Ever since I heard "Otis Rush So Many Roads" I have been fascinated by Japan and because of my guitarist and friend Tony Mcquaid and his awesome partner Mako we made it happen .Mako is Japanese and was able to book concert dates and was our official tour guide. We left "Chicago on the morning of May 6th on Japanese Airlines ANA " Destination ( The Land of Rising Sun) Fourteen hours later we landed the next day at Tokyo Narita Airport and the adventure began. Customs was a breeze and we picked up our luggage and grabbed the shuttle to our hotel in Narita. Without Mako it would have been impossible to navigate our way because the language barriers are difficult to say the least. Well after my first incredible Japanese meal( One of many) it was off to catch up on Jetlag before our first show the next night. We were playing the Cloud 9 Bar in Narita with our Japanese music promoter and Guitarist (Mr Oh"Yeah") We had met the year before in Chicago and he had invited us to come perform with him. Besides Tony Mac and myself we also had The Legendary Richard Farrel from Spain join our tour. It was a small venue but was packed with fans of "Mr. Oh Yeah". It was a welcoming audience and we closed with " Sweet Home Chicago " to everyone's delight. It was back to the hotel on the shuttle and off to Atami Beach the next day .I had a chance to fish the Harbor and rented a rod and caught 3 small Mackerel. We were playing close by the next night at Joynt Brewery so we had a chance to go out for late night Sushi and Sake. We were able to take the train to Ito Beach and the Brewery which was set right across from the Ocean . It was a beautiful setting and once again the club filled up and we had some local musicians sit in as well to their delight. Makos friend Toru drove us home through the hills after another late night dinner in an Itsokya. ( Late night for appetizer and cocktail restaurant ). This was a whirlwind trip so far and we were just getting to Tokyo the next day to prepare for The " Mr. Oh Yeah" Festival on Sunday. Tokyo was like 10 New Yorks in 1 and we headed to the Shibuya district to do some music shopping for guitars and accessories. Sunday May 9th was our big festival show with Mr. " Oh Yeah" in Tokyo. It was At " The Ale House" and we had 3 separate seatings for our Cconcert.Each show was packed to brim and the reception was outstanding. We celebrated at another late night Itsokaya before taking the Subway back to Tokyo. One thing about Japan is there is literally no crime and people let their young children take the trains themselves. We had the next day to explore Kyoto and took the Bullet Train from Tokyo Station.It is true that they go 250 kilometers per hour and you dont even feel a thing. Kyoto is a beautiful city and we explored the Bamboo Forest and The Golden Temple. I also found a great Jazz quintet led by Rita Nishikawa at a Mexican restaurant of all things.Tuesday it was a Bullet Train back to Tokyo and then as a treat on our final night we had reservations at " The Abbey Road" to see the world famous Beatle tribute : The Parrots".We had a reservation at a table in the front and our friend Toru joined us again.The band nailed every Beatles song and some chestnuts by John Lennon.They were excited to meet us and I found out that Paul McCartney himself had jammed with them at the club. Well once again a late night Subway and some rest before heading to Tokyos Haneda Airport and the long long ✈️ flight back to Chicago!!!
