Our monthly OTOKAI Friends Concert series brings original music to life in warm and welcoming spaces. We also share a video of each concert during the third week of every month.
For our ninth concert, we had the pleasure of performing at KOBELCO COMPRESSORS CORPORATION.
Unlike our previous concerts, this was our first time performing at a company for an audience of around 80 people, making it our largest audience event yet.
We were delighted to welcome back violinist Chiaki Yokoyama, who also joined us for our fourth concert.
With two guitars and a violin coming together, the audience's enthusiastic response created a lively and joyful atmosphere throughout the performance.
With a different setting and a much larger audience than usual, this concert was a wonderful opportunity to share the joy of music and connect with everyone through a live performance.
Watch the OTOKAI Friends Concert in the App
Date
Friday, October 2, 2026
Performer Profiles
Norimichi Kokubo – Guitar
Born in Chiba Prefecture. He is also a member of mille baisers, a guitar-and-violin duo. He has toured internationally and has released a total of ten albums and video works.
Gyo Kitagawa – Guitar
Born in Saitama Prefecture and a graduate of Berklee College of Music. His extensive songwriting and production credits include writing lyrics for Arashi’s “Happiness” and “My Girl,” writing, composing, and arranging M!LK’s “Ichininosan,” and producing the “Brass Band Disney!” series, among many other projects.
Chiaki Yokoyama – Violin
Born in Chiba City, she began playing the violin at the age of three, initially studying classical music before pursuing jazz at Kunitachi Music Academy at the age of 19.
She later became a freelance violinist, developing a natural and expressive performance style that blends classical, jazz, and pop influences.
She also attended a short-term course at the Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood in France.
In 2013, she formed the guitar-and-violin duo mille baisers. She also hosted a radio program on RKB Radio in Fukuoka for five years.
Today, in addition to performing with her own duo, she is active in a wide range of musical projects, including live performances, supporting other artists, and studio recordings.
Program (Composer)
Afternoon Table – Norimichi Kokubo
Under Alley Lights – Shun Miyazaki
Soft Rain – Maurice Claude
OTOKAI Parade – Norimichi Kokubo
Venue
KOBELCO COMPRESSORS CORPORATION
https://kobelco-compressors.com/jp/ja-jp