Japan Tour ’25

Welcome to our Japan Tour Diary!

For the next 45 days, we’ll be wandering through Japan, city by city, melody by melody. Here you’ll find daily updates, stories, photos and little treasures from the road. Join us on this adventure!

Also, feel free to leave us a comment at the end of this page.

Saturday, April 19 – Connections beyond time and distance

Today felt like one of those days that have it all.

Early in the morning, we set out for Shirakawa-go — and were blessed with a perfect sunny day to explore this magical village. Its thatched-roof houses, rice fields, flowing river, and surrounding mountains made it feel like stepping into a storybook.

We recorded a new video with the oriental flute and captured many of the natural sounds around us: water flowing, birds singing, wind in the trees, footsteps on old wooden paths.

But the most emotional part of the day was yet to come.

In the afternoon, we finally met Casey and Joe — two people we connected with during the pandemic through Twitter. Back then, they shared sound recordings from Japan that became part of our music. Today, after all those years, we met in person and shared a walk through the beautiful Daijoji Park with their families.

And as the day came to an end, Casey brought us to a bamboo forest. As the sun began to set, we played a spontaneous improvisation — violin and flute — accompanied by the sounds of nature around us. It was magic.

We ended the day with a delicious bowl of ramen… and the spontaneous idea to explore Kanazawa’s historic samurai district by night.

Off we go!

Thursday, April 17 – Neon dreams & tatami nights

Before continuing our journey to Kanazawa, we made a short but vibrant stop in Akihabara — Tokyo’s legendary electronic district.

We wandered through streets glowing with neon signs, explored retro video game shops like Super Potato, and marveled at the unique energy of this part of the city. Akihabara at night feels like a different universe — loud, alive, and endlessly fascinating.

After our walk, we returned to the hotel where we stayed in a washitsu, a traditional Japanese room with tatami mats and futons on the floor. Honestly, we expected it to be a bit uncomfortable… but it turned out to be the best night of sleep we’ve had so far on this trip.

Now, our route takes us to Kanazawa — a city rich in history and art, where we’ll meet up with dear friends who have collaborated with us in the past. We’ll be recording our next music video there, and we can’t wait to see what inspiration awaits.

Wednesday, April 16 – Fuji Revealed

They say Mount Fuji is shy. That it often hides behind clouds, fog or mist — and only shows itself to those who arrive with an open heart.

Today, Fuji revealed itself to us. Fully. Radiantly. And something incredible happened.

We played music with Mount Fuji in the background.

A moment that, for us, borders on the mythical — because this image, this dream, has lived in our hearts for twenty years. It started in a small room in Argentina, where we first imagined the music that would one day carry us here. And today, it materialized before our eyes.

Everything could have gone wrong: the weather, the light, the equipment, the logistics. But none of that happened.

Instead, it was a perfect day.

The sun shone. The sky opened. And there it was — Fuji, majestic and still, watching over us as we set up our instruments and did what we love most: making music.

We recorded a video in silence, in awe, in reverence. Not trying to control the moment, just letting it happen. Letting the mountain be part of the music. Letting the dream become real.

This might be the most epic moment in our story so far. And we know it will stay with us — in every note we play from now on.

Tuesday, April 15 – First encounter with Mount Fuji

Today we said goodbye (for now) to Tokyo.

Early in the morning, we left our apartment in Horikiri and headed to the Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal — the gateway to many adventures outside the city. From there, we took a bus to Kawaguchiko, a small town located in the Fuji Five Lakes region, famous for offering some of the most breathtaking views of Mount Fuji.

And then… it happened.

For the first time in our lives, we saw Mount Fuji.

Massive. Magnificent. So much bigger, grander, and more sacred than we had ever imagined. There’s a reason why Mount Fuji has been a symbol of Japan for centuries — worshipped by pilgrims, painted by artists, written about by poets.

Its presence feels powerful. Still. Timeless.

We spent the afternoon walking along the shores of Lake Kawaguchiko, one of the five lakes that surround Mount Fuji. This area is especially famous for its reflections of the mountain on clear days — a dream for photographers and nature lovers.

