Kyoto Travel Forum

I am planing on going to japan to stay with a freind within the next 12 months.
I have recently found out that I may have a 3 week Christmas break from work, and due to me already needing a week off during august, I am thinking of having my 2 weeks in japan over new year rather than sep/oct time.

I will stay with a freind in Kyoto, although it might be a bit weird with a lot of closures due to the holiday, and with my freind being with his family a lot. That said, when he came to the UK for a year to study he spent 2 weeks over the easter holiday and 2 weeks over the christmas holiday with me at my parents house, and came on most of the family meetings. It would also be good that he should be off work most of the time i may be there.

I wouldn't 'follow' him around for 2 weeks. I would like to explore a little of the kansai area too, and don't mind doing that alone. I don't think the temperature will bother me. It'll be winter and it's what is to be expected.

What do you reckon?

Hi,

if you can manage to be in Japan for the new Year, this is certainly interesting. If you can arrange that, it will be a great experience to spend the new Year time with your friend's family. The new Year is the equivalent of Christmas in the west, the big family party.

New Year is a very family affair in Japan. However, even if you cannot go to your family's friend, you can still enjoy the special atmosphere in temples, especially on new Year's eve and the next days. A visit to Ise shrine (the mother shrine of Japanese shinto) is especially impressive.

I have written a short story about the new Year some times ago there.

http://uchimizu-en.blogspot.com/2008/01/christmas-and-new-year-in-japan.html

thank you for that. A very interesting read.

Especially the bit about KFC on christmas day!