After the Tokyo Grand Slam, there happened to be a camp at the Kodokan (judo's birthplace), and on Saturday the 13th, all members of the club had to at least take part in this practice. On the other days, if you were free, you were asked to go, but since I have classes every day, that Saturday was the only day I was able to go.

We all got to the station at around the same time, 7:00 A.M. and after grabbing some breakfast at the combini, we rode the train to Kourakuen. Once there, we walked only a few blocks and arrived at the Kodokan. I had been there before with my father three years ago, yet I didn't really remember the building itself. We were the first ones there, of course, and therefore we had the changing room to ourselves, all one hundred and some of us lol. After that, we climbed six sets of stairs to finally make it to the dojo. We sat down as we waited for the practice to start.

Soon, other judokas from different countries started showing up, including some athletes from Canada. Once the practice started, I got to line up with the Tokai team, which felt weird, but since I had come with the team, I felt like that was the only place I should go. Usually at practice I sit to the side of them all.

Practice went well. My coach, Agemizu sensei asked me if my injury was alright and then told me to be careful. I got to practice with a few other guys from different countries and some Japanese from different parts of Japan. I didn't exactly beat them all, but I felt a little more in control compared to the practices back at Tokai. It would be nice to be able to practice with these people more often but, oh well.

After the practice, I went to salute the Canadian teammates. The girls' practice was next and some of the Canadian girls had come as well. I was talking to a close friend when the Tokai team got called back for a little meeting. It felt good to be part of the group even though it's maybe just all in my head.

After that meeting, we were allowed to leave the practice, and do what we wanted. I was planning on heading right back home when I got invited to go do some shopping with some of the judo guys. We went to a few sports clothes shops and I was really temped to buy a waterproof bag. Here in Japan, it would be very useful as I have come to understand. The rain here just falls whenever it feels like it haha.

We ate some expensive pasta, which was good, had some little chats about just regular things other than judo, which was nice for a change. I headed back with a little more hope for what was to come next.