It’s three days before Christmas and the clock never seem to stop ticking its way to December 25. Here comes the season where I daydream about Christmas pasts and holiday memories while decorating the tree or wrapping gifts.
The date was December 24, 1996. Barely two months after my arrival in Japan (to study), my school scheduled an excursion in the historic cities of Kyoto and Nara in the southern part of the country. We arrived in Kyoto after a really quick trip from Yokohama via the bullet train and like a curious teenager, within minutes after I stepped out of Kyoto station, my 24-shots film roll was done.
We have been billeted in a hotel in Kyoto, I was alone in my hotel room. There were 10 of us, 2 females and 8 males but the other female was a Muslim so clearly, she won’t be celebrating Christmas with me. I wished her goodnight and went back to my room, tried so hard but never able to sleep.
The clock said 10:30 pm, only an hour and a half left before the big bang of Christmas arrives. Christmas in my home country were always loud and merry and I expected the same, even away from home.
Midnight came so I opened the window, ready to feast my eyes on the Christmas scene on the streets. I mean, there should be! I expected fireworks, people dancing, family and friends gathered outside. There were none. I checked my watch again. This couldn’t be happening! The streets, with few cars were almost barren and almost no one walking outside as the skies started to open and snow fell. I grabbed my jacket, went outside and looked up to see that there were no fireworks, only bits and bits of white snow falling on my face.
No one told me there would be no Christmas in Japan and that everyone sleeps on Christmas eve. I could have prepared myself of the worst of all holiday memories that was to come.
This writing exercise is fueled by the writing prompt “holiday memories” at Sunday Scribblings.
I have similar disappointment on my first Christmas in Japan. Although I wasn’t surprised but I wasn’t prepared either, for the sadness I felt that time.
halaaa.. ka sad oii.. buh? lain kaayo kung mingaw ang pasko..? hmm.. murag ako na pod naka experience ana karn..
A sad memory. I hope your subsequent Christmases have all been happy, festive ones.
my goodness,, i had no clue there was no christmas in japan… i wonder what the christian converts do over there????
Hi Paisley,
There are Christmas decorations on the streets and on the malls and the Japanese actually have a Christmas tradition: buying a Christmas cake (which is really expensive by the way) and/or eating the cake with their special someone (lover not with family). They try to put the Christmas spirit up but it’s just different from what I have been used to.
Christian churches in Japan do hold Christmas masses and some people attend.
Thanks for visiting and Merry Christmas to you!
A sad holiday, but I suspect the experience of being in Japan is memorable.
Interesting. I’d never thought about that. I spent the holidays in the Southwest once and found it hard to get into the spirit with no snow! And no family! Not necessarily in that order.