I had a very busy weekend last week. On Saturday, I went to the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo for the All Japan Aikido Demontration (全日本合気道演武大会). Last year, I participated in the demonstration, but this year, I just went to watch my Shihan's demonstration.

I have an American friend when lives in Tokyo and practices at the Hombu Dojo. After the demonstration, I met with him and we stopped by Yasukuni Shrine before we went to dinner with some other Hombu Dojo members. I stayed at my friends house, which is close to the Sky Tree, but I couldn't see the Sky Tree from where I was. 

On Sunday, I met my British friend in Ikebukuro. We met about 10 years ago at Japanese language school in Okazaki in Aichi. About 7 years ago, Ayumi and I attended his wedding in Tokyo. I hadn't talked to him for a few years until last Sunday. He had some big news for me. He got divorced about a year and a half ago and since then he fell in love with a Taiwanese girl who is living in Vancouver. Next month, he is leaving Japan to live with her. I was really surprised by his news, but he is very excited about changing his life, so I am happy for him too.

 

In the afternoon on Sunday I took the shinkansen to Nagoya and met with some American and Canadian friends. I had a good view of Mt. Fuji from the train. Two friends used to live in Okayama, but have moved to Nagoya. Also, Nick and two other Okayama friends were visiting for the weekend. One of the guys now works for the Hilton hotel in Nagoya and he got a big dicount for us to stay there. We had a great room on the 23rd floor with a beautiful view. We ate dinner at a Romanian restaurant and saw some traditional Romanian dancing.

I came back to Okayama on Monday in the early afternoon, and took a walk with Tatsuki around our neighborhood. I was tired, but had a really fun weekend!