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How to Thrive During the Holiday Season in Japan

By on November 14, 2016

As Christmas approaches, a sense of longing for home can be overwhelming. It is not always possible to travel at this time of year; costs, limited vacation time and bad weather can all mean it is preferable to remain in Japan. But even after many years of Christmas-ing overseas, I still miss the sights, sounds, and smells of a traditional Christmas in my native England.

If you too are missing home over the festive season, whether or not you will be able to make it back to your own country, here is a reminder of the good things about being in Japan and some tips to help you create a memorable Christmas in Tokyo.

Appreciate the Little Things in Japan
The first thing I do when that longing for home starts to well up, which, let’s face it, can happen any time of year, is remind myself of what I appreciate about Japan.

The Weather
I know, how unoriginal for a Brit to be talking about the weather. But in winter time, Japan wins hands down over the UK.
Winters in Tokyo are typically clear, sunny and very dry. And for those who love winter sports, you don’t have to travel far to indulge your passion. The British Isles can go all winter without seeing the sun. When I have been home in recent years, bad weather has caused flight delays, power cuts and all manner of inconvenience.

Japan’s famed safety and lack of theft!
During my ten plus years in Japan, I have lost the following items: my iPhone on a bus; my gaijin card in the street; a bag full of student assignments on a station platform (don’t tell anyone about that one, not very professional at all).
Each one of these items was returned to me. The iPhone was delivered by the bus staff back to my local station where I’d originally got on the bus.

My gaijin card was turned in to the Police who called me to say it had been found.
And the bag of student papers (how would I’ve explained that one away?) was found and kept for me by the station staff.
On the other hand, in the UK, my husband and I left a bag of presents on a train on Christmas Eve (it was late, we were tired). We realized before we left the station and we rushed back to the train. It had just departed for it’s the final stop. The platform attendant looked at us like we were insane. He had no intention of even trying to get our bag back.
I tried phoning Lost and Found later that week. Their response was similar. In fact, they hung up on me. I’ve obviously been in Japan too long because I was shocked by their attitude.

The Postal Service
Japanese Post is fast, efficient and reasonably priced. There’s also several little ways the Japanese mailman goes the extra mile.
If you are out when the postman calls with an oversize package, you can arrange to have the item re-delivered at your convenience. If you get home before he’s finished his round, there may well be a cell phone number you can ring and he’ll come straight back.
In my native Britain, this is an unheard of level of service. Undelivered items are usually returned to the depot and then you are given a specific time during which you can go and pick up your package. Their convenience, not yours.

Creating a Meaningful Christmas in Japan
Since becoming a mother, I’m more eager to create family traditions that my boy will grow up with and remember.  But in Japan, the things I associate with the Christmas spirit are missing: the sparkling lights on all the houses; the cheesy music, Wham! and Mariah Carey seem to be the only songs to have really made a splash in Japan; the traditional roast dinner of chicken or turkey with all the trimmings, to name a few.
Japan does celebrate Christmas to a fashion but it’s relatively new import to the Japanese calendar and as such, it lacks depth. But there are several spots where you can find ‘Illuminations’ which will help you feel more Christmas-y. I especially love the German Christmas Market at the Red Brick Building in Yokohoma, there’s a smaller one in Roppongi too which is worth a visit.

In the UK, I love Christmas morning, when it’s still and quiet and there’s a reverence in the air that makes it feel different from any other day of the year. Here in Japan, it’s another working day and that feels incredibly strange. You may find you or your spouse have to work on Christmas Day itself,  although most expats can take the day off.

If you’re looking to cook a Christmas meal, Costco or ordering online from The Meat Guy are your best options. If you prefer to eat out, then several of the big international hotels put on an impressive Christmas spread. The buffet at the Hilton in Shinjuku comes highly recommended. Another popular option is to get out of Japan and head for somewhere in South East Asia. You may not feel Christmas-y but you’ll be so busy enjoying the beach and local sites, you won’t mind.

In Japan it can be a challenge to create the kind of Christmas you’d like, but our kids don’t miss what they have never known. In some ways, I have the freedom to make Christmas whatever I want it to be. And like everything in life, the holiday season in Japan is what we choose to make of it.

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