Hello! from Japan

About Japan and music

Tokyo

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.

3 places you should visit in my hometown, Kichijoji in Tokyo

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This is my first post! Let me start by introducing my hometown, Kichijoji.
It is in Tokyo, and about 30 min away from Shibuya.
It is one of the most desirable places for young people in Japan because there are a beautiful park(Inokashira park), a lot of stores(especially secondhand clothes stores), and nice bars and restaurants.
It is also known for the place where artists gather.
There are a lot of concert halls and some famous manga artists/writers live in the area.
I love my hometown. Everyone there has their own style and people are energetic and creative. As a kid, I grew up playing music with my band wearing used clothes, trying to find my style. Me and my friends often spent time talking about art, films, and manga.

Although the trains are super crowded every day(Especially Inokashira line which connects Shibuya. The trains are usually packed around 8:00 and from around 18:00), Kichijoji is really worth going. Here are the areas that you don’t want to miss.

1.Inokashira Park

It is a popular spot to enjoy sakura in Spring and Autumn leaves in fall. Many people jog in the park in the morning and you often see street performers entertaining people. Inside of this large park, there’s a lake where you can rent swan pedal boats. There’s a zoo and a shrine as well(in the shrine, Benzaiten, a god of water and music is enshrined. It is open from 7:00 till 16:00). The Inokashira Park Zoo is especially popular for families. There are many kinds of birds, fishes, and other animals inside. The Zoo is open from 9:30 to 5:00, and closed on Mondays.Admission fee is 400yen for adults, 150yen for kids.

Inokashira Park(About 8 min walk away from Kichijoji Station)

2.Harmonica-Yokocho

On the north side of Kichijoji, there’s this area called Harmonica-Yokocho. Many small ,but excellent restaurants are inside.You can try different kinds of Japanese food from sushi to yakitori(skewered chicken). Most of the restaurants are open until late at night and it is a perfect place to enjoy local food and meet locals.

Harmonica-Yokocho(About 1 min walk from Kichijoji Station)

3.Secondhand stores

Kichijoji has a lot of secondhand stores.
It is really fun looking for the clothes that fit your style hopping these kinds of stores. You can find many different kinds of clothes gathered from everywhere in Tokyo. The most popular area is the street that goes to Inokashira park. Below are the places that I recommend that you take a look.

Ragtag Kichijoji (Open from 11:00 to 20:00)

Mode Off Kichijoji (Open from 11:00 to 21:00)

Besides those places above, there are many animal cafes like cat café, owl café, rabbit café, and more.

Cat Cafe Temari no Ouchi (Open from 10:00 to 21:00)
Owl Village in Kichijoji (Open from 12:00 to 18:00)
Rabbit Cafe, Cafe Mignon (Open from 11:30 to 19:00)

Kichijoji is close to the Famous Ghibli museum, which is located in Mitaka(just one station away). Come visit my hometown!

Access

  • From Mitaka Take Chuo train line bound for Nishi Funabashi.
    (Time:3 min Price: 140 yen)
  • From Shibuya Take Inokashira line bound for Kichijoji
    (Time:31 min Price: 200 yen)
  • From Shinjuku Take Chuo train line Rapid bound for Musashi Koganei
    (Time:15 min Price: 220 yen)

Where is your hometown btw?
Send me some messages!

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]