メッリクリスマスみんなさん！！

8 Things that can be done on Christmas Day in Japan

Santa Claus is Coming to Tokyo!

A Mameshiba Christmas setting in Ikebukuro...

Mecha Kawaii!!

Christmas in Hikarigaoka's main mall- kids get a free train ride!

 

The first of two Christmas Karaokes!! I am wearing antlers ^_^

The playlist included:

Jackson 5- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Mariah Carey- All I want for Christmas

Wham- Last Christmas

The Pogues- Fairytale of New York

and a Japanese Christmas song called Speed- "White Love"

I was disappointed that many golden oldies such as Wizzard and Slade had not managed to reach Japan's karaoke boxes (nor America for that matter).

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As for Christmas, I am celebrating on the 23rd as it is a National Holiday, so I have the day off. I will start the day by watching Avatar before heading into Tokyo to search for a Christmas dinner, karaoke and various Christmas things. So for me, Christmas is tomorrow hurray!!! ^_^

Earthquakes and Heat!

It's really cold indoors in my apartment (down to 15C or so), and taking my students' advice and I finally got my kotatsu working!
It is a table heater, with a blanket covering it, and is extremely comfortable to sit under.

So warm and toasty.. I can't imagine my life without it!! :)

I was noting that I had not felt any earthquakes having been here for 3 months.. so as fate would have it, Tokyo has had three earthquakes in the last 12 hours. Very exciting! The first, yesterday evening was very mild- only the baubles swaying on my christmas tree confirmed my initial thought.

The two during the night were comparable to the Nottingham one 1 and a half years ago, about a 4 on the scale.

And finally, here's one otaku (nerd) that has gone just too far..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8419368.stm

An Update

This week was Parents' Observation week, so I've been really busy all week designing super genki lessons for the kids to impress their mums. Lots of paperwork.

It's getting really cold in Japan, but snowfall is not expeted until February-time.

Tomorrow I have follow up training, so I'm making the most of my one-day weekend... preparing lessons!

I must say my grandparents were totally spot on- the last two weeks really have flown by! It's insane! Even when I notice how fast the time goes, its continues. I'm not complaining, because I want the warm weather back! But I'm happy and having fun :D

Finally, thank you to my grandparents who sent me parcels- I enjoyed catching up on the choccies on my advent calendar! And thank you for the Christmas card Auntie Glenys anad Uncle Eric :)

My Apartment- Christmas Edition

I may be in Japan, and I may be working on Christmas Day, but I'm not ready to forget about Christmas!!

Thank you for the presents mum, dad, Grandad, Grandma and Val!

I bought the flashing light-up Rudolph-Snowman hybrid thing for my solo Xmas disco!

名古屋

Please enjoy some photos of Nagoya, a city of 2.7mil people just over 150 miles from Tokyo.

Travelled there by night bus Sunday night, and returned by speedy Shinkansen Tuesday morning.

The city had such a different feel to Tokyo. It wasn't nearly as busy or crowded as Tokyo, and the buildings seem much older. Tokyo has very little remaining architecture that is over 100 years old, so Nagoya felt more traditionally Japanese. Nagoya Tower was pretty comparable to the Eiffel Tower.
Unfortunately Nagoya Castle is not the original 1525 structure as WWII bombings burned down the original. The two golden dolphins on the roof are ironically anti-fire symbols.

The bullet train back was so fast and smooth, and it's so refreshing to see the Japanese countryside and little towns nestled between the volcanic jagged landscape.The weather was clear so the commuters were treated to epic views of Mt Fuji.

Being only one of three native English speakers at the gig made it very easy to have a chat with the bands:

With Finch's frontman Nate and bassist Daniel

Bridgend band Funeral for a Friend- We spoke some Welsh :D