18:00

I went to the Tsutaya book lounge in Shinjuku to work on my Swift exercises. This is the perfect discreet workspace.

16:00

Shiho made tacos for me and Mr. Mendo. Mr. Mendo and I talked about working together to turn one of his guides of Tokyo into an iPhone app. This is exciting. We had donuts and coffee at Camden’s Blue Star Donuts in Daikanyama. National holidays in Japan are special.

I was also inspired by Luis to buy a notebook and start drawing.

10:00

I went with Erica and Kanae to the Zōjō-ji today, to make my new years wishes. I just wished for happiness for my friends and family. We had Japanese foods and sweets at the stalls in front of the temple. Above is a photo of Kanae on the left and Erica on the right. Below is my fortune:

We’d like to have such a strong mind as if a mossy rock has never moved an inch for a thousand years.

Your Fortune: Very Good. With a firm mind don’t get irritated, and work hard as usual. Don't poke your nose into anything. Always be modest.

Wish: It will be arranged. Don't go ashtray.

Expected visitor: You’ll hear from her(or him), though he(or she) won’t come.

Missing thing: It can’t be found, hidden behind other things.

Travel: No problem.

Business: No loss, little gain.

Study: Don’t be lazy. Set your target early.

Speculation: Take a risk, and you’ll get a big profit.

Game and match: You’d better be modest.

Love: Good. Tell your parents.

Removal: No profits.

Childbirth: Take it easy. No problem.

Illness: Don’t worry too much.

Marriage proposal: Think it over yourself. Don’t trust others.

I know I must be more modest. Could the expected visitor be Mio? What am I missing? Should I extend my Japanese course? Could the risk be starting my own studio?

24:00

Kevin is one of the people I like the most in Tokyo. He is moving back to London in two days, so a group of us gathered to wish him a good return home.

Kevin could not speak any Japanese at all when he moved to Tokyo and now, two years later, he is fluent in day to day conversation. I made an effort to speak in Japanese for most of the night. Forcing yourself to speak Japanese, even when you can’t, is the only way to learn it. The main point of conversation was Seiya's fox jumper.

In the photo above you can see Masa, Ayaka, Kevin, Seiya, Anthony and Saori at the Hobgoblin in Shibuya.

We hired a bar, drank champagne on the street and had new year’s soba. Happy new year!

00:00

あけおめ！ことよろ！

12:00

I moved in to Takadanobaba today. Takadanobaba is busy, young, bright, noisy. I love it. This is a photo from the JR platform. Every time a train arrives at this platform, the theme song from Astro Boy is played in the speakers. It's beautiful.