October 2: Tofu Day in Japan
The Japan Tofu Association chose October 2 as Tofu Day in 1993. In Japanese, "to" can mean ten, and "fu" can mean two. So 10-2 sounds like "to-fu." Tofu is made from soybeans and is a healthy food.
Fantasy Daily News
Friday, October 2, 2026Issue No. 1
Hedgehogs Hold the First Acorn Race in Enchanted Forest
Ten small hedgehogs rolled their acorns down the hill, and the whole forest came to watch.
On Friday morning, Enchanted Forest held its first Acorn Race. Ten young hedgehogs stood at the top of Mossy Hill. Each one had a round, brown acorn.
"Ready, set, roll!" shouted Owl, the judge. The hedgehogs pushed their acorns, and the acorns rolled down the hill. Rabbits, foxes, and birds cheered loudly.
The winner was a small hedgehog named Pip. His acorn rolled straight, and it stopped just before the pond. Pip won a honey cake and a ribbon made from a red maple leaf.
"Everyone did a great job," said Pip. "I want to thank my friends. They taught me how to roll." After the race, all the animals shared the honey cake. Next month, the hedgehogs plan to hold a bigger race.
Word Notes judge = a person who decides the winner; cheer = to shout to show your support
This story is fiction.
World News
Japan Wins Many Medals at the Asian Games
The Asian Games are being held in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, Japan. They began on September 19 and will end on October 4. The closing ceremony will be held at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya.
As of October 1, Japan has won 217 medals. That is 59 gold, 79 silver, and 79 bronze medals. Japan is in second place. China is first with 288 medals, and South Korea is third with 113.
About 10,800 athletes from 46 teams are taking part in 43 sports. Some sports are new this year, such as surfing and padel. For the first time, a refugee team is also joining the Games.
Word Notes athlete = a person who is good at sports; refugee = a person who had to leave their home country to stay safe
Source: Wikipedia: 2026 Asian Games medal table, Wikipedia: 2026 Asian Games
Weather
Friday will be sunny in Osaka and Fukuoka. Tokyo will have rain in the morning, and Sapporo may have rain in the evening with some thunder.
Sapporo Cloudy, rain in the evening High 18°C / Low 12°C Rain: 50%
Tokyo Cloudy, rain until before noon High 22°C / Low 18°C Rain: 50%
Osaka Sunny, sometimes cloudy High 28°C / Low 17°C Rain: 0%
Fukuoka Sunny High 27°C / Low 17°C Rain: 0%
High = today's high. Low = tomorrow morning's low.
Take an umbrella in Tokyo in the morning and in Sapporo in the evening. It will be warm in Osaka, so wear light clothes.
Weather Words sunny = with a lot of sun in the sky; evening = the time after afternoon and before night; thunder = the loud sound from the sky during a storm
Forecast by: Japan Meteorological Agency, forecast issued October 2, 2026, 5:00 a.m.
On This Day
October 2: International Day of Non-Violence
This day is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, a leader from India. In 2007, the United Nations chose October 2 as a day to spread peace and understanding without violence.
October 2, 1950: Peanuts Begins
The first Peanuts comic strip by Charles Schulz appeared in seven newspapers in the United States. It had early versions of Charlie Brown and his dog, Snoopy.
Source: MinnPost: First Peanuts strip
Horoscope
Horoscopes are just for fun. Signs are listed by today's luck.
1. Virgo
Overall Everything goes smoothly today.
Money A small plan will save you money.
Love Your kind words reach a friend.
Lucky color Light blue
Lucky item A clean notebook
2. Aquarius
Overall A new idea comes to you in the afternoon.
Money Look at the price before you buy.
Love Talk to someone new.
Lucky color Silver
Lucky item A pencil case
3. Taurus
Overall Enjoy a calm and happy day.
Money A little gift may come to you.
Love Spend time with your family.
Lucky color Green
Lucky item A warm cup
4. Cancer
Overall Your help will make someone smile.
