Hello! from Japan

About Japan and my life

japanese musician

New Album, “Free Somebody” is out!

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Hi, How’s it going?
May 1, 2019 is the first day of Japan’s new era, 令和 Reiwa.
And it is the release date of my new mini album, “Free Somebody”.
Among hundreds of songs I wrote, I chose 4 songs and recorded during Oct last year and Jan to March this year. Then I had an engineer mixed in April.

It’s been about 4 years since I released my last full album “Skyhigh” ,which was my first and an experimental work using a lot of instruments including synth guitar, vocal effects, banjo, violin, soundscape, etc.
This new album has the message “Set yourself free to free people around you.”
I focused more on words, melodies, and vocals this time.
Just like the last time, I composed and played all instruments, and then wrote lyrics and took all vocals (the guitar solo on 1 and 3 are played by Yoshihiro Kajita, the guitar player I admire the most in Japan).
The analog mixing technique by the engineer, Michifumi Onodera helped the album create the feeling of floating.
If you have speakers in your room, I recommend that you play my music using them and you can fully enjoy the acoustics.

The album artwork is by Gaku Yamazaki, a cartoonist in Tokyo.
The door represents the way to the freedom.
It is always up there right in front of you and waiting for you to open.

I feel that I’m very fortunate to be able to work with great talents!You can watch movies of the recording process on my another post: https://hidanotaka.com/happy-new-year/

Here are the 4 songs and lyrics.

recording

1.Angel
I wanted to express true love through this song.
It has a unique floating feeling with the sounds of synthesizer and the air.

Lyrics:
“I’ll be waiting for you to come here
Until the day I’ll be with you
No matter how long it takes I really don’t care
‘cause my life is for you
You are an angel for me
There’s nobody else like you
Must be an angel for me
I really love the way you are
When I see your eyes that make me feel alright
When I see your smile that makes my world so bright… “

2.One
This song is about “Living through anything”.
We only live once and with strength and belief, I believe that we can push the limits to achieve what we desire.

Lyrics:
“窓の向こうの青い空　ずっと見つめている
You are looking at the blue sky through the window

何かを探しているような　迷っているような
You seem like looking for something or maybe wondering where to go

そんな顔で君は　もううつむかないで
Don’t look down with the sad face like that anymore

何も起こらないよ　
Nothing will happen doing that

誰かの声を待っていちゃ　奇跡だってさ
If you are just waiting for someone to show you the way

さあその手で扉を開いて　その足でこの世界を行くんだ
Now, open the door with your hands and live your life

そこで待っているよ　もっと大きな自分自身
And you will be a lot greater

未完成のままで誰も皆 流されながら歩いているんだ
Everyone is incomplete, and walking/flowing in time just like you

だって一度きりの　二度とない世界で生きているから
We all have one life and living in this world

3. Sounds of Words
This song is about the miscommunication, or the relationships among people who can not understand each other just saying words meaninglessly.
That is sort of a situation which lets everyone down.
I wanted to include this song in the album to express the difficulties we face in life.

Lyrics:
“What are these things we are talking every day and night?
Just like another world’s end,
Nowhere we can go

And there are only words that floating in this empty space
Is there anyway we can find a way to go?

I just want to be with you and that is all
But when I look at you ,you look away and nobody knows
what is going on and then this moment of silence
comes and goes and take us to the place we’ve been before
You just want to be with me that is what you say

But when you look at me I look away unintentionally
moving away from the time we should share
and the sounds of words are fading away again.”

4.Free Somebody
This song is about living harmoniously with someone important.
And that is the way one should take after setting his/herself free, I believe.

Lyrics:
“僕らはこの毎日の意味を知らずに歩いていた
We were walking without noticing the messages we receive everyday

あの日いつもの交差点で出会うその日まで
Until the day when we met at the crossing that we would go through

何かが始まる音がして　時計が止まった
We felt that something started and the time stopped for a moment

この先の道に何も　確かなことは無くとも
We don’t know what the future brings

ずっと笑い合っていようよ　今はこのままで
But let’s be together and stay as we are

寂しさや悲しみさえも　分け合えるように
And we can share the ups and downs

どうかそのままでいてね
So please stay as you are

いつか思い出が風に消えるまで
Until the very last day when the memories fade in the air

そっと手を重ねて 離さないように
Let’s hold hands and be as one

ずっとこの日々が輝きますように
I hope to continue this forever

そっと手を重ねて 離さないように
Let’s hold hands and be as one

Here is the link to download/listen to this new album: Free Somebody
My previous work, is also available: Skyhigh 

I will keep on creating art and music.
I’m very thankful for being able to do what I like and really appreciate everyone’s support.

