Valentine’s Day & White Day

In Japan, there’s a unique custom for women to give chocolates to men on Valentine’s Day.
It was started by a chocolate company called Mary Chocolate, and after that, all the other chocolate companies copied with a catch phrase “women give chocolates to men”. Of course this custom originally came from abroad , but it has become popular in Japan too.
There is also a day called ‘White Day’. It is a day for men to give a gift in return to women that gave them chocolate. They give things such as candy or marshmallows or accessories. The present they buy is usually worth two or three times the amount they got on Valentine’s Day.

Also, both Valentine’s Day and White Day gifts can be given to not only your loved ones but also to your friends or workmates.
I think it is an interesting but unique event.
Don’t be surprised if you are a man and get chocolates on Valentine’s Day.

New Year's Day

New Year is the biggest event in Japan. New Year’s celebration is from January 1st to 3rd and it’s called “Oshogatsu”. Most businesses shut down and everybody goes back to their hometown to spend time with their family.

On New Year’s eve, we eat “toshi koshi “soba.
If eaten on New Year’s eve, it is supposed to get rid of the bad things from the previous year and also promote long life.

On the first of January, everyone goes to the shrine to pray for the health and luck for the year.
They line up in a great big line in order to ring the bell at the offertory chest.

Also, there’s an exciting event for the children. When all the family get together for New Year, there’s a custom for the adults to give some pocket money in an envelope called “otoshidama”. Children look forward to getting ‘otoshidama’ from their family and relatives.

Crowds in Tokyo

As you know, Tokyo is very crowded. There are people everywhere!

This is Shibuya, one of the biggest cities in Tokyo.
When the light turns green at the intersection, all the people start walking from everywhere. It’s so strange how everybody doesn’t bump into each other.

Trains are also very crowded.
The worst times are in the mornings and evenings during rush hours.
This video on YouTube is popular overseas. Why don’t you take a look?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0A9-oUoMug&feature=related
What did you think about it?
It’s not always as bad as this, but I often see people pushing and shoving. It looks so funny when you are watching people being packed in but it’s awful when you are one of them.
Can you believe it?

Japanese people usually don’t like to get physically close, particularly with strangers, but when it comes to crowded trains, they get close to each other.

Beautiful Illuminations In Tokyo

At Christmas, you can see gorgeous illuminations everywhere. There are some places I recommend you to visit to enjoy your Christmas in Japan.

One of the most beautiful illuminations in Tokyo that you can see is, Roppongi hills.
You can see Tokyo tower from this spot and it is awesome.

Another spot is Gotemba.
This is a tunnel covered with lights. This tunnel is so long and you can’t believe how beautiful this is!

Next is Ebisu, which is in the city.
There’s a great big chandelier in the middle.


And last, Shinjuku.

This is fantastic!

Each one of them is so gorgeous and lovely.
Did you find anywhere that you want to visit?

Christmas in Japan

In Japan, most people are not Christians but they all celebrate Christmas.
Christmas came to Japan about 450 years ago, but in 1587, the government prohibited Christianity. From the Meiji period Christmas became a business event and many stores started to decorate their interior and sell Christmas goods. Still now, Christmas is kind of a commercial event in Japan.

In Japan, Christmas is a day for couples to go out and see the beautiful illuminations in the city and share their love. The cities are full of Christmas decorations from the end of November. From that time, people started thinking about Christmas. Young people who don't have a lover, seem to feel very depressed and become jealous of the people who has one.

But it is not only for couples, it is also for families. Children get presents from Santa Claus so they seem to remember Christmas as a day that Santa gives presents. People go out for dinner or get something very nice to eat and enjoy the mood of Christmas. The world famous KFC is one of the symbols of Christmas in Japan,and every year so many people line up to get the special bucket full of chicken on Christmas Eve.