – From the Basement

      LOVEBITES © JVC Kenwood / Victor Entertainment

      MV Review: LOVEBITES – Winds Of Transylvania [VladLove Version]

      Product Review: Bourbon Mochi Chocolate – Chestnut & Rich Ganache

      Product Review: Bourbon Mochi Chocolate – Chestnut & Rich Ganache

      Product Review: Heart – Butt Detective Gummies

      Product Review: Heart – Butt Detective Gummies

      MV Review: Yabai T-Shirt Yasan – Bluetooth Love

      MV Review: Yabai T-Shirt Yasan – Bluetooth Love

      Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity © Nintendo © KOEI TECMO GAMES

      Game Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

      Product Review: Meiji – Meltykiss: Premium Chocolate, Fruity Strawberry, Hazelnut & Creamy Milk

      Product Review: Meiji – Meltykiss: Premium Chocolate, Fruity Strawberry, Hazelnut & Creamy Milk

      Single Review: FEMM – Come&Go

      Single Review: FEMM – Come&Go

      ©

      Ichiko Aoba takes you into a cinematic story with “Adan no Kaze”

      Trending Tags

      • Reports
        • All
        • Anime Events
        • Japan Events
        • Music Events
        • Other Events
        Yabai T-Shirts Yasan © BADASS/Universal Sigma

        Yabai T-Shirts Yasan Rock the Youtube Live Weekend

        SLEEP IN WHITE-broadcast type- still © April in 85

        Lights, camera, action: April in 85 present perfection during SLEEP IN WHITE live broadcast

        © Summer of Sonic

        Live Report: Sonic Adventure Music Experience at The Garage, London

        Guitar Wolf at Musicon | Photography: Francisca Hagen

        Guitar Wolf’s intense and loud performance in a packed Musicon

        Minyo Crusaders at Le Guess Who? 2019 | Photographer: Juri Hiensch

        Photo report: a day out with Minyo Crusaders during Le Guess Who? 2019

        AVO Magazine Presents: ZEROSHIKI + DEFINE ME + SOMEI YOSHINO @ Musicon, The Hague (7 October 2019) | Photography by Francisca Hagen

        ZEROSHIKI, DEFINE ME and SOMEI YOSHINO at Musicon: a unity for one night in The Hague

        De Dordtse Matsuri 2019 | Photography by Francisca Hagen

        Report: first edition of The Dordtse Matsuri

        AVO Interview with HighTechLowLife: “Save the future!”

        HighTechLowLife at Abunai! 2019: Could it be any louder?

        FAKE ISLAND at Abunai! 2019 | Photography by Francisca Hagen (AVO Magazine)

        FAKE ISLAND at Abunai! 2019: Convincing and loud

        Trending Tags

        • Colophon
        • AVO Magazine presents
        No Result
        View All Result
        • AVO Magazine
          • AVO Magazine, who?
          • About us (日本語)
          • Write for AVO Magazine
          • Colophon
          • AVO Magazine presents
          • Submit News
          • Contact
        • Staff picks
        • News
          • All
          • AVO Community
          • Events
          • Fun Facts
          • Giveaways
          • Japan
          • Music General
          • Staff picks
          Join MyAnimeList’s Anime Karaoke Contest “MAL Sings TenSura”

          Join MyAnimeList’s Anime Karaoke Contest “MAL Sings TenSura”

          Still of "Nevermore", a music video by Bialystocks

          7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 7, 2021)

          David © Resonance

          3rd-anniversary show of SUI’s solo project David in Paris cancelled

          Hellfest to postpone 15th-anniversary edition to 2022

          Hellfest to postpone 15th-anniversary edition to 2022

          ICHION © Photography by Yasuhiro Tango

          ICHION to celebrate new album release with free live broadcast at Studio Zot

          © Philo Ouweleen

          Mini expo of Philo Ouweleen at Liever Hier

          Buinyasu and Yaminyasu: the two cat mascots who love Visual Kei

          Buinyasu and Yaminyasu: the two cat mascots who love Visual Kei

          Musical Snack: MADAME EDWARDA’s unplugged version of “Carnival” in 4K

          Musical Snack: MADAME EDWARDA’s unplugged version of “Carnival” in 4K

          Still from Kubomi's music video 普遍 (Universal)