I hope my works will be your inspiration.
Taka

taka


6 things you should to do in Fukuoka

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Hi! How’s it going?
It got really cold the other day and snowed a bit but nice and warm these days in Japan.
This time, let me introduce Fukuoka prefecture.
It’s my first time to write about Kyushu area.

Fukuoka is a prefecture in Kyushu, which is located southwest of main island, or Honshu.
Kyushu is Japan’s third largest island.
Fukuoka city in Fukuoka prefecture is one of the largest cities in Japan, and Hakata area has been serving as an important port and commercial center.

Fukuoka is close to Korea and the airport is always busy with people traveling.
It is one of the most progressive cities in Japan and has a lot to offer!
Below are the popular things/places in Fukuoka prefecture.
Be sure to check them out!

    1. See Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival

      It is an annual festival held in July for 2 weeks and has the history of over 700 years.
      Two kinds of floats are used during the festival: Kazariyama floats and Kakiyama floats.
      Kazariyama floats are larger floats which are over 10 meters tall.
      During July 1st to 14th, 14 of them are displayed outside.
      Kakiyama floats are smaller and they are about 5 meters tall.
      In the morning of July 15th (at 4:59am, just before sunrise), the race of festival floats is held using them.
      There are 7 of them and each of them weights about 1 ton.
      Unlike floats in Takayama, they don’t have wheels and participants need to carry them in teams.
      It takes about 30 minutes to complete the course and floats run one by one in five minute intervals.
      Parades and practice runs for the race are held from July 10th to 14th and all floats are lined up in front of Kushida Shrine, where the start line is.
      Kushida Shrine is located about 15 to 20 minutes away from Hakata Station (five minutes walk away from Gion Subway station or Canal city Hakata).
      It gets really crowded during the event but it really is an exciting event!


      画像提供:ソザイング

    2. Eat at Yatai/Food Stalls

      If you want to eat out and try some local Japanese food, Nakasu is the place to go!
      There are a lot of Yatai/Food stalls along the Naka River.


      Hakata Ramen is a must-try Japanese food there.
      It has green onions and boiled or roasted pork (called Char Siu in Japanese) on top.
      Although the soup varies slightly from shop to shop, almost every soup of Hakata ramen is whitish and cloudy.
      Pork boned are boiled well until the soup gets white and cloudy and it is mixed with soy sauce.
      It tastes like milk, and goes well with thin noodles.
      If you are really hungry, leave the soup after finishing the first.
      You can order Kaedama, or extra noodle and put it in the same soup to keep enjoying the great taste of Hakata Ramen!
      As an option, you can add some toppings like half-boiled eggs, Takana( Pickled and mustard leaf with red peppers), or
      Beni Shoga (pickled ginger root).

      写真提供：福岡市

      Motsunabe is another popular food in Fukuoka.
      Motsu means offal or internal organs of cows and pigs, and Nabe means hot pot.
      So, Motsunabe is a hot pot with various offal and vegetables like leek, garlic, and cabbage.
      It might sound a little too exotic to people from western countries, but it really is tasty and people say it has good effects for beauty since it contains high amounts of collagen.

      Karashi Mentaiko(Pollock roe with red chili pepper spices) is also popular in Hakata area.

    3. Visit Kyushu National Museum

      Opened in 2005, it is Japan’s first new national museums in more than 100 years.
      The building is carefully designed, and contains large number of historically important artifacts including prehistoric relics that show the history of trading link among Japan, Korea, and China.

      Access: About 10 to 15 min walk away from Dazaifu Station.
      Hours: 9:30am to 5:00pm
      Price: 430yen to enter

    4. Relax at Sumiyoshi shrine

      It is one of the oldest shrines in Kyushu (about 1,800years old) and is surrounded by large Japanese cedars and camphor trees.
      The shrine is dedicated to safe travel by sea.
      Sailors would visit the shrine before leaving the port to pray for the safe trip.
      The main hall is rebuilt in 1623, but it still has the ancient architectural style.
      Inside, there is a Noh theater with a traditional style stage.

      Access: About 10 min walk away from JR Hakata station.
      Hours: 6:00am to 9:00pm
      Price: Free to enter

    5. Pray at Dazaifu Tenman-Gu

      It is a shine dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane, a scholar and politician of the Heian Period (750-1185), who is known as the god of learning.
      So, this shrine is busy with a lot of students praying for academic achievement and passing exams.
      About 6,000 plum trees are planted around and they bloom beautifully from early February to mid March.Hours: 6:30am to 7:00pm (closed from Dec 31st to Jan 3rd).


