Hello! This is a suuuuper late (4 months? Yikes!) post of my Japan Trip I took in spring of this year. I had everything written down, but it was erased somehow, so this is going to be as well remembered as my memory can handle.
We took the train to Takeshita Dori from Ikebukuro early in the morning to make it to the Angelic Pretty Saturday release for Melty Berry Princess. Though the print is really cute, I was mostly there to see how an Angelic Pretty release actually worked. I'll also be adding some info below for those who want to know some tips and tricks to release day!
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| Walking to Ikebukuro station. |
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| Rushing to Takeshita Dori for the release! Of course I'll take a quick photo though! |
We arrived outside of Laforet at 10:30am and there was already a line outside. It was crazy! There were already so many people in line and a crowd of tourists trying to take photos. The outside area was really packed. I can't believe Japanese lolitas have to deal with this every week! The coordinates I saw were really pretty! There were a lot of Katarina and Dream Marine which had only just been released recently. Only one other girl was wearing the same print as me, but I was too shy to ask her for a photo...
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| So many lolitas! |
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| Sea of lolitas! |
After scanning the area, I put myself in line. I was near the back end. A little before 11am, the shop girls put us in groups of five so that we can start choosing numbers. It was so nerve-racking! One-by-one each lolita chose her number. There were squeals, screams, and cries of despair. It was pretty intense. Then, it was my turn!
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| Nervously waiting for my turn. |
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| Picking! |
Anddddd-
I have the crappiest luck ever. The number you choose determines the time you go into the store. I believe it's 10 people every 30 minutes. Because my number was so high, I didn't get to go in until really late. By the time I entered the store, everything was gone;; I wasn't expecting much to be there, but the release was really popular!
Some tips for those who are willing to brave a release:
1. Get there early! Even though it's a lottery system, you need to be in line at a certain time for the drawing or you might not have a chance to choose a number. The shop girls need a chance to count the participants to determine how many numbers will go in the lottery. I was there at 10:30am and the line was already long. As long as you are in line, you will draw a number no matter where you are in the line.
2. Number choosing is around 11am! This means if you chose a really bad number (like me) you can have time to maybe go into a cafe or back to your hotel room and try for your items online. You should still try to see what's happening at the store around your number's time. You have one, why not? :)
3. Wear lolita! Shops have been cracking down on resellers and this is one of the ways they are trying to keep them from buying all of the stock. Wearing a nice outfit will keep your eligibility in tact, but it will also give you a chance to meet some local girls who might be wearing the same print as you. You don't have to wear AP (as far as I know), but the whole line will probably consist of all AP anyway haha.
4. No boyfriends allowed? I've heard different information and I believe it's based on which store you are at and what print is being released, but at the time I was as AP Harajuku, they would not allow boyfriends and/or non-lolitas to choose a number. I've heard that less popular releases might be able to squeak in your significant other, but that is at the AP shop's discretion.
5. Have other stuff planned! There's a chance your luck is as awful as mine and you have to wait before getting into the store, but don't let that ruin your day! Harajuku is full of great shops and eateries to keep you occupied until your time comes.
If you have any questions about releases, feel free to ask me!
Some tips for those who are willing to brave a release:
1. Get there early! Even though it's a lottery system, you need to be in line at a certain time for the drawing or you might not have a chance to choose a number. The shop girls need a chance to count the participants to determine how many numbers will go in the lottery. I was there at 10:30am and the line was already long. As long as you are in line, you will draw a number no matter where you are in the line.
2. Number choosing is around 11am! This means if you chose a really bad number (like me) you can have time to maybe go into a cafe or back to your hotel room and try for your items online. You should still try to see what's happening at the store around your number's time. You have one, why not? :)
3. Wear lolita! Shops have been cracking down on resellers and this is one of the ways they are trying to keep them from buying all of the stock. Wearing a nice outfit will keep your eligibility in tact, but it will also give you a chance to meet some local girls who might be wearing the same print as you. You don't have to wear AP (as far as I know), but the whole line will probably consist of all AP anyway haha.
4. No boyfriends allowed? I've heard different information and I believe it's based on which store you are at and what print is being released, but at the time I was as AP Harajuku, they would not allow boyfriends and/or non-lolitas to choose a number. I've heard that less popular releases might be able to squeak in your significant other, but that is at the AP shop's discretion.
5. Have other stuff planned! There's a chance your luck is as awful as mine and you have to wait before getting into the store, but don't let that ruin your day! Harajuku is full of great shops and eateries to keep you occupied until your time comes.
If you have any questions about releases, feel free to ask me!
Outfit Rundown:
JSK, Headbow, Tights: Angelic Pretty
JSK, Headbow, Tights: Angelic Pretty
Blouse: Offbrand
Bolero, Bag: Innocent World
Shoes, Beret: Ank Rouge
Accessories: Automatic Honey
I will be posting more about my April adventures! Until next time!
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