Cardiff in Wales: Aug 30, 2026

 

 

I visited Cardiff, the capital of Wales, for the first time. Wales is one of the four nations that compose the United Kingdom, with a population of three million. Historically, it was annexed by England in the 16th century. While it once thrived on coal mining and heavy industry, it is now focusing on fostering new industries, such as the environment-related sectors.

 

Both English and Welsh are official languages ​​in Wales. Information at train stations and public facilities is displayed in both languages. Bilingual signage was also seen in shopping districts.　（See also the 3rd photo)

 

Cardiff Castle is a major landmark of the city. Originally built during the Roman era, it was further developed following the Norman Conquest in the 11th century.

There stands the main tower, known as the “Keep,” at the center of the castle．It has a history of more than one thousand years.　（See also the top photo)

 

From the top of the tower, one can view the cityscape of Cardiff.

A statue of the Red Dragon — a symbol of Wales — is installed within the castle grounds.　（See the 2nd photo)

 

The castle walls are visible from the city's shopping districts.

 

The city center retains shopping areas that developed during the Victorian era. The arcades connecting these shopping streets are famous.

 

In recent years, a large-scale shopping center has been developed, drawing many crowds.

 

Cultural and leisure facilities are concentrated along the waterfront, located about two kilometers to the south.

 

The Welsh Parliament is also located in this district. While the Labour Party had long been strong in Wales, the right-wing populist party Reform UK significantly increased the seats in the May 2026 local elections, sending shockwaves through the UK. Factors cited behind this shift include high inflation, social inequality, a sense of hopelessness among the youth, and the inaction of established political parties. The rise of right-wing populism is a recent trend in British politics, and attention is now focused on the future of Welsh politics as well.

While walking through Cardiff, I rarely saw the Union Jack. Almost all the flags on display were the Welsh flag.

Regional autonomy, bilingualism, populism, the development of commercial and cultural facilities, and economic trends -- I considered a wide range of topics in Cardiff.

London： Aug. 27-31, 2026

I visited London for the first time in a year. As with my previous visit, I noticed a large number of foreign tourists, urban redevelopment projects, and the growing use of bicycles. In my personal impression, however, the presence of beggars seemed more conspicuous than ever.

Urban redevelopment has been progressing across London for the past few years. I found many skyscrapers throughout the City. The famous "Gherkin" is now surrounded by many skyscrapers, making it difficult to see. The second photo from the top shows the scene of the City from near the Bank of England.

 

The area around Tottenham Court Road Underground station looked cleaner and smarter than before. I saw people enjoying the visuals in a public space featuring walls and ceilings covered in video screens. Renovation works were underway along Oxford Street.

 

Large-scale development was in progress in St. John's Wood, near Abbey Road. New restaurants were serving Chinese, Italian and other cuisines in Brick Lane, an eastern district with many Bangladeshi immigrants.

 

At the same time, beggars were a common sight in various busy areas. Reports indicate that the UK economy is experiencing high inflation (2.9% as of July 2026) and facing challenges such as widening inequality and lagging infrastructure development. The number of "NEETs" (young people not in education, employment, or training) aged 16–24 has surpassed one million, becoming a significant social issue. The street scenes seemed to reflect some of these challenges.

Use of bicycles has become even more widespread. People delivering food and other goods by bicycle were a common sight across the city.

 

Demonstrations and protests frequently take place in Parliament Square, Westminster. During visits in previous years, I had encountered rallies supporting Ukraine or Palestine. This year, however, I did not come across such activities. Instead, I saw a group protesting against the current Iranian regime in Trafalgar Square.

 

I visited several museums. The Imperial War Museum presented information on World War I and World War II in a well-organized manner. It offered valuable insights for considering contemporary warfare and security issues. However, the exhibition on post-World War II covered only events up to the Iraq War in the 2000s. It did not cover the war in Ukraine and a conflict involving Iran, or modern warfare involving AI and drones.

The Magna Carta was on display at the British Library. Sacred texts from religions around the world, such as the Bible and the Quran, were also exhibited.

 

At the British Museum, the displays of ancient Egyptian, including mummies, were even more understandable than the previous year. I enjoyed many master pieces of  painting at the National Gallery.

 

At the Natural History Museum, I enjoyed the standard dinosaur exhibits and other attractions.

 

 

Brussels： Aug. 23-27, 2026

Brussels is home to the headquarters of both the EU and NATO. I was stationed here over 30 years ago and have visited regularly since. My visit this time is the first one in a year.

