Episode 26: Stars on Ice Japan

[Music] If you're into sports betting, bet online is the fastest, easiest way to bet all your favorite sports. Head to their new updated desktop or mobile website to sign up today and receive your 50% welcome bonus on your first deposit. Just use our promo code, believe 50, to receive your bonus. Hello and welcome to Unlaced with Chalk & Bates. I'm Madison Chalk. And I'm Evan Bates. And here we are, still in Japan. Today in Yokohama, we just arrived last night from Iwate on the bullet train. Just jumping back into the podcasting groove. Yeah. Trying to get back into the habit. And really not a lot of agenda today. Just going to fill you guys in on what's been going on. Our favorite things about two or so far. Might just be babbling. Babbling? But that's what the podcast is for, I guess. Well, let me just start off by saying how much I truly enjoy the bullet train. I could probably just be content hopping on a bullet train every day and just writing it. It's so fun. I did not realize how fast the bullet train was until we were standing on the platform. The bullet train came blitzing by and I was like, it literally blew my hair back. Everybody was like, everyone was shocked. It was taken aback. We looked around like our jaws were on the floor. It was like, dang. Because when you're on it, it doesn't feel like it actually goes that fast because it's so smooth and so quiet. I wonder if it's traveling as fast as an airplane. No, airplanes travel very fast. I don't think it's traveling as fast as an airplane. We should look it up though. We'll get back to you on the speed. We had a super busy week. We started stars on ice just last week and we've already done what? Six shows or in the middle of a stretch right now, seven shows in seven days. Which is a lot. Yeah, it's a lot. Seven days in a row of skating is always a challenge and it's not something that I think most skaters normally do. Seven days in a row of performing. It's even different. I think the adrenaline and the fun of all the numbers and being with your friends really helps. And the treatise are really well. Oh yeah. We're having just the best time here. The fans are so, so good. I mean, obviously, I think it's worth noting that Yuzu is doing the shows and it just is such an honor and privilege to be in these shows with the Yuzu because the fans that come out and support are like. I've never seen anything like it. I feel like we're traveling with one of the Beatles. Yeah, he's a superstar. Like we landed in the plane from Osaka to Iwata and there were people lining up next to the runway on the hills. Not even at the airport, just to get a glimpse of the plane landing. We get off the plane there, like just droves and droves of fans. Just waiting to get a glimpse of Yuzu everywhere we go is like. Even last night we were on the bullet train and there were a couple stops that weren't even our stops. They were just like stops that the bullet train made from Iwata to Yokohama. And I had my window open a little bit and I just see these. some people. And then I noticed that they have like the little Poo Bears. The Poo Bears wearing his costume. The Poo Bears wearing his costume were just like little Poo Bear keychains. And I'm like, "Oh my gosh, those are Yuzu fans just waiting on this platform, just hoping to maybe get a glimpse of him." It's just like a different level of stardom. It's incredible. It's really remarkable. And to see Yuzu perform every night, honestly, like, "I'm a fan. I'm a big fan. I go out there every night to watch him." I feel like he's even reached a new level. Skating and shows and just like the freedom. He's still doing quads and triple axles. The content of the show program is basically a competitive long program. He goes out and he's just like nailing it. And his jumps have improved. And like his aura and his charisma on the ice is unmatched. Like, seriously, have not seen anything like him. He skates with so much freedom and passion. And it's just. it's so inspiring to see every night. Anyways, yeah. So big Yuzu fans over here. Yeah, it's been incredible. So the bullet train goes 200 miles an hour. Oh, okay, yeah, that's fast. But not as fast as a plane. It's 166 to 575 miles an hour. So literally twice as fast as a bullet train. But I tell you what, like, I haven't been that close to a plane when it's. Yeah, it's true. Usually on the inside. And the same when you're on the plane, it doesn't feel like it's moving that fast. No, but the bullet train, but we were in a nice cabin, I think. And it's like magnetic and it's quiet and the cabin is pretty nice. Yeah, you like wave your hand to open the door. And I was really. I love inspecting bathrooms when I go to different places. It's just something that I've always loved since I was a child. It's a hobby. I just have to see what the bathroom looks like in a restaurant or wherever. I'm curious. I'm always curious about the bathroom's edge. So I went to the bathroom on the bullet train, of course, because one curiosity, two necessity. And I went to this. the bigger one. And I was waiting and Paul came out of the bathroom. And when he came out, the door is curved and it just opened like a spaceship on its curved. It was so cool. And he was just standing there smiling at me. And I was there waiting to go to the bathroom. Just smiling at him. And we were like, wow, this is so cool. And you came back to