Holiday customs in Japan

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Ken Iyobe, who is the fifth angler from Japan to join the Elite Series, poses with Colonel Sanders dressed in a Santa suit in front of a KFC in Japan.
Ken Iyobe, who is the fifth angler from Japan to join the Elite Series, poses with Colonel Sanders dressed in a Santa suit in front of a KFC in Japan.
Iyobe and family pose in front of a Christmas tree set up in his boat.
Iyobe and family pose in front of a Christmas tree set up in his boat.
Morizo Shimizu’s small Christmas tree in his house is typical. Japanese houses are smaller than American houses, so they have miniature trees to not take up too much space.
Morizo Shimizu’s small Christmas tree in his house is typical. Japanese houses are smaller than American houses, so they have miniature trees to not take up too much space.
Japanese cities like Tokyo are festively decorated and are often visited by couples soaking up the holiday atmosphere.
Japanese cities like Tokyo are festively decorated and are often visited by couples soaking up the holiday atmosphere.
Yusuke Miyazaki’s sons, Tomoki and Takumi, help decorate the tree in their Texas home. Their love of Christmas slightly postponed a practice trip to Lake Havasu.
Yusuke Miyazaki’s sons, Tomoki and Takumi, help decorate the tree in their Texas home. Their love of Christmas slightly postponed a practice trip to Lake Havasu.
Miyazaki’s 14-month old daughter, Megumi, will celebrate her second Christmas. And the stockings are hung…
Miyazaki’s 14-month old daughter, Megumi, will celebrate her second Christmas. And the stockings are hung…
Yes, that’s an official B.A.S.S. ornament and another lunker ornament on Miyazaki’s tree.
Yes, that’s an official B.A.S.S. ornament and another lunker ornament on Miyazaki’s tree.
Tomoki and Takumi show off a roasted chicken, the traditional Christmas fare of the Japanese, although many enjoy fried chicken because of a clever KFC marketing ploy.
Tomoki and Takumi show off a roasted chicken, the traditional Christmas fare of the Japanese, although many enjoy fried chicken because of a clever KFC marketing ploy.
The anglers said that Japanese New Year is a much bigger deal than Christmas, with families getting together for traditional Osechi meals and religious activities.
The anglers said that Japanese New Year is a much bigger deal than Christmas, with families getting together for traditional Osechi meals and religious activities.
Individual dishes in Osechi, which dates to before refrigeration and is prepared ahead of time because it is taboo to use a hearth and cook on the first three days of the New Year, have special meaning.
Individual dishes in Osechi, which dates to before refrigeration and is prepared ahead of time because it is taboo to use a hearth and cook on the first three days of the New Year, have special meaning.
For New Year’s, Japanese children receive money (Otoshidama) in a little pouch (Pochi Bukuro) from family members.
For New Year’s, Japanese children receive money (Otoshidama) in a little pouch (Pochi Bukuro) from family members.