Christmas in Japan

[Niko]

English Teachers Spending Christmas in Japan

So have any English teachers spent Christmas in Japan? Well, I've done it twice now and both times it's not really something to write home about.

Christmas is not really a special event in Japan. The Japanese don't celebrate it, and they even continue to work on Christmas Eve. Today is Christmas Eve and I've just walked home from teaching. On my way home, there were builders still working hard on a new housing complex out in the freezing cold.

I know I should be at home with my family in New Zealand, but decided for some unknown reason to spend my Christmas in Japan. Crazy me huh?

I must admit though, the houses in Japan are very nicely decorated with Christmas lights. They even have a special Luminarie event happening in Kobe. But I think this Luminarie event is more to celebrate the strength of the Japanese to rebuild society especially after the Great Hanshin earthquake in January 1995.

I can now hang up my Santa boots and enjoy the next few days off. I played the role of Santa 4 times over the past week for my students. Great to see a smile on their cute little faces.

Anyway, next year will be different. Going to make the move back to New Zealand and retire from my teaching stint in Japan. Time to move on and try new things.

Ho ho ho, and Merry Christmas to all!

Brandan Freier
(English Teacher - Kobe, Japan)