          7 New Music Videos You Need To Check Out (Week 6, 2021)

          Trending Tags

          • European Tour
        • Interviews
          • All
          • Artists
          • Conventions
          • Cosplayers
          • Musicians
          • Other
          © Heavenstamp

          AVO Interview with Heavenstamp: “We want to keep evolving from yesterday to today and from today to tomorrow”

          Cilvie © Cilvie Records | Photography by Przemek Sliwinski

          AVO Interview: Cilvie – “The future of the music scene in Japan is going to be different…”

          Velladon | Artwork by: Adam Riches

          AVO Interview with Velladon: “Good friendships make good music”

          Pinky Doodle Poodle © Chicken Ranch Records | Photography by Lucy Calhoun

          AVO Interview with Pinky Doodle Poodle: “We want to see the listener smile no matter what happens”

          © Kenta Hayashi

          AVO Interview with Kenta Hayashi: “With over 200 shows a year I felt I didn’t have enough time to evolve”

          RYU © SOMEI YOSHINO (ソメイヨシノ)

          AVO Interview with RYU of SOMEI YOSHINO: “The Internet makes it possible”

          A FANG OF FIRE © KIHIRO

          AVO Interview with Kihiro: “I want to challenge and use all my talents to create a different road”

          Hanneke's photo of the Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo

          First time in Japan: interview with Hanneke

          HighTechLowLife at Abunai! 2019 | Photography by Francisca Hagen (AVO Magazine)

          AVO Interview with HighTechLowLife: “Save the future!”

          Trending Tags

          • Reviews
            • All
            • Book Reviews
            • Film Reviews
            • Game Reviews
            • Music Reviews
            • Other Reviews
            • Product Reviews
            • Series Reviews
            CD Review: Heavenstamp – From the Basement

            CD Review: Heavenstamp – From the Basement

            LOVEBITES © JVC Kenwood / Victor Entertainment

            MV Review: LOVEBITES – Winds Of Transylvania [VladLove Version]

            Product Review: Bourbon Mochi Chocolate – Chestnut & Rich Ganache

            Product Review: Bourbon Mochi Chocolate – Chestnut & Rich Ganache

            Product Review: Heart – Butt Detective Gummies

            Product Review: Heart – Butt Detective Gummies

            MV Review: Yabai T-Shirt Yasan – Bluetooth Love

            MV Review: Yabai T-Shirt Yasan – Bluetooth Love

            Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity © Nintendo © KOEI TECMO GAMES

            Game Review: Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

            Product Review: Meiji – Meltykiss: Premium Chocolate, Fruity Strawberry, Hazelnut & Creamy Milk

            Product Review: Meiji – Meltykiss: Premium Chocolate, Fruity Strawberry, Hazelnut & Creamy Milk

            Single Review: FEMM – Come&Go

            Single Review: FEMM – Come&Go

            ©

            Ichiko Aoba takes you into a cinematic story with “Adan no Kaze”

            Trending Tags

            • Reports
              • All
              • Anime Events
              • Japan Events
              • Music Events
              • Other Events
              Yabai T-Shirts Yasan © BADASS/Universal Sigma

              Yabai T-Shirts Yasan Rock the Youtube Live Weekend

              SLEEP IN WHITE-broadcast type- still © April in 85

              Lights, camera, action: April in 85 present perfection during SLEEP IN WHITE live broadcast

              © Summer of Sonic

              Live Report: Sonic Adventure Music Experience at The Garage, London

              Guitar Wolf at Musicon | Photography: Francisca Hagen

              Guitar Wolf’s intense and loud performance in a packed Musicon

              Minyo Crusaders at Le Guess Who? 2019 | Photographer: Juri Hiensch

              Photo report: a day out with Minyo Crusaders during Le Guess Who? 2019

              AVO Magazine Presents: ZEROSHIKI + DEFINE ME + SOMEI YOSHINO @ Musicon, The Hague (7 October 2019) | Photography by Francisca Hagen

              ZEROSHIKI, DEFINE ME and SOMEI YOSHINO at Musicon: a unity for one night in The Hague

              De Dordtse Matsuri 2019 | Photography by Francisca Hagen

              Report: first edition of The Dordtse Matsuri

              AVO Interview with HighTechLowLife: “Save the future!”

