Interview with My Sister! // Akemi Johnson on Living Abroad and Okinawa, Japan

My sister has always been a huge travel inspiration for me. She's lived and traveled abroad and now she's written a book! In this interview we talk about her travel history, why it's good to read books about places you visit, and Okinawa, Japan.
AKEMI - akemijohnson.com, Twitter @akemijohnson, Instagram @akemi.johnson
Her book! - Night in the American Village - geni.us/SBh89zD
Taco Rice article - explorepartsunknown.com/okina...
Other books mentioned: First They Killed My Father - geni.us/lzRvnsP, Catfish and Mandala - geni.us/e9hvPB
ABOUT ME:
Californian exploring the world. Here to share adventures and give you tips about travel, culture, language, and life.

Пікірлер: 60

  • @nadinenarita132
    @nadinenarita1324 жыл бұрын

    Love this, but I can't be objective. Both my daughter's together! Double the fun. Thank you for doing this great collaboration ❣️

  • @mari.johnson

    @mari.johnson

    4 жыл бұрын

    ❤️❤️❤️

  • @nadinenarita132

    @nadinenarita132

    4 жыл бұрын

    J G Yes, blessed to be the mother of these 2 and a wonderful son. They are easy to support. Thanks for being there for Mari!

  • @extremelydave

    @extremelydave

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@nadinenarita132 Mari could hardly be a better ambassador for your family... she's just awesome. I just hope you tell he to keep traveling and putting more videos up here!!!!!

  • @Becksity
    @Becksity4 жыл бұрын

    I heard about Akemi's book right before it was published last year and added it to my Want to Read list on Goodreads. Fast-forward to now and I find out she's your sister! That's so fun!

  • @mari.johnson

    @mari.johnson

    4 жыл бұрын

    Oh wow! Small world 😊

  • @GoFar_RoamFree
    @GoFar_RoamFree4 жыл бұрын

    Very nice interview! Your sister seems super nice. Traveling and learning about other cultures is a beautiful thing. I’ve visited 25-30 different countries while in the Navy, lived in Italy for 10 years and Iceland for 2 years, really broadened my view of things~

  • @mari.johnson

    @mari.johnson

    4 жыл бұрын

    Wow, that’s great! Living in Italy and Iceland must’ve been so interesting!

  • @GoFar_RoamFree

    @GoFar_RoamFree

    4 жыл бұрын

    Your Iceland/Blue Lagoon video brought back memories.... think we had some sort of frequent visitor discount pass for the Blue Lagoon, if I remember correctly... our family was there a lot~

  • @lrose711
    @lrose7114 жыл бұрын

    Very fun video! I'm going to get this book...Thanks for sharing!

  • @koko-rl9zm
    @koko-rl9zm4 жыл бұрын

    My grandmother is from Okinawa. She lived to her 90’s. She loved Goya & pork!

  • @mari.johnson

    @mari.johnson

    4 жыл бұрын

    Ah that’s awesome! 🙌

  • @carolewarner101
    @carolewarner1014 жыл бұрын

    Wow, when you girls say you love to travel you aren't kidding! How neat that you've both traveled to so many places. I love to travel too and agree that it's a lot more rich when you can stay somewhere for a longer period of time. Thanks for sharing!

  • @barb108
    @barb1084 жыл бұрын

    Akemi is a natural on camera and this was an interesting interview. I have wanted to visit Japan and had been in the initial stages of planning to hike the Kumano Kodo this fall when the corona situation blew up so it’s postponed for now. Hoping hard for better times for everyone.

  • @clk9123
    @clk91234 жыл бұрын

    Noooo way! How wild that she is your sister, I had pre-ordered this book for the library I worked at last year (I have since left for a different job) but it's been on my to-read list since! How awesome!

  • @TheSub2rainen
    @TheSub2rainen4 жыл бұрын

    One of my dearest friends is half Okinawan and lived there for a few years. Envy your travels.

  • @leahconroy4170
    @leahconroy41704 жыл бұрын

    Loved this Mari thanks! Your sister and you both have me convinced to visit Okinawa someday 😊

  • @bettyjorodgers8552
    @bettyjorodgers85524 жыл бұрын

    Fun video. Thanks

  • @danielleb2907
    @danielleb29074 жыл бұрын

    Love that. 🇰🇭 thank you!

