Mao Asada's 'Thanks Tour' (Starting from May 2018)

Miki89

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Thank you Rosewood so much again for providing us with updates and links to recent performances. :)


The only one who could pull that off, maybe, would be Kwan, and she's not an OGM. And her time has probably passed.

I would love to see Michelle skate in a show! I think she still has enough of a fanbase to headline a successful tour. I have seen some of her recent skating videos on her instagram and she appears to be in very good shape! I hope this means there is a possibility for her to appear in skating shows again in the near future. Maybe one day Mao and Michelle can perform in the same show or do a group number together. That would be a dream come true. :giggle:
 

cohkaix

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Madame Butterfly - the MTT version (from MTT @ Shimane):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Dv7xjATRM

Comparing to the earlier version of Madame Butterfly performed during the tour, there were some details being revised and movements changed. But this version is far more expressive and dramatic. I really like how Mao's skating has been evolving so far...it's more powerful than ever and every movement is free (from being constrained by rules).
 

thecatprinx

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Hi everyone I was just wondering if anyone knows how to get tickets to mao's show as an overseas fan. I know it's extremely hard but I'd like to try
 

cohkaix

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Hi everyone I was just wondering if anyone knows how to get tickets to mao's show as an overseas fan. I know it's extremely hard but I'd like to try

First of all, a note of caution: starting from this year, the MTT shows REQUIRE each ticket sold to have the buyer's name listed, and audiences MUST present authentic ID matching the name on the ticket when entering the venue. As a result, this will increase the level of difficulties of getting tickets to MTT.

For each performance, the tickets are sold in 3 stages:
Stage 1: tickets drawing for local residents (from the tour stop and neighborhood residents)
Stage 2: tickets drawing for 'l-tike' members
Stage 3: general ticket sales

For stage 1: if you happen to have a Japanese friend who lives (or is from) the stop of one of the performances
For stage 2: if you have a Japanese friend in Japan who can help you with the ticket lottery...
For stage 3: if you have a Japanese friend in Japan who can help you with getting the ticket...

From my experiences:
- I had a friend who was lucky enough to get the tickets from stage 2 (for Fukuoka stop last year) , just through the lottery. I think one key point is how big the venue will be. A bigger venue accommodating more audiences will increase the chance of winning the lottery.
- As for my own experience, I had to ask a friend to help me (with the Shimane stop), but I/we failed at both stage 2 and 3. So in the end I had to go with other alternatives. It was just not from the 'l-tike' site and I had to 'pay higher price' than what I originally hoped for. (but since I really want to go for the Shimane touring, so in the end I think if you really try and don't mind whichever way to get the ticket, there would be a way of making it!)
 

rosewood

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With Haruka added MTT's official site was updated. 2019 tour is starting today. Woohoo! :cheer::cheer:
http://maotour.jp/

ETA:
Tour schedule of MTT 2019 was updated and 5 more stops were added including Tokyo. It has 20 stops in total! :cheer: (*Dates of two stops were changed.) It's a bit surprising MTT finally got a stop in Tokyo. IIRC only Prince Ice World had Tokyo stop(s) among Japanese ice show tours these years. Even The Ice didn't make it.

Tour Schedule of MTT 2019
1 Feb 16-17, Miyagi, Bellsunpia Miyagi Izumi, Taiwa-cho
2 Feb 23-24, Kumamoto, Aqua Dome Kumamoto, Kumamoto
3 March 16-17, Gunma, ALSOK Gunma Ice Arena, Maebashi
4 March 23-26, Ehime, Iyotetsu Sports Center, Matsuyama
5 April 20-21, Kagawa, Tresta Shirayama Ice Arena, Miki-cho
6 May 3-5, Iwate, Michinoku Coca-Cola Bottling Rink (Morioka City Ice Rink), Morioka
7 May 11-12, Aomori, Technol Ice Park Hachinohe, Hachinohe
8 May 25-26, Tokyo, Edogawa Sports Land, Edogawa-ku
*9 June 7-9, Okinawa, Sports World Southern Hill, Haebaru-cho (*dates changed)
10 June 22-23, Niigata, Niigata Asahi Alex Ice Arena, Niigata
11 July 13-14, Shiga, Shiga Prefectural Ice Arena, Otsu
12 Aug 10-11, Hokkaido, Hakucho Ouji Ice Arena, Tomakomai
13 Aug 31-Sept 1, Okayama, Healthpia Kurashiki, Kurashiki
14 Sept 14-15, Tochigi, Nikko Kirifuri Ice Arena, Nikko
15 Sept 28-29, Hyogo, Amagasaki Sports Forest Ice Skating Rink, Amagasaki
16 Oct 19-20, Aomori, Mori Unyu Arena (Aomori Prefectural Skating Rink), Aomori
17 Nov 2-3, Kyoto, Kyoto Aquarena, Ukyo-ku
18 Nov 9-10, Hokkaido, Douhoku Arcs Taisetsu Arena, Asahikawa