A year ago, I sensed a heightened atmosphere of wartime tension and an increased focus on security due to the war in Ukraine. At Brussels Airport, I saw a sign saying "Welcome to Brussels, home of NATO." At an exhibition room of the European Commission, I saw message saying: "The last few years have been a sharp reminder of how fragile peace is." (Brussels: Aug. 23–25, 2025)

On this visit, the scope of concerns seemed to have been wider. A banner with a straightforward message "Democracy" hung at the European Commission headquarters. (See also the top photo)

Exhibits relating to Europe’s challenges, such as security, migration and refugees, global warming, and tariffs, were displayed in a section at the House of European History, which is run by the European Parliament.

I found a message that may bring a important question on our historical perspective: "What we may be witnessing is the end of history as such."

There was a large European Parliament banner at the airport. It emphasized the need to adapt to a rapidly changing world. The details stressed the need to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. (See the 2nd photo)

While I had encountered a pro-Palestine demonstration last year, I saw no protests regarding support for Ukraine, the war in Gaza, or the war involving Iran during this visit. However, the Ukrainian flag was flying at the European Commission headquarters over the weekend, and a Palestinian flag was painted on a bridge along the canal in western Brussels.

 

Daily life appeared to be carrying on as usual. Grand Place and the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert were full of tourists. The Brussels Dance Festival was held in the square in front of the Bourse.

 

In the shopping district of the Merode area in eastern Brussels, I found the headquarters of Kpler, a company that provides global logistics data. It has become famous worldwide as it provide tracking data of tanker movements in the Persian Gulf. It was surprising for me that their headquarters was located in such an ordinary, local shopping street.

 

I visited some museum – Old Masters Museum, the Magritte Museum, and the Musical Instruments Museum.

The photo shows the room of the works by Bruegel at the Old Masters Museum. I felt the depth of the culture and the history -- from the Middle Ages to the present – in this land.

Bratislava, Aug. 21, 2026

I visited Bratislava in Slovakia from Vienna by boat. It was my first visit since the early 1990s. I found both significant changes and unchanged elements.

Slovakia has a population of approximately 5.5 million and about 500,000 people live in Bratislava.

 

When I visited more than three decades ago — shortly after the end of the Cold War — the city lacked vitality and the buildings were run-down. On this visit, the historic city center had been beautifully renovated. The streets were well-maintained, and there were neat restaurants and souvenir shops.

 

The Marktplatz lies at the center of the town, and the Old Town Hall stands there.

Comparing it to other cities I have visited, I found its town views have some similarity with those in Prague, Tallinn, and Luxembourg.

The 2nd photo shows the view from the Town Hall tower, featuring the red-roofed buildings of the Old Town.

I saw high buildings of the modern district beyond the old town.

 

At the same time, I also noticed facilities that had lagged behind in development. They retained the look of the former socialist era.

 

Bratislava Castle served as the base of the city's development. It was used as a residence of the Habsburg dynasty.

 

From the hill where the castle stands, there was a clear view of the Danube River.

 

After World War II, Slovakia was under the socialist regime of the Soviet bloc but democratized following a revolution in 1998. It had separated from the Czech Republic in 1993.

The 1990s were marked by severe turmoil accompanying the transition of the political system. Several sculptures were created in Bratislava during that period, as part of a project to revitalize the city. One such work is the "Man at Work" (known as Čumil). It has become a popular tourist attraction. (See also the top photo)

 

The country joined the EU and NATO in 2004, and partly as a result, its economy has grown relatively steadily. According to the IMF, GDP per capita reached approximately $28,000 in 2025.

As for the politics in the last two decades, Prime Minister Fico held the power for a large part of the period. He is a leftist figure characterized by nationalist and authoritarian leanings. Corruption scandals involving the administration have surfaced at times during this period. Nevertheless, a certain level of political and social stability has been maintained.

While the political landscape is complex, there is no doubt that the 1989 revolution, which ended the socialist regime, shapes the nation's fundamental principles.

A monument commemorating the 1989 revolution stood in the park in front of the Prime Minister's Office. The structure is featured with the footprints of many people. (See the 3rd photo)

Historically, Slovakia was under Hungarian rule for a long period — unlike the Czech lands, which were long dominated by Austria. Furthermore, while Slovakia has a large Catholic population, many people in the Czech Republic identify as non-religious. A walking tour guide cited history and religion as reasons for the 1993 breakup of Czechoslovakia.

