This is the first time we’ve all gotten together in Wakayama.  So this night was very very special.  We’re all surfer brothers who’ve known each other for decades.  The coronavirus kept us away from gatherings, but now it’s time to make up for that lost time.  And one of the ways is to get the Jan Ken Po game started.  Te-chan, Kimura-san from Wakayama. Kazubo-san and Omini-san from Okinawa.  Let’s go!

Wakayama wins!  Haha.  I just watched all the video we took from that night and it was pretty emotional.  We were all so happy to be together that tears were shared.  These guys and girls have been family to me for over half of my lifetime.  And many more years to come.

My brother told me the next day, “I always wondered why you kept on going to Japan so much for all these years.  Now I now why.”   He’s already planning his next trip.  Haha.

En has to be my favorite restaurant in Japan.  The food is amazing and the master chef is super cool.  The restaurant usually closes at 10pm but we stayed there until 12:30am.  Thank you Master for letting us continue the fun all night.

Then our makeshift karaoke night started.  Kimura-san holding the sake scooper for the mic, and Kazubo-san dancing and entertaining us.  It was a night to remember.  Thank you guys for the laughs, tears, and joy.  Love you all!

For years and years, I try to explain to people in Hawaii that when the waves in Japan are flat, it’s flat.  Even though you’re desperate to surf, you can’t.  It’s hard for them to comprehend because when it’s flat in Hawaii, there are still some perfect ridable waves.  Anyway, this was the first surf check experience with Mason and Carter.  I wanted to see their expression.      

It wasn’t only flat, it was freezing cold!!!  There’s supposed to be a swell coming soon so I’m looking forward to that.  I’m not sure if I’m ready for an ice bath though.  

We went walking around in the city to check out the street food.  

If you want to window shop and people watch, Dotonbori is the place to go.

Right now is strawberry season so the strawberries are so sweet!  Now my brother knows why I haven’t eaten strawberries in Hawaii for the past 33 years.  I only eat strawberries in Japan.  

This dish we ate was very interesting.  It was mountain yam made the Kansai way.  

The chicken cartilage is my favorite!  Nobody else liked it thought.  Haha.  

Ok, this is too crazy for us.  After 2 days of this, get us out of the city!

Last month, Kimura-san told me that BEGIN is going to play live in Wakayama.  That’s been on my mind the whole time but I wasn’t sure if I could go so I didn’t get excited about it.  Then a week before, I called him and said “we want to go to BEGIN!”  He replies, “Sorry, it’s SOLD OUT!”  OMG!!!!  I told him “PLEASE find us tickets somehow.  We will stand in the bathroom if we have to!”

Kimura-san wasn’t joking.  The concert sold out a long time ago.  

Then the magic happened.  We got 6 tickets, including guest tickets to meet the band!  The power of Kimura-san!  

I had my camera ready because I wanted to take photos and record vids.  Then the announcer came on and said no taking photos and videos.  And since this is Japan, everybody listened, including me.  I was actually glad I didn’t have my camera out because my full attention was to the music.  OMG, it was amazing!!!!  So many chicken skin moments.

Then we got to go backstage.  All 18 of us.  

BEGIN autographed our tickets and CD’s.  Then we took some photos together.  These guys are so cool.  You can feel the aloha island spirit.  Very humble and typical island boys.  

Thank you Kimura-san for making this all happen.  We were super happy!!!

After the concert, we had a big happy party.  Good food, Jack Daniels, games, singing, dancing, laughs and even tears.  It was all about family, honor, respect, forgiveness, and most of all, LOVE.

Team Wakayama x Team Okinawa x Team Hawaii!