the seat and you told everyone, highly recommend going to the bathroom. If anyone needs to go to the bathroom, highly recommend. It's worth your time, guys. Go check out the bathroom. No, the bullet train had spaceship vibes for sure. It was very sleek and futuristic. It was into it. Anyways, yeah. So always looking for a reason to hop on that bullet train. So the travel from Iwate was really easy and fun. But maybe we should talk about Iwate because I feel like that was such a unique experience. I was so cool. Yeah. Northern part of Japan, I feel like it's more agricultural area. It's rural. Very, very beautiful. Every day we would finish the show around 4, 30 or 5 o'clock, get in the bus to go back to the hotel and there was about a 40 minute bus ride. And the sun was setting over the mountains and it was gorgeous. And the picturesque, beautiful, the colors and the scenery. We passed dreams and rivers. There was water. And then the reflection of the sunset on the water was just incredible. So picturesque. And then the hotel where we were was a spa or an onsen, which Mattie definitely utilized. Oh, did I ever. I was not the only person though. So anyways, when you get into the room, you see they've laid out a robe and a towel for you. And I was like, oh, I thought it was just like, you know, sometimes they have robes and towels and hotels, usually they do. Sure. But this was specifically for the onsen. Onsen. Onsen. I need to double check how to pronounce it. But they had this really comfy robe. And so I put it on and actually, no, I didn't put it on first. I went down to dinner the first night and there were a bunch of people just wearing them to dinner. And I was like, oh, we can wear these really beautiful comfy robes to dinner. Count me in. But then they're like, oh no, they're for the spa. And so then I was curious. I'm kind of babbling. But anyways, go for a battle. I think I am just like, there's so many things to tell you about the onsen. Okay, so first you walk in. And I think there's like a specific, there is a specific etiquette to the onsen. And they say follow the locals and like, just kind of like follow what they do. But when I went, there were no locals to follow. I was the only one in there. So I kind of just like wandered around. I had to go on my phone, but it says no phone. You're not supposed to be on your phone, right? I know, but I was the only one in there. And I was like, I don't know what to do. So I had to look up like onsen, etiquette. And so I learned like, okay, you leave your shoes at the door, which my mistake. I kind of walked in a little bit before I realized you had to take shoes off before I saw the sign. Oops. But they were slippers. So it was okay, I think. And then you take off all your clothes. You put them in this nice little basket with a number so you don't get them mixed up. And then you go into the main onsen area with all the baths. They had a cold bath. They had like a kind of warm bath. And then they had the hot baths. And then they also had an outdoor bath. And one more thing. They had a sauna. Yeah. And then a bunch of showers and like shower head areas where you watch yourself fully before you get into the baths. For sanitary reasons, obviously. So it fully showered, washed up, and then gotten to the onsen. And it was just delightful. So it's like a varying degrees of temperature. Yeah, there are different ones. Different like tubs just soaking in. Yeah, and there's like a little waterfall pouring out fresh mineral water. So like the tub was always like refreshing and getting fresh water. And just that general aura of the lighting was really nice and moody. Not lots of natural elements. So in the middle of one of the baths, there was this big natural log. I think just to separate the areas or for people to like lean their head on or rest on. And then there was a place where you could lay down onsen. So that's where I just parked myself. I almost fell asleep. Then I was like, you're going to get too hot. You don't want to drown. Like, don't do anything stupid. I mean, I don't think I'm going to drown. - It was submerged in the water? - Yeah, it was submerged in the water and you just lay there. But. like, oh, it was so nice. - You came back to the room, you were very relaxed. - Yeah. Well, I did a little like hot cold plunge action. So I laid in the lay down on some, and then I would go and see the cold one, fully submerged like up to my neck. I've never really fully done a cold bath up to my neck before and it felt incredible. - Was it really cold or was it like? - It was like, lukewarm. - It was, no, no, it was not lukewarm. It was cold. It was like icy, but it wasn't like unbearable. - Like take your breath away kind of cold or? - Hmm, like maybe not take your breath away fully, but like just like, again. - Uncomfortable at first and then-- - Yes, uncomfortable at first, but I could easily submerge myself fully, and then I felt like a little tingle. So it was a good cold, and then I went back in the hot, and then I finished it on the cold again. - Nice. - It was lovely. The only thing I regret is not going in the outdoor one, but next time, I guess I left something for next time, hopefully. - It was so cool to see like, a traditional, you know, Japanese practice and getting out of the big city, which we were in Osaka, and then we went up to Iwate, and now we just came back to Yokohama. Yokohama and