Today, I watched a live performance at Tokyo International Forum Hall A. It's been 4 years since I last came here. Last time, I had a sparkling wine before the show and wrote on Tabelog that it felt fizzy and refreshing. I wanted to do the same this time, but unfortunately, alcohol was not available. I settled for an iced coffee instead. Next month, Hamasho will turn 70. The audience also seemed to be of a similar age. Hamasho has completely maintained his voice despite his age, and I truly admire his daily efforts. Tokyo International Forum has a large hall with about 5,000 seats, which is not too tiring. The arena would have been too much for me.

I decided to indulge in some non-alcoholic drinks during the waiting time before the concert, as alcohol was not being served due to the current situation. I purchased some non-alcoholic drinks to lift my spirits, and as the start time approached, I found the excitement building up to be enjoyable.

Of course, due to the event self-restraint request, live events have not been held recently. I pray for the early end of the coronavirus and the revival of live events. Top musicians and large live venues will be fine, but I just hope that the live houses, which are also performance venues for musicians who have just started to make a living, will hold up. This is a stand bar inside Tokyo International Forum Hall A. It's a nice place to wet your throat before a live performance. There may be a gap between the clientele visiting the Imperial Hotel and us, ordinary people visiting for live performances, but the service is perfect, befitting the name of the Imperial Hotel. "Sandwich" 500 yen. It's nice that the price is reasonable. If they asked for 800 yen, I would hesitate. "Suntory Premium Malt" 700 yen. This is also a reasonable price. They just pour it from a 350ml can, but it's nice to be served by the staff. However, it was the guy next to her who served me (laughs).

11/14 Sunny. Today is Chihiro's concert. Before the show starts, I wanted to have one more drink in the lobby. I went up the escalator and turned right to the drink counter. I ordered a sparkling rosé. In the concert, I cried during a song I can't remember when I last heard, "Youth". And I cried again at the end of "Katasumide".

I came to the 2019-5 concert. During the break, I replenished my fluids at this stand. It seems to be operated by the Imperial Hotel. The drinks are all expensive. The pinnacle is the orange juice for 600 yen! It seems to be freshly squeezed, but I can't afford it! Poor me! So sad! I bought a Oolong tea for 300 yen and a waffle for around 200 yen! The taste is just normal! QUEEN SYMPHONIC - A ROCK & ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE - was fun...(*´╰╯`๓)♬

After work, I went to see Miki Imai's live performance for the first time in 12 years. Twelve years ago, it was a dinner show at Hotel East Palace, but today it was a regular live show. Before the show started, I had a toast with sparkling wine at the cafe corner here. The hall was not too crowded, so I could spend a leisurely time before the show started. It was nice. Most of the songs in the live performance were from her new album, which I had never heard before. But when she played the melody of the alarm clock that wakes up my wife every morning since we got married ten years ago, I got a bit emotional. It's been 10 years since we got married, and every morning the electronic music plays ♪ do, re, mi, fa, so, so~. I heard it live today, and it brought back a lot of memories. Music is truly mysterious. After the regular performance ended, I left without waiting for the encore to avoid the crowds and went to a meat bar. I have to go back to my hometown alone early the next morning, so it was a hectic night. Now, I'm currently on the Shinkansen train writing a review on my smartphone for the first time, and it's quite difficult (laughs). I'm struggling near Mishima Station. Despite my slow and struggling writing, I want to say this. Thank you for everything you have done for me in the past 10 years since we got married. ...I have a feeling I won't do any household chores in the future, but please bear with me on that point... I look forward to your continued support! Like the sparkling wine from yesterday, fizzing and fizzing!! (meaning unknown)

Tokyo International Forum Hall A 2F escalator hall has shops on both sides. I visit the International Forum in Yurakucho a few times a year for live performances. There are many shops on B1 and 1F, but I don't have time to eat and drink leisurely. When I'm feeling a bit thirsty or want a beer, I find this café corner at the Imperial Hotel very convenient. I enjoy a drink before the live show, so I have used it several times. I couldn't find a photo, but I found this one. The super pretzel was around 600 yen, quite expensive because it's from the Imperial Hotel. I can't remember how much the beer was, but that's how it goes!

Tokyo International Forum is about a 2-minute walk from JR Yurakucho Station. The cafe corner on the 2nd floor of Hall A is a cafe that opens during events. It is operated by the Imperial Hotel, and the staff wear sharp uniforms. The menu includes hot coffee for 350 yen, iced coffee for 400 yen, iced tea for 400 yen, iced cafe au lait for 400 yen, Coca-Cola for 400 yen, orange juice for 400 yen, oolong tea for 300 yen, bottled mineral water for 300 yen, and alcoholic beverages such as Premium Malt (can) for 600 yen, red/white wine for 500 yen, and sparkling wine for 600 yen, all at hotel prices. Light snacks include Belgian waffle for 200 yen, mixed nuts for 300 yen, sandwich for 500 yen, and pretzel (cream cheese) for 350 yen. This time, I ordered the Soft Serve Vanilla for 350 yen. The TOMI's Jar Silk Ice Cream is served in a frozen cup and has a silky smooth texture that is between soft serve and ice cream. It may seem a bit mediocre compared to other dining options, but it is unique in an event venue. I was enjoying this soft serve while attending the Macross Orchestra Concert "Chojiku Kangeki." The concert featured music from the 1982 Super Dimension Fortress Macross, arranged by Kenjiro Hata. The talk session included interesting production stories from the staff who worked on the music and direction at that time. The highlight of the concert was the performance by Mari Iijima, who currently resides in Los Angeles and provided the voice and songs for Lynn Minmay. Her singing, which had been affected by a vocal injury in the past, seemed to have improved slightly. Overall, it was a memorable event with unique experiences.