The tour has begun, and when I look back at our first days and everything that has already happened, it feels as though we have been here much longer!
The journey here, our first encounters, three gatherings, the Tokyo subway, ParaArt, old and new friends, and rehearsals for the concerts. The days have been intense and long, but above all, they have been wonderful.
So now I thought I would try to take you along from the beginning. β€οΈ
Day 1 – Finally in Japan!
After the long journey from Sweden, it was a special feeling to be back in Japan once again. A country that has become like a second home to me after all these years.
It is almost hard to believe that this journey, which we have been planning and working on for so long, is actually underway.
The day after our arrival, our first gathering was already waiting for us at Narita Church. It felt very special to begin the tour in a church. I had the opportunity to sing, share my story and meet people – and once again experience that special warmth that I so often encounter here in Japan.
I have prayed a lot for this journey. Not only that the concerts will go well, but above all that the music and what I share will mean something to the people I meet. And that is exactly what we are experiencing!
Day 2 – Trains, Iruma and wonderful reunions
The next day, our journey continued to Iruma.
Travelling on the subway in Japan is a little adventure in itself! π For someone who cannot read Japanese, a route like this can look rather complicated...
But the trains in Japan work amazingly well, and once you get the hang of it and let Google guide you, it really isn't that difficult.
Another gathering was waiting for us in Iruma, this time at Peace International Church. The room was full of people, and there was such a warm and intimate atmosphere.
My wonderful interpreter Rutsuko Bedow and her husband, Pastor Mark Bedow, started the church and also built the church building. It almost feels a little like home because Rutsuko is such a dear and close friend.
I sang and shared about my life, my faith, and how over the years I have learned not only to look at what I lack, but also to discover all that I have been given.
There is something very special about these smaller gatherings. You get closer to people in a different way than you do in a large concert hall.
And of course, one of the great joys of returning to Japan is all the reunions.
One wonderful surprise was that Ms. Asako Tamura came to the concert. We first got to know each other more than 20 years ago when we performed in the same concert with a symphony orchestra in Tokyo. Asako is a wonderful opera singer who lives in New York. Thanks to Facebook, we have been able to stay in touch – and now we finally got to see each other again! β€οΈ
Day 3 – PARAART TOKYO π¨
On the third day, art took centre stage.
We went to ParaArt Tokyo, the international art exhibition where artists with disabilities from different parts of the world were represented.
Walking around among all the paintings was wonderful. So many different expressions, colours, stories and ways of creating.
And art creates encounters.
That is perhaps one of the things I love most about both art and music. We don't have to speak the same language for something to touch us.
I got to know one of the artists, Mai Ogino, who was also one of the artists receiving an award that day for her painting, “A Feeling of Gratitude.” It was such a joy to make this new connection.
Gunilla and two of her friends also joined us at the exhibition. It was a day filled with colour, creativity, conversations and inspiration.
And once again I found myself thinking about the vision that I carry with me on this journey: to build bridges between people and between countries.
Sometimes it happens through a song.
Sometimes through a painting.
Then it was time to exchange the art exhibition for microphones, sheet music and rehearsals.
For the final concert of the tour in Sendai, I rehearsed with Saee Tahara, who came all the way down to Tokyo for our rehearsal. Our mutual friend Mika Takana, who also lives in Sendai, joined us, listening (and taking photos).
After that, I met Shinichiro Yamamoto, with whom I will be doing three concerts.
There is such a special feeling when something you have been planning from a distance for such a long time suddenly begins to come alive.
Sheet music becomes music.
Plans become reality.
And people who have been rehearsing in different places suddenly stand together in the same room.
Day 4 – Concert with choir! πΆ
And then I got to stand together with the entire KORG GOSPEL CHOIR!
This is part of the vision that Shinichiro Yamamoto and I have carried for a long time – Sweden × Japan Music Bridge.
Building a bridge between Sweden and Japan through music. πΈπͺπΆπ―π΅
We performed many songs – most of them actually in Japanese – and ended the concert with our new song “All I Need,”which Shinichiro and I wrote together especially for this Japan tour.
Now the Japan tour is truly underway!
Ahead of us are more concerts, more travelling, schools, churches, choirs and encounters with people in different parts of Japan.
I hope you will continue to follow Patrik and me on this journey. I will try to share both the big moments and the little things that happen in between – because so often, that is where the most precious memories are found.
Thank you also to all of you who are following us from home, sending little messages, encouraging us and praying for us. It means more than you know. β€οΈ
My prayer for the weeks ahead remains the same: that the music will carry hope, joy and love and build bridges between countries, between people and between hearts.
And after these first four days, what I feel most of all is:
Thank you, God, for everything we have already experienced – and now the journey continues! π―π΅πΈ
πΆ Music • Hope • Love
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