This year, I vowed to myself: From now on, I will travel more, and more.

As they say, the distance traveled is proportional to the richness of one's ideas. The landscapes and people I encounter on my journeys
teach me so much about ideas and the meaning of life.

This trip to Okinawa was also a series of such wonderful encounters.

The sea of Zamami, displaying a vivid blue gradation from deep blue to light blue.
A remaining paradise on earth, where whale watching is also possible in winter.

Led by Kiyosaku of Mongol800

My first trip to Okinawa.
The catalyst was an encounter with Kiyosaku Uezu, the vocalist of the band "Mongol800" (Monpachi), who is from Okinawa and bases his creative work there.
This began about a year ago.

It was about a year ago.
Hiroaki Kato, also known as Katopy (designer for the jewelry brand Nine Sick City and a columnist for OPENERS), introduced me to Kiyosaku at his studio. At the time, Kiyosaku introduced himself casually, saying something like, 'I do music in Okinawa,' and I, not being very familiar with the band Mongol800, and all the young people there saying 'I'm hungry!', we quickly went for yakiniku without much further conversation (laughs).

And Kiyosaku, whether he meant it or not, said something like, 'Wow, it's been a while since I had yakiniku.'
So I replied, 'I see, keep up the good work (I secretly thought he must be struggling...).'
'Eat more, meat! It's on me!'

After all the young people had eaten their fill, Kiyosaku said, 'I'm playing a show tomorrow, please come if you can, Shimada-san!'
He invited me...

But I gave a cool reply like, 'Tomorrow I have a photoshoot. Maybe I can make it after it's done.'
I gave him a cold response...

The next day, when I mentioned Kiyosaku from Monpachi, whom I met yesterday, to the young staff at the photoshoot location,
'What?! I'm a huge fan! You turned down that invitation, Shimada-san?!'
They reacted with high-pitched excitement and a bit of disbelief (laughs). We quickly wrapped up the shoot and headed to Shibuya AX together (laughs).

They were co-headlining with Sambomaster that day, and wow, it was incredibly exciting (as expected).
After the show, when I visited their dressing room, Kiyosaku politely greeted me, 'Thank you for the meal yesterday!'
Then, the other two members also approached me, asking, 'Can we hang out with you next time?'
Their performance was amazing, but I was deeply moved by their polite and straightforward attitude.

After that, Kiyosaku and I, along with Katopy and real estate producer "King of Roppongi" Tsuchihashi,
continued to deepen our friendship in Tokyo many times. One night, at a gay bar, I happened to mention,
'Lately, I haven't been moved or surprised by much.'
Kiyosaku replied, 'Then please come to Okinawa. I guarantee you'll be moved.
You've never been to Okinawa before, have you, Shimada-san?'
'If that's the case, I'll plan it for you – an adult study trip!'

And so, the plan for this Okinawa "adult study trip" began,
during a casual conversation with Kiyosaku late one night at a friend's bar...

These are the members of the "Adult Study Trip" who gathered in Zamami, Okinawa. From the top right, Mr. Tsuchihashi,
to his left, Katopy, Mr. Hemmi, Kiyosaku-kun, from the middle right, Azusa-chan, to her left, Mikasan, Mr. Tsuchihashi's wife,
Kiyosaku-kun's wife Wakasan, the couple who run the guesthouse where we stayed, and the "natural" kids.

In Zamami, Okinawa, all the adults become children again

The group consisted of Katopy and his wife, the Tsuchihashi family, Mr. Hemmi of the Japanese restaurant "Endo" who returned from Milan for his summer vacation,
and Kiyosaku's family, totaling 12 people. Along the way, some people they met at a gay bar in Okinawa, who had arrived earlier, joined us,
bringing the total to 15! It was quite a large group.

This time, I completely suppressed my editor's habit of doing prior research (laughs) and went in with a completely blank slate.
I rarely do that, you know.
I felt that to truly maximize Kiyosaku's promise of 'I'll surprise you. I'll move you,' no prior information was needed.

Following Kiyosaku's instructions, we arrived at Zamami, an island about an hour by high-speed ferry from Naha.
Kiyosaku, Tsuchihashi-kun, and Katopy came to pick us up at the port. The scene was like something out of 'Dr. Koto' (laughs).
I was thinking to myself how nostalgic and wonderful a ferry trip can be (laughs).

After that, we helped a Spanish couple we met on the ferry, who were traveling spontaneously, find accommodation. Kiyosaku even gave them some snacks (laughs). It took a little time, but this is Okinawa time, so we leisurely helped them out. And then, we finally arrived at the beach.

In the blue sea, where countless shafts of light emanate from the seabed, Tsuchihashi-kun reverts to being a boy (laughs). Everyone was
constantly amazed and exhilarated! I bathed in the light shafts and prayed!

Ah, I was so moved by the blue of the sea.
I heard that Furuzamami Beach in Zamami boasts the second-highest transparency in the world.
When you snorkel and swim, even close to shore, beautiful and large fish approach you!
We lost track of time, all of us diving.

And at night, Kiyosaku organized a barbecue party.
We savored grilled meat and vegetables by the water's edge, and the exquisite salt-grilled shrimp, a masterpiece by the professional Hemmi-san who runs a Japanese restaurant in Milan,
while gazing up at a sky full of stars...

The next day, we went to a spot where wild sea turtles swim and were fortunate enough to encounter one. We also visited a divine spot where light refracts through the blue sea, creating laser-like beams. In the evening, we watched a beautiful sunset from the Kaminohama Observatory...
This was exactly what Kiyosaku meant by a definitive 'moving study trip' for adults who have become somewhat desensitized recently!
I thought to myself.

On the beach at dusk, we had our barbecue, while local boys and girls continued to dive and play in the sea until it was truly dark.
This is how children should spend their summer vacation.

Good friends and moving experiences are priceless

'What is success?'

Floating in the blue sea of Okinawa (laughs), I suddenly wondered.
Some people might think of 'money' as success.
Others might consider 'a high position' as success.

But for me, I think this:
'Success' is the presence of good 'friends.'
With 'friends,' and with 'sense' in everything, 'friends' will surely offer wonderful opportunities.
These are opportunities for moments of excitement, success in work, and so on.
The accumulation of moving moments and the degree of emotion will surely enrich one's life.

Isn't that what 'success' in life is all about?

This trip to Okinawa made me reflect on the meaning of 'friends' and 'success.'
It was a journey of emotion, given to me by wonderful 'friends.'

The 14th Dalai Lama also said:
'People sometimes laugh when I say this, but I myself always wish I had more friends.
I love to smile.'

I, too, through my travels and as an editor,
want to make more and more friends.
Watching the beautiful sunset in Okinawa, I made that vow (laughs).

Do you know the movie 'A Tale of Mari and I'? It's a moving film about a dog that swims across the sea to meet the dog it loves. I took this photo of the sunset near Marilyn's memorial monument from my bicycle. It's been a long time since I've really watched the sunset like this...