My Japanese Advent Calendar – December 24th

So, it’s almost Christmas, and Santa Claus must be readying his sleigh as we speak. I got to thinking this week about Santa. Who says Santa has to be a fat white guy? I rather like this Japanese Santa: And why a sleigh with reindeer? You could just as easily have a horse and carriage, … Continue reading →

My Japanese Advent Calendar – December 23rd

Yesterday I showed you some of the wonderful 3D Christmas cards available in Japan and commented that, actually, I have no idea who buys these cards as all my Japanese friends and students claim not to. As well as the 3D cards, there are some really beautiful Japanese themed Christmas cards available. Here’s a selection: … Continue reading →

My Japanese Advent Calendar – December 22nd

Japan seems to have a fascination with elaborate, expensive, 3D Christmas cards. I received one, and bought a couple for myself out of curiosity… ☆★☆ ☆★☆ ☆★☆ The weird thing is, I can’t work out who actually buys these cards except us gaijin. Every Japanese person I have asked says they don’t really bother to … Continue reading →

My Japanese Advent Calendar – December 21st

This is probably the most unusual Christmas card I have ever seen – and it’s SO Japanese! ☆★☆ Yes, even Santa likes to go to the “kaiten-zushi” (conveyor belt sushi).

My Japanese Advent Calendar – December 20th

Well, it’s my birthday today, so I thought I’d post a picture of a present. A Christmas present though, of course! 😉

My Japanese Advent Calendar – December 19th

Today, I thought I’d celebrate Christmas in Japan with a selection of the Christmas trees I’ve discovered this year: ☆★☆ ☆★☆ ☆★☆ ☆★☆ ☆★☆ ☆★☆ ☆★☆ I’d also like to pay tribute to these Christmas trees with a cheesy rendition of “O Tannenbaum” in Japanese, which I found on YouTube: もみの木　もみの木　いつも　みどりよ！ 😉 ☆★☆ This post … Continue reading →

My Japanese Advent Calendar – December 18th

OK, so this is my third Starbucks post this month. What can I say? I just love Starbucks at Christmas!  Here are the totally kawaii Christmas decorations I bought in Starbucks last year and this year:

My Japanese Advent Calendar – December 17th

Today, I bring you a random poinsettia decoration found among a slightly odd light display in Hamamatsu: For some reason, the light display featured elephants. It was in an area where it’s never particularly dark, so it was very hard to make out what on earth they were at first!

My Japanese Advent Calendar – December 16th

Here’s a selection of Japanese Santa decorations that I’ve found: ☆★☆ Note how the Santa above has startlingly blue eyes!

My Japanese Advent Calendar – December 15th

Inspired by “The Island of Misfit Toys”, here are my misfit Japanese Christmas decorations… I guess the snowman isn’t a misfit – he’s just keeping the others company! 😉