Osaka are pretty big cities. And Iwate was just like such a departure from that. It was really a unique experience, and I'm so grateful like to get the experience. - Also the food that was in Iwate, I was not expecting, I mean, I don't know what I was expecting, but the food was just, everything was so delicious, and so special each night they had a different kind of specialty dish at dinner. - Yeah. - There was one where you took the little pot, and it was a cast iron pot, and it had raw meat and raw veggies, and then you light the little, it wasn't a candle, but it looked like a candle underneath, and it would burn and just cook the meat for you in the cast iron pot. I was just thrilled with that. I love an action kind of dinner dish that you get involved in. Yeah, what else, what was your favorite part? - I think just like, it felt like the first time where we relaxed after worlds, and really just took it easy. Like the hustle and bustle of worlds went straight into rehearsals. All of a sudden we were doing these shows, and these new choreography, group numbers that we just learned, and then all of a sudden we flew up to Iwate, and it was like the pace of everything just slowed down. We were in the mountains, in the woods. - Yeah, it was like kind of this old fashioned vibe. - It was just like a soul. - It was really nice, but it wasn't super modern at all. It was kind of an older, old fashioned feeling, and I love that. - Yeah, so did I. Yeah, I feel like when we were in Osaka, it's still quite a big city, so it's a bit faster-paced. There's lots to do, lots of stimulation, and then we got to Iwate, and we were just surrounded by nature, and quiet, and it was so peaceful and lovely. - What was your favorite part? Obviously the onsen. - I mean, obviously the onsen and the food, every meal was just delicious. I had to really control myself. I was like, okay, don't overeat at the table. - It was hard not to overeat. - You're gonna regret it 20 minutes after you finish eating, but not the rest. I just kept eating, and kept eating until the food was so delicious. - What about tour so far, or the show specifically? What's been your favorite part? Maybe what's been a low light? Maybe a high light and a low light of tour so far? - Okay, I'll start with a low light, I think. I think just coming off of a major competition like worlds is difficult to jump right into skating. And I think since we were already in Japan, we didn't have the travel day that maybe you would kind of unwind, and relax on the plane. We just jumped right into skating, and learning the numbers, and not really having any days off since worlds apart from a travel day. - You've been two days off, but they've both been travel days. - Yeah, so that's been, I would say, the most challenging part, most difficult part, is just how to pace it, how to pace your body, and recover from a competition, but yet continue to perform and be in shape, and yeah, throw out that performance energy every night. But then my favorite part, learning the group numbers, and being a part of group numbers, it's just always my favorite part of tour. It's so fun and. - What's your favorite group number this year? - Oh, James Bond, no question. It's so fun. I especially love the guy's number at the beginning. It's so creative, drafted, an amazing job. And I just always love the James Bond music. What about you? What's your high, what's your low light? - Highlights on the lights? - Well, I would say, I'll start with a low light, like you. I would say, it's not really a low light, but just, I'm in these group numbers, with Jason Brown and Koshiro Shimada, and literally the component kings of figure skating. They make everything look so good, and then I'm in these group numbers with them, and I have to match them, and it's so good for me to be, to see, 'cause we get video, right, after the first couple shows, and you can see, in the video never lies, so I'm like, "Oh, man, these guys are so good, "and I'm out there with them." And it's just, you pick apart your performance, I think it's only natural, like anybody would do, but they're so good, and I'm in the group numbers with all of them, and I'm like, "Oh, I gotta work on my solo skating here, "cause where's my partner?" And you're just skating with you out there. - I mean, you're so good too, but I know what you mean, when you look at single skaters, it's just like a different ease of movement, because they are so good. - They're so good. - They're so good. - They're so good at moving on their own, and finishing their movements, and doing what's natural, and I think for dance repairs, we're used to accommodating another person, or adjusting, so we're always kind of looking, and then it's not till you really polish the program, and work on it a lot, that you work on those finishing touches, and they already have them ingrained, even when they learn the choreography. - When we're making the programs, or the chefs making the group numbers, and it's like, okay, Evan, can you do an Arabian here? I'm like, not necessarily. No, how's your butterfly? It's non-existent. I do my best work on the ice, so maybe just a knee slide, or do a great spread eagle. But obviously he's very accommodating, and I think it looks good when the whole group is together, but yeah, there's also the component of what show skating is, versus what competitive skating is, and I think show skating is