First of all, Christmas Day here is not a holiday. People work and kids go to school on that day. No Christmas parties at work and schools. Only Christians (less than 1% of its total population - over 130 million) celebrate Christmas.
Only a few churches hold a Christmas Eve service. Most churches have a special Christmas service and celebrations on the Sunday before Christmas.
But the amusing thing is that the Japanese do hang Christmas decorations, put up Christmas trees and lights, give Christmas presents , and for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinners - they have a special Christmas cake with the fried chicken (usually bought from Kentucky Fried Chicken).
Why do I love Christmas here in Japan? Because it is here where I get to feel the true spirit of Christmas - remembering and celebrating God's gift for us through Christ Jesus! Christians here put Jesus as the center of the celebration. Parties at churches are simple, solemn yet fun. No firecrackers or fireworks! No rushing for gift shopping! No binge eatings at rounds of parties! Quiet, yet memorable celebrations.
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| at Harborland |
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| I forgot the name of this store at Umie Mall |
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| at Mosaic Garden (Harborland) with the famous Kobe Port Tower in the background |
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| the spectacular Christmas decor at Umie Mall |
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| 2013 Christmas card given by my student, Shirai-san |
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| the Christmas Mini-Party spread of our Sat Adults class |
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| made this white chocolate with a cookie cutter |
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| trying to be artistic |
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| the decor at Santica |
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| Christmas candy tree we made at kids classes |
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| one of the hanging decors at Sannomiya Center Gai |
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