Christmas
As I am sure most of you know, Christmas is not a celebration here in Japan; it is a regular work and school day. Of course businesses recognise a sales opportunity so most of them put up a token Christmas tree and a few decorations. But more and more children are getting into the Christmas spirit by writing to Father Christmas. They receive presents on the foot of their beds … and then go to school!
The most popular food in Japan at Christmas is fried chicken, with KFC top of the charts! Apparently an advertising campaign by KFC, ‘Kentucky for Christmas’, in 1974 was so successful that even in 2020 it is still the food to eat.
We ate fried chicken on Xmas Eve … it tasted better than it looked! 
Origami reindeer – east meets west! 
and Origami Christmas trees
We decided to go out for a meal on Xmas Eve … and decided to stay local in Omori. And amongst the specials on the board was fried chicken which of course we just had to chose.! Most restaurants were deserted but we managed to find one with a few people to add some atmosphere. A couple sitting not far from us seemed to be having an ‘awkward’ evening – like a very early date, until a few drinks relaxed both participants. And then I read that Christmas Eve is thought of as a romantic day, more like our Valentine’s Day.
Regardless of content, I wanted to buy these just for the hats! 
A Christmas greeting on a loaf of bread
We went out for the day exploring, then returned for cheese and biscuits, Christmas cake & sake. And, importantly, calls to family. A strange Christmas Day but a fascinating one!
Huge thanks to Sharon in HK for the cake 
Sake in our new sake cups
Amusingly, because it was Friday, our serviced apartment was cleaned, bed changed etc etc whilst we were out. A lovely welcome home! Sadly, this ends when we move into our own place next month.