I went to Japan! In 2023! The last time I went to Japan, I went by myself in 2019...but this time I went with the rest of my family, and it was their first time!

Also, I got to see my favorite band of all time, Asian Kung Fu Generation...live in concert! Hence why all the songs in this video are by AKFG.

The last two weeks were a time of...lots of contemplation. I enjoyed introducing my parents to their first time in Japan! It was nice going on...a first big family trip in a long time! And it was really, really cool seeing my favorite band after not knowing if they'd ever disband or even perform in America!

AND I saw cherry blossoms for the first time!!!

But memorable experiences aside...

I've also been thinking about...how I'm getting older! And...a lot of things I like...I might not have tomorrow! Going to Japan made me make mental comparisons to how I used to be four years ago. I remember how excited I was by the novelty of everything, by the uncertainty that came with doing things alone for the first time... And I'm still excited about most things today! And I still do most things alone today. But nowadays...I'm more physically weary than I used to be. But I've also done...a LOT of things I never did four years ago! So many more life experiences, so many more things learned...yet strangely, despite knowing more, I feel even greater uncertainty about the future now than I did in the past!

If anyone watches this whole video, you can probably tell this is a very personal video. The last song, "Re:Re", is actually unequivocally...my number one most favorite song of all time! (Also this is me showing my pretentious side...but I liked this song BEFORE "Erased" came out!) I actually frequently listen to "Re:Re" during some of the most pivotal moments of my life, given how I associate the song with...a sort of melancholy reflection on events that have irrevocably passed. The song is very closely intertwined with time. And the continuous cycle of guitar riffs is like...a steady heartbeat, still living through it all. And perhaps it somehow represents...a small triumph over time! And just like time, I am getting older!

Idk. I'm rambling now.

Basically, this is a song that has been embedded into me since my youth...and so there is an extremely special weight to me using it in this video! Because it was also extremely special to finally hear it sung live by the original members after almost fifteen years ever since I first listened to it on repeat on my iPod!

In 2019, I thought my trip to Japan was the best week of my life. In 2023...I thought the same thing. But for different reasons.

I hope to go to Japan again!

japan 2019:    • Japan Trip! (2019)