Photographs from a small group of islands
The ever-increasing consumption of all things Christmas related in Japan has, perhaps not surprisingly, come under the calculating consideration of the nation’s most conniving cat, Hello Kitty.
Meaning that to regular readers and feline fanatics alike, I unfortunately can’t wish you a Merry Christmas,
but instead, a Happy Hello Kitty Holidays!
With most of Japan now in the midst of the bonus and booze-based hedonism that is the end of year party season, many a suffering salary man will be struggling with a stomach that is almost as out of control as his behaviour the previous evening.
Sensitive issues that probably make this particular restaurant something of a no-go area, although it arguably does give another meaning to dabbling in the dubious healing properties of hair of the dog.
(big thanks to the now back in Japan Cynical Traveller for the pic)
Santa’s ability to fly around the world in a single evening, deliver millions of presents and even squeeze his sizeable frame down several chimneys would seem like a fairly phenomenal feat — a superhuman one even.
But not necessarily in Japan, as the bearded and obese one would appear to have been unceremoniously superseded by the somewhat more svelte, Santa Man X.
A slimmed-down slightly sinister model much more suited to the modern world.
Maybe.
(click image for super-sized super Santa)
Winter in Japan is not exactly wonderful, with the vast majority of Tokyo’s homes being far from toasty; the idea of central heating or insulation seemingly seen as rather silly — surplus to requirements even.
That said, the season’s clearer skies do bring a little colour as well as the cold, particularly in the guise of Japan’s famous and fantastically formed Fuji. Which, with its almost perfect conical appearance, can warm at least the cockles of even the most cold-hearted of curmudgeons.
For maybe a minute or two.
(click image for full-sized Fuji)
Watching live sports in the middle of winter can be less than comfortable to say the least, with frozen extremities being far from fun. But rather than attempting to counter such consequences with large amounts of lager and a half-time fist fight, some Japanese rugby fans can now opt to keep warm in the cosy comfort of a kotatsu.
The Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka offering a table for four at the relatively temperate price of 12,000 yen (105 dollars).
With the added enticement of a free bowl of udon. Which is a bonus,
Of sorts.