              HighTechLowLife at Abunai! 2019: Could it be any louder?

              FAKE ISLAND at Abunai! 2019 | Photography by Francisca Hagen (AVO Magazine)

              FAKE ISLAND at Abunai! 2019: Convincing and loud

              Trending Tags

              • Colophon
              • AVO Magazine presents
              No Result
              View All Result
              AVO Magazine - One click closer to Japan
              No Result
              View All Result
              Home Interviews Other

              First time in Japan: interview with Herman Roovers

              Francisca Hagen by Francisca Hagen
              11 June 2019
              in Interviews, Other
              0
              Herman met andere Japanse fan voorafgaand aan concert Shiina Ringo in Nagayo

              Herman met andere Japanse fan voorafgaand aan concert Shiina Ringo in Nagayo

              It has been a while ago that I asked the readers of AVO Magazine to talk about their first trip to Japan. For some it has been a while ago, for others, it has been very recent. What were the exact reasons for them to travel to Japan and what was the most striking? Eventually, I received a number of applications, including that of Herman from Malden near Nijmegen. He has a few good tips for those who want to go to Japan.

              AVO: Let’s start with the most important one: when, how long and with who did you go to Japan for the first time?
              Herman: In October 2014 I travelled through Japan on my own for 14 days.

              AVO: How did you prepare for your trip to Japan?
              Herman: I had already started preparing in 2010. Read a lot, not only travel guides but also books about the history, culture, customs and habits. And I talked to all kinds of people who went to Japan for all kinds of reasons (business, family visit, vacation). I also attended a language course and attended many exhibitions and events (such as conventions and Japan Day Düsseldorf). I already had some Japanese Facebook friends and they also gave me valuable tips.

              AVO: What made you decide to go to Japan? What attracted you?
              Herman: Initially it was the music. As a collector of LPs and CDs, I found Japan very interesting because of the huge music market and the special releases. Later the fascination for the combination of technology and rituals was added. And also my family history was added as a reason. I am of Indonesian descent and my family suffered a lot from the Japanese in the Dutch East Indies. I wanted to get to know the people who did this to my family. How do people commit such atrocities?

              AVO: After you arrived in Japan: what was your first impression?
              Herman: My first impression was that it was exactly as I had imagined. For example, I had brought flower bulbs as a souvenir and I knew the formalities involved. At the quarantine desk, the civil servant actually counted whether I had violated the limit and visibly proudly noticed that it was right and a label with the stamp was attached to my plastic bag with flower bulbs. With a short bow and a jovial “arigato” I left for customs and passport control. This also went as I expected. Go with the flow and just follow the instructions and you will have a great time. I had made a little mistake about the size of Tokyo station, so it took an hour before I found my locker. A good lesson: always note the number of the entrance/exit and 1BF does not mean 1st floor but ground floor!

              AVO: Did you choose a hotel, hostel, guesthouse, ryokan or a different place to sleep; why did you choose this option and how did you like it?
              Herman: I have taken a combination of Airbnb, hotel, guesthouse and capsule hotel. Airbnb was great because I chose accommodations where the owner stayed in the same house. That way I easily got in touch with the locals and they gave me very useful tips. When I left Tokyo for the Japanese Alps, there was a typhoon. My host had completely adjusted my travel schedule so that I was hardly bothered by the typhoon. The mother of an Airbnb host also invited me to a sushi party for students. With one of them I ate pancakes in Amsterdam a few years ago. That capsule hotel was quite an experience. Sleeping in a capsule went fine, but I didn’t feel so safe. There were few Japanese and many tourists. I felt safer amongst the Japanese than amongst fellow tourists.