  • @johneason6540
    @johneason65404 жыл бұрын

    Great job ladies. You both are very interesting

  • @TheDoddsworth
    @TheDoddsworth4 жыл бұрын

    The Lunatic Express by Carl Hoffman. Great read and had me adjust my transportation methods when prudent. He circled the globe using the cheapest method of transport available at all times. Don't remember who I loaned my copy to but would buy and read again.

  • @mari.johnson

    @mari.johnson

    4 жыл бұрын

    Ooh that sounds so interesting! I’ll have to add it to my list 😊

  • @shuwenandamanda
    @shuwenandamanda4 жыл бұрын

    Such smart and elegant humans!

  • @madratter
    @madratter4 жыл бұрын

    Both of you are spectacular ! Inspirational and strong women. Great video. Thanks for sharing

  • @AIIiecat
    @AIIiecat4 жыл бұрын

    Fun video!

  • @footy2rock
    @footy2rock3 жыл бұрын

    Great travel stories with your sister Mari she seems like a very nice lady like you ☺

  • @extremelydave
    @extremelydave4 жыл бұрын

    A bit off topic, but I was going thru some of the PCT videos and saw you like MusicBed for audio in you videos. GOOD CALL!!! I checked them out and they really are slick!!!! Thanks for the heads up!!! P.S. Need another video from you........ STAT!!!!!

  • @davidpayne1519
    @davidpayne15194 жыл бұрын

    Cool to see you again, wow 2 beauties maybe she'll do a hike n film too or write book being a writer

  • @kyotokat8543
    @kyotokat85434 жыл бұрын

    Hi there. Great sister interview. Appreciate book recommendations especially since I've finished my stack. I've downloaded 2/3 including Akemi's. I go back to my workplace today after 8 weeks of working at home. Look forward to these when I have free time. Be nice to revisit Okinawa through Akemi's story. What are the small islands you visited off Okinawa Is.? (I went as far as Iriomote Is. but never to any of the smaller islands off the main island of Okinawa Is.) By the way, 'Goya chanpuru' is one of my favorite dishes perfect for humid days. Used to make it a lot living in Kyoto. All the best for life after lockdown.

  • @ben1NZL
    @ben1NZL4 жыл бұрын

    Clearly beautiful genes runs pure in this family. You too could write a book about your travel experiences Mari - in fact several as the list is long. Great interview with your sis. Akemi means "beauty of dawn" in Japanese. _sorry, just had to look it up_ 😏

  • @SandCrabNews
    @SandCrabNews4 жыл бұрын

    I was on Okinawa "Little Hawaii" 1983 to 1986 in the US Navy. It counted a Sea Duty. Best ship ever! White sand beaches and ocean that's 5 shades of blue.

  • @e-o-1085
    @e-o-10854 жыл бұрын

    I love Okinawa, good food, people and culture for sure. Soki Soba, Goya Champuru, Muzuku and Awamori for the Ochinanchu diet comes to mind. For the younger generation, Pizza House, Taco King and Sam's by the Sea...lol. Arigato for sharing.

  • @mari.johnson

    @mari.johnson

    4 жыл бұрын

    Ooh I wish I could eat some Goya champuru now!

  • @recumbenttriker6218
    @recumbenttriker62184 жыл бұрын

    Available June print and Ebook The New Press good reviews 😌

  • @robinmills5827
    @robinmills58274 жыл бұрын

    What a great idea to interview a talented family member. Thinking of reading before you travel somewhere, I grew up with National Geographic magazines and maps but good fiction authors (eg James Michener) can also be valuable for motivation and background. A few of my favourite books for travel inspiration: On the Trail of Genghis Khan (Tim Cope); My Journey to Lhasa (Alexandra David-Neel); any Dorothy Dunnett novels have very rich historical backgrounds and characters from Europe and Scotland.

  • @mari.johnson

    @mari.johnson

    4 жыл бұрын

    I’ll have to look those up, thanks!