*19 Nov 16-19, Fukui, New Sunpia Tsuruga, Tsuruga (*dates changed)
20 Dec 14-15, Aichi, Ai-Chi Commemorative Park (Morikoro Park Ice Skating Rink), Nagakute
http://maotour.jp/

Map http://maotour.jp/img/img_map2019_pc1217.png
Yamaguchi stop was added. 2019 tour has 21 stops at this point.
20. Dec 6-8, Yamaguchi, Kudamatsu Kenko Park, Kudamatsu
21. Dec 14-15, Aichi, Ai-Chi Commemorative Park (Morikoro Park Ice Skating Rink), Nagakute
 
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rosewood

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Haruka was such a lovely but sorta underachieving skater when she was competing. She trained in Niigata in her late career. After retiring she stayed there for a while and then she came back to Tokyo last year. She just started training as a coach. Reportedly she got an offer from Mao to skate in MTT a month ago. I'm happy to hear she's got a chance to skate in a big tour. :)

https://news.biglobe.ne.jp/sports/0215/sph_190215_6225700723.html
(my rough translation)
Haruka's comment: It was the time when I've just started being on the way to a coach. Honestly speaking, I was a bit concerned about whether I can meet the expectation. I'm fully aware of the responsibility and I'll do my best. The thing itself is so honorable to me that I can skate with Mao-chan once again. I myself is so much excited about my future.

Go Haruka! :cheer:
 

rosewood

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Wow - Mao's tour is lasting a long time!
She must have a lot of gratitude to share on her tour!
Watch the map. Her goal is to go across all over 47 prefectures in Japan to deliver her gratitude to everybody who supported her. That said, there are some prefectures who have no available rinks for ice shows. Hence, this year can be the last year for MTT tour. We'll see.
http://maotour.jp/img/img_map2019_pc1217.png



_________

Here is a clip from the rehearsal with Haruka.
 
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rosewood

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Twitter reports said Haruka skated So Deep in the Night as a solo number (instead of Mai's Sheherazade in 2018 tour). Mura skated Smile/WWW with Mao, Haruka & Nagisa skated Por una Cabeza, and Maral skated Clair de Lune & Over the Rainbow (in the role of Mai's). It sounded So Deep fits Haruka very well, and I'm happy to hear Nagisa & Maral were given chances to skate as a main skater in a couple of group numbers, that I thought these two very well deserve when I saw them in 2018 tour.

Photos from yesterday's shows at Miyagi stop:

Dynamic lift! :eek: I love this woman when she's trying something insane. :rofl: Erni is the man lifted.
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2019/02/16/gazo/20190216s00079000234000p.html
Beautiful photos of Mao.
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2019/02/16/gazo/20190216s00079000267000p.html
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2019/02/16/gazo/20190216s00079000209000p.html
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2019/02/16/jpeg/20190216s00079000261000p_view.jpg
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2019/02/16/jpeg/20190216s00079000262000p_view.jpg
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt8d6dMge6-/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt8dtAjghLl/
Haruka
https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190216-00000154-spnannex-spo.view-000
Mura
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2019/02/16/gazo/20190216s00079000268000p.html
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt8eYQcg5wU/
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2019/02/16/gazo/20190216s00079000266000p.html
 
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rosewood

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Are you guys able to see this video from Miyagi show (the first stop) ? The insane lift is from 2:00.
https://www.fnn.jp/posts/00071282OX

I heard Mao has a wish to go out of Japan. It's nothing more than just an idea/wish at this point, though. There is an interview with Mao & Mura on the pamphlet of MTT 2019 tour. In the interview they chatted like "It would be nice if MTT can go abroad.""That sounds nice, such as Taipei." We'll see.
 

rosewood

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Music list of 2019 Tour (added/replaced programs/skaters are bolded)

