My favourite things in Japan

Happy New Year readers! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are holding fast to your resolutions as we begin February.

This post will focus on some of my favourite things I brought home to Canada from Japan. I figure if Oprah could boast about her favourite things, then why can't I?

I can't compete with the Big O's Organic Grow Kit, Scented Fire Starters or a Poinsettia Flower Pot Cake, but hopefully you will be interested in some of the items I've chosen.



1) HANKO (Seal)
A hanko is a personal stamp used in lieu of a signature. This stamp is used for personal documents, work contracts, art, bank statements, among other things. Since my name is lengthy (10 letters in my first name alone), I liked the concept of stamping my name instead of writing it. Japanese have their surname on the stamp but considering my name isn't Japanese and doesn't have any Kanji characters, they used  Katakana letters for MARI  マリ. I very rarely signed for things in Japan with the exception of my cell phone contract. I'm sure there is a risk of Hanko fraud as a stamp would be easier to duplicate than a signature.

マ MA is the top character and RIリ is the bottom.

2) MIMI KAKI (Ear pick)

I'm a fanatic for cleaning my ears and love Q-Tips. We even had a dog named Q-Tip growing up; a fluffy, white American Eskimo. In Japan, cotton swabs are replaced with a MIMI KAKI (mimi means ear, kaki means to pick or scratch). Made out of bamboo, metals or plastic, they help clean wax from ears. I loved mine so much, I brought it back to Canada and still use it. I also continue to use Q-Tips and never buy the cheaper cotton swab brands. They aren't as good and some things you shouldn't scrimp on (I feel the same way about ketchup, mustard, vanilla extract, toilet paper, Bran Flakes, pop/soda and vodka).

If you look closely, you will notice E.T.
on the end. Japanese never miss an 
opportunity to add a character 
to something. 

3) JIKA-TABI (split toe shoes)

I'm a sucker for shoes, but my first glimpse of jika-tabi had me feeling dubious. They didn't look very sturdy or sensible. After doing some digging, I discovered they not only have rubber soles, but are extremely comfortable. Instead of Wellies, the Japanese wear knee-high tabi which are useful in the muddy rice fields. Tabi are often worn by construction workers, farmers and other workmen.

Just do it!

I had to get in on this fashion trend so found a pair better suited to me. To this day, my Nike tabi are probably one of the most comfortable pair of shoes I own.

4) GAIJIN CARD (ARC-Alien Registration Card)

Foreigners staying in Japan for longer than 90 days are required to register. This entails filling out an application form, showing your passport and some I.D. and getting fingerprinted. It's mandatory for foreigners to carry their passport or Gaijin Card with them at all times. The card is necessary to open a bank account, get a cellphone or a driver's licence. The card provides pertinent information such as name, DOB, passport information, address, length of stay, status and occupation. The card was much easier to carry around than my passport. In recent years, the system has changed and foreigners are now given a Residence card.

5) HON (Books)
As a young girl, I'd walk to the Book-Mobile every Tuesday after dinner with my older sister and check out 8-10 books to get me through the week. I've been escaping in books since I can remember. Although purchasing books in Japan was ridiculously expensive and the local library's English section was a mere few shelves, my love for books never waned. There were some memorable authors I came across or was introduced to by fellow teachers and travelers. I can't list them all here, so have chosen the most memorable.  I've reread some of them, picked one or two for my Book Clubs, and have held on to these gems for years.

These books (with the exception of the  study books at the  bottom of the pile) are all  entertaining and worth the read.  Marian Keyes, a best  selling  Irish author  does chick lit like no  other. "Sushi for Beginners"  is an amusing work of fiction which also glimpses the dark  side of reality.  Wally  Lamb's "She's  Come  Undone" tells a  story  of Dolores Price,  a 13 year old sarcastic,  wounded girl and her journey into adulthood. Banana Yoshimoto became one of my favourite Japanese authors and I quickly devoured all of her books after reading "Kitchen", her novel about mothers and the power of the kitchen and the home. John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces" was published in 1980, 11 years after his suicide. I took a sick day from work to read this book. The eclectic character of Ignatius J. Reilly, a 30 year old living in his mother's basement in New Orleans is a character you won't soon forget. Christopher Moore's "Lamb" is an amusing story told by Christ's childhood pal, Biff. While some may be offended by the topic, it's a funny and touching story of the life of Jesus. John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany" is a spectacular story of friendship between the narrator John Wheelwright and Owen Meany. Owen is a remarkable boy and believes he is an instrument of God. Irving writes in caps when Owen is speaking, as he has a weird voice that sounds like he's shouting through his nose. The most memorable quote from Owen is READING IS A GIFT.