But as the afternoon went on, the cold started pushing us back toward our hotel. We decided to rest and get ready for tomorrow — a day dedicated to exploring the area and searching for the perfect spot to record our next video on this tour.

There’s a calmness here, very different from Tokyo’s energy. It feels like a pause. Like nature reminding us to slow down.

Tomorrow: more Fuji, more music.

Monday, April 14 – Tokyo, until we meet again

Our last day in Tokyo started early, visiting the majestic Meiji Shrine, one of the most important and peaceful places in the city. Walking through its giant torii gates, surrounded by a forest in the middle of Tokyo, feels like entering another world.

We were especially moved by two sacred trees, standing side by side, tied together with a rope — a beautiful symbol of eternal love. Of course, we left our wish on a small wooden ema tablet, as tradition says.

After that, we walked through the vibrant streets of Harajuku, slowly making our way back to Shibuya. We wanted to see the famous scramble crossing in daylight, so we visited Hachiko again and crossed Shibuya twice more — just for fun.

In the afternoon, it was time for music. We prepared our instruments and headed to Shinjuku, where we had the chance to perform live for Room 303 Community Radio. It was a beautiful way to share our story, our songs, and even do a little live improvisation.

This was the perfect way to close our first week in Tokyo — a city that feels impossible to fully grasp, endlessly inspiring, and full of life at every corner.

We’re grateful for everything we experienced here… and happy knowing we’ll be back for a few more days at the end of our tour in May.

Next stop: Kawaguchiko!

Sunday, April 13 – “Where The Waves Sing” // First music “Made in Japan”

Full circle. After 20 years making japanese-inspired music… I’m finally doing it here 🙂

Saturday, April 12 – Kamakura: music, moments & memories

Jet lag is still doing its thing — by 5AM we were already wide awake!

Today we traveled to Kamakura, a beautiful coastal city just an hour from Tokyo, famous for its temples, its giant Buddha, and its relaxed vibe.

We started our walk along Komachi Dori, a lively street full of local shops, crafts, and incredible ice cream (yes, we had to try it!). Then we visited Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, Kamakura’s most important shrine, where we were lucky enough to witness a traditional Japanese wedding. I didn’t miss the chance to record its music and sounds — pure magic.

Later, we walked to the famous Great Buddha of Kamakura (Daibutsu), a bronze statue from the 13th century and one of Japan’s most iconic images. Inside the Buddha, something unforgettable happened: Jesica started singing melodies from our song “The Music”, making her voice resonate through the entire monument. The people inside applauded her — a moment we’ll never forget.

After lunch, we went to the beach. There, standing by the ocean, we recorded a new video — and for me, it was a very special experience: for the first time, I could create music live with the sounds of Japan, right here, surrounded by this landscape. Until now, I had always done it from home, working with sounds sent by others.

We came back exhausted, but deeply happy. Kamakura gave us a perfect day: new memories, new music, and a feeling of deep connection with this country.

New videos coming soon.

April 11 – From quiet moments to Shibuya lights

We started our day back at Ueno Park, visiting the beautiful Gojoten & Hanazono Shrine — a small, peaceful spot where we took a moment for gratitude, as we’ve been doing in every temple and shrine along the way.

The weather was cool and cloudy, perfect for walking and capturing sounds — from the park, the nearby streets, and the little moments that bring Tokyo to life.

At lunchtime, we embraced a very modern ritual: trying famichiky (fried chicken) and the egg sandwich from Family Mart. No regrets — absolutely delicious.

Later in the afternoon, while Cielo and Jesica napped, I visited Horikiri Shobuen, the local Iris Garden near our home in Tokyo. The irises weren’t in bloom yet, but the garden was quiet and beautiful — a perfect place to sit under a cherry tree and reflect on how deep and special this trip is becoming for us.

As the evening arrived, we made our way to Shibuya — but first, a long-awaited stop: visiting Hachiko.