1.This Little Light of Mine(Mao solo)
2.Smile/What a wonderful world(Mao+whole cast)
3.So Deep Is the Night (Haruka solo)
4.Nocturn (any two from Mura, Erni and Sei)
5.Puttin' On the Ritz(Mao solo)
6. Bei Mir Bistu Shein(Mao+male cast)
7.Clair de Lune(Haruka+female cast)
8.Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Maral+female cast)
9.Cello Suites(Mao solo, original version)
10.Por una Cabeza(Nagisa+male cast)
11.Tango by Schnittke (Haruka solo, just a glimpse)
12.Waltz from Masquerade Suite(whole cast except Mao/Haruka)
13.Madame Butterfly (Mao+Erni)
14. Bells of Moscow(Mura solo, including 3A-2T and 3A)
15.Jupiter -I Vow to Thee My Country(Haruka+female cast)
16. Ritual Fire Dance, black & red(black:Mao+male cast, red: Mao+female cast)
17. Rachmaninoff's Piano Conterto No.2(Mao+male cast)
18.Wind Beneath My Wings(Mao+whole cast)


Someone uploaded a YT video which has all these original programs skated by Mao in those days. Love love love all of them. 😊
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gILegsLr3yQ

ETA:
Once Mao explained that the opening part of the first program (This Little Light in Me) shows the darkness/emptiness in her mind staying away from the ice. Then the vocal says "Let it shine". It means Mao's determined to skate again motivated by people's voices that they wanted to see more skating from her after her retirement. I always feel relieved that she came back on the ice when I see MTT's opening number.
 
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cohkaix

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Just a side note (not directly related to MTT):

One of the MTT members, Maral-Erdene GANSUKH, skated in Winter Universiade 2019. Maral represents Mongolia and here is her SP program at around 4:40:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx9F84SBRLc&feature=youtu.be&t=16803

Although Maral placed 30th in the SP and didn't make it to the FS, but the English commentator had been praising her for her Stsq and other nice skating quality. Obviously she's been getting that from skating in MTT. (It's also nice to know that Maral actually trains in Howa.)
 

rosewood

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkNjzNMgwRg

A 46 minutes video from Kumamoto stop (#2 stop in 2019 tour, with 3,500 seats) which includes clips of My Little Light in Me (opening), So Deep Is the Night (Haruka solo), Madame Butterfly, Puttin' on the Ritz, Bei Mir Bistu Shein, Cello Suit, Bells of Moscow(Mura solo), Rach 2 and Wind Beneath My Wings (ending).

Mao invited local kids skaters to a rehearsal whose home rink has just been closed and have to travel to another rink far from their house, and encouraged them not to give up training figure skating. Narration said Kumamoto prefecture has only two available rinks and one of them has just been closed. Mao also invited a para-athlete who is a candidate for 2020 Paralympics. She met the para tennis player in her TV program named 'Mao ga iku' (=Mao visits) last year and since them she's been encouraging the young tennis player.

Seems local TV companies love to take Mao to some sightseeing places as well as let her enjoy local foods. She also visited some places which is under re-construction to recover from disasters like earthquakes or floods. This time she visited Kumamoto castle which was destroyed by two big earthquakes occurred two years ago. It's explained in the video that it'll take 20 years to complete the re-construction.

_______

ETA:
Prior to the Kumamoto show Mao appeared on a local TV show to promote MTT. Here is a video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQcii9edAYk

Also another TV program showed Mao enjoying the local food in Kumamoto as well as glimpses from Kumamoto show.
https://youtu.be/HuJfUteClUI?t=1716
 
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rosewood

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Here is a news clip which reported young people from Support Our Kids did volunteer works at Miyaghi stop (#1 stop in 2019 tour). Miyagi is one of the affected areas by 3.11 disaster.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afYxEu-y93c

Eight years have passed since the 3.11 tsunami and earthquakes disaster occurred. Mao has supported the affected areas during these 8 years. She encouraged/supported outside rink to be continued, did skating lessons in some areas, skated Jupiter with affected kids skaters, donated money from time to time etc. For example, she donated all of the money she got by publishing memorial photo essay and DVD as well as part of the money that her former show THE ICE got (or the crowd donated too) to Support Our Kids.

Here is some info about SOK I posted on this thread during the 2018 tour.
Fukushima is a special place. It was affected by 3.11 disaster. And MTT invited kids skaters & their parents for free. Those skaters belong to a club from where some of the kids skated together with Mao to Jupiter in a NHK's charity ice show a few years back. Also, students who are supported by Support Our Kids came to make a flower wall as a present for MTT and they also worked as volunteer staffs of MTT, since Mao has been donating/supporting SOK for years. SOK is a NPO group who support 3.11 victim students to go and stay abroad for getting inspirations.

