Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe…

Hi there! I hope you are well. After the concerts last week went well, and singing with jetlag, I got a nice week finally doing some holiday. It started in Kyoto, were I spent 2 full days, walking around, going to Kurasu Coffee, Lilo Coffee Kyoto, Smart Kissaten, among others. I also went for the first time to a Jazz Kissaten in Kyoto near the river and while having a plum wine, I listened to a Jazz recording, it was a very nice experience. Being back in Kyoto is always great, as I really enjoy this city very much and it is close to Osaka where my base is whenever in Japan. In Kyoto we met Daichi, a very famous countertenor here in Japan, he contacted Aki and invited us to take part of a class at the Arts Centre in Kyoto where he teaches. We gave a some small talk to the students and a round of questions and answers. It is always very nice to speak to students who are only starting their studies. Daichi was friendly and although I did not spoke to him much, it was a really respectful conversation and meeting.

After Kyoto we came back to Osaka and visit for the first time on this trip a dear friend who owns a Tofu Shop in one of the main markets here in Osaka, his name is Maedasan. I visit him since years every time I am in Osaka, I eat his delicious Tofu pudding that for me is the best in the world. On the 29th I went to the first time to learn how to roast coffee beans at Haiku Coffee in Nakazakicho, where I took the one hour lesson with the very nice owners of the place. I learnt how to separate the beans, roast them, time, grams, quality, first pop or crack, and then how long to roast, temperature, etc. It was fun and I really enjoyed it, plus Aki and I could talk to them and just make any kind of questions regarding coffee. The owners are a couple, the girl is from Hawaii and the guy is Japanese, they are really nice together.

This week we met Erinachan and Takuyasan, we met the first time in Germany. They are singers and since few years they came back to Japan. I was happy to see them and eat some Taiwanese food with them and speak a lot. I hope to see them again on this trip.  

I went with the whole family to a huge sports centre. There you find video games, basketball courts, ping pong, billiar, soccer, golf, baseball, darts, areas for children, skating, bowling, etc. You find it all really,  and the plan was to go there for like 6 hours and just do all we can on that time. Like last year after doing so many things, we ended up with Bowling, every time I like it so much. I am not that good but is really fun and you get so tired and your fingers hurt the next day and the time spent with the family is worth.

Yesterday Saturday, we went spontaneously to see an Opera at one of the main halls in Kobe City, a friend of ours called Takaoki invited us, he is a famous baritone here in Japan and we know him since many years ago. He sang a very unknown opera by W.Ferrari called “il Segreto di Susanna”. The whole thing was semi staged.  Taka did really well, and although the hall had a very dry acoustic for the singers, he always managed well, unlike the soprano who really struggled as the tessitura was quite low for her, she is generally a much higher soprano, and unfortunately the hall was not so kind to her.

Today was the only free day this week, without plan so, of course I decided to go back to Kyoto and spend the day there, I went alone and walked like crazy and sweat like crazy. It turns out today was one of the hottest days this summer and I felt it. I got slightly browner today hahah. But it is always worth while being in Japan do all I can. I love this land and every time I am here, I discover little by little more. I also got to buy some Vinyl recordings of Japanese Pop from the 90’s. I listened to them a bit at the shop but I really look forward to listening to them once  I am back in Germany.

Next week it will be a busy one in Tokyo and Nagoya and coming back to Osaka. I look forward to it. I keep doing my exercise and daily reading as well as my morning pages.

Food in Japan is amazing so I am also enjoying eating very much. I hope you are well, please take care, and see you next week.