Tokyo Times

Quite conceivably due to a combination of getting older and at the same time living in a country that does Christmas but then at the same time doesn’t, I have, it has to be said, become a bit of a humbug.

So much so in fact that most Japanese dwellings are no doubt adorned with more decorations than my own domicile, although in my defence, one could argue that it’s better not bothering rather than bothering just a bit.

There again I’m not necessarily alone, as it’s fairly obvious that this young fella will be far happier when the festivities are finally — and for forever if he could fix it — finished.

The mighty Louis Vuitton may well have pulled out of building another bag-based and branded behemoth in Ginza, but on a Sunday at least, it’s still hard to see any obvious effects on the area due to the current economic climate, with a phenomenal amount of folk still flocking there from far and wide.

Yet that said, in December the district does have a genuinely festive feel, meaning even shopping hating humbugs like myself can have a good time — or at the very least a tolerable two hours or so.

The features of this famous fat fella for example making one feel right at home.

Plus, as well being the perfect place to buy preposterously priced products, it’s also pretty good for taking pictures of people who are also taking pictures,

attentively at times,

of the terrific trees with all their trimmings.

Or even of the more patient who prefer painting them.

And despite Rudolph not even being a reindeer, let alone sporting a red nose,

it’s pretty obvious, ruinous recession or not, who the Sunday saviour is,

and isn’t.

(click images for a less compressed Christmas)