Christmas and New Year in Japan

Having been here for only 4 months we decided that going back to England for Christmas was a bit silly. We had thought about going travelling, but after getting the new apartment and buying lots of new furniture we were a little skint.

We decided instead to go to travel the 2 hours to Costco (an American hypermarket thing) and buy lots (you have to buy in bulk) of food for Christmas. We also invite some of our Japanese friends over for Christmas dinner.

Yushi celebrating Christmas

Japanese people are normally Buddhist or Shinto. There are some Christians but they are small in numbers (saying that though some English speaking Jehovah's Witnesses will not leave us alone-they are trying to convert us!). However, the influence of America has taken over and many children now get presents from Santa every Christmas. They have no idea who Jesus is but they like the thought of giving gifts.

My Christmas present

New Years Eve provide to be quite a disappointment. Many people told us that New Years Eve in Japan is all about going to a temple and praying for the new year. We decided to try the cultural experience and went to a big temple in the city centre. When we got there though it was closed! We then went on to an event but it was so bad we were home by 11.30. It turns out that Japanese people just stay home with their families!

A deserted Tenjin on New Years Eve