Illuminations

Since Christmas isn't really celebrated here, you aren't as overwhelmed by it as you are in the States.  They also wait until December - so no lights up the day after Halloween!  Christmas trees are put up in public areas (department stores and businesses that have expat customers) and "illuminations" decorate a lot of the outdoors.  Carols are also played in the stores, too - more of the classic/pop songs - I never heard "Grandma Got Ran Over..." or dogs barking jingle bells.

light show

Some of the public areas do light shows - they remind me of the fountains at the Bellagio, but with lights instead of water.

 

Tokyo Station

Champagne lights - my favorite (you can't see it in the photo, but the lights sparkle)

Even our apartment building put up a Christmas tree!

    Who can resist a champagne tree?  No one, apparently!

Christmas markets pop up, usually for just a weekend.  This one in Hibiya Park was more of a German food festival.  20 out of the 25 booths sold only German food and beer.  Not that we were complaining! 

 

The wooden booths were cute - and nicely decorated.

At another Christmas festival, it was bring your pet on a leash day...or something.

I missed getting a picture of the bunny riding on his shoulder.

I would LOVE to see some of my friends try this with their cats!

We did a little decorating at the apartment.  The dogs made sure to help!

We also went to a bonenkai party.  It's a traditional Japanese drinking party, usually in December, to forget your troubles from the past year and celebrate the upcoming one.  We had a bit of a rough time getting to Japan, but we're happy to brush that off and we look forward to enjoying ourselves next year!