Christmas in Japan

After having such a wonderful Christmas Eve, it was difficult to make Christmas Day any better.  In my family it is a tradition to have a big breakfast Christmas morning and I was not about to let that slip in Japan.  Drew couldn't wait to open presents, so after all of the unwrapping I whipped up some bacon, eggs, and banana pancakes.  Turns out the bacon here is more like Canadian bacon and does not produce nearly the amount of grease that I am used to.  Nevertheless, it was quite a tasty meal that was reminiscent of home.

Due to my reduced state from jet lag, I never did get around to buying an actual Christmas tree.  We had to make due with this two dimensional tree instead.  There were presents under it so I think that means it counts.

We took a trip into Tokyo to see the sights and shop around for the gifts we've decided to get each other.  I want a nice Japanese kitchen knife and Drew wants a Japanese tool that is a mix between a hatchet and a knife.  It's easier if we pick out our own and Tokyo is definitely the place to shop.

While in Tokyo Drew said he had something he really wanted to show me.  By now I can tell when these statements are going to be followed by something ridiculous.  This was one of those moments.  As we rounded a corner, Drew pointed up to this statue explaining that it is fondly referred to in Japan as "kin no unko," or "the golden turd."  Apparently, this is supposed to be the Asahi flame.  Asahi is a beer company and their brewery offices are in the building to the left of the flame which was made to look like a beer mug.  Thanks Drew for showing me the poo.

We almost ate at a Thai restaurant that night for dinner but it just wasn't going to fit in with the Christmas spirit.  Instead, we resorted to a Mexican restaurant to make us feel more at home.  They even gave us a glass of sangria as a "Christmas present."  We did end up having to order extra food though because Drew's burritos were the size of tacos and my tacos were the size of nothing I've ever seen in America.  Even that tiny bowl of chips and salsa in the picture was $5.  By far the most we've ever spent on Mexican food, but it sure was fantastic!

Here's a little video just to capture how massive the crowds are at the crosswalk in Shibuya.

Christmas Eve and KFC

I can't remember if I already mentioned this or not, but Drew discovered, while teaching one of his classes, that Japanese people have a connection between KFC, My Old Kentucky Home, and Christmas.  He had brought in articles about Kentucky including information about the Derby, mint juleps, our state song, etc.  One of his students surprisingly knew our state song and said, "That's a Christmas song, right?"  This confusion has occurred because, apparently, it is a tradition in Japan to eat KFC on Christmas Eve where they happen to sometimes be playing "My Old Kentucky Home".  Thus, people have assumed our state song is actually a Christmas song. Ha!

In order to do as the Japanese do, Drew and I took a trip to KFC on Christmas Eve because where else would anyone eat on this special day?!  We were not disappointed with the experience.  By the time we placed our order there was a long line forming behind us and it was only 4:30 pm.  It wasn't even an option to eat-in because the dining area was roped off and being used for extra staff members who were needed to meet the demand.  It was also interesting to see what their menu had to offer.  The chicken and coleslaw were the same but they had no mashed potatoes and their biscuits were shaped like doughnuts.

See the hole in the middle?  Why?  I guess I've never actually seen a biscuit here, so maybe doughnuts are the closest thing they have.  They even sent packets of syrup as a topping.

That evening we headed to a Christmas "Illumination", as the Japanese like to call it, in the Ashikaga Flower Park.  Wow, wow, and double wow!!!  I can't even explain how amazingly awesome the display was.  My pictures will not do it justice.  Drew knows I love Christmas lights, so he got major husband bonus points on finding this place.

The entrance

Inside a Christmas tree

Wisteria flower display

Pyramids on the ponds 

Having a blast

I had to include a couple videos to at least try to capture the spirit of this place.

To finish off the night we had to, of course, have "Christmas Cake".  Their traditional Christmas cake is a white cake with whipped cream icing and strawberries on top.  Drew brought up three different flavors that were leftover from a Christmas party.  The original, chocolate, and some sort of nut.  

It was great to get the full experience!

The Cold

I've made it back to Japan and am working on getting my body to do what I want when I want.  Today a 1:00 pm (felt like 11:00 pm) nap was inevitable after waking up at 5:30 this morning.  No complaints here though because I've had a normal appetite and only a slight decrease in energy.

Turns out the mild weather in Kentucky was not a good thing to be exposed to before coming back to Japan during December. I was spoiled by the temperatures and by my parent's fully heated house the past two weeks.  The chill in the air never seems to leave our apartment here in Oyama and a bike ride to the grocery today was a lot different than my car ride to Kroger last week.

I've known that I would need some new indoor hobbies during the winter season since I will be avoiding the cold.  One of those will hopefully be knitting.  Thank you Kerry for providing me with the beginning materials!  I know absolutely nothing about knitting, which is evident by my many attempts to cast on, perform the knit stitch, and cast off.  It took me five tries and well into the night to get anything but a knot.  I'll be needing a lot of practice.

It's great to be back here with Drew but I will miss everyone back home.  Make sure to keep in touch!