A few pics of the Christmas scene here in Japan!
If you have never been to Japan during Christmas, you may wonder if the holiday is recognized here. Well, it is not a national holiday, of course, but more and more people seem to get in the spirit of things every year, beginning in November. Here are just a few snaps on Christmas eve as I walked through Osaka on the way home from a business meeting in Umeda. The pics above are from a Christmas village under the Umeda Sky Building -- this place was packed and had a very nice atmosphere.
The snaps above are from a walk down Midosuji Street, the main street in central Osaka.
Above is a short video I took on my iPhone to give you a feel of the street scene in Osaka on Christmas Eve.
Christmas parties and KFC takeout go hand in hand in Japan - have for more than a generation. They even have special Christmas takeaway deals for the season's home parties.
And you may be surprised to know that, yes, many Japanese homes do rival the efforts of Clark Griswold (in Christmas Vacation) with their home illuminations. These pics are from a house up the street from ours. Every year more and more houses get in the act with their LED displays.
Merry Christmas, everyone, wherever you are. And all the best for a fantastic 2011!