Hello. I also very recently purchased a Takara "Dream Workshop" "Yomeni Kobo" and am in the process of struggling to figuring out the buttons. You're lucky to have a Japanese translator so nearby! Could I ask a few questions of you / her?

--There seems to be two modes. One of the central control panel buttons has two lights associated with it and I have figured out how to toggle between the two, but I cannot establish what the difference is between the two settings. They both seem to play the same selected piece of music.

--I'd also like to run through my sequence of button pushing and perhaps you can point out any gross errors, as I've established this through brute force trial and error.

1. Set the time using the 24 hour clock (three tiny buttons on main panel)
2. On/Off button (mercifully labeled in English)
3. Start/Stop button (also mercifully labeled in English)
4. Then I hold down the left voice recorder button at the bottom of the main panel and speak into the mic. Then I release that button.
5. I listen to playback using the button to the right of the record light.
6. Then the top central button once, followed by toggling through the four music selection choices. Then I test with the button immediately below the three tiny clock set buttons. This is also where I seem to be able to toggle between the ?two modes as described above.

Anyway, I hope this level of detail is helpful to anyone else struggling with the device, which I think has amazing potential. I would appreciate any feedback you could provide. Also, if you have any other tips culled from your experience with the product or from your girlfriend's interpretation of the documentation. Particularly whether the user has any control over the timing aspect of it.

The few other posts I have seen about the device exhibit a lot of skepticism. I think its a great idea nevertheless. Like you, I am trying to use it to elicit lucidity rather than just direct storylines. Evidently, from what I have heard, it won't be marketed in the US due to research suggesting the American market would be too skeptical of such a device. Go figure!