How would you spend 20 summer days in Japan? Here’s a log of highlights from my latest trip, day by day. Follow along this Blaugust as I recount my adventurous July!

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Apologies for the brief lapse in daily posting; I was traveling for an ATEEZ concert over the weekend!

Coincidentally, the fifth of my Japan trip was also a rest day of sorts. After the high of the #RUNSEOKJIN concert and exploring Ginza, we chilled for most of the day in the Ochanomizu and Ueno areas again.

The header photo shows my bookstore pickup of the day: Atsuko Asano’s long awaited continuation of the No.6 sci-fi BL novel series, No.6: Reunion (released May 28, 2025), which is set two years after the original story! I can’t read a lick of it since it’s in Japanese, but it’s precious to be able to buy her latest novel from a bookstore in Japan after having held NezuShi close to my heart for over 12 years. Plus, toi8’s art is so, so nostalgic~~

Later in the evening, we had our own “reunion” with my friend’s mom at a traditional sit-down style izakaya. At least, I think this place was an izakaya . . . Various lightly fried and skewered dishes were served across several rounds, culminating in a rich dinner experience where my tastebuds were put to the test. Safe to say that I devoured every skewer handed my way!

More interesting stuff happens tomorrow, so look forward to it! Thanks for reading.

– Takuto