Buddhist monk as a Japanese Santa Claus
Here it is, the most wonderful time of the year , when it seems that everyone becomes a better person, and feels guilty hurting someone, isn’t that Christmas magic? Sure, with years, we have find ourselves in a coldest busy world, where all we care about it’s ourselves, where the presents become more Must, than a feeling…where we overdose the limits just to impress, where kids get the latest i phones and family meals are more, each comes with it’s own digital window to have a meal with.What about Tokyo? The land of workaholics and weirdos for the rest of the world, bright minds and number ones…the stereotype is more than true, but don’t take them for granted, they do know how to take pleasure when its needed. A nation that works very hard ,with enormous respect for each other, afterwards enjoying a very earned pleasures.
Christmas in Tokyo is a huge mix of traditions with many influences from other cultures, with countless continental-style markets playing a big part in the warm-up for the big day. Tokyo Skytree helds a lovely German style market, with wooden stalls, hot wine and typical of Germans, beer and sausages. Midtown market, Marchè de Noel, it’s an elegant mall , that swings you into seasonal holiday mood, you will find everything Christmas, from seasonal sweets to gifts. Do not miss the amazing lighting in the market area, that enhances the Christmas illuminations at Tokyo Skytree.
Remember that only 1 per cent of all the population in Japan is Christian, all the rest are Shinto and Buddhism, so on the 25th everyone marches to school, work and pass a normal day. They are still laid back, and Christmas cards, presents for teachers and friends are a needed, their Christmas is a big Day, with traditions that are uniquely Japanese. This time is not so much about religion than it is to spread the happiness, the Christmas eve is more celebrated than Christmas day. One of the greatest traditions they have, are the Forget-the-year-parties , which are fantastic, you won’t see that many drunk Japanese on the streets wondering their way home, than you will see around this time. It’s a time when companies and groups get together to party hard, forgetting stress and work, totally harmless.
