Tops Tuesdays!

Japan has some strange customs when it comes to Christmas. Walk past any given KFC on Christmas Day and you will find an impenetrable line-up around the block for what the Japanese deem "Christmas dinner." Legend tells that a Japanese KFC employee overheard some westerners enjoying their fried chicken on Christmas Day and saying that KFC was the closest thing to a turkey dinner for foreigners living in Japan. KFC decided to milk this cash cow and starting an aggressive marketing campaign to Japanese citizens; KFC is a foreigner's first choice for Christmas dinner. Another example of Japan's complete inability to grasp sarcasm, but anyway...

You might also have noticed that Christmas cakes in Japan do not take the form of dense fruitcake that could easily substitute a doorstop, rather, Japanese Christmas cake is light and fluffy sponge cake with healthy servings of cream and strawberries. 

Image Source: http://thisculturalchristian.blogspot.jp/2011/12/japanese-christmas-traditions.html

Christmas time in Australia is a time for family to come together, enjoy each other's company, and celebrate the spirit of the season, while New Years is usually reserved for couples to reflect on the past and reign in the new year to come together. In Japan, the sentiments of these holidays is reversed; couples enjoy strolling through winter illuminations or enjoying a romantic meal on Christmas Day, making it seem much more like a Valentine's Day style celebration, while New Years is a day to enjoy a family meal and welcome the new year among family and friends. 

Christmas in Japan can be mind-boggling and different but it certainly makes for an interesting holiday season (and the subject of a Tops Tuesdays post). Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year!

A Year in Review with Instagram

It's almost the end of the year and before I go on hiatus for my return to Australia for the Christmas period, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on some of my adventures this year with some of my favourite Instagrams from 2012...

T.G.I.F.: Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri

Over the next few days (from December 15th through 18th), the "Kasuga Wakamiya On Matsuri" at Nara's Kasuga Taisha (shrine) is being held. The festival has roots in 12th century Japan when the city was in the midst of a plague epidemic. You can see shrine maidens and adorable children in traditional costume offering up their prayers for good health and a rich harvest. Festivities reach their peak on the 17th. Click the image below for more details.

Image Source: http://narashikanko.or.jp/en/

Tops Tuesdays!

It's peak season for mikan (or mandarins) in Japan. Mikan can often be seen as a part of a bentou lunch or enjoyed from the comfort of the kotatsu at this time of year. They are also a great way to boost your Vitamin C intake during cold and flu season. Get out there and enjoy them!

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sheemstra/5391876719/

T.G.I.F.: Stargazing Party

If you are in Sapporo, Hokkaido, this weekend, you may be interested to know the Museum of Science is hosting a free Stargazing Party from 9pm and this is the final weekend to participate. Take the Tozai Line to Shin-Sapporo Station, Exit 1. Click the image below for more details (Japanese only)...

Image Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/travel/british-breaks/britains-best-stargazing-spots-see-1242276