Christmas decorations in and outside stores went up in Sendai around late November. Even one of the English schools where I work is playing Xmas music this year. In Japan, beginning in mid-December, you can view the huge and expansive"Christmas Illuminations". In my city, all the trees on a particular street are blanketed with white lights. Couples and families walk amongst the trees in awe of the illumination. Others avoid the area at all costs due to the crowds. Christmas Eve is most popular for dates. Most popular things to do with your date: view the Christmas Illumination then have a Special candlelit Christmas Dinner at a fancy restaurant (average price is $100 per person). Christmas Cake and fried chicken or roasted chicken are also popular for those who want to spend it at home with friends. Fried chicken? I wonder how the fried chicken tradition started? You can expect to spend at least $30 for a whole xmas cake. My husband and I usually have dinner out at a reasonab
art, photography by Juana Almaguer