Finally my favourite book that I brought home, was one I was personally involved with. Along with five other English teachers, we created "Fried Sushi", a collection of short stories. It was an enormous amount of work but I enjoyed every step of the process. Published in 2002, this book contains stories of romance, tragedy, adventure and a few laughs.

Japan offered many things that made my favourite list. I had to stop at 5 or this post would have gone on too long. Although I doubt your reaction will be like Oprah's fans, I hope you found this interesting.



~MT

Hashi~Chopsticks

While visiting Stratford, Ontario last week, my friend Paula and I came across a pair of "hillbilly" chopsticks in one of the shops. We laughed when we saw them but it got me thinking about using chopsticks in Japan.

Foolproof "hillbilly" chopsticks

Of course Hello Kitty was popular

Many of the kids I taught had "cheater" or trainer chopsticks that were attached at the top, making it easier to grab food. They were much cuter than the hillbilly chopsticks, with cartoon or Disney characters on them. 

I was able to use chopsticks before moving to Japan, but I wasn't certain about the etiquette of eating with them. Much like trying to figure out which fork to use at a formal dinner, I needed to educate myself on what was common practice since chopsticks are a necessity when eating in Japan.

Japanese chopsticks are made of wood and bamboo and are usually lacquered. Some have grooves at the bottom to prevent food from slipping. Convenience stores and some restaurants will provide disposable chopsticks known as otemoto or waribashi. You remove them from the paper wrapper and split them apart. Some people will scrape or rub them together to avoid splinters. However, there's no need to do this with a decent pair of chopsticks.

Waribashi~disposable chopsticks

Before you start your meal, it's common to say itadakimasu which is the equivalent to "let's eat" or "thanks for the feast".

When you are done eating, you place your chopsticks back in the wrapper they came in.

At the end of the meal, you say gochisosama deshita which translates to "it was a feast".



If you are dining at someone's house or a more expensive restaurant, you will be given a nicer set of chopsticks and they will have a rest or stand, called hashioki. When you aren't using your chopsticks, place them on the stand. If you place them across your bowl or plate, that indicates you are done with your dish.

I made these hashioki in a Japanese
pottery class. 
The eggplant is my favourite.

Place the chopsticks side by side and
horizontal so they aren't pointing at
the person sitting across from you.
*Don't cross them as that symbolizes
death.

It's taboo to stand your chopsticks up vertically in a bowl of rice. This is a ritual at a funeral and inappropriate when dining with others. If you are taking a break from eating, place them on your hashioki. It's a common misconception that rice is difficult to eat with chopsticks. Japanese rice is short grained and when cooked, the rice sticks and clumps together, making it easy to pick up. 

Don't stab your food with chopsticks. When grabbing food from a communal bowl, reverse your chopsticks so you aren't using the end that goes in your mouth. Never pass food to another person chopstick to chopstick. This resembles a custom at Japanese funerals where cremated bones are transferred to an urn. 

Other Don'ts:

*Don't lick or suck your chopsticks (no matter how delicious the sauce may be).
*Don't use them as drumsticks, or play with them in general.
*Don't move a dish or plate closer to you with your chopsticks.
*Don't point your chopsticks at someone. Known as sashi bashi  it's considered very bad manners and probably the worst thing you could do at the dinner table.
*Don't cut food with your chopsticks. If there's a piece of food that's too big, bring it to your mouth, bite it, and return the remainder to your plate.
*Don't pick something up, change your mind, and return it to the communal bowl.
*Don't dig around a dish looking for something good; choose from the top of the dish.

If you create a faux pas, most Japanese people will forgive you. Even so, knowing some of the etiquette will reflect well on you and your fellow diners will be extremely pleased. With practice, you can become so skilled at using chopsticks, that you will be able to pick up a grain of rice or a single bean.

