A VERY DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS
25.12.24
Even though I have been to Japan around 15 times, until I had never been here for Christmas, It is so different to Australia. There is generally very little giving of gifts or wider family get-togethers. Mami remembers getting one gift when she was in Primary School but that’s all,
There is, however, one thing most Japanese do on this day and that is eat KFC!! They put in orders sometimes as early as a week before to ensure they get their order. Even today, cars were queuing up at the local KFC hoping to get the Christmas Pack of their choice. The company directors must love this massive boost to their sales.
Another important food linked to Christmas in Japan is Christmas cake. It’s not the fruit cakes or Christmas pudding commonly eaten in Australia, instead, it’s a light sponge cake, often beautifully decorated with strawberries and whipped cream.
We have decided to opt in for the Christmas cake tradition, not KFC. We just found a great article on ABC, ‘Japan is serious about its unique Christmas traditions’. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-25/non-religious-japan-has-unique-christmas-traditions/104628514
Another thing is shopping malls all have Santas, reindeers, Christmas trees, decorations and lights but as yet I have not spotted one Jesus in a manger. Even though this is what the day is supposed to be celebrating. Very different.
As for us, Yoshi went to work just like any other day and we took Youko to Koiji Park, which has a walking track around the perimeter. I did four laps while Mami walked at a slower speed with Youko and did three laps. All three of us felt good about getting out of the house and doing some exercise.
From the park we travelled to the biggest shoe shop I’ve ever been to in nearby Kudamatsu. It is called Shoes Island and has two floors, with the bottom floor selling casual and dress shoes and the upper floor is mainly sports shoes, work boots or slip-on Croc type shoes.
And yes, I forgot to say the 25th of December is a normal working day for everyone in Japan. Thankfully this included Shoes Island as I set about looking in the upstairs level where the largest sports shoe sizes are.
Last time I was here, I had picked out a pair of red Mizuno shoes and a pair of Nike casual sports shoes. They were each $50 a pair which was a great deal and I was happy to pay $100 for the two pairs. However Youko got in first and paid for them as a present .
I was determined not to let Youko buy the $60 dollar Asics I chose this time, but she wouldn’t let me pay. We settled the impasse when I said she could buy my shoes, if I paid for lunch at a restaurant called Tres, which we all love. I still owe her, as lunch, which was delicious and filling and only cost $30 for the three of us. Great value, great food.
Dinner at home was also excellent and included some of the seafood we sent home from Hokkaido. There was also pickled daikon, which I love and a hot pot with vegetables and seafood, also very nice.
After dinner Yoshi asked if I would give him a massage. I have done this a lot for him in the past as he seems to have chronic back and shoulder pain. My massage, which I gave was 7.15- 7.30pm, approximately.
It must have worked, as he went to sleep as soon as I finished and stayed sleeping until 10.10pm, lying on the electrically heated mat in the family room. When he woke, he thanked me again and made his way to his bedroom, still looking half asleep. Job well done I would say.
I hope you all had a good Christmas, with time spent with friends and family, reminiscing over the year that’s been. May you feel at peace where you are in your life and cherish the support and comfort of those who love you.
