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

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

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!

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

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!

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

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

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~

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.

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!

Love that. 🇰🇭 thank you!

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

Fun video. Thanks

Great job ladies. You both are very interesting

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.

Such smart and elegant humans!

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

Fun video!

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.

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

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

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.

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!!!!!

Available June print and Ebook The New Press good reviews 😌

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_ 😏

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!!! 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!!!!!

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.

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.

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?

again nice video

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?

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

First!! i hope

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.

Can you get by alone in Okinawa speaking only english?

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.

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

Loved this! Can you speak Japanese??

Pleas now backpack video

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

"maybe it's genetic" haha love that ❤️

Visit Pakistan🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰

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