Money Keep your money in a safe place.
Love Say "thank you" to a friend.
Lucky color White
Lucky item A small towel
5. Sagittarius
Overall Try a new way to go to school or work.
Money Do not spend too much on snacks.
Love A fun talk makes you close.
Lucky color Orange
Lucky item Good shoes
6. Leo
Overall You have good energy in the morning.
Money Wait before you buy something big.
Love Be kind to people around you.
Lucky color Gold
Lucky item A bright hat
7. Pisces
Overall Music helps you feel good.
Money A small shop has a good price.
Love Share a song with a friend.
Lucky color Sea blue
Lucky item Earphones
8. Gemini
Overall Ask a question when you do not understand.
Money Use your money for books.
Love Listen first, then talk.
Lucky color Yellow
Lucky item A dictionary
9. Libra
Overall Take a short break in the afternoon.
Money Check your wallet before you go out.
Love A gentle voice is best.
Lucky color Pink
Lucky item A soft handkerchief
10. Aries
Overall Do not hurry. Go one step at a time.
Money Save a little today.
Love Think before you speak.
Lucky color Red
Lucky item A red pen
11. Capricorn
Overall Your hard work will be seen soon.
Money Do not lend your things.
Love A smile is enough.
Lucky color Brown
Lucky item A watch
12. Scorpio
Overall Stay calm if things go slowly.
Money Make a simple money plan.
Love Be kind to yourself.
Lucky color Dark purple
Lucky item A small key
Function Word Column No. 2
In, On, At: Words for Places
Last time, we used in, on, and at for time. We can use the same three words for places.
- Use AT for a point or a place where you do something: at school, at the station, at home.
- Use ON for a surface, like a table or a wall: on the table, on the wall, on the floor.
- Use IN for a place with space inside: in the room, in the park, in Japan.
- Think of AT as a point, ON as a surface, and IN as a box.
Examples
I wait for my friend at the station.
There is a book on the table.
My brother is in the kitchen.
I wait for my friend at the station.
There is a book on the table.
My brother is in the kitchen.
Quick Quiz Choose the correct word: The cat is ___ the sofa.
in / on / at
in / on / at
Answer
on. (The cat is sitting on the top surface of the sofa.)
Serial Story
CELINE — Nara Days — Part 2: The Persimmon Cake
On Monday evening, the kitchen smelled sweet. Linda was wearing her white apron and cutting the big persimmons from the hill. Lyn came home from the hotel and put on her apron, too.
"Listen up, team," Lyn said with a smile. "Tonight, we make a persimmon cake!"
Linda mixed flour, eggs, and a little sugar in a large bowl. Lyn cut the soft orange fruit into small pieces. Their hands moved quickly, and the kitchen soon felt warm and happy.
Star sat next to the table. She watched every move with her bright eyes. When a piece of persimmon fell on the floor, she looked at Lyn. "Not for you, Star," Lyn laughed. "But here is a small piece."
Pinkysan jumped onto a chair and looked at the bowl. She put one paw near the flour, then stopped. "Meow?" she asked. "No, thank you," said Linda. She picked up the cat and put her on a soft cushion.
Soon, the cake was in the oven. The kitchen smelled like autumn. Lyn sat down with a cup of tea and looked at the window. The sky over Nara was turning orange.
While they waited, Lyn told Linda about her day. "A guest asked me about the best places in Nara," she said. "I told him about the cosmos hill." Linda smiled. "Maybe we can go there again next weekend."
"Linda," said Lyn, "I want to take a piece to the hotel tomorrow. John said he wants to taste something from Nara."
"Good idea," said Linda. "Food is a nice way to meet people."
Ding! The oven made a little sound. Linda took out the cake. It was golden brown, and the persimmon pieces looked like small pieces of sunshine.
Star barked once. Pinkysan jumped down from her cushion and walked slowly to the table. "Meow," she said. This time, everyone knew what it meant. "I want some, too!"
(To be continued)