      Access: About 5 min walk away from Dazaifu station.

      Hours:
      6:00am to 7:00pm (April and May)
      6:00am to 7:30pm (June to August)
      6:00am to 7:00pm (Until mid September)
      6:30am to 7:00pm (late September to November)
      6:30am to 6:30pm (December to mid March)
      6:00am to 6:30pm (late March)
      ※Opens until 20:30 on Fridays and Saturdays
      Price: Free to enter

    6. Take pics at Fukuoka Castle

      It is a castle also known as Maizuru Castle or Seki Castle made in Edo period (1603 to 1868).
      The construction started in 1601 by the first lord of Fukuoka province, Kuroda Nagamasa, and it took 7 years to complete.
      There are more than 1,000 cherry blossoms around, and it is a very popular place for tourists visiting in Spring.
      Sadly, during the war period around 1873, most of it was destroyed in order to use the site for military and only ruined walls and a few turrets remain on the site now.
      Still, it is a great place to learn about history there and take great pictures!

      写真提供：福岡市

      Access: About 10 to 15 min walk away from Ohori Koen subway station.
      It is always open and the admission is free except during illumination events.

By the way, Fukuoka is known as the place where a lot of beautiful women are.
They are called “Hakata Bijin” (beautiful women in Hakata/around Fukuoka area).
Fukuoka has been an important place for import-export and many different kinds of races were mixed in the area.
It is believed that it contributed to the produce of somewhat exotic, beautiful look!

Access

From Tokyo

Take an airplane at Haneda Airport to Fukuoka Airport.
One way flight costs around 16,000yen to 41,390yen and it takes about 2 hours.

From Nagoya

Take an airplane at chubu centrair international airport to Fukuoka Airport.
One way flight costs around 6,000yen and it takes about 1 and a half hours.

From Osaka

You could either take Shinkansen (bullet train) or airplane.
By train, take Nozomi, Hikari, or Kodama train at Shin-Osaka station and it goes directly to Hakata station.
One way fare is 14,480yen for non-reserved seat and it takes about 2 and a half hours.

By airplane, take a flight at Osaka International Airport to Fukuoka Airport.
It takes about 1 hour and the fare ranges from 13,400 to 27,000yen.

As an alternative way, you could take Kansai International Airport to Fukuoka Airport.
They have LCC flights and the ticket price can be as low as 3,690yen for one way and it takes about 1 hour to get to Fukuoka.
However it has less daily flights so be sure to check the flight schedule!


Here’s today’s music!
This instrumental tune is called “Lotus”.

I came up with the main theme while I was walking through the garden in Kyoto (and also in Himeji).
Featuring Banjo by Ryosuke Toyomaki and Violin by Mori de Maigo (They are my friends).

I carefully constructed the beat for this tune.
If you listen carefully, you hear the hi-hats are beating slightly differently on left and right.
I did that purposely so that it would create more space and make the music alive.
And I played the bass, piano, synth, and guitar over it.
Hope you dig it!

See you next time!
Taka

 

※I’m a professional composer. My songs are available here: Skyhigh 
Or, you can click on the band camp link below to listen.

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

Be prepared for the longest Golden Week!

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Have you ever heard of “Golden week”?

It is a Japan-made English expression for the vacation time from the end of April to the 2nd week of May.
If you are planning to come to Japan (or traveling in Japan) during this time, be prepared!
For many workers, Golden week is the longest vacation time of the year.
Hotels get booked quickly and plane and bus/train tickets get sold out pretty easily.
In addition, since we have the change of era in the middle of Golden week this year, it is even longer than usual and could be really crowded everywhere!
Here is the detail about this vacation week of Japan.

How the week became “Golden”.

Nine official holidays were declared in 1948 by the Japanese government,
and people started taking vacation at the end of April and in the beginning of May.
A lot of people spent money for traveling and entertainment during the period.
It was named “Golden Week” by Hideo Matsuyama from Daiei Film company in 1951 since the ticket sales of movies were the recorded high.
(At that time in the radio industry, the time with the highest listener ratings was called “Golden time”, so he named after that.)
And it still is the Gold-Making week for many business owners!

Golden Week of 2019

The Heisei Era (the current era which lasted for 30 years) will end on April 30th this year.
The current emperor, Akihito is passing the throne to his son, Naruhito on the day.
The new era of Naruhito’s reign will begin the following day.
So, including the event, this year’s vacation time is really long.
Counting from April 27th, Golden week of 2019 consists of 10 days.
Very “Gold” for a lot of workers and students!

