Daily Life, Travels and Events in Reiwa

June 17, 2025: Visited Expo 2025 Osaka as an opportunity to get some real exercise. When I visited Expo 1970 Osaka from my hometown of Wakayama 55 years ago, it was my first time meeting people from overseas, and I still remember how excited I was by things such as the Tower of the Sun, moon stones, mobile phones, and moving walkways. This time, I didn’t feel quite the same level of excitement, but I had been looking forward to the view from the Grand Ring. However, it was simply too hot today, dangerously so, to really enjoy it. Once summer arrives, I think this is a place best visited at night. https://tedsogo2021.blogspot.com/2025/06/june-17-2025-expo-2025-osaka-grand-ring.html?m=1 There were many Commons pavilions with no waiting time at all, so I was able to cool off there.

June12, 2025: Had a Whopper breakfast and watched the movie "KOKUHO" at 109 Cinemas Minoh. I felt it was a beautiful and powerful, yet deeply heartrending film. It made me reflect on what true success in life really means. I was reminded once again that success—whether it means winning a competition, achieving a goal, or growing as a person—often comes at a cost. Therefore, success and happiness do not necessarily go hand in hand. The world of Kabuki remains a unique and closed society even today. Unless one is born into a very limited number of prestigious lineages, it is nearly impossible to stand center stage in a major performance. Despite being one of Japan’s most iconic traditional performing arts, the Kabuki world does not readily accept even exceptionally talented individuals from outside. Therefore, when a gifted outsider appears—as in this story—it inevitably causes great anguish and disruption within this deeply entrenched hereditary system. In any case, no matter ...

June 8, 2025: Upgraded  from an iPhone X, which I had used for over seven years, to an iPhone 16.