like, making little stuff look good, and you're on the ice for like seven or eight minutes in some of these programs. - And ice is smaller. - All the time, you might be doing nothing, like sometimes in the James Bond number, we're just sitting at the table, 'cause we have props, sitting at the bar, whatever, and you're always on stage, so just being aware of your body language, and stage presence. - Stage presence, but it's been so good. - Yeah, it's been really fun. You can't push full out in any show, - Ice is smaller. - The ice is smaller and the lights, and there are so many things, and so you can't really skate full out, but then you learn how to perform fully without doing your full max, which is a different energy. - It's a different energy. - And it's really fun. It's a fun energy, but something you need to learn in practice. - Yeah, but my highlight I would say is just, I really think this is the best show I've ever been a part of. In terms of the caliber of the cast is so high. Obviously, Yuzu, we talked about, has been so incredible to see up close and to see backstage his preparation, and how he hasn't competed in a few years, but he's, I feel like he's even better than he was when he was competing, and it's just inspiring to be around. - Maybe just because we're also seeing it up close in person, I think oftentimes at competition, we would see him, but maybe from afar, or maybe through the screen, and just seeing skating live is so special, like to feel the energy and feel the power and the flow, and to see all the nuances of each skater as they're dancing on the ice is really special, and you see them more when you see them live. - Mm-hmm. And then all the Japanese world champions are in the show. - Yeah, not to mention that, right? - Yeah. - Oh my goodness. It's Kori, Shoma, Ruchi, Riku. - Riku, Riku. - And just, yeah, I mean, it's a privilege to be a part of the cast, so I'd say that's my highlight. - Yeah, 'cause Zuki, Koschiro, I mean, Jason Brown, Jason Brown, Alexa, and Brandon. - Even the, some of the younger skaters, Mao Shimada is in the show. You see the next generation of skaters who will surely be doing incredible things in the years to come. - Yeah, it's incredible. We're having so much fun just watching other skaters. Watching the show every weekend. - So today we have a show. - Did you hear that? That was my hip. I don't know if the mic picked that up. It just popped really loud. - So yeah, we have a show tonight in Yokohama. It'll be the seventh show out of 10, and we're just gonna roll it into the weekend, and we finish up on Sunday, and then next week we have a competition. - But guess what is right before that? - What? - Two days off. - Nice. What do you wanna do on our two days off? - I think one good rest day. And then I'd like to explore a little bit. I mean, I love being in Tokyo. - I was really tempted to go golfing on Tuesday 'cause Brandon phrased her. - I'm so surprised you didn't. I really thought you would. - The pairs compete Friday, Saturday, and the dancers compete Thursday, Friday, and he's going golfing on Tuesday. - I see. - I feel like if I go golf on Tuesday. - Might be sore. - It could be sore. And that's like you said, it's a rest day and we haven't had two days off since Worlds. And I just made a responsible decision. - It just made a really responsible decision. - To say, you know what, I'm gonna pass on the golf. - Wow, I'm so proud of you. - I wanted to, but. - That is hard to resist too, because if, and if you know Evan Well, you know he is an excellent golfer and loves golfing. - So thank you. - And to golf in Japan, I mean like. - You know what, it's Masters week. I don't know if you knew that, but. So I'll be watching the golf all weekend and I'll get my golf fix that way. But I think Monday, Tuesday we have off, we're probably gonna end up going out and doing something fun. Probably walking for like 12 miles. - I know Paul and I have a list of shops we wanna hit. So maybe we'll be vintage or otherwise. - Vintage shopping or otherwise. Also just like beauty products here. We'll have to do another episode just on the Japanese beauty products that I've. - You should do a shopping guide to Japan. - Okay, maybe the next week. - Because. - So you went out a little bit with Matthew Karon. - Yeah, we went, we were in Osaka. We went to a district called America Mora. They had a lot of cool vintage shops. And we, we just like had such a good time. There were so many shops and you just walk by it. So stimulating. We found some really fun pieces. Is that the place we went last year? - Yeah, it's right around there. Like the place called Florida. - Oh, the shop called Florida. - Yeah, it had a lot of like vintage Ralph Lauren, like Polo Ralph Lauren, like kind of like old American fashion. That's just like really nostalgic for me. - I remember last year you bought a University of Michigan hoodie, right? - Yeah, I did. That was at a different store. I can't remember the name of that store, but it was. - It was like so '90s. - Yeah, it was from the Rose Bowl. - It was a Rose Bowl hoodie from '97, which was just like my childhood, summarized in one piece of clothing. - Yeah, that fit me. So I bought it and love it. So I'm looking for more like gems like that. Just like bring some nostalgia and just like. - Did you go to Second Street? - Yeah, I did. Did you get to Second Street? - Another great shop. Those are kind