Daily Life, Travels and Events in Reiwa

January 1, 2024: I woke up early and saw the first sunrise at Hattori Ryokuchi Park in Osaka. https://tedsogo2021.blogspot.com/2023/12/january-1-2024-beautiful-first-sunrise.html?m=1

 <Happy New Year 2024> I have had so many new experiences this past year. Among them, I experienced kickboxing for the first time at the age of 64 in 2023. I really liked it and would like to continue this kind of training in 2024. Best hopes and wishes for the new year!! https://tedsogo2021.blogspot.com/2023/12/dec-12-17-20-2023-visited-3-kickboxing.html?m=1

December 28, 2023: Visited Dotombori, a famous district in Osaka, Japan, known as one of Osaka's main tourist destinations and nightlife areas. https://tedsogo2021.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-28-2023-dotombori-district-in.html?m=1

December 23, 2023: Visited Osaka Kuromon Market at the end of the year. The lively covered market, which stretches for about 580 meters, has about 150 shops and is always crowded with people. https://tedsogo2021.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-23-2023-osaka-kuromon-market.html?m=1

December 17, 2023: Experienced kickboxing for the first time at the age of 64. I learned jabs, straights, hooks, uppercuts, basic kicks, and knee kicks from a professional coach, and did three 2-minute rounds of mitt strikes in the ring. I was so exhausted that I could barely stand, but I felt wonderfully refreshed. It's almost addicting. Next, I'd like to try sparring. https://tedsogo2021.blogspot.com/2023/12/dec-12-17-20-2023-visited-3-kickboxing.html?m=1 December 12, 17, 20, 2023: Visited different kickboxing gyms in Osaka for practice. Each gym has its own unique characteristics.

December 8, 2023: Paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Junji Suzuki, Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications. We spent four years together from 1978 to 1982 at Wakei Juku (和敬塾), a student dormitory in Tokyo. It was a belated celebration of his inauguration as the Minister, and Junji took time out of his busy schedule during the Diet session. We also had dinner together and had a great time on Friday night in Tsukiji, Tokyo!! https://tedsogo2021.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-8-2023-courtesy-visit-to-mr.html?m=1

December 6, 2023: Hiked through the Mukogawa Valley abandoned railway ruins in Hyogo Prefecture. The rain the night before and the clear skies that day made the leaves even more beautiful and bright. The sleepers, the pitch-black tunnels with no lights, and the iron bridge tickled my sense of adventure. https://tedsogo2021.blogspot.com/2023/12/december-6-2023-hiked-through-mukogawa.html?m=1