When dining out in Japan, chances are you may feel judged, since others will watch you to ensure you don't blunder. I think the most difficult aspect of dining out was getting used to eating ramen and soba noodles. In Japan, no spoon is used when sipping soup. Instead, you bring the bowl to your mouth, slurping the liquid while shovelling the noodles into your mouth with chopsticks.  It's very uncomfortable at first, as it goes against everything we are taught as children at the dinner table, defying our basic table manners. When you first sit in a ramen shop, it's shocking to hear how noisy everyone is. Apparently it's a compliment to the cook so the noise is welcome.

 

At least I never had to
wear this! 

After mastering the art of using chopsticks in Japan, you then have to learn the etiquette for every other Asian country. Chopsticks across Asia are made with different materials and are varying lengths. Perhaps India is the safest bet since there are no utensils there and you can eat with your hands.



So the next time you go out for sushi or to any other Asian restaurant, ask for chopsticks. Leave the fork and knife on the table and experiment a little. In no time at all, you will be a pro! You'll never need to use a pair of hillybilly chopsticks again.

~MT

Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn

In Japan, there are a variety of accommodations available. My first night in the country was spent in a business hotel. Although the room had a decent bed and shower, it wasn't very memorable. When I started making money and traveling around Japan, I stayed at an assortment of places from budget to high-end.

GUEST HOUSE
When planning a trip to Kyoto, a friend suggested the Tani Inn, an International Guest House. It was walking distance from the train station and close to the major temples and shrines in the city.

Autumn trip with Claudette and Kelly

The Tani Inn was cheap and convenient. Consisting of 12 guest rooms, we met travelers from all over the world. There was a common room with a small t.v. and this is where breakfast was served in the morning. The owner spoke English and was extremely helpful, providing directions and maps of the city.








The only point of contention were the bathrooms. Despite the fact they were westernized, they could have used some updating. Although I commended the owner for matching the toilet cozy with the colour of the toilet, there was a lot of pink going on in such a small room.

You can urinate, shower, and brush your teeth...all at the same time

YOUTH HOSTELS
There are approximately 300 youth hostels across Japan and they're both clean and comfortable. You don't need a membership card and people of all ages can stay. The rates are affordable (although more expensive than youth hostels in other countries) and they offer dinner and breakfast for an extra cost.

There were six of us traveling together during Christmas break and we spent one night at a hostel in Hiroshima. Situated on top of a hill, it provided a great view of the city. When you checked in, you were given a room and bed/bunk number. The men and women were in separate parts of the hostel. It was a large facility and the staff were very welcoming.

RYOKAN
Ryokan are Japanese style inns and very popular for both Japanese and tourists. When you enter the ryokan, you take your shoes off, leave them at the front door, slide on some slippers and an attendant will then check you in and show you to your room. This is common practice at many facilities across the country. Over the course of six years, I didn't lose one pair of shoes. Granted, I wouldn't have left a pair of my Fluevog's (if you aren't familiar with them, visit www.fluevog.com) but my blue Chucks were always there at check out.

Genkan (entrance) where you leave your shoes

The bedroom floor is tatami and you sleep on a futon. In this manner, the ryokan is similar to a guest house, however, the quality is far more superior. The bedding is exceedingly comfortable and the room is very quiet. There's a table in the room and your attendant brings in your meals (both supper and breakfast) which feature local cuisine.

Most ryokans have beautiful gardens, sporting activities and public areas for guests to enjoy. They have ofuro which is a common bathing area segregated by gender. Guests are given a yukata or robe to wear. The ryokan is an experience that shouldn't be missed when traveling in Japan. This was unequivocally my preferred choice of lodging and I stayed at a number of them throughout the country. The reception is warm and inviting, and the comfort level can't be beat.

MINSHUKU
A budget version of the ryokan, minshukus are located in towns too small for a hotel or ryokan. They are family run and the equivalent to a European pension hotel or a western style B&B or boarding house. You spend your meals with the other guests and with the family that owns/runs the minshuku.