of like all over the place, which I love. You never know what you're gonna find. That's what I love about vintage shopping. And just like secondhand shopping. It's so great to find like unique pieces that are special to you. But then also it's good for the environment because you're giving clothes a second life and you're not contributing to the fast fashion industry which is such a problem right now. But that's a whole topic for another day. - I think though in Japan, particularly the vintage shopping is so good because the people in Japan take such good care of their belongings that when it does end up in the vintage shop, sometimes it feels like it's brand new. - Yeah, it's pristine. And also that's like a great lesson like from their culture, our culture, any culture, just like how to take care of your things and give them the longest lifespan that you can because they're all good quality things. And then yeah, pass them on. Like things are made well. We just need to learn to preserve them or like if there's like a little hole, like you can mend it, you don't necessarily need to buy something new. Like things can be given a longer lifespan. I think just the culture now is fast fashion, trendy clothing. - The trends were so fast now too. It's like, you know, if you're like trying to be trendy, it's like what's the window of time that you're gonna use that? - It's a season, like summer season, a spring season. Like, but that's the difference. Like trends are trends, but when you like find your style, style is forever your own personal style. So. - Put that on a t-shirt. - Put that on t-shirt and wear it, but then is that considered a trend? - No. - So that's timeless, that's timeless advice. - But yeah, so I think it's about time to go get ready for the show, eh? - Yes. - We're gonna head out soon, get my hair and make up things together to do that at the rink. - Mm-hmm. - And enjoy our first show here in Yokohama. - Oh, you know what else is kind of a highlight of mine is when we do the goodies before the show. - Oh, that's a good one, yeah, I love those. - So the goodies are like secret hand shakes, I guess you could say between the cast members? - Or like it could be like, yeah, it's like a secret hand shake or like a little dance and if you're on tour for a couple years together, you can keep adding onto it. Like I remember, Merrill and Jeremy Abbott, Merrill Davis and Jeremy Abbott. Their goody was so long. When I first saw it, I was like, what is that? But then I realized when we got on tour, that it was just, you just like keep adding to it if you. - It's also just like tradition to kind of pay homage to the stars on ice, cast, you know, that came before us because the producers of the show have been doing stars on ice since the beginning of it. And they're the ones who are like, all right, you guys have to make goodies before the show. It's like, it's part of the tradition of stars on ice, which I love so much that there is stars on ice traditions. - Yeah. - We try to preserve and then it's just a good way to bond with like new cast members, make a secret hand shake. It just breaks the ice and you get to that next level of friendship where you're like, we have a secret hand shake. - Yeah, that's such a good one. Oh, I'm glad you brought that one up. That is one of my highlights as well. - Also another highlight is that when we wear the costumes, a lot of the stars on ice costumes stay in a warehouse and then sometimes they get reused for different numbers. And then you can see who's say, shirt or dress you're wearing because their name is stitched into the collar. So I pulled out my shirt for James Bond. Do you know who shirt I'm wearing? - No. - Patrice flows on. - No way. How come you, oh, how did you not tell me that earlier? That's so cool. - I took a photo, I was gonna text him, but he's on vacation. - Yeah, oh, that's so awesome. And one of my dresses I have, Kyoko Ena, who is our team leader for a world's last year. - Nice. Yeah, it's amazing. Like, remember the history of that costume and I remember going to my first stars on ice show like when I was 10 or 11 years old and Kurt Browning was in the show and we're gonna be touring with him next month. - What a full circle moment. - In stars on ice, North America, we're coming to Canada, we're coming to the US and it's gonna be amazing and tickets are available. You should definitely go check them out. - Oh yeah. - Come see us. - I just wanna say one more thing about the costumes. There, most of the costumes we're wearing for the Japan tour are vintage Jeff Billings costumes, which like his craftsmanship are just on another level. So there's like a whole warehouse of all the costumes. He's ever made for stars on ice and they're hand sewn like all the little beads. It's not just like gluing rhinestones on like each bead is sewn on like bugle beads, small beads. Like it's just really a beautiful level of craftsmanship and it's such an honor to be able to wear them. - Yeah, it's a big part of skating history. - Mm hmm. - And we're lucky to be part of it. - All right, let's go make some more stars on ice. Skating history shows. - All right. - This has been another episode of Unlaced with chalk and baits presented by Bet Online. Make sure you subscribe for future episodes and you can follow us on social media. - Talk to you soon. - Talk to you soon. - Bye. - Bye. (upbeat music) (upbeat music)