Sept.27: Rainy, cloudy days have continued throughout the month, with some areas, including Chiba Prefecture, experiencing severe flooding. Temperatures have fluctuated, although it has become slightly cooler recently. A typhoon is approaching, but we do not yet know where it will head next week. We hope the sunny autumn weather will return soon.

The busy autumn season has begun. Today is the final day of the Grand Sumo Tournament. Sumo wrestlers compete in six grand tournaments annually. Let’s watch tonight to see who will emerge as the champion—Onosato or Aonishiki!

Sept. 1-11: Now in London, looking down the Hyde Park and the Serpentine pond from the window of the hotel room. What a beautiful view! The weather is perfect everyday, with almost little rain sometimes. I feel so blessed.

Things are so expensive here in London!

On my first day, I had afternoon tea at The Library at County Hall. It was the perfect place to meet Mika, who was visiting from Italy. We could choose three teas from a selection of more than ten. The beautifully presented cakes and sandwiches were delicious. Everything was impeccable: the ambience, the food, and the location. It cost £82.20 per person.

It’s not just the food that’s expensive. Four pairs of socks at UNIQLO cost £12.90 (about ¥2,800), compared with around ¥1,000 in Japan. The 16-kilometre train journey from Kingston to London Waterloo costs £9.80 (about ¥2,254). The distance between Shibuya and Ueno is roughly the same, but the train fare is only ¥210–¥250.

Now I truly appreciate Tokyo’s smooth and efficient transportation system, hardworking staff, and high-quality food at reasonable prices.

We stayed at Kingston upon Thames for the first five days, where we enjoyed riverside views, Wisley Garden flower show, PeteRsham Nurseries, to fully enjoy nature. I met several friends there and had a great time together. ❣️❣️❣️

Now we moved to the city. It’s time to visit museums and galleries, my favorites. I visited British Museum today, and I focused on Japanese room to see how Japanese artworks are on display.

There good collection of Japanese important artworks. Although it is not enough in terms of volume, it showed good works.

Everyday is so exciting, a bit tiring though, I have to keep up well to make the most of my stay in London.