This was an emotional moment for us. Over ten years ago, we wrote Hachiko, one of our most beloved songs, inspired by the story of this loyal dog. Standing by his statue today, playing our song on the phone, and saying thank you felt like closing a beautiful circle.

And of course, no visit to Shibuya is complete without crossing its famous scramble. The rain had stopped, the lights were on, and we filmed a little homemade video of each of us walking across — because some moments just need to be lived right there.

Thursday, April 10 – Good luck or bad luck?

Our second day in Tokyo took us straight to one of the city’s most iconic places: Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. It’s Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Buddhist temple, founded in 645 and dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy.

Getting there already felt like an adventure. We walked along Nakamise-dori, a lively street lined with small shops selling crafts, souvenirs, sweets, and traditional objects. The whole area feels festive and sacred at the same time.

At the temple, we offered our thanks to the deities and couldn’t resist trying one of Senso-ji’s most popular rituals: testing our luck.

The process is simple (and a lot of fun): you drop 100 yen into the box, draw a numbered stick, and then find the drawer that matches your number. Inside waits your fortune.

Well… our first attempt didn’t go so well — bad luck! Fortunately, there’s a way to leave that bad luck behind: you tie the fortune paper to a special rack, allowing the temple to neutralize its effects. We didn’t hesitate.

Happy ending? Of course, we tried again… and this time we got a much more encouraging message: “If you wish to be famous, you will be.” Not bad at all for a traveling music band in Japan, right?

For lunch, we went somewhere not very traditional… but absolutely irresistible: KFC Japan. We love seeing how global chains adapt their menus in different countries, so we couldn’t skip the experience.

In the afternoon, we walked along the Sumida River, through Sumida Park. It was pure magic: hundreds of cherry trees in full bloom, families picnicking, photographers chasing the perfect shot… and us, capturing the soundscapes of it all.

Because beyond the photos, one of our favorite things about these walks is recording the sounds of every place: the bells of the temples, the voices, the trains, the footsteps, the birds… all of it slowly becoming part of a future album in the making.

Oh, and speaking of trains… well, it finally happened: we took the wrong train back and got lost… in Tokyo! But honestly, what kind of trip would this be without a little (or big) adventure of getting lost in one of the world’s largest cities?

April 9, First 24hs in Japan

We decided to take it slow on our first day. We’re staying in Horikiri, a quiet, residential neighborhood in Tokyo, just twenty minutes away from Ueno Park. It felt like the perfect place for our first little adventure — and a great opportunity to start learning how to navigate a city that feels completely new to us.

Luckily, Ueno greeted us with bright sunshine, hardly any crowds, and a beautiful surprise: cherry blossoms in full bloom! (We honestly thought we had missed them.) Rodrigo took some amazing photos, and I (Facundo) recorded sounds from the train station, the zoo, and the park.

The first Buddhist temple we visited was Bentendo, dating back to the 17th century. It’s located on an island surrounded by a lotus-filled pond. We did our little gratitude ritual and continued exploring the area… until we stumbled upon the Ueno Zoo — and from that moment on, the morning belonged to Cielo 🙂

April 8, Landed in Tokyo!

After a nearly 40-hour journey from Buenos Aires, we’ve just landed in Tokyo.

This is the view that welcomes us as we touch down: a beautiful sunset, a prelude to the many more we’ll witness throughout this journey across Japan.

The journey begins!
#JapanTour25#TKC20th

April 6, a message to our supporters

If you’re reading this message, it’s because at some point over the past 20 years, you made a donation to support The Kyoto Connection’s musical journey.

You may not remember it, but we do. And today, we want to share some wonderful news with you: we’re finally traveling to Japan — thanks to your help!

We’re carrying with us a list of every person who supported us throughout these years. That list will be placed in a sacred site in the city of Kyoto, as a gesture of gratitude for all the love and collaboration we’ve received.

We hope this message touches your heart, and that your life is always filled with love, beauty, and joyful moments. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

Facundo, Jesica, Rodrigo y Cielo