              AVO: What did you do to get rid of your jetlag? Or to prevent this entirely?
              Herman: I arrived at 6 a.m. and I took it easy the first day. I did not immediately go hunting for CDs and LPs or visited busy museums. I took a nice shower at Narita airport, did not rush, ate well and went to a quiet museum. When I got home my wife had to laugh: “Have you really been to a ceramic museum? Nothing for you!”

              AVO: Did you pick a route to take during your first trip in Japan, or did you stay in one place? And why?
              Herman: During the trip, I didn’t want to have to worry about booking accommodations and I booked everything in advance so my route was fixed: Tokyo – Tateyama Alpine route – Toyama – Takayama – Nagoya – Kyoto – Hiroshima – Osaka. With the JR railpass, it was all easy to do and affordable and especially that seat reservation is great. I did carry too much luggage with me and that was a drag. I should have used the Luggage service (by the way, I did that in 2018). Every day I decided whether it was an activity day or a pyjama day. Especially on your own you might do too much and overstretch yourself. I also had my running shoes with me so I did enjoy jogging.

              AVO: What is your best memory from your first trip to Japan?
              The couple who run a guesthouse in the Japanese Alps. I was their first non-Asian guest and they were very hospitable and friendly. They did cook great for me and secretly peeked around the corner to see if I liked it. In the evening we showed each other family photos. Despite my Japanese language lessons, I only spoke a few words of Japanese, but in the Airbnb review, they wrote that I spoke Japanese fluently.

              AVO: Which place is THE place everyone should visit according to you, and why?
              In general, I would say: do also go out of town and avoid the hot spots. For example, I have been 30 kilometres north of Kyoto in an Airbnb home in a small village where almost no one speaks English. Then you will get the feeling that you are in the “real” Japan. If you go in the period from about April to December, then you should actually do the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route or a part of it. The route leads from East to West or vice versa and you can also return halfway if you prefer. Your luggage is transported separately for a few euros. This part of the Japanese Alps is breathtakingly beautiful and varied and because of the many transport options, the route is suitable for everyone: from very old senior to super sporty. The boat trip on the highest lake in Japan where you can sail was great.

              AVO: What do you miss the most now you’ve returned from Japan?
              The politeness of the people. For instance when boarding the train. No phone calls in public transport, no noise, nice and quiet. And almost nowhere junk or waste. I went to a J-POP concert with 2,500 fans. Everyone is relaxed and afterwards, I believe there was 1 piece of paper on the floor. Oh and then those big stores with endless CDs, DVDs and LPs. With the BookOff chain store, it is also nicely priced. Every now and then I go to BookOff in Paris to get that feeling back a bit.

              AVO: Do you plan on going back to Japan?
              I went to Japan again for 3 weeks in May 2018 and visited the “outlying areas”. Okinawa, Kyushi and Shikoku. Awesome!!!! I would go to the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 but I won’t go because of my eco footprint.

              AVO: What tip(s) do you want to share with everyone who still wants to take a vacation to Japan and have never been to Japan before?
              Prepare well for the essential habits in Japan and respect the Japanese people. For their manners, but also for the fact that they are sometimes not used to foreigners and in some places they speak little or no English. Japan has only been open to foreign countries since 1850, so it takes some getting used to. And learn a few words of Japanese: this opens so many doors for you. Japanese are delighted if you show that you have done your best to learn their language.

              I would like to thank Herman for his time to answer the questions about his first trip to Japan.

              Keep an eye on AVO Magazine, because there will be more interviews like this!

