Karuizawa is a popular resort town that attracts visitors from all over the world. A piano was placed in a public space for a limited period during autumn. This episode features an elementary school student on a family trip, a self-taught pianist of eight months, a pianist named Harami-chan whose J-Pop performances have gone viral online, a 90-year-old pastor jamming with his church organist and a young pianist performing a famous song about autumn foliage. Their melodies come from the heart.
A highland town situated at the foot
of Mt. Asama in Nagano Prefecture.
One of Japan's most popular resort areas
attracting visitors from all over the world.
Villas are scattered in a tree grove
just a step away from downtown.
The town is also home to historical churches.
A piano was placed in an open space
for a limited period during autumn.
Cameras were set up to watch people play.
5th Grader from Tokyo
visiting on a family trip.
Liebestraum No. 3
Franz Liszt.
Beginning at the age of 4,
he quickly learned to play by ear.
He practices for about 6 hours a day.
He's spent 5 months learning this song,
but he still sees room for improvement.
I watch videos of other people playing
to pinpoint what I am doing wrong.
I want to be a great pianist like Tsujii Nobuyuki.
Elementary school teacher
living in the prefecture.
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
Ryuichi Sakamoto (1983)
(From the Film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence")
He started playing 8 months ago.
He bought a keyboard and taught himself.
He loves the song's melancholic melody.
Today, on a street piano, he gets to show
people what he's been practicing.
It's a great feeling to play a song in full.
I was happy to hear clapping at the end.
It's very motivating.
This street pianist has gone viral online.
Momen No Hankachifu
Ohta Hiromi（1975）
Harami-chan
Popular for her J-Pop piano performances.
She gave up on the piano at one point
as it got too competitive in college.
She was on a different career path,
then came across a street piano one day.
Performing in public filled her with joy.
She was happy to connect with others
through the sound of the piano.
We may all be strangers,
but we are sharing the moment.
I believe street pianos are a great way
to bring people together.
A pastor from a nearby church
brought his cello.
With him is an organist and colleague.
Ombra mai fù
Georg Friedrich Händel.
He is 90 years old.
He's officiated over 20,000 weddings
in Karuizawa.
His wife passed away 5 years ago.
Music is now what lifts his spirit.
The two perform together at their church.
Thank you.
My favorite saying from the Bible:
"Always be joyful. Never stop praying.
Be thankful in all circumstances."
I enjoy every moment of my work.
I think that's where I get my energy from.
Karuizawa was first popularized as a resort town
by a Canadian priest who visited in 1886.
He fell in love with the cool climate
and built the area's first villa.
It soon became a popular summer
getaway attracting many tourists.
World-famous musician John Lennon
also loved Karuizawa.
He enjoyed playing the bar piano
at the hotel he stayed at each summer.
A nearby bakery he often cycled to.
This was his favorite cafe.
He always sat in the gazebo with his family.
A nail marking his son Sean's
height remains in the tree.
A 78-year-old prefecture resident
who came to Karuizawa to play.
I LOVE YOU
Yutaka Ozaki（1983）
A former middle school music teacher,
he'd only ever listened to classical music.
But one day after retirement,
he heard this song on TV for the first time.
Captivated by its melancholic melody,
he began practicing it immediately.
He's now part of a choir he formed,
spreading the joy of music.
I think there's something very profound
about music. It has heart.
I want to convey my interpretation of it.
I do my best to always sing and play
from the heart.
A 23-year-old living in the prefecture
who came with her grandmother.
- What should I play? A song by Kiyozuka?
- Yes.
Baby, God Bless You
Shinya Kiyozuka（2015）
The theme song of a Japanese drama series
about a gynecologist and the miracle of birth.
Raised by her grandmother,
her parents divorced when she was 2.
Her grandmother let her start
taking piano lessons in preschool.
She entered a music university and
reached her goal of becoming a music teacher.
It was always my dream
to teach music to children.
Now that it came true, I hope to show them
how amazing music can be.
28-year-old pianist
living in the prefecture.
Momiji
Music by Okano Teiichi
Arranged by Toda Ai.
A famous song about autumn foliage,
often taught in schools.
She loves playing this song in autumn,
picturing colorful leaves dancing in the wind.
She's been playing since she was 3,
and attended a music university in Tokyo.
But she wasn't too fond of city life.
After finishing school and moving back to Nagano,
she started performing in hotels and senior homes.
She wants to play music
people can empathize with.