2026.10.12

 It is a national holiday called Sports Day. It used to be on October 10, but due to introduction of Happy Monday System, it became the second Monday of October.

It was fine.

This morning I took hot spring and had a square breakfast. While having breakfast, my friend started talking of her dead son. We felt sorry for him.

Before leaving the hotel, we enjoyed talking with owners.

We headed for Oshiraji Falls.  This was the third time for me to go there. As said "The third is a charm," I could see the beautiful blue basin and waterfalls running.

After that we went to the Mountain Station Takahara and had lunch.

Before going back, I went shopping.

I took at 15:35 train and changed at Utsunomiya. While I was heading to Totsuka, I heard the announcement saying, "There was an accident between Akabane and Ikebukuro." Therefore, I had to change the schedule and came home later than expected.

At the station I bought the commuter pass for 6 months.

It was a nice holiday.

2026.10.11

It was fine.

I got up early, and left hotel around 6:40AM.

I visited Futarasan jinja on my way to the station.

First, I headed for Taki station to see Ryumon no taki waterfall.

Next I headed for Hoshakuji temple, but there was no temple. Therefore I decided to go to Yaita earlier.

In Yaita, there was a festival.   

I visited Yaita Road Station.

My friends and I came to Kotaki onsen hot spring, and enjoyed eating, talking and taking a hot spring.

2026.10.5

 It was cloudy and slightly raining.

There were many things I had to deal with today at office.  

There was a meeting in the afternoon.

I overworked till 7:30 PM or so and came home around 9:30 PM.

I have a registered mail which is needed to re-deliver, but it would be impossible to be delivered during weekdays. Now I am thinking to take a few hours off to go to post office to get it before going to office.

I have been looking for a restaurant or izakaya where to have a farewell dinner for my colleague this Friday.  There are two choices, one is the close place, the other offers the favorite foods.  Which should we take?

There was an interesting case about birthday celebration, and I felt like knowing the cultural difference. In some countries, the birthday person throws a party and offers cakes or gifts. In other countries, people around plan a birthday party for the birthday person. How is the custom in your place?  In my case I like to throw a party for birthday person, especially a surprise party.