Nine concerts in eleven days is a great way to re-boot our Japanese presence, after a six-year absence, but it's certainly felt busy! Sometimes the days blend into one on tours such as this, but the helpful thing in this instance has been the almost daily train journeys that have provided a sorbet of peace and tranquility.Yesterday's journey, on the mountain train to Toyama, was perhaps the best of the bunch. Despite not being on the world-famous Shinkansen (bullet train) speeding past Mount Fuji, the more ponderous pace was more than offset by a meandering ride through beautiful scenery (lakes, mountains, trees and villages) that showed us a more rural side of Japan not often viewed by western visitors. It was a useful time to alternate admin with relaxation.Back in Tokyo, we've checked into our final hotel before returning home on Monday. Tomorrow we have an unusual day in that we're flying to Osaka, performing and then flying back. As with Sunday's concert it's a matinee, and a great way to round off a busy trip. Afternoon performances always have a different energy, as well as allowing us to have a group meal afterwards and socialise a bit - so important to balance out the high concentration levels that the concerts demand.
Nine concerts in eleven days is a great way to re-boot our Japanese presence, after a six-year absence, but it's certainly felt busy! Sometimes the days blend into one on tours such as this, but the helpful thing in this instance has been the almost daily train journeys that have provided a sorbet of peace and tranquility.Yesterday's journey, on the mountain train to Toyama, was perhaps the best of the bunch. Despite not being on the world-famous Shinkansen (bullet train) speeding past Mount Fuji, the more ponderous pace was more than offset by a meandering ride through beautiful scenery (lakes, mountains, trees and villages) that showed us a more rural side of Japan not often viewed by western visitors. It was a useful time to alternate admin with relaxation.Back in Tokyo, we've checked into our final hotel before returning home on Monday. Tomorrow we have an unusual day in that we're flying to Osaka, performing and then flying back. As with Sunday's concert it's a matinee, and a great way to round off a busy trip. Afternoon performances always have a different energy, as well as allowing us to have a group meal afterwards and socialise a bit - so important to balance out the high concentration levels that the concerts demand.
Nine concerts in eleven days is a great way to re-boot our Japanese presence, after a six-year absence, but it's certainly felt busy! Sometimes the days blend into one on tours such as this, but the helpful thing in this instance has been the almost daily train journeys that have provided a sorbet of peace and tranquility.Yesterday's journey, on the mountain train to Toyama, was perhaps the best of the bunch. Despite not being on the world-famous Shinkansen (bullet train) speeding past Mount Fuji, the more ponderous pace was more than offset by a meandering ride through beautiful scenery (lakes, mountains, trees and villages) that showed us a more rural side of Japan not often viewed by western visitors. It was a useful time to alternate admin with relaxation.Back in Tokyo, we've checked into our final hotel before returning home on Monday. Tomorrow we have an unusual day in that we're flying to Osaka, performing and then flying back. As with Sunday's concert it's a matinee, and a great way to round off a busy trip. Afternoon performances always have a different energy, as well as allowing us to have a group meal afterwards and socialise a bit - so important to balance out the high concentration levels that the concerts demand.
Nine concerts in eleven days is a great way to re-boot our Japanese presence, after a six-year absence, but it's certainly felt busy! Sometimes the days blend into one on tours such as this, but the helpful thing in this instance has been the almost daily train journeys that have provided a sorbet of peace and tranquility.Yesterday's journey, on the mountain train to Toyama, was perhaps the best of the bunch. Despite not being on the world-famous Shinkansen (bullet train) speeding past Mount Fuji, the more ponderous pace was more than offset by a meandering ride through beautiful scenery (lakes, mountains, trees and villages) that showed us a more rural side of Japan not often viewed by western visitors. It was a useful time to alternate admin with relaxation.Back in Tokyo, we've checked into our final hotel before returning home on Monday. Tomorrow we have an unusual day in that we're flying to Osaka, performing and then flying back. As with Sunday's concert it's a matinee, and a great way to round off a busy trip. Afternoon performances always have a different energy, as well as allowing us to have a group meal afterwards and socialise a bit - so important to balance out the high concentration levels that the concerts demand.
Nine concerts in eleven days is a great way to re-boot our Japanese presence, after a six-year absence, but it's certainly felt busy! Sometimes the days blend into one on tours such as this, but the helpful thing in this instance has been the almost daily train journeys that have provided a sorbet of peace and tranquility.Yesterday's journey, on the mountain train to Toyama, was perhaps the best of the bunch. Despite not being on the world-famous Shinkansen (bullet train) speeding past Mount Fuji, the more ponderous pace was more than offset by a meandering ride through beautiful scenery (lakes, mountains, trees and villages) that showed us a more rural side of Japan not often viewed by western visitors. It was a useful time to alternate admin with relaxation.Back in Tokyo, we've checked into our final hotel before returning home on Monday. Tomorrow we have an unusual day in that we're flying to Osaka, performing and then flying back. As with Sunday's concert it's a matinee, and a great way to round off a busy trip. Afternoon performances always have a different energy, as well as allowing us to have a group meal afterwards and socialise a bit - so important to balance out the high concentration levels that the concerts demand.
Nine concerts in eleven days is a great way to re-boot our Japanese presence, after a six-year absence, but it's certainly felt busy! Sometimes the days blend into one on tours such as this, but the helpful thing in this instance has been the almost daily train journeys that have provided a sorbet of peace and tranquility.Yesterday's journey, on the mountain train to Toyama, was perhaps the best of the bunch. Despite not being on the world-famous Shinkansen (bullet train) speeding past Mount Fuji, the more ponderous pace was more than offset by a meandering ride through beautiful scenery (lakes, mountains, trees and villages) that showed us a more rural side of Japan not often viewed by western visitors. It was a useful time to alternate admin with relaxation.Back in Tokyo, we've checked into our final hotel before returning home on Monday. Tomorrow we have an unusual day in that we're flying to Osaka, performing and then flying back. As with Sunday's concert it's a matinee, and a great way to round off a busy trip. Afternoon performances always have a different energy, as well as allowing us to have a group meal afterwards and socialise a bit - so important to balance out the high concentration levels that the concerts demand.
Nine concerts in eleven days is a great way to re-boot our Japanese presence, after a six-year absence, but it's certainly felt busy! Sometimes the days blend into one on tours such as this, but the helpful thing in this instance has been the almost daily train journeys that have provided a sorbet of peace and tranquility.Yesterday's journey, on the mountain train to Toyama, was perhaps the best of the bunch. Despite not being on the world-famous Shinkansen (bullet train) speeding past Mount Fuji, the more ponderous pace was more than offset by a meandering ride through beautiful scenery (lakes, mountains, trees and villages) that showed us a more rural side of Japan not often viewed by western visitors. It was a useful time to alternate admin with relaxation.Back in Tokyo, we've checked into our final hotel before returning home on Monday. Tomorrow we have an unusual day in that we're flying to Osaka, performing and then flying back. As with Sunday's concert it's a matinee, and a great way to round off a busy trip. Afternoon performances always have a different energy, as well as allowing us to have a group meal afterwards and socialise a bit - so important to balance out the high concentration levels that the concerts demand.
