A big 'konichiwa' from Tokyo, Japan!  It's just gone 1 o'clock in the afternoon and I am hanging out in my dressing room at FUJI TV's studios getting ready for my appearance on the popular tv show 'Waratte Iitomo' ('everybody can laugh') where I will be singing my English version of the Japanese song 'Nada Sousou' that I recorded for the Japanese version of my album 'Treasure'.  I've been in here in Japan for a few days now doing promotion for 'Treasure' and, despite the jetlag and a serious lack of sleep, have been having an awesome time.  This must be about my eighth or ninth visit to Japan, but I haven't been here for a while so it's really nice to be back.  I'm so intrigued by the Japanese culture.  Everyone is so polite and respectful, following very different etiquette to what I am used to.  It's always a bit of a culture shock no matter how many times I've visited before.  This time it was a simple pool trip that completely overwhelmed me.  The pool was part of a spa/gym complex and right from the outset -after I'd taken off my shoes at the ladies changing room door like the sign said, mistakenly changed into the slippers labelled 'spa' and then been chased by a lady panicked by the fact that I was wearing footwear in the changing room -I knew I was in trouble.  I changed in the wrong area, wore the wrong robe to the pool, didn't know that I had to book my place in the pool in advance (only 4 people are allowed in the pool at a time), didn't put my hair in a swimming cap when I was finally allowed in the water and then struggled my way through the whole showering and dressing process on my way out.  I never expected my swimming pool visit to be such an adventure.

Yesterday I was in Kochi performing with the Japanese group 'Begin' at their show as a surprise guest artist.  It was a wonderful experience -the group are very talented, as well as very kind and courteous, and the audience was very warm.  Dinner in Kochi was great too -squid guts and ink, raw baby sardines, sea snails…fortunately there was also tempura (deep fried vegetables for those of you unfamiliar with Japanese cuisine).  There's nothing like a bit of recognisable food alongside the completely unidentifiable.
On this trip to Japan I also had the opportunity of working again with the gorgeous harp player Mika and her husband Hitoshi on guitar.  They accompanied me on my song 'Summer Rain' which we were performing for a radio show.  It was a beautiful arrangement and superbly played.

I'll put up some photos for you guys as soon as I manage to find my laptop-camera connection…Japan was a lot of fun and very beautiful.  We timed our trip really well -the cherry blossom trees were in bloom and looked so pretty lining Tokyo's streets in pink.

Speak later!

Hayleyx

Please enjoy these pictures from Hayley's Trip to Japan!