The school of hard knocks

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Creative day in Shonan

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As if my prayers were answered, to be able to spend my afternoon quietly and peacefully. I really need this when I’m dreaming up new songs and music.

Today’s weather in Shonan, Japan is wonderful and to add to it, Mt. Fuji made a rare appearance. 🙂

With the sun and a light breeze off the Pacific ocean, this is the perfect time to be creative at the beach.

 

 

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Remixing a Japanese classic

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Which song do you think is the most popular song in my album “Reborn” that I released in 2018?

It is the cover song “Koibitoyo” which means “Lover”.

“Koibitoyo” was a hit song of the Showa Kayo era and is well known in Japan.

Just as with the original song, in my version I sing in Japanese. After releasing the song I expected only Japanese fans of the song to check my version out.

BIG surprise…

Actually, since its release the number of downloads from overseas ( non Japanese ) has been overwhelmingly higher than the number of downloads in Japan.

This is the global digital age.

When people from Alaska to South America and across the world, including  Africa, eastern and western Europe, and the Middle East can now easily listen to Japanese music. They don’t have to travel to Japan or need to communicate in Japanese to find music.

This is the moment when I realized that music really has no borders or lanaguge requirements. Japanese music is enjoyed by all kinds of people around the world.

So, to start I have begun to work on remixing “Koibitoyo” and adding a richer Japanese sound and I will release more original Japanese music this year. 🙂

Please follow me on Spotify

Thank you! 🙂

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Health and beauty tips to survive sea life.

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I often get asked questions about health and beauty in ship life.

Many questions from women such as; what about your skin constantly exposed to the sea air and super strong sunlight.

There is no doubt that you must use a sunscreen, I use SPF70 + on my body and SPF100 + on my face and neck.

The ship’s interior is sealed with air conditioning throughout the year. I spend a lot more time living in dry air aboard than when I’m on home on land. This is the point I want you to pay attention to. There are two important conclusions regarding dry skin I have learned in my years of ship life.

Do not apply foundation on the face as it will help dry out even more!

I don’t want to get stuffy when the foundation is on my face. If I don’t apply it, my skin feels so much more healthy and I can resist the dry air inside the ship.

Another tip is

The amount of alcohol you consume and the dryness of the skin are connected.

In moderation alcohol is a long term medicine. But the dry air in the ship attacks the skin quickly. It’s amazing how the texture of the skin is clearly different after drinking alcohol and not drinking alcohol. But I want to think that it is a precious message that I could not experience in a humid environment on land. Something I discovered from being onboard.

After discovering this I decided not to drink again. But there’s nothing strange about it. This is probably because the joy of having learning one piece of wisdom is greater. The benefit is that you can feel your skin is being rejuvenated.

For me, it can be said that the dry air of the ship is also a great environment that in a funny way tells the truth.

I want to be a guide of good things.

But

Sniffing…

…I haven’t learned how all the health tricks just yet 🙁

 

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We finally meet!

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5/27

Sun Princess World Cruise has reached a milestone of one and a half months!

Today Sun Princess docked in Southampton, England.

Finally today I met for the first time a special someone who had a hand in creating the turning point of my music life! An important person who brought me to the overseas music market!

This is my special lady Eva, my dedicated agent who has been involved in my at hotel lounge and cruise ship overseas performances for over 20 years.

How did it all begin with Eva? I remember it as fate.

I was a member of an Australian group of musicians at the time, I performed in a duo version with the 2 keyboards of the pianists. I was added to the group as a substitute member. Eva came looking at our main band but did not choose us for the gig but, unexpectedly offered me a job. So it began!

I was happy that I was able to convey my feelings of gratitude today. I felt like I was able to fulfill my role.

In Japan, 20 years ago when I first started working with Eva, because of her it was a time when I was about to discover the world.

Thank you very much 🙂

 

 

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Need WIFI when traveling around the world?

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My new friend will be with me for the cruise around the world starting from next month.
Up unntil now when ever I was working on a cruise ship I used the on-board pay wifi or I had use the wifi at the port terminal but, this time I will bring along my new buddie 🙂
It is an overseas-compatible wifi router and you can get an internet connection without buying a SIM card and I can use it in more than 120 countries. Unlimited wifi monthly with a fixed amount of $ 99 (about 11,000 yen). The net environment from next month is now ready with “Skyroam”!
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Cherish every day

I’m so grateful to wake up every morning to realize that I am still alive today.

Cherish every day and

Live each day as if it were your last.

No one knows what tomorrow will bing.

Everyday must be something special and memorial day.

I’d love to say thank you to my mother who brought me into this amazing world 45 years ago today.

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Welcome 2019!

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From me and mine, to you and yours!
Best wishes! 🙂
Akiko
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Some of my performance was filmed

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Recently I performed at Hotel Green Plaza in Hakone, Japan (10/16/2018).

It was a lobby concert and some of my performance was recorded, if you have time please check out my videos below. 🙂

Thank you! 🙂

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