New Year, New Experiences
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a fabulous holiday season and are enjoying the beginning of a new year- 2020! This has been our first holiday season living in Tokyo. Previously we have spent two Christmas vacations in Tokyo, however it is very different living here. First of all, Christmas (Dec 25th) is not a holiday in Japan. It was a regular working day. New Years Day (Shogatsu) is one of the biggest celebrations in Japan and it is incredible.
The Japanese love the Western Christmas season and the city is decorated as such, however Christmas is sort of like Valentine’s Day, a day for couples. One Christmas day tradition is eating KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken, dubbed Christmas Chicken) on Christmas. From what I gathered, KFC was one of the first American Fast Food companies to expand in Japan and since 1974, they came up with a marketing campaign to promote Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii or Kentucky for Christmas. Until today, Japanese people love eating their Christmas Chicken on Christmas!
My parents came to spend the holidays with us and we had some fun experiences together. One highlight was flying to Kyushu to explore Fukuoka (now known as Hakata), Nagasaki and Osaka.
Hakata was a larger city than I expected. Kyushu is the most southern island of Japan, I know a lot of people in Hawaii who have their ancestors from the Kyushu area, including my family. It was nice to see this part of the country.
The view of Nagasaki from our Ryokan up on the hill.
One of the highlights of Kyushu was the city of Nagasaki. It is a quaint city, easy to get around and a lovely Peace Museum and Park. Both very moving to see where the atomic bomb hit and how it impacted the city. Nagasaki is a city that is proud of their desire for Peace. With their open borders way back before WWII, and diversity of people and beliefs, Nagasaki is a place where I felt peace. Such a gorgeous city, totally worth a trip down to Nagasaki.
Peace Park statue- his sitting position and arms are very symbolic for peace. Megane Bridge- the oldest stone arch bridge in Japan. Nicknamed Spectacle Bridge, with the reflection from the water- looks like spectacles.
The Corona virus has been heavily in the news and quite scary everywhere. We had to cancel a trip to Shanghai which would have been in Feb. due to the virus, we hope it doesn’t impact our spring break plans.
Yesterday in Japan was Setsubun- Feb. 3rd. It is the day before the beginning of spring in Japan. This day is celebrated by throwing beans to cleanse the home and drive away evil. Another custom that is becoming famous is eating a lucky direction roll- Ehomaki. We bought Ehomaki’s and last night, each of us ate our Ehomaki in silence facing the lucky direction, which was West- SouthWest for 2020. By eating an Ehomaki in silence, it is supposed to bring good luck.
Ehomaki
We are excited to have Marc and Val (Blake’s brother and wife) come visit us this week. They have been so gracious to watch Xena our dog over the last 6 months as she needed to be in quarantine in the US before being able to enter Japan. Once they bring her, our family will be complete. Look for more pictures and more experiences having a dog in Tokyo. Dogs are spoiled in Tokyo, they prance around in carriages, they wear designer clothes, they are well behaved, and most sport the “Tokyo” doggie haircut- they all look similar. Xena will look so different, they will know she is American!
Life is busy these days, we are settled and enjoying life here. We have found our favorite places to eat, places to take people that are different than the touristy places. Boys are enjoying school and have their friends, Blake is enjoying work and does some traveling, and I have found some mom friends, moms who have kids similar in age and we are exploring and sharing similar experiences as we navigate Tokyo.
My Japanese lessons are still going, but it is very hard to learn at my age. Plus, it is easy to get around the city without speaking Japanese. I can say a few phrases, but I hope to focus more time this year to learn Japanese. I want to spend time to writing about our travel experience of all the beautiful places that we have visited in Japan.
Drop me a note, send me a message and I hope to see you one day in Tokyo. Enjoy February!