CAPSULE HOTEL

The capsule hotel is not ideal for someone that suffers from claustrophobia! They resemble a morgue with the capsules stacked side by side and on top of each other. This is a perfect alternative for one looking for a cheap place to stay, without the amenities the bigger hotels afford. These pod-like capsules have free wireless and a t.v. There is a storage locker for your luggage and communal washrooms.  The capsule hotels are optimal for single travelers on a budget.

LOVE HOTELS 

Hugely popular in Japan, love hotels offer a short stay for couples looking for some privacy while engaging in sexual activities. Entrances are discreet, parking is hidden, and there is little interaction with staff. There are no windows to maximize privacy. Couples have the choice of a "rest" or "stay". The rates are based on the hour, and a "rest" lasts 1-3 hours. The "stay" are for couples who spend the night. With more and more of Japan's youth living at home until they marry (if they marry), these hotels offer the privacy a couple needs. Love hotels bring in an annual revenue in the billions.

Hello Kitty...setting the mood. You feeling it? 

The hotels often have a theme. Steps from my apartment was the Shakespeare Love Hotel. Being an English major, I could embrace that. Most hotels have karaoke, baths, rotating beds and condoms on the bedside table. With the "rest" option, these hotels are also used by travelers who need to grab a few hours sleep, but don't want to pay full rates at an expensive hotel.

Big Red

When I returned to Canada, I worked at a hotel for seven years and with that came the benefit of receiving employee discounts. Now that I no longer work at a hotel, I prefer to find accommodations using VRBO (vacation rental by owner) or airbnb. Nowadays, I no longer travel with a backpack or on a budget. I swapped my backpack for Big Red, my suitcase that has four wheels and spins!

I'm fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel around Japan and stay at a number of places. I could have stayed at Holiday Inn's, but traveling is about braving the new and unknown. The various accommodations added to my overall Japanese experience and I couldn't have asked for better lodging while traveling there.

~MT

The Big One

Growing up in Canada, the closest I came to a natural disaster was The Great Blizzard of '78. We got to stay home from school, toboggan around the neighbourhood and play in the streets since there was no traffic. The next Great Blizzard hit in '99. Again, hardly a conundrum. Food and alcohol could still be delivered as long as you shovelled a path to your front door. We took the opportunity of being snowed in for three days to binge-watch TV shows. Not much different than a typical winter really. I had no idea how diverse Mother Nature would be when I moved to Japan; a country notorious for earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons.

Soon after settling into my new town of Shizuoka, I visited the Earthquake Disaster Prevention Centre to ensure I was armed with the necessary information and skills to keep myself safe. There was a simulation room to experience what a quake would feel like, and a tsunami theatre. I learned about seismologists, magnitudes, Eurasia and Philippine Sea plates; things I was previously unacquainted with. The staff repeatedly mentioned The Big One, referring to the Tokai Earthquake. A major earthquake was predicted to hit the Tokai area in the near future with a magnitude of at least an 8.0. The quake which was expected to kill thousands wasn't the only concern. The 100-foot waves from the tsunamis caused by the quake, would destroy the very city in which I now lived! I was now officially worried.

The trip to the Centre was educational. One thing I had learned at a young age from my Girl Guide Leader was to always BE PREPARED. I had to get an emergency kit put together with enough supplies to last 72 hours. I packed a bag and waited. And waited. Then waited some more.

An earthquake can happen anywhere and at anytime with no warning. You could be at work, riding the train, singing at a karaoke bar, or in the bath. One of the first quakes I felt was in an underground bar where I sat drinking beer with other English teachers. It lasted a short time, and it barely made a gap in our conversation. We were in a safe location being underground and our night carried on.

After living in Japan for a while, I started to feel less fearful of the quakes. I had experienced a handful of smaller ones and they weren't as scary as I thought they would be. I would play Tori Amos' Little Earthquakes and sigh with relief that I avoided The Big One once again. When my cousin Kenny came for a visit, he got to experience a small earthquake. He was rattled but other than the light fixture swinging a bit and some dishes rattling around in the cupboard, it was almost unnoticeable. Most people in the city wouldn't have known there was a quake until they watched the evening news. That all changed on a night in April of 2000.

