holiday plans?

[chocolate_chip]

Who among the Japan peeps is NOT leaving the country for Christmas and New Year's and wants to do something together? I think maybe triplepunch and jougetsu are the only people this applies to....

[edit] This is the lamest 1000th entry ever.

Comments

[muscatlove.livejournal.com]

Just a suggestion, but I recommend Tokyo - it's one of the only places that still has things open around New Years, although a lot of stores will close for anywhere from 1-4 days around the holiday. Plan well in advance or you will spend your vacation trapped in your hotel!

[chocolate_chip.livejournal.com]

If I wasn't already going to Tokyo this weekend and again in February, that would be something to consider. I wonder what Tokyo Disneyland does for New Year's....

[muscatlove.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it gets old at some point, but there is the possible bonus of the emperor's public greetings, and Meiji Jingu is incredibly impressive on New Year's Eve, with the bonus of Harajuku usually having a street fair with all the stores open and food stands that night, and if you go back during New Year's day, the temples will have all kind of food and celebrations. Granted, you will find this elsewhere as well, but since the Japanese so overwhelmingly see New Year's as "close up and go home to your family" time, you might want to grill your coworkers on what might be open over the holiday. Since even in Tokyo a lot of places close down for 1-3 days, it generally only gets worse wherever else you go. Lots of people I knew would go to Thailand over the break because it was still cheaper than Tokyo even with airfare, but right now maybe that's not the best plan..

[chocolate_chip.livejournal.com]

^^ Oh, I went through all that last year. I know to stock up on stuff before Dec. 31. And then watch in amazement as Osho turns the lights off.