Christmas in Japan
I think in some aspects, Japan wins at Christmas. They seriously know how to win in the visuals and presentation department with their colorful bright illumination displays to aesthetic pleasing presentations of their food. While the visual displays are sure to bring some holiday cheer in your life, celebrating Christmas in Japan can be kind of depressing. The holidays in Japan are celebrated differently to how we do in the states. For one thing, the day itself is not a holiday; everyone still has to go to work.
Christmas is our family holiday and NYE is our party holiday but it’s opposite here. Christmas in Japan is usually celebrated with friends or couples, and NYE and NYD is spent with immediate family. I remember during studying abroad, there were some people I met, whose sole goal was finding a significant other to celebrate Christmas Eve and Day with. Honestly, while I did feel happy seeing the Christmas decorations up in Tokyo, I remember feeling really sad. My plans to spend Christmas Eve with a close friend had fallen through because I didn’t realize how seriously couples take Christmas in Japan, and I was also going through a rough patch with a relationship myself. Needless to say, my first Christmas in Japan, was not a very cheerful one.
Last year was my first Christmas in Okinawa and it was a really fun one. It definitely made up for that one lonely year on study abroad. I co-hosted my first ugly sweater + white elephant Christmas party with a close friend of mine here, made an advent calendar from scratch for a secret Santa party, and spent Christmas day with my co-workers at my school’s bounenkai aka end of the year party. It was at this party where I wore bow skirt to surprise my teachers. Apparently, I won the Best Dressed category.
Last year's Ugly Sweater + White Elephant Party
This year's Ugly Sweater + White Elephant Party
It’s important to find a good group of friends to celebrate the holidays with, especially if you’re used to being around family and friends. I’ve heard that in some other prefectures that it can get a little isolated with everything being so spaced out so being placed in Okinawa is honestly a blessing in disguise. The support system of friends I’ve made here is possibly the best I’ve had in a really long time. Thanks for being there friends.