I had just drifted off to sleep sometime around midnight when I was suddenly jounced awake. My light fixture was swinging violently above my bed, my wooden bedroom doors were rattling loudly, and I was being bounced around in my bed. I felt like Linda Blair in The Exorcist as my bed lifted me not only up and down, but shook me side to side. My heart jumped in my throat and I froze. I thought for sure this was The Big One and that I would perish in my 5th floor apartment with no means of escape. I could hear sirens blaring from the street below and decided to take action. Thoughts raced through my head as I frantically tried to remember what I had learned at the Earthquake Centre.

I jumped out of bed, flipped on my light, and searched for my eyeglasses. Unable to find them, I cursed my terrible vision and grabbed the next best thing; my prescription swimming goggles. I donned my emergency kit, thanked God I slept in my bra and decent pajamas, then remembered my pet turtle.

Mi-chan

I couldn't leave Mi-chan behind to fend for himself. Although the earthquake didn't even cause him to stir from his sleep, I grabbed his container and food and bolted for the door where my neighbours (two fellow Canadians) were knocking.




Opening my bedroom door, I ran smack into my fridge that had shook clear across the kitchen floor. Stepping around the fridge, I simultaneously heard and felt the crunch under my feet. I looked down to find most of my dishes and glassware broken and scattered all over the kitchen floor. I stepped cautiously to the front door and unlocked it.

When I opened the door, my neighbours found me carrying my turtle, wearing my emergency pack, and swimming goggles. Their fear was immediately squashed by this vision and they burst into laughter. I couldn't find the humour just yet as my heart was still beating frantically in my chest. The tremors had stopped but I knew there would be aftershocks and possibly a tsunami. That was sure to follow after such a big quake.

My neighbours came inside and we carefully stepped around the broken glass and made our way into my living room. My books and plants were scattered all over the floor. Luckily my TV was still standing. After calling around to friends to make sure they were all right, we turned on the news to discover the earthquake had hit the city centre (where our apartment building was located) with a magnitude of 5.3. Then on a smaller scale, the aftershocks began. No tsunami and no injuries. Figuring we were going to live but wouldn't be able to sleep, I swapped my goggles for my contact lenses, and we headed to the bar down the street.

After that night, I kept shoes beside my bed and my eyeglasses on my headboard. A few months passed and I was able to fall asleep without thinking or worrying about The Big One. I had learned from my mistakes. I was prepared! My shelves were bolted to the wall or ground to prevent them from knocking over. My kitchen cupboards were much more secure. No more walking into a refrigerator in the middle of the night or stepping on broken glass.

The next quake hit while I was sleeping, much like the previous one. Even though I was scared, I wanted to test my alacrity. I grabbed my glasses, turned on my light, slipped into my shoes, grabbed both my turtle and my bag and ran to the door to let my neighbours in. The trembling stopped. I managed to get to my front door in under 20 seconds. This earthquake was only a 3.5. I was getting better.

Coming from disaster-free Canada, these earthquakes shook me to my core. Thankfully I avoided The Big One while living in Japan, but experiencing natural disasters taught me to appreciate life and what's important. They also taught me to always...always...be prepared.

~MT

KitKat

Produced globally by Nestle, (with the exception of U.S. licenced under Hershey), the KitKat chocolate bar has been enjoyed my many globally. Most can quote the catchphrase, "have a break...have a KitKat". The U.S. jingle "give me a break, give me a break, break me off a piece of that KitKat bar" is just as catchy. This two or four fingered, creamy milk-chocolate wafer candy bar has been around for 80+ years and now comes in a variety of flavours.

KitKat is the most popular confectionery treat in Japan. Pronounced Kitto Katsu, this translates to 'surely win'. Nestle has introduced more than 200 flavours over the years, including soy sauce, wasabi, green tea and ginger ale. The bars are made to pay tribute to the unique foods and flavour of Japan but to most foreigners, they seem strange. Some regions in Japan have their own signature flavour sold only in that part of the country. My sister thought it would be a fun idea to introduce some of the bizarre flavours to my nephews, so she ordered some Japanese KitKats on-line and captured it all on video.

 

For the past couple of years Andrew (aged 11) and Zachary (aged 9) have been making YouTube videos (check them out on their channel A2Z TV). Their previous videos include them judging various types of french fries, beaver tails (an Ottawa favourite), ketchup, Oreo cookies and Lays potato chips. Sampling eight different flavours of Japanese KitKats would be their latest venture.

