Merry Christmas!
This year we spent Christmas in Sasebo! We knew last year, that we wouldn’t make it back for Christmas in Kentucky. We knew moving to Japan would cost us some money, even though the U.S. military did cover some of the costs. Then you add the global pandemic with strict travel restrictions (being guests in Japan). There was no way we were making it home for the holidays this year.
Best part about being in Japan for Christmas, is everything is open. I don’t have to worry about it something is closed. I want to go get something to eat, all the restaurants are open. I need to go get groceries, they are open. I want to go buy random things at the 100 yen store, I can do that. Now, everything on base is closed.
How does Japan celebrate Christmas?
Japan’s national religions are Shinto and Buddhism. Japan acknowledges Christmas mostly due to a KFC Christmas campaign in 1974. The link has more information.
https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/things-to-do/whats-the-deal-with-kfc-and-christmas-in-japan
Food
Doug and I wanted to get KFC for Christmas Day but they only provide the Christmas menu. We decided to skip out, because it was a bit pricey and we would rather order off the regular menu. Yes, they only offer the Christmas menu on Christmas day (we went there).
Instead, we went to McDonalds. What I love about the McDonalds here is if you have a to go order, they put it in a plastic bag every time and they have a drink holder to go in the bag. It also tastes better and the chicken nuggets are thicker. They have different items on the menu (chicken burger, chicken and beef teriyaki sandwiches, shaka shaka chicken, a garlic burger, and a McPork).
Christmas Cake in Japan is eaten on Christmas Eve and is a sponge cake with whipped topping and decorated with strawberries. I was able to buy two slices for about $3 (300 yen). It was delicious!
Decorations
You can find small decorations out in town. They don’t have a lot either. If you see something you like, you should buy it. The tallest tree you can find is about four feet tall. There are no live, fresh Christmas trees for sell out in town. The only way to get a live, fresh tree would be on base at the NEX. I have a six foot, pre-lit tree we brought with us and some decorations. I am glad I had what I needed to decorate.
This year, we didn’t have a cat try to climb the tree.
Christmas lights
In the U.S. you can find neighborhoods all decorated with lights among other decorations. Here you can find some houses with lights. Most of the lights in my neighborhood are from American households. How do I know they are American? The houses behind our apartment building have the same realtor as our apartment (they work with Base Housing). In their driveway they have Y license plates (Y plates are only for Americans). Plus, I have seen a few of them out and about.
The best place to see lights is at the Ginza. They have an area by the Sasebo Art History Museum decorated with lights. They like to call it the “Festival of Lights”. They have had them up since November 19th. I like to go to the Ginza and look at the lights.
A cute winter light display is by the Sasebo Train Station where there are some restaurants and some places to shop.
Hale of a Journey 