Christmas in Tokyo

The Sunday before Christmas, we received a distressing call--Camille and Abby were stuck in Seattle, missing their connecting flight.  It was still at the gate, but doors were closed, no one allowed--you know, security and all.  How frustrating for them to watch it for a full hour and a half and not be able to do anything!  We redeemed the extra day on the end of the trip, though, demanding their return flight be changed.  So…we had to get straight to business once they were here.  You don't have to imagine the happiness of the youngest, being reunited with two older sisters--you can see it on her face below.  Plus, she got to show her mean training (yes, in English speaking Tokyo, train becomes a verb) skills.

My happy face that at least some of our family is together.  Don't know the lady who is obviously sick AND photo bombed our picture.  One man, while we were "training" was shocked that we had three children and about had a heart attack when we told him two were missing.  I guess when you are blonde in Tokyo you attract a lot of attention.  Just ask Emma how often that happens.

First day, Asakuka.  

Had to do the first of "Life imitates art" photos.  Sorry for the blur--either my i-phone or my photography skill--probably the latter.  We found some awesome umbrellas that were functional and pretty--so Japanesey underneath and a pattern of cherry blossoms show when they get wet.

And of course, Asakusa wouldn't be complete without dango.  Camille and Abby figured out why all these years we bought Mochi at Daiei in Kailua and toasted it with shoyu.  They are in love and joined us in our quest for the perfect soy sauce roasted pounded rice balls.

A perfectly crafted day to Asakusa wouldn't be complete without a trip to Skytree--except it wasn't perfect.  Where was the jumbo deluxe Christmas village everyone talked about?  I couldn't live that one down and it failed like our visit to Shinjuku--pictures NOT included.

At least the structure is impressive.  So much for bringing Christmas into the holiday.  Scott and Camille stopped in Ginza for THE most incredible waffles for Christmas breakfast, a must if you plan to come visit--in fact plan your whole trip on this post.  Then we met up at Roppongi at (Hawaii friends, please take note) ドん(my keyboard won't do the right "n") キホテ!  You read that right, Don Quiote!  This is the equivalent of the ABC store in Waikiki except with all sorts of kitsch  for the seeker-of-Japanese souvenir stuff. And just look at the treasures we found!  

 Roppongi had some amazing decorations and lights, but no Christ anywhere, not sure why I expected differently, just hoped.

Day two just happened to be Christmas!  Our day started the way I wish it could start everyday--a Skype call with our favorite missionary serving in Santiago, Chile.  What a happy boy, loves his mission, his companion, the members, etc., etc.  The day would have been complete just visiting with him, hearing his adventures.  Love this boy, uh…man.

After drying our tears that our hour was up... we opened presents. Abby has got the whole Japanese girl pose thing down.  Not sure what Emma is proposing…ready to heft an omikoshi down the street, I guess.

So what do you do on Christmas day to honor Christ?  You visit the iconic Buddha in Kamakura, of course.  You people know I really didn't mean that, right?  But, when Delta has stripped you of a day with your daughters, you compact and regroup and just feel grateful you are with family for this most special of days.  We are sorely missing Joe, Kate and Ammon and our little grand babies at this point.  And our soon-to-be member, Casey.  Camille, I know this is a sentence fragment, don't judge, it just sounded better when I said it in my head than it looks on my post.

Truly our favorite day!  

Inside the statue.  

All three figured out the standard pose.  Driving home, we got a glimpse of Mt. Fuji--just gorgeous.

Day three--Nikko!  My sisters and I have a similar photo from over thirty years ago.  Yes, my family came to pick me up from my mission.  Fun thing, I talked to my parents FaceTime while driving up to Nikko.  Wish they could have come again with us this time!  I got to show them the town we rode through years and years ago.  They didn't remember.  However, the structures at Nikko are hard to forget--just amazing.  See earlier post for more information on Nikko--the resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the most important Shogun from Japanese history.

Have to do the obvious!  How true to life this picture is..or is it?

Yes, another "life imitates art" photo, I couldn't help it.

We took a drive up to Kegon Falls.  This time we saw the lake.  The falls were shrouded in fog the last time we were here with the Ringwoods, but this time--they were mostly ice-covered.  Gorgeous either way.  We found this ice cave--man made, of course, but there was a smaller one next to it--a sign said, "Is this where pigs sleep?"

Gorgeous falls!  And as an added bonus, there were monkeys wandering around the village.  We got within a yard of three, one was a baby.  What a thrill!  I think the weather forced them into the town from the mountains.  

Day four at the Aoyagi's home in Chiba.  He is the first counselor in the Area Presidency and my goodness, they really are two of the dearest people we know!  Shiroko dressed the girls in her own kimonos, me too. It took hours, no kidding.  Never mind that none of us could breathe, nor had any curves to speak of, but that is beside the point.  They made us sukiyaki, gyoza, tempura and sushi all in one sitting!  We had to eat while not breathing while wearing kimonos--part of the cultural experience, she said.  Fun, fun day!

I don't know what day this was, they are starting to merge one into the other, but we saw a lot of things at night.  Shibuya, Odaiba, etc.  All of it wonderful, but my two non-fish eating girls were disturbed by this poster of sushi.  Comes in handy when ordering.  Our "sushi is my favorite food" Emma refused to participate in this blasphemous photo.

Below, evening shot from Odaiba.  Girls loved this place, as do I.  See Tokyo Tower?  We live just east of that.  This is our City!  This is our home.  This photo does not even do it justice, it goes on forever.

Last day was at Disney Sea.  Honestly, the best Disney experience we have had.  Thanks to the girls for convincing us to do it.  It was on New Year's Eve and we had a great time.  The park closed at 6:00 p.m., only to reopen (and charge a ticket again, clever marketing) at 8:00.  They know how to do it.  We were tired and went home.  It was dead in our part.  Everyone was either at Disney or at the neighborhood temples.  We were in our beds.

Loved, loved having Camille and Abby here with us!  Stay tuned for a movie Camille is making to show the world their trip.  Hurry up, Camille!  

Christmas is different here.  I didn't see one depiction of Christ anywhere except at church and in our home.  We have wonderful creches from all over and this year I got to add two from Japan.  For all you who might be wondering if Jesus is white--I have news, no He isn't.  He is actually Jewish.  But this year baby Jesus was Japanese.  It made me happy to celebrate His birth with three of my four favorite daughters.  Love you guys.