Aragon-Japan Connection: Interview with Mariko Akama
That a Japanese woman travels thousands of kilometers to visit the city of Zaragoza during the Pilar Festival is a unique fact. If she also does it to attend the concert of a local group that sings a cappella, it is frankly exceptional. But when she told us that she is the president of the group’s fan club in Tokyo, we just couldn’t believe it.
Guests of all types and conditions pass through the Hotel Sauce, but rarely have we met such an interesting and unique person. In this edition of Interviews we have a lover of music and Spanish culture. We are pleased to introduce you to the president of the B-Vocal Japan Fan Club: Mariko Akama.
We almost couldn’t believe it when you told us that there is a fan group in Japan dedicated to B-Vocal, one of our most famous local music groups. How did you come to know them?
The story seems like a dream but it is totally true. B-Vocal won an international a cappella competition in Austria in 2006. The prize was to give a concert in Taiwan in October 2007.
Taking advantage of the trip, they decided to give a series of concerts in Japan. They gave three concerts… and I attended all of them! In one of them we even sang together: I am part of an amateur a cappella group.
Their last night in Japan we feasted on a restaurant boat. The group members turned out to be very friendly. I sent them an email and Carlos, one of the B-Vocal, responded to me. Since then we have maintained contact. At first in English, but I’m learning Spanish.
In September 2010 they returned to Japan with a series of 5 concerts in Shizuoka and Tokyo. I formed the “B-Vocal Japan Fan Club” together with other fans from Japan. We spent some very fun days with them and helped them as much as we could. We can’t wait for them to return to Japan.
Is Spanish music known in Japan?
Flamenco and classical music are well known. Some composers are very popular. For example, in the church music choir to which I belong.
Many people think that Japanese and Spanish culture have certain similarities. There is no other country in the world where there is as much interest in flamenco and Spanish culture as in Japan. What do you think about it?
It’s very strange, but Japanese folk song and flamenco are similar. They are melancholic melodies. Maybe that’s why in Japan many people learn flamenco dancing and singing. Some restaurants in Tokyo offer flamenco shows during dinner.
What was your impression when you came to Zaragoza for the first time?
I came to Zaragoza for the first time in October 2011 to see a B-Vocal concert in the auditorium, like this time. The Pilar festivities are better than I could imagine. Thanks to Hotel Sauce I was able to see the essence of the festivities from my own room. I felt a lot of passion at those parties. Naturally, B-Vocal were too busy to see each other every day, but Carlos and his family suggested I participate in the offering.
What do you find in this city that is not found in any other?
History, tradition and also future. And very good food!
Traveling around the world you have surely heard hundreds of anecdotes, what is the funniest thing that has happened to you in a hotel?
When I was in Canada there was a small fire and we had to run. When they returned, nothing had been stolen. In the Fiji Islands the cleaning girl decorates the room daily with flowers. She left me a crane made of origami.
Do you carry any absurd objects in your suitcase on her trips?
Yesssssssssssssssssssssss.
Which corner of our city did you like the most?
The Basilica of Pilar!!!!
Japanese tourists are known for taking thousands of photos of absolutely everything. Will you participate in our annual photography contest?
Yeah.