It's nice to see Mao and the affected kids have been exchanging inspirations to each other for years. Today the 'kids' are young men/women, tho. :)
 
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rosewood

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Random update. Mao visited Aomori to promote Aomori show (scheduled in May, #7 stop in 2019 tour) and appeared on a local TV show. It was just :eek: to see people including VIPs in the TV company (Aomori TV) welcomed her in lines. Here is a news clip of the scene.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1103594951709880320/pu/vid/1280x720/Q__ZESrh6KgF2j9X.mp4

Here are glimpses from a TV program Mao appeared on for promoting MTT.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1103564024698986496/pu/vid/1280x720/zuaoSMrrAouKxEp1.mp4
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1103565593570029568/pu/vid/1280x720/lxUgFus7_GIiIY1i.mp4
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1103571481382940673/pu/vid/1280x720/PgRPfAPMOCswFCM2.mp4
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1103572685039165440/pu/vid/1280x720/jYIRZudZYbs-pIo0.mp4

ETA:
MTT can be a great business model/inspiration for other legend skaters' shows. The cycle is like as below:
1.Mao visits the prefecture a while before the show is held and appears on local TV program(s) for telling the general public when/where in the prefecture MTT will be held.
2.She appears in a local TV show again just before MTT is held.
3.She does skating lessons to the local skaters during the rehearsal days.
4.MTT show
5.Several weeks later a local TV company broadcast a TV program of MTT including what Mao enjoyed in the prefecture (sightseeing, delicious foods etc).

Other than that, Mao's exhibition (displaying medals, costumes, photos, skating boots etc) is going across the country. She also appeared on lots of fashion/sports magazines for promoting MTT since she announced the 2018 tour as well as she mentioned about MTT when she appeared in her sponsor companies' events.
 

rosewood

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Reportedly Mao reformed Puttin' on the Ritz into a collaboration program to skate with Hashimoto in the first half and they did something acrobatic at Ehime show. People said TV cameras were there so I'm expecting to see it a few weeks later. 🤞😍 Happy Mao is fully enjoying herself as a show producer as well as a pro-skater.
 

cohkaix

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243
I heard Mao has a wish to go out of Japan. It's nothing more than just an idea/wish at this point, though. There is an interview with Mao & Mura on the pamphlet of MTT 2019 tour. In the interview they chatted like "It would be nice if MTT can go abroad.""That sounds nice, such as Taipei." We'll see.

How did I miss this part?!!!! YES!!! MTT please come to Taipei~~ PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE~~ :saint: (xiaolongbao is waiting for you....:D)
 

rosewood

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Reportedly Mao reformed Puttin' on the Ritz into a collaboration program to skate with Hashimoto in the first half and they did something acrobatic at Ehime show. People said TV cameras were there so I'm expecting to see it a few weeks later. 🤞😍 Happy Mao is fully enjoying herself as a show producer as well as a pro-skater.
Here are glimpses of the new POTR.
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1111787039316471808/pu/vid/1280x720/oFYGc6GL2Ws-7Q53.mp4
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1110851692617039872/pu/vid/640x360/MZOjMzIrASUGB7Wn.mp4
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1110865766843203584/pu/vid/1280x720/D5UxqQkQ5mnZ-U13.mp4

BTW, in 2018 show in person, I found Mao changes her styles of skating. Mao usually keeps her beautiful body lines in programs and her skating is like hovering above the ice, in other words she does ice-friendly cross cuts and very silent butter skating. But in Puttin' on the Ritz she keeps her knees bent and maintain her center of gravity low. It was like she was telling "Keep your eyes on me! I'll show you non-stop various kinds of tricks with my feet one after another!" It was so fun to see her enjoying the entertaining program in 2018 MTT ver. I'm a bit torn between the fun skating in a more tricky collaboration program of 2019 ver. and the self-arranged solo number of 2018 ver. BTW, she shows another skating style in programs like Rach 2. Her skating in some of the programs is sort of something which can be called power-skating. Toward the end of her long career she gained her power/muscle and today she looks more powerful in MTT's Rach 2 even compared to male cast (maybe except Mura). Her varieties of skating styles was a wonderful surprise to me when I saw the 10 programs skated by her in one show. (It was obvious when I could compare them in one show.)

How did I miss this part?!!!! YES!!! MTT please come to Taipei~~ PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE~~ :saint: (xiaolongbao is waiting for you....:D)
Oh, you didn't know the most important info for you!? :D Their idea sounded sorta realistic. If there aren't enough number of her fans there, Japanese fans who couldn't buy any ticket of domestic stops can buy tickets and enjoy sightseeing in Taipei. Win-win situation for everyone. 👍 I'm thinking about the sub-rink of the venue where 4CC is usually held these years.