The flavours:

 • Green Apple 🍏                                 • Matcha (green tea) 🍵
 • Cheesecake                                       • Raspberry
 • Sake  🍶                                             • Wasabi
 • Azuki (red bean)                              • Yakimo (sweet potato) 🍠

The first thing the boys noticed was the packaging. Both the writing and the pictures were strange. Most things in Japan are described as kawaii which translates to cute or adorable. In advertising, the Japanese will often add cartoons or pictures that are kawaii to draw in their customers. Even my ATM card had a Little Bob Dog cartoon on it. Kawaii is a term used often, describing everything from Hello Kitty to household items. The market is no longer geared towards teenage girls; people of all ages embrace the kawaii phenomenon.


Upon opening the packages, my nephews were surprised by the colour of the chocolate bars. In Japan, the colour reflects the flavour. Both green tea and wasabi were green in colour, raspberry was pink and sweet potato was yellow. The boys are used to chocolate bars being brown, with the exception of Zach's favourite Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme which is white.
                           

Having never tasted green tea, wasabi, sweet potato, or azuki,  Drew and Zach did considerably well. They feared they'd become intoxicated trying the sake flavour, but after being assured there was minimal alcohol in the tiny bar, they agreed to try it. Green apple, cheesecake and raspberry flavours were what they expected, but not their favourites. The wasabi bar smelled like horseradish which is not a smell you'd normally enjoy with chocolate. You can taste the heat, yet it's strangely delicious.

Zachary and Andrew

You can watch their video by clicking here.

Top 3 picks:

Zach: Sweet potato, sake, wasabi
Drew: Green apple, wasabi, azuki


Both boys hated the cheesecake and raspberry KitKats. Perhaps their palates are ready for some natto (a gross fermented bean dish) or sashimi. I was pleasantly surprised they embraced this taste test with as much gusto as the french fry challenge.

If you ever find yourself in Japan and needing a break, enter the nearest konbini (convenience store) and pick up a KITTO KATSU. Just be careful of the flavour you choose!

~MT

Festivals and Holidays October-December

October:
Taiiku no hi Sports Day

Held on the second Monday of October, this is referred to as Health-Sports Day or Sports Day. It commemorates the Olympic Games held in Tokyo back in 1964 and promotes sport and an active lifestyle. The reason it's held so late in the year is because of the weather. Typhoon season hits in September and that means heavy rain and winds. By mid-October, the country sees the best weather.




Schools and companies hold athletic meets where everyone can participate while testing their skills and competing with one another, either in group races like relay and tug-of-war or individual races like track and field. There are also non-competitive sports such as dance and cheer.

I wanted to experience a sporting event like no other so I bought a ticket to a Sumo tournament. Sumo, a form of wrestling, is Japan's national sport. The sport has many rituals with religious background, like purifying the ring with salt. The rules are very simple; the first male that exits the ring or touches the ground with any part of his body other than the soles of his feet, loses. The ring is referred to as a doyho made of clay and covered with sand. Weight gain is a big requirement of the training. There are no weight restrictions so you can be matched up against anyone. Matches generally last a few seconds only, a minute at the most.

 Akebono was the one to watch in 1998.
At 6'8" and 517 pounds, he was one of the largest wrestlers.

Akebono (translates to dawn), became the first non-Japanese to be elevated to yokozuna which is grand champion status- the highest rank in Sumo. Akebono grew up in Hawaii and found his new home in Japan difficult.             Despite that, he trained hard and became one of the most aggressive and fierce sumo wrestlers. The rivalry he had between brothers Takanohana and Wakanohana who began their careers in the same year, became legendary. The boom of these three wrestlers restored the popularity of sumo and the brothers would become the first ever sibling grand champions. They were even considered sex symbols!

Sumo wrestlers lead an extremely disciplined lifestyle. They grow their hair long so they can wear chonmage- a topknot. They must wear Japanese traditional dress in public and can't drive (they have a driver). They belong to a heya which is a training stable and former wrestlers train the new ones. Wrestlers have little choice with their wrestling name or shikona. They often have two large meals a day in which they rest afterwards, to help keep their weight up.

