Although only one in two million Japanese are Christians, the Festive Season is not overlooked in Japan. In fact anything involving the national sport of shopping, is embraced with gusto and Christmas with it’s shining lights, trees, gifts and ornaments is enjoyed as a cultural event.
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I was particularly transfixed by the decorations for sale in the Daimaru Department Store in downtown Kyoto. Having spent a ridiculous amount of time looking but not buying one day, I returned to purchase a small lightweight glass christmas tree ornament with red apples hanging from the end of the branches. The tree and apples were packed individually in polystyrene and made the transition back to Australia unbroken. I did break one apple in a recent move – nothing that a little glue didn’t fix though. Normally I wouldn’t spend $17 AUD on 4 inches tall glass ornament, but it was so delicate and unusual and still reminds me of Japan. I display it year round but unfortunately our possessions are in storage at the moment so I can’t show it to you.
Kyoto Train Station’s outstanding contribution to the Christmas Spectacle is a huge glittering tree. You might think a train station an odd place for a festive tree but this architectural giant of glass and steel has as many facilities as a small town and the soaring spaces to accommodate a monster. To give you some idea the station’s size, it houses a shopping mall, hotel, movie theatre and the Isetan department store.
On the west wing the grand staircase connects the 4th to 15th floor and there on the 4th floor stage is the Christmas Tree. Like the Spanish Steps in Rome, the grand staircase doubles as seating and is a good place for Christmas Tree and people watching, although you wouldn’t think so by the photo below.
We filled in some time investigating the station and climbing the 171 steps to the sky garden with its impressive city views. I’m sure every visitor uses the station at some stage during their Kyoto stay and it is worth allowing an hour or so extra to explore this award winning design.
I see they resisted the urge to decorate the Sky Garden bamboo.
Beside the sky garden are glass viewing windows.
The station and nearby Kyoto Tower are two iconic modern landmarks in a city devoted to traditional architecture. As a train station the building doesn’t seem out of place and it’s space and efficiency make me love it.
While we waited for a bus outside the station in mid-November, workers twirled lights around the stems of the small trees in the station forecourt adding to the festive atmosphere.
The 131 metre tall Kyoto Tower itself appears like a giant christmas decoration.
While Christmas Trees, Decorations and gift buying have been accepted into mainstream Kyoto, traditional western Christmas food options are limited, but keep in mind that Kyoto has some good French Restaurants.
Kyotoites do not have a public holiday for Christmas or Boxing Day but they join in the Christmas spirit and nod their head to the west, by eating KFC at Christmas, so why not join them!
Thanks for visiting, I really appreciate it and would love you to add your travel post to the link below for Nancie’s Travel Photo Thursday which I co-host with Ruth from Tanama Tales and Rachel from Rachel’s Ruminations.
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Wow…..that tree is very impressive. I’ve never been to Japan but I love the look of Kyoto. Maybe another one to add to my list.
It’s strange how Japan embraces French food. I ate French food twice in Northern Japan during my visit. Kyoto will be on my must see list when we eventually travel to Japan. I’ve heard great things about it.
One of my favourite cities and stations anywhere, where else can you get that much amazing food around a train station. Christmas seems to be a whole of winter light up across Japan, we were surprised to see giant decorated Christmas trees and light ups in mid February across Tokyo too.
I have seen Christmas decorations in April in a budget hotel we stayed at in Vietnam. I think it was their way of welcoming travellers.
Seems Christmas is becoming ever more about commerce and less about holiday – all over the world.
I find your post very amusing. The tree they have in the station is way prettier than a 100 trees I have seen here in the states. But, Christmas is not actually celebrated there. Sounds and feels weird. I guess Japan is the perfect place to escape the festivities if you chose to do so ;0) #TPThursday
The Japanese like taking occasions on board and celebrate them in their own way (like KFC) and the Christmas decorations for sale in the department stores are superb.
Impressive station! It’s lovely when they have the holiday lights up! cheers.
I love Kyoto Station. Thanks for the trip back. 🙂
Kyoto is a a beautiful city. We drove into town so I had no idea the train station was so amazing!
It is fun to see Christmas in other parts of the world. It was a favorite memory from when we were in Nicaragua.
Wow!! What a stunning train station. It’s more like a gallery or museum with its architecture. 🙂
KFC for breakfast! Hee hee. That’s funny.I don’t think I’d ever eat French food in Japan. It would take away from the Japanese experience… although I did go to an Italian restaurant in Paris.
I quite often eat food from a different country when travelling. I think it is the Aussie in me. (Well, I’m all Aussie anyway). I love a variety of different food.
The Koreans decorate as well. I have to get out to get some shots at the big department stores here. I have a photo of the Kyoto Tower somewhere on my computer. I don’t think I explored the train station in Kyoto since most of my travel was by bus. Christmas is a holiday here, but not celebrated as we do in the West. Like Japan, it’s a shopping opportunity! Thanks for co-hosting this week. #TPThursday
It is surprising that Christmas Day is a holiday in Korea Nancie. Good for you! Are Koreans big shoppers like the Japanese?
I actually find this surprising about Kyoto but I’m glad the Christmas spirit found its way in even traditional Kyoto. We loved this station and everything it had to offer especially all the food and shopping.
We were in Kyoto just a week and also spent some time in the train station. Spectacular, especially at night when they put the lights on on the stairs leading up to the sky garden. Some of Japan’s modern architecture is amazing.
Great job with the photos.
Frank (bbqboy)