Vienna: history and society: August 17-23, 2026

 

 

I visited Vienna, Austria. The city once flourished as a capital of the Habsburg Empire. Now, it prospers as a global cultural city which attracts many tourists and as a city which plays a vital role in international politics and economics.

Within the city, there are many attractions, including the Hofburg Palace and Schönbrunn Palace (both former Habsburg royal residences), and St. Stephen's Church. Horse-drawn carriages were carrying tourists in the old towns, which hold the atmosphere of the Habsburg era.

 

The Danube River flows about 2 kilometers from the city center. The IAEA and other UN institutes have their headquarters in that area. During my stay, I had many thrilling and interesting experiences.

 

◆The Origins of Vienna

Vienna's origins date back approximately 2000 years to a Roman encampment. Emperor Marcus Aurelius, famous as one of the Five Good Emperors, died in what is now Vienna.

Several Roman-era ruins exist within Vienna. In Michaelerplatz, in front of the Hofburg Palace, remans of the Roman era and later are displayed.

◆The Habsburg Dynasty

The Habsburg family ruled this region for 600 years, from the 13th to the 20th centuries. During this time, they produced Holy Roman Emperors and built a vast, multi-ethnic empire in Central Europe. Among the Habsburg emperors and empresses, Maria Theresa (1717-1780) and Franz Joseph (1830-1916) are particularly famous.

The Hofburg Palace, located in the center of Vienna, was the residence of the Habsburg family for over 600 years. It underwent repeated renovations and expansions, resulting in a complex network of 18 buildings. The top photograph in this post shows the palace viewed from Kohlmarkt street across Michaelplatz.

Some rooms are open to the public as a museum. They include where Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth lived and conducted state affairs.

 A statue of Maria Theresa stands in the square adjacent to the palace.

 

Schönbrunn Palace is large building with 1441 rooms. The construction was fully undertaken by Maria Theresa in the 18th century. It was used as the summer palace of the Habsburg family. It is also famous as the venue for the Congress of Vienna in 1815, after the Napoleonic Wars. (See also the 2nd photo)

 

In 1961, a summit meeting between US President Kennedy and Soviet Communist Party First Secretary Khrushchev took place in the Grand Gallery.

 

◆St. Stephen's Church, The Ringstrasse 

St. Stephen's Church was originally built as a Romanesque church in the 12th century and later remodeled in the Gothic style. The south tower was completed in 1359 and stands 137 meters tall. (See the 4th photo)

 

Vienna was originally surrounded by city walls, but these were removed by the order of Emperor Franz Joseph by 1860. The sites of former walls have converted into a “Ring” roads. It is now used by trams and cars. In recent years, bicycle paths have also been developed, and many cyclists use them.

 

◆History

One of the notable events in Vienna's history is the siege by the Ottoman Empire. Vienna endured two sieges, in 1529 and 1683. A cannonball fired during the 1683 siege, painted gold, hangs from a building in Am Hofplatz.

 

The plague epidemic is also a significant event in Vienna's history. Vienna experienced several plague outbreaks after 1348, including one in 1679. A monument commemorating the end of the 1679 epidemic stands on Grabenstrasse in the city center. (See also the 3rd photo)

 

Vienna is also the birthplace of Zionism. Zionism was a movement to establish a Jewish state in Palestine, and it developed in the end of the 19th century when anti-Semitism rose in Europe and Russia. The movement was popularized by Theodor Herzl, a Hungarian journalist who was active in Vienna. A small place called Theodor Herzl-Platz exists in the district east of the Ringstrasse.

 

The Habsburg Empire collapsed in World War I, and the country was fragmented into many nations. Amidst this turmoil, Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi launched the Pan-European Movement from the 1920s onward. A plaque commemorating him is displayed in the Heiligenkreuzerhof in the city.

 

◆UN Agencies and Business Activities

The Danube River flows northeast of central Vienna, and UN agencies such as the IAEA and UNIDO are concentrated on the opposite bank. 

The surrounding area has become a new business district, with numerous skyscrapers.

In a corner near the western side of the Ringstrasse in the old town, OPEC has its headquarters. Currently, many important OPEC meetings are held here.

 

◆The Danube River

I traveled the Danube River round trip from Vienna to Bratislava in Slovakia. The river flowed majestically, but the water level had dropped due to the heatwave that hit Europe. The riverbanks, normally submerged, were exposed. According to the research institutions, water levels near Vienna are several tens of centimeters to one meter lower than normal.

The Danube Canal flows through Vienna's old town. At night, the surrounding scenery is reflected in the canal.