November:

Bunka no hi Culture Day

Celebrated on November 3, Culture Day promotes the arts, culture and academic endeavours. Festivities typically include art exhibitions, parades and award ceremonies for distinguished artists and scholars. Primary and secondary schools often have a "culture festival" on this day. My city Shizuoka would host Daidogei where street performers from around the world would come to juggle, do magic tricks and entertain the crowds for money. November 3 is commonly blessed with good weather. 

Shichi-Go-San 7-5-3

Celebrated on November 15 (15 being the sum of 3, 5 and 7), Shichi-go-san is a festival day and traditional rite of passage for 3 and 7 year old girls and 3 and 5 year old boys. Celebrating the growth and well-being of young children; the ages are consistent with Asian numerology which holds that odd numbers are lucky. A visit to the Shinto shrine is made and children are dressed in kimono, many for the first time. 

Three year old girls wear a padded vest with their kimono known as hifu. At the age of three, children are now able to grow their hair. Five year old boys wear a haori jacket and hakama pants. Seven year old girls wear obi, the belted sash with their kimono for the first time. 

Children are given Chitose Ame which means thousand year candy. The long, thin, red and white candy symbolizes healthy growth and longevity. It's given in a bag decorated with a turtle and crane which represent long life in Japan. 

Kinro kansha no hi Labour Thanksgiving

Celebrated on November 23, this is a national holiday which commemorates production and labour and a chance to give one another thanks. It's common for students to create drawings and gift them to the local police stations. I was craving turkey (as you do on Thanksgiving) but had to settle for Subway as turkey is hard to come by.

Touji Winter Solstice 

Celebrated on December 21, this is the shortest day

(and longest night) of the year.                 

                                                                                      A yuzu or citrus bath is a tradition on this day. Legend states if you take a yuzu bath, it will prevent you from catching a cold during winter. The strong smell of yuzu can remove evil from the body and purify it.                                                           

On the day of the solstice, people eat kabocha a Japanese pumpkin. This winter squash is rich in nutrients and will also keep a cold at bay.

Emperor's Birthday December 23

Considered a national holiday, a public ceremony takes place at the Imperial Palace where the gates are opened to the public (this only happens twice a year). The Emperor, Empress and members of the Imperial family appear on the balcony to acknowledge the birthday congratulations from well-wishers who wave tiny Japanese flags. Emperor Akihito is 82 years old and his wife Empress Michiko is 81 years old. He took reign in 1989 after the death of his father. 

Christmas

There are few Christians in Japan, so Christmas is not seen as a religious holiday. Christmas Eve is thought of as a romantic day in which many couples spend time together and exchange gifts. My birthday is Christmas Eve, and on my 30th I took a solo day-trip to Tokyo for some shopping. I stopped at my favourite Mexican restaurant for dinner to find the lights dimmed, music playing softly in the background, and the restaurant filled with couples. When I asked for a table for one, I could see the pity on the waiter's face. No wonder he kept plying me with drinks throughout the meal!

Fried chicken is often eaten on Christmas Eve/Day. KFC is so busy, you have to put an order in ahead of time and line ups can be as long as two hours. 

Finger lickin' Christmas Chicken! The Colonel dressed as Santa-san.

Omisoka New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve is the second most important day of the year (New Year's is the most important) as it's the last day of the old year and the eve of the New Year. Most people will stay home during the evening and tune into NHK's television program of Kohaku Uta Gassen (Year-End Song Festival). Referred to as the Red and White Singing Competition, it divides the most popular musicians of the year into two teams, the females on the red team and the males on the white. The competition is by invite only and said to be a highlight of a musician's career. The show ends at 11:45p.m. and then programming switches to coverage of midnight celebrations around the country.  

While watching the program, many people eat toshikoshi soba which symbolizes crossing over from one year to the next, letting go of hardships. Most people attend their local Shrine by midnight to ring in the New Year. 

That completes the holidays and festivals celebrated year-round in Japan. There are numerous traditions and customs followed and I thoroughly enjoyed partaking in the festivities during my stay in Japan. Seeped in tradition, the Japanese honour history and find symbolism in each day they celebrate. They work and study extremely hard so when they have a holiday, they embrace it. 

Ja mata ne! 

Until the next post...

~MT