              Tags: First Time in JapanJapan
              Previous Post

              Successful twelfth edition of the Japan Market in Leiden

              Next Post

              Product Review: Heart – Fumo Fumo Nikukyu & Neko Sweets

              Related Posts

              © Heavenstamp
              Musicians

              AVO Interview with Heavenstamp: “We want to keep evolving from yesterday to today and from today to tomorrow”

              23 February 2021
              Cilvie © Cilvie Records | Photography by Przemek Sliwinski
              Musicians

              AVO Interview: Cilvie – “The future of the music scene in Japan is going to be different…”

              9 January 2021
              Velladon | Artwork by: Adam Riches
              Musicians

              AVO Interview with Velladon: “Good friendships make good music”

              11 February 2021
              Pinky Doodle Poodle © Chicken Ranch Records | Photography by Lucy Calhoun
              Musicians

              AVO Interview with Pinky Doodle Poodle: “We want to see the listener smile no matter what happens”

              9 September 2020
              © Kenta Hayashi
              Musicians

              AVO Interview with Kenta Hayashi: “With over 200 shows a year I felt I didn’t have enough time to evolve”

              28 May 2020
              RYU © SOMEI YOSHINO (ソメイヨシノ)
              Musicians

              AVO Interview with RYU of SOMEI YOSHINO: “The Internet makes it possible”

              10 May 2020
              Next Post
              Product Review: Heart – Fumo Fumo Nikukyu & Neko Sweets

              Product Review: Heart - Fumo Fumo Nikukyu & Neko Sweets

              Leave a Reply Cancel reply

              Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

              This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

              Cancellations and postponements of Japan-related events in 1 list (2020)
              Events

              Cancellations and postponements of Japan-related events in 1 list (2020)

              by Francisca Hagen
              13 February 2021
              0

              It is a difficult situation right now, because of the COVID-19 pandemic a lot of events are uncertain, got postponed...

              Read more
              Eerste Europese show REMNANT in Wenen
              Musicians

              AVO interview with REMNANT: “The most important thing for us is to make ideal music”

              by Francisca Hagen
              27 August 2018
              0

              REMNANT will be in the Netherlands in less than a week for a performance, this performance is part of their...

              Read more
              REMNANT in 330 LIVE Den Haag - Fotografie: Francisca Hagen
              Musicians

              AVO interview with REMNANT

              by Francisca Hagen
              12 May 2018
              0

              REMNANT toured in Europe last april, before this tour began I had an interview with Takmi. This interview will be...

              Read more
              AVO interview with Matenrou Opera
              Musicians

              AVO interview with Matenrou Opera

              by Francisca Hagen
              11 April 2019
              0

              Matenrou Opera's European tour will start soon and in a month the band will perform in the Netherlands for the...

              Read more
              Fotografie door Francisca Hagen
              Interviews

              AVO Blog interview with MIKARU (G.L.A.M.S)

              by Sofia
              5 October 2016
              0

              MIKARU was in the Netherlands on July 11th to perform with his solo project G.L.A.M.S at the first edition of...

              Read more
              Online magazine since 2012. AVO Magazine is a Japan-related entertainment website with information about events in especially The Netherlands, Belgium and the rest of Europe. There is a big focus on Japanese music. Other contents we publish are reports, reviews, informative articles, and interviews. AVO Magazine is part of AVO Community.

              Contact (Francisca Hagen): info[@]avo-magazine.nl

              Please do not use text and photos made by AVO Magazine without permission.
              Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

              Affiliates

              JPU Records

              1_General CDJapan

              AVO Magazine Approved

              • Idol is SHiT
              • Japan Jams
              • Japone
              • The Sushi Times
              • Submit News
              • AVO Magazine presents
              • Privacy Policy

              © 2012 - 2020 AVO Magazine - Japan-related webzine

              No Result
              View All Result
              • AVO Magazine
                • AVO Magazine, who?
                • About us (日本語)
                • Write for AVO Magazine
                • Colophon
                • AVO Magazine presents
                • Submit News
                • Contact
              • Staff picks
              • News
              • Interviews
              • Reviews
              • Reports
              • Colophon
              • AVO Magazine presents

              © 2012 - 2020 AVO Magazine - Japan-related webzine

              Go to mobile version
              • Nederlands
              • English