TokyoWaltz journal
Context, history, and reflections from every new challenge.
March 22, 2026 I competed in a ward judo tournament and received a Fighting Spirit Award. It was exciting to step onto the mat, try my best and meet other young judoka. The award made me proud, but the biggest lesson was to keep going with a strong heart. I will remember the encouragement I received that day.
March 21–22, 2026 I joined another training camp at the Karate Association headquarters. Over two days, I practised with children from many different dojos and shared the energy of the group. Longer training gave me time to focus on the details of karate while also making new friends. I came home tired, happy and ready to keep improving.
March 20, 2026 I took a judo promotion test and earned my yellow belt. I had been practising throws, movements and dojo manners, so I was excited to show what I had learned. Receiving the yellow belt felt like a new beginning. It gave me even more motivation to keep training with respect and courage.
March 18, 2026 I took part in a presentation with my Chinese class. I prepared my performance and then shared it in front of an audience. It was a good chance to use what I have been learning and to speak with confidence. I enjoyed seeing everyone’s hard work come together on the day.
March 8, 2026 I joined a training camp at the Karate Association headquarters. Children came from many different dojos, and it was exciting to practise together in such a big group. We worked hard, listened carefully and learned from one another. Meeting karate friends from other places made the day feel even more special.
March 7, 2026 I took part in a karate promotion test and passed for 2nd kyu. I practised hard before the test, paying attention to my stances, movements and spirit. I was very happy to receive the result. It showed me that regular practice adds up, one class and one challenge at a time.
March 6, 2026 I joined a ski camp at Naeba Ski Resort and spent the day practising on the slopes. Training with other children gave me new energy and helped me concentrate on each part of my skiing. The mountain air, the snow and the encouragement of the group made it a wonderful day. I felt proud each time a technique started to feel a little more natural.
February 28, 2026 I returned to Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort with my dad for more skiing. We enjoyed the snow and practised again, but during the day my dad hurt his foot. Because of the injury, we rode on a snowmobile. It was an unexpected part of our day, and I learned that adventures do not always go exactly as planned. We looked after each other and still found a memorable way to travel through the snowy mountain.
February 21, 2026 My dad and I went to Ishiuchi Maruyama Ski Resort for a day of ski practice. We worked on turning smoothly, keeping balance and feeling more comfortable on the slopes. Practising together made the day both challenging and fun. Every run gave me another chance to improve, and I was happy to spend time in the mountains with my dad.
February 8, 2026 Snow fell in Tokyo today and changed the familiar streets into a quiet white world. I watched the snow collect on trees, roofs and playgrounds, making everything look a little different. Even a small snowfall can make an ordinary day feel special. It reminded me to look closely at the city and enjoy the unexpected changes that winter brings.