My another potential idea for a MTT stop out of Japan is Mongolia. Maral recently tweeted that the first ever all-season figure skating rink in Mongolia is going to be built. The construction of Steppa Arena starts from this month and finishes in next Spring September (in 2020). MTT can be wonderful to be held there as an opening event. BTW, Speppa Arena looks a nice venue for this sport. Congratulations to Maral and future figure skaters in Mongolia. (Maral is the one and only competitive figure skater in her country at this point.) :cheer:
https://twitter.com/marachika8/status/1112342044393930755
 
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rosewood

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Ritual Dance (Black & Red, new ver.) from Ehime show (#4 stop in 2019 tour)
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x76x88a

45 min vid of Iwate show (#6 stop in 2019 tour)
This one includes glimpses from Smile/WWW, Haruka's So Deep Is the Night, Mura's Nocturn, Puttin' on the Ritz (new ver.), Bei Mir Bistu Shein, Over the Rainbow(choreo by Dazzle), Cello Suit, Madame Butterfly, Mura's Bells of Moscow, Rach 2, Winds Beneath My Wings. *Bolded ones are new to be broadcasted or posted on this thread.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x79o1vj

5 min news clip from Aomori(Hachinohe) show (#7 stop in 2019 tour)
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x78833s

Watch them before it's gone!
 

rosewood

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Thanks @rosewood ! I've been following her IG posts on the tour and regret not going there to watch it live.
We all have our real life and it's not always possible to go and see Mao in person. Me too am giving up going to 2019 tour. I lost in the ticketing battle for Tokyo stop. 😢 (((Us who are not able to go to MTT 2019)))

Tokyo show finished last weekend. I found lots of notable people were there like Shoma (maybe he told Mao that he was leaving Yamada/Higuch-sensei as well), singers (such as Superfly Shiho who worked as a interviewer/narrator in the MTT document), fashion models, floor dancers and TV announcers etc. Also Tokyo show had 19 sponsor companies and it's the biggest number in the 2018-2019 tours combined. Congrats to MTT for the big success!
 
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rosewood

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Obihiro show and Hamamatsu show were added. (bolded mine) MTT 2019 has 22 stops at this point. Seems more and more all-season-rinks or their local government are inviting MTT to their cities. :)

Tour Schedule of MTT 2019
1 Feb 16-17, Miyagi, Bellsunpia Miyagi Izumi, Taiwa-cho
2 Feb 23-24, Kumamoto, Aqua Dome Kumamoto, Kumamoto
3 March 16-17, Gunma, ALSOK Gunma Ice Arena, Maebashi
4 March 23-26, Ehime, Iyotetsu Sports Center, Matsuyama
5 April 20-21, Kagawa, Tresta Shirayama Ice Arena, Miki-cho
6 May 3-5, Iwate, Michinoku Coca-Cola Bottling Rink (Morioka City Ice Rink), Morioka
7 May 11-12, Aomori, Technol Ice Park Hachinohe, Hachinohe
8 May 25-26, Tokyo, Edogawa Sports Land, Edogawa-ku
9 June 7-9, Okinawa, Sports World Southern Hill, Haebaru-cho
10 June 22-23, Niigata, Niigata Asahi Alex Ice Arena, Niigata
11 July 13-14, Shiga, Shiga Prefectural Ice Arena, Otsu
12 Aug 10-11, Hokkaido, Hakucho Ouji Ice Arena, Tomakomai
13 Aug 17-18, Hokkaido, Obihironomori Ice Arena, Obihiro
14 Aug 31-Sept 1, Okayama, Healthpia Kurashiki, Kurashiki
15 Sept 14-15, Tochigi, Nikko Kirifuri Ice Arena, Nikko
16 Sept 28-29, Hyogo, Amagasaki Sports Forest Ice Skating Rink, Amagasaki
17 Oct 19-20, Aomori, Mori Unyu Arena (Aomori Prefectural Skating Rink), Aomori
18 Nov 2-3, Kyoto, Kyoto Aquarena, Ukyo-ku
19 Nov 9-10, Hokkaido, Douhoku Arcs Taisetsu Arena, Asahikawa
20 Nov 16-19, Fukui, New Sunpia Tsuruga, Tsuruga
21 Nov 30-Dec 1, Shizuoka, Hamamatsu Sports Center, Hamamatsu
22 Dec 14-15, Aichi, Ai-Chi Commemorative Park (Morikoro Park Ice Skating Rink), Nagakute

http://maotour.jp/
map http://maotour.jp/img/img_map2019_pc.png

ETA:
Seems one of her sponsor companies Arsoa bought a MTT show to have their annual Ice Party show for their customers.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D8Oifl9U0AAfuSL.jpg

Nov 2, Kyoto, Arsoa's Ice Party
 
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livetoskate

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That's amazing that the show has grown to so many stops. Just shows how popular Mao and skating is in general in Japan. Here's another news video I found that shows a lot of different snippets of the show:

 

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