It's Christmas ... Christmas in Japan! If we roll all of the years together, this actually our 10th Christmas stationed in Japan. The first three Christmas's were when we were first married; from 1972-1975. We came to Japan again from 1995-2000, and then again starting in January 2004! Wow - 1/4 of our marriage has been spent here in Japan.
It's not so bad though.
Our first Christmas we experienced here in Japan after coming back in the 1990's, began with surprise music and signage. We are astonished and amused in early December each year, when in practically every store Christmas music is playing—in English! Everything from Nat King Cole - roasting chestnuts on an open fire, to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, the trance remix. Huge Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas and my personal favorite, Joyful Christmas banners flap in the wind from the sides of the various department stores. Christmas in Japan is a relatively new festivity which is celebrated mainly in the cities ...
For most Japanese people celebrating Christmas, it's a purely secular holiday, however, devoted to the love of their children. They do not have a turkey or plum pudding, rather the day is spent doing nice things for others—especially the elderly. Some decorate hospitals with Christmas trees to lift the spirits of the sick, and children are even chosen to sing Christmas Carols to the patients! Others may even put on plays about the birth of Jesus. Christmas decorations abound through-out the cities. Tinsel and lights are hung, and trees are decorated with paper ornaments, small toys, gold paper fans and lanterns—even little wind chimes. *NOTE: The Christmas trees are usually purchased with the decorations already in place. Artificial trees --- there is no live Christmas tree market.)
Japanese children call Santa, "Santa Ku-roh-su" and he is believed to have eyes in the back of his head so that he can watch the children all year Children often call him "Santa no ojisan," which means "Uncle Santa."
There are two special Japanese Christmas customs: First, is the Daiku, or Great Nine, which refers to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. This is traditionally performed in many places at Christmas time (though probably as much in conjunction with the New Year), sometimes with huge massed choruses for the famous part with what American Christians sing as a hymn—Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.
All in all, it doesn't feel a whole lot different for us than being in America. There are crowds of people shopping to help us feel "right at home." (ha ha) With our daughter-in-law and granddaughter here for Christmas this year, new feelings of joy waft from the kitchen of the Japan-Pelikans!
Merry Christmas to all ...