TOKYO — Rolling Stones fans trying to take in the band’s latest world tour may not get much satisfaction.
Buying tickets through Japan’s commercial ticket sellers appears to be a case of “I try … and I try … and I try.”
The Rolling Stones, touring Japan for the first time in five years, are set to hit the Tokyo Dome in mid-March.
Their “Licks World Tour” — which features songs from the Stones’ recent greatest-hits record — comes to Tokyo on March 15 and 16 with shows starting at 6:30 p.m.
The tickets, which go on sale Saturday at Japanese ticket offices, are 13,200 yen, about $108, for “S seats,” which are the seats on the field and most of the seats in the stadium.
“A” seats, those in the last few rows of the stadium’s second level, will cost 11,200 yen, or about $92.
Tickets that go on sale on the first day can be reserved only by phone.
So Stones fans who speak Japanese, or have Japanese friends who can help, can call Udo Yokohama at 045-664-6969 from 9:30 a.m. for operator-assisted reservations, or Aoyama Tickets at 0570-01-5511 from 9:30 a.m. for computerized reservations with recordings.
The Aoyama Tickets number cannot be reached through military phone lines; calls will have to be made with cell phones or public pay phones.
Those unsure of their Japanese can call Ticket PIA at 0570-00-0606.
However, this ticket service has a limited number of English-speaking operators so callers may have to wait. Again, the number can be reached through cell phones or public pay phones.
Once callers are connected with operators and reserve tickets, they will be given a reservation number.
They then may pay for the tickets at post offices, banks or convenience stores.
After payment is confirmed, tickets will be mailed in two to three weeks.
If any tickets remain after the first day they’re on sale, they may be offered at PIA stores.
Base Morale, Welfare and Recreation departments at Kanto Plain bases said they’re not sure if they’ll be selling tickets; people should check with local MWR offices for details.
Some Yokosuka sailors said they’re willing to jump through the hoops to get to the show.
“I asked over at MWR, and they said they weren’t sure yet,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Tom Shaw of the USS Kitty Hawk.
“So I’m gonna have my girlfriend call all the Japanese places. I hear that it’s pretty hard to get them, but I’ll leave it up to her. It’d be perfect if MWR was getting some tickets but I’m not going to wait and take that chance.”
Just remember: “You can’t always get what you want.”
Joseph Giordono contributed to this report.
