Well, it won't be long until we say goodbye to the year to the snake. And, as is evident on the streets of Sendai, Christmas we pass this way before too soon. If you've lived in a Japan for a while, you'll know that the 25th of December is not a big deal here. We just go about our life as usually, working or going to the gym, often forgetting that it's our most 'important' holiday.
Actually, in my first year in Japan, I found the Sendai approach to Christmas a little offensive. People really get into the glitter and present buying without any understanding or respect for the history. Not being religious myself, this wouldn't ordinarily bother me. But the paradox is that Japanese hold their own cultural traditions in such high esteem and would never tolerate even a slight mockery being made of them. And I do think that decorating a city purely for the sake of spectical and commerce while being completely ignorant to its origin (even proudly proclaiming 'I'm not a Christian"), is making a mockery.
However, that doesn't mean that Christmas in Sendai is disappointing. There are still plenty of events and the atmosphere leading up to the 25th is enough to satisfy our Yuletide nostalgia. The decorations in the AER building this year are particularly impressive.
Also, the light pageant in Jozenji Dori usually begins around the 12th of December, but recently it starts a little earlier. It draws huge crowds but never fails to impress. There's also an evening parade over the long weekend (21st -23rd).
Enjoy your Christmas in Sendai and I hope it's a happy one. If you know of any events happening this year that expats might be interested in, please let us know...
