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Miku Saso 'Don't Worry, Be happy photobook Okinawa & Korea' Release Tour April 12 (Sat) - June 21 (Sat), 2025 Digest Report

2025年7月11日 18:00

4/12 (Sat) Okinawa, Naha City @ Saborami
4/13 (Sun) Okinawa, Naha City @ Asato Fanfare

nana and Miku Saso. Photos taken in Okinawa for the photobook were displayed on the walls of the live venue.

The tour kicked off with two days in Okinawa. On Saturday the 12th, it began with a talk show featuring Keita Teruya, who photographed the Okinawa edition of the photobook released that day. Singer-songwriter friend nana, who provided a song for Saso this time, and her daughter Hiiro performed on both days. On Sunday the 13th, they welcomed kairava, creating a peaceful atmosphere as the entire venue joined in chanting kirtan.

Since the concept of the photobook was rooted in her feelings for her late mother, Saso had said on the first day of the tour that her goal was to finish the tour without crying, but with her friends performing alongside her, she enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere throughout.

The climax of the second day in Okinawa saw the venue united in a chorus of kirtan.

4/19 (Sat) Tokyo, Sangenjaya @ Grapefruit Moon [Solo]

*The live report for this day is available in a separate article

The stage, which was the only solo performance of the tour, became a condensation of her emotions.

This was a full-hearted solo show that served as the axis of the tour. It was held with bassist Naoki Itaya, who has arranged many of Saso's songs, and guitarist Kei Takasugi.

In the second half of the live show, photos taken in Okinawa and Korea were randomly projected onto the stage background.

During the segment featuring the newly released songs, photos taken for the photobook were projected onto the stage background, making it a night where the world of the work could be experienced more deeply.

5/17 (Sat) Korea, Hongdae @ Strange fruit

The stage for this day sold out in an instant. She was welcomed by a full house of spectators.

A two-man show with BUDUNG was held at Strange fruit, where Saso held her first live performance in Seoul in 2024. Saso showcased a new style by inviting Kim Ji-seok to support on guitar. *For a look at the 2024 Korea live show, click here

5/23 (Fri) Kumamoto, Aso @ Beginners Record
5/24 (Sat) Kumamoto, Kumamoto City @ tsukimi
5/25 (Sun) Nagasaki, Nagasaki City @ mic

A two-shot with store manager Norihiko Ikeda at Beginners Record, which has relocated to Aso.

This was her fourth homecoming live show in two years in Kumamoto, which can be called Saso's second home due to her hosting a radio program. On the first day at Beginners Record, a talk and live show was held with the owner, Norihiko Ikeda, who also performs guitar and vocals.

From the live scene at Kumamoto tsukimi. With Rico and Tomohide Yamashita.

The second day at tsukimi is one of Saso's favorite places. It was a laughter-filled show featuring a duo with Kumamoto-based singer-songwriter Rico, who was performing with Saso for the third time, and percussionist Tomohide Yamashita. For the encore, the three of them performed a session of EPO's 'Down Town,' which had to be cut last time due to scheduling.

Saso says that the reason she creates songs is often to support herself. However, by having those songs heard live, they stand on their own and become songs for someone else. The tour's title track, 'Don't Worry, Be happy,' is an extremely personal song born from her desire to convey her feelings to her mother, but she realized that through the two days in Kumamoto, the feeling of 'I was able to overcome it, so you will be okay too' naturally sprouted, and the song took flight as one that heals those who listen to it.

At Nagasaki mic, a passionate feast of music unfolded between Saso and fellow singer-songwriter again K.

The co-performer in Nagasaki, a city Saso visited for the first time, was again K, who has been active for two years. As both are singer-songwriters, they captivated the audience with performances that laid themselves bare with just a guitar each. Saso reflected that she was able to deliver her best performance that day, calling it 'the true essence of a singer-songwriter.' Although the venue was a live house called mic, Saso had previously performed under the artist name micc, making it feel like a twist of fate.

6/7 (Sat) Hokkaido, Kushiro @ Kissa Largo
6/8 (Sun) Hokkaido, Kushiro @ Sankyo Bunko

Kissa Largo, the venue for the first day, was a used bookstore that Saso used to frequent during her student days.

This was Saso's first concert in her hometown of Kushiro in 17 years. Not only was there a long-awaited reunion with classmates and local friends and acquaintances, but as this was the place where her journey began, bouquets were delivered by well-wishers, and many fans from all over the country rushed to attend.

The venue for the second day of the Kushiro concert was Sankyo Bunko in Tsurui Village.

The venue for the second day in Kushiro was Sankyo Bunko in Tsurui Village, a place known to those in the know. It is a unique cafe that was originally an observatory, and the concert stage was bathed in dazzling fresh greenery.

6/21 (Sat) South Korea, Seoul @ cafe komoidoi (Additional Performance)

A scene from the talk show featuring photographer Soari (left), who shot the Korean part of the photobook.

The tour finale returned to South Korea. This was her fourth concert in Korea, a place that has supported her. Before she knew it, Saso found herself surrounded by many dear friends in this land. This day was a two-man live event, with BONG WOOREE performing in the first half. In the middle of the event, photographer Soari, who was in charge of shooting the Korean part of Saso's photobook, was invited as a guest for a talk show. Saso showcased the results of her Korean language studies during the talk show, nodding along with the local attendees.

Kim Ji-seok, who was invited as support for the May 17th concert, also participated again.

Starting from Okinawa, then Tokyo, Seoul, Kumamoto, Nagasaki, and Kushiro. And finally, back in Seoul, this photobook tour was brought to a close. This tour, she said, brought more encounters and discoveries than ever before. As it was the tour finale, Saso's expression was bright and filled with a sense of accomplishment from start to finish.

It was impressive that Saso sang with a constant smile throughout the day, more so than ever before.

Saso says that finishing the photobook release tour marks a major milestone. With half of 2025 already gone, she has a city pop cover album release coming up towards the end of the year, and we look forward to keeping an eye on her future endeavors.