  • @Swimdeep
    @Swimdeep4 жыл бұрын

    I spent 6 years, on two different USAF bases in Germany beginning at age 18 and spent lots of time in NATO Countries. Spent three weeks TDY at Kadena AB in Okinawa. The travel bug bites hard.

  • @carlmoot6315
    @carlmoot63153 жыл бұрын

    again nice video

  • @ATrainTravels
    @ATrainTravels4 жыл бұрын

    Program Amigos! Sounds like fun, but Japan is where its at!

  • @extremelydave
    @extremelydave4 жыл бұрын

    @Mari Johnson!!! How did you make your animated maps showing where you hiked in a day? What program? I"m doing the JMT this year and want to do nifty daily progress maps like you did.... they were awesome! Hope all is will down there with you and Mr Nick in your part of the world..... Have they relaxed in-country lockdowns/travel restrictions yet? I need a fix for my Mari video deficiency!!!!!

  • @professorsogol5824
    @professorsogol58244 жыл бұрын

    2:34 Ishigakijima? The water falls at the end of the maintained trail? 10:56 Shuri Castle was burned to the ground in October, 2019. The US bases occupy about 20% of the total land area of Okinawa. And as for how to get around in Okinawa, may I recommend a bicycle?

  • @A-Oreal
    @A-Oreal4 жыл бұрын

    Great interview. Been wanting to see Japan. These places are well versed with basic English right? I don't think I can learn Japanese language..hard language to learn. Also, your book available in Amazon?

  • @mari.johnson

    @mari.johnson

    4 жыл бұрын

    Yep, it’s on amazon! Link is in the description 😊

  • @phillipbateman2284
    @phillipbateman22842 жыл бұрын

    Akemi seems really nice, and your mum has a Japanese connection, as you do too Mari . Now I'm looking for an obvious physical tie, eyes maybe? Sorry, couldn't help it. Quite a few europeans live in Japan and enjoy the customs and life style. Dont think I could read Japanese characters, though a chap I know said he learnt from trying to read newspapers. My wifes Chinese and we've been married for 22yrs, and I hardly speak the lingo at all. She doesn't want me to learn, but I've picked up enough to say a few sentences. Thanks, and take care. I saw someone had checked the meaning of Akemi, beauty of dawn. I had to check Mari, truth, long distance, jasmine, depending on which characters you use.

  • @mty72
    @mty724 жыл бұрын

    First!! i hope

  • @njanderson4342
    @njanderson43424 жыл бұрын

    Can you get by alone in Okinawa speaking only english?

  • @inkjob12
    @inkjob124 жыл бұрын

    Your Mom and Dad must be good looking....two beautiful daughters. Good job Mom and Dad. Smart, adventurous, ambitious and strong young women. Love it. Does Akemi have a You Tube channel? LOL you two, stay safe out there.

  • @maistirka8119
    @maistirka81194 жыл бұрын

    Pleas now backpack video

  • @Jordan-wh9pz
    @Jordan-wh9pz4 жыл бұрын

    Loved this! Can you speak Japanese??

  • @nicholasmaude6906
    @nicholasmaude69063 жыл бұрын

    Mari, are the rest of your family going to make a permanent move to New Zealand?

  • @toadevergreen2561
    @toadevergreen25612 жыл бұрын

    "maybe it's genetic" haha love that ❤️

  • @mika63dakar
    @mika63dakar4 жыл бұрын

    Travel to visit France could be a good project 😉🇫🇷

  • @mari.johnson

    @mari.johnson

    4 жыл бұрын

    I’d love to go back one day! In the meantime, here’s a video from the last time I was there 😊 kzread.info/dash/bejne/l4CLqLSwqK_OgsY.html

  • @mika63dakar

    @mika63dakar

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@mari.johnson 😉🔥

  • @mika63dakar

    @mika63dakar

    4 жыл бұрын

    For hiking 🚶⛰️

  • @bravejutt5539
    @bravejutt55394 жыл бұрын

    Visit Pakistan🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰

  • @TheRuby47
    @TheRuby473 жыл бұрын

    Are your parents Millionaire?😁It must cost you very much to travel around the world, aeroplane and hotels are expensive

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