Another year has gone by and “here we are, as in olden days”, sings Sinatra as I unpack the Japanese Christmas cake. Still in Japan, a bit in a Japanese way, as the white sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries here is a must for Christmas.
Japanese Christmas cake.
Time goes by quickly. A year ago I thought it was my first and the only Christmas in Japan. A year later, I am still here, navigating through insane crowds of last minute shoppers and thinking where does this madness come from? As you may recall, Japanese do not celebrate Christmas, even though it does not seem so judging by the queues at various shopping malls. Is everyone preparing for an evening out? For a special Christmas date? Who knows, perhaps I will need to stay for another year to understand…
Santa Claus is coming to town…
In any case, may Christmas be in your heart, not the circumstances, no matter where in the world you are! As in that beautiful song by B. J. Thomas, “let there be peace on Earth, let it begin with me”.
View from Tokyo SKYTREE.
As soon as calendar shows December 25, Christmas in Japan is over and the focus shifts to the Japanese New Year, which here is the real family celebration. Yet, for me, Christmas is not over yet, and I wish you the same:
“Underwater” Christmas tree at Sumida Aquarium, Tokyo.
Whether underwater, in the sky, or on the cozy sofa by the Christmas tree watching “The Family Man” for the 16th time,
May your Christmas be full of gladness & pleasure, and many bright memories that you’ll always treasure!
メリークリスマス！ / Meri Kurisumasu!*
Merry Christmas!
*Japanese version for “Merry Christmas!”