・April 27th and 28th:Weekends
・April 29th:Showa day, the previous emperor’s birthday. Greenery Day was on this day until 2006.
・April 30th:Citizen’s Holiday, Day of Abdication
・May 1st:Coronation Day of the new Emperor
・May 2nd:Citizen’s Holiday
・May 3rd:Constitution Memorial Day
・May 4th:Greenery Day (this holiday is dedicated to the nature since the emperor loved it)
・May 5th:Children’s Day (this is also considered as the boy’s festival. Parents pray for healthy, successful life of their sons)
・May 6th:Substitute holiday for Children’s Day (Because it’s on Sunday this year)

Although it might be the best time to hang out with your Japanese friends,
hotels and flight tickets can be really expensive during this time.

Alright, Here’s today’s song!
This is my song called “Looping Days”.
It is about the everyday life in big cities.
Lyrics are somewhat sarcastic.
And I made the music lively to make it even more sarcastic lol
City lights are bright and you live in the material world,
but it’s hard to find a true friend/partner there.

今日も単純な事を繰り返す
We live the same day like everyday.

自分勝手な行動は決して許されず
We are not allowed to do what we want.

そして完璧な態度で役柄をこなす
And we act like robots

息をつく暇も無く回り続けている
Working crazy without having any time to rest.

特に不自由な事は無いけれど
It seems that we have everything we need,

何か足りないといつも思っている
But always feel that something is missing.

そんな時に限って空は雨模様
Then it starts raining.

何処に逃げようたって　いずれ濡れるのさ
Wherever you go, you will get wet anyways.

あぁ嫌になっちゃうな　なんて
“I really don’t like this.”

言葉投げかけてみて
I talk it to myself.

思い通りにいかなくて辛いよ
I can’t have the day I want.

あぁ嫌になっちゃうな　なんて
“I really don’t like this.”

言葉投げかけてみて
I talk it to myself.

今を駆け抜けたい
I want to live today as I want.

※Complete song is available here Skyhigh Or click on the band camp link below.

Ohh, I’d better make my plans for Golden week!
See you next time.
Taka

*Need more info about Japan?
Give me a comment here or send me a message to
[email protected]

Recording day in Tokyo!! New album is coming soon.

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Hi, How are you?
Can’t believe that it’s already Feb!
I currently live in Takayama in Gifu prefecture,
but I go back to Tokyo when I have a recording work
(or just on days off to see my friends and parents).

Before the recording session, I went to Nerima with my friend.
He’s a professional cartoonist, and we’ve been together since we were amateurs.
He’s working on the series of works he’ll publish this year.
I might be able to introduce his manga on my blog sometime soon.
It’s always inspiring to be with a creative person like him.

There are some interesting bars/cafes in Tokyo.
That day, we went to this one called Tsuribori Cafe Catch and Eat.
(The link is the blog of the one in Kichijoji. We went to another one in Nerima).
You can fish and eat the ones you get there.
We caught 10 fishes in total and got them fried!

And then the recording session.
I worked with a guitar player, and a recording engineer.
The guitar player is a professional studio musician.
He often plays on the stage and can play many kinds of music from Hard Rock to Japanese idols.
He’s a great composer as well.
And the engineer is one of the best ones in Japan. Man, seriously he’s amazing!
He worked for many major Japanese artists like Yuzu, Chatmonchy, pillows, KANA-BOON…!

That’s the team I formed in Tokyo!

First I compose, play all instruments, arrange, and sing.
And then after recording all my parts, I ask the guitar player to play over it.
He usually takes the solos on my songs.
And the engineer works on the mixing.
My last album, Skyhigh was made by this team.

This new album we are working on will be out in Spring this year.
Here is me working in the studio. No effects or mixing yet.

After the recording, I had some drinks with the team and went back to my hometown, Kichijoji, and met my brother.
We walked around Inokashira park, drinking a cup of chai tea.
It was really relaxing. I’m glad to have a nice brother like him.

How’s your 2019 so far?
See you next time!
Taka

Happy New Year! 2019

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Hi! Happy new year from Japan! I can’t believe that it’s 2019 already.

It’s been a while since I wrote here last…
I was busy traveling in Europe and working on new album titled “Free somebody”.
If the recording session goes well, I can release it in Spring this year!

And I decided to post more movies on my site as I got some requests.
I will keep on posting info about my country and music!

Here are some pics of me in Bulgaria.

And me working at a recording studio in Tokyo. I compose and play all instruments.
Work in progress…!

To another good year!

Taka

※Complete song is available here Skyhigh Or click on the band camp link below.