Advertisement
Published: January 3rd 2011
Edit Blog Post
I was anxious to spend 5-days with my in-laws in Fukuoka for the New Year holiday. Not that I don't like them, I do actually adore them. But if one experienced New Year in Japan, its the most important holiday for them, but unlike most countries, the celebration is way too quiet compared to the usual big bang New Year festivities most people have grown accustomed to. If a city as big as Osaka can become so quiet during the New Year, I dreaded having to spend it in a countryside where my wife's family home is located right in the middle of a sprawling rice field.
But after 4 years of living in the country, the time has come for us to take the trip to my wife's hometown for the holidays. So we booked 3 round trip bullet train (Shinkansen) tickets at a total of 800 USD. I'm sure everyone has heard how expensive this country is. Although, traveling in this country is such a breeze; everything flows so smoothly in spite having half of its people traveling at the same time. Also, watching from my window, it so amazing how fast the bullet train cuts across mountains
and towns. One minute you see snow covered mountains and village and another minute there's no snow at all.
So for the first day we help the in-laws get ready for the celebration, cleaning every inch of their house, while my kids simply spent the whole day playing with their grandfather and cousins. The 2nd day which was the 31st was spent having a family dinner with my wife's family. A quiet dinner I would say. We started the course eating soba noodle, for long life and then its pretty much anything there is on the table. We had very pretty stuff on our dinner table. As they say, Japanese people eat with their eyes. And these beautiful food center pieces would apparently became the theme for all the gatherings we attended. But forget all the pretty things, when it comes to the region of Kyushu, mentaiko (fish eggs) is the best thing of all. And good heavens, mentaiko was served, me happy !!! After the dinner it was just watching the NHK's (government TV station) New Year show, wherein all Japanese celebrities who made it during the year perform and welcome the coming year.
The next day
it was all about eating and praying. We visited 3 small temples around the area. And as the tradition goes, threw in some coins and rang the temple bell. Don't quite know the meaning of it, but I would assume it is for good fortune. Had lunch at my the house of my mother-in-law's family. Then things really finally get better for my children, as envelopes with cash were being handed to them. Children gets monetary presents during New Year celebration. Mmmm..., I like that, money is always a welcome addition to all celebration.
The next day we intended to do another New Year tradition, which was relaxing in an onsen (hot spring). But we gave in to shopping, another sacred holiday tradition. And how would you not love my in-laws. We came in with one luggage and by the time the day was over we already have an additional two bags to bring home with us. Aside from the shopping we did on that day, I believed my in-laws were shopping for us months ahead. And again as part of Japanese tradition label is a big thing, although not for me and my wife. We still couldn't be
happier to bring home hundred dollars jeans, Coach bags and other label goods for my kiddies.
It was our last night too, and it was nice to have an intimate chat with my wife's family. They were all hoping we will in the future move near them. So sweet and nice of them. But I'm sure Rinka and myself will always be living away from our families. We loved them dearly, but we loved being on our own too.
Finally, our last day. After we sent our luggage to be shipped back to Osaka, we then visited this very interesting temple, Kita Tenmangu, in Yanagawa. It is famous for single people wishing for a partner in life or couples wishing to stay together forever. We went there again to wish for good fortune and to watch all the single ladies giggle as they pray. We also prayed for our marriage to last a lifetime, although, we intent to stay that way even without the help of the gods.
Then the most important part of the day was lunch hosted by my father-in-law's family. The shrimps, grattan and oysters were so good. After all the pleasantries, eating the
pretty things on the table, drinking hot sake and envelopes being handed to my kids, came the unpleasantness of ignorance. One of my wife's cousin, whom I met for the first time, made all the effort to cross the table to strike a conversation with me. And even imploring another stupid cousin to join in the conversation, and the topic he wished to discuss of all things was about "Filipina prostitutes". I would have taken offense but my son needs to go to the bathroom, hihihihihi ! And quite frankly I don't care too much as their ignorance is their own, and I'm not really a person too much attach to a country. I believed my attachment to a country goes only as far as how I love its city. So maybe you will only get my ire if you would say my New York city is dirty or Bangkok smells bad !!! And why bother with few rotten apples when my wife's whole family had been so great to me despite being different and all.
And as a foreigner, we also have to take into account the history and culture of the country we lived in. Japan in
all its niceties is still a close country. Although sensitivity is expected, we must also realize that it might take sometime to fully realize it.
So after I brought my son to the toilet, we were invited to another room to finish our lunch with rice, soup and pickled veggies. Then its time to say goodbye. And I guess my prayers have been answered after going to all those temples. Party favors were handed and voila, it was one of those very expensive and known brand of mentaiko !!! I'm in fish egg heaven! So we went went straight for to the train station. Said our sad farewell to the in-laws and promised to visit each other the soonest. What a nice holiday,albeit a little quiet!
Finally back in Osaka, anticipating our breakfast of fish egg pasta. Happy New Year to all !!!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.112s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 16; qc: 72; dbt: 0.0676s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
liliram
liliram
yummmy
Hi there. I was drooling just reading your blog and viewing the photos. You are so right. The Japanese eat with their eyes. Perhaps you should do a blog soon about Japanese dishes. I should soon grow tired of soba, sukiyaki, tempura and my knowledge of sushi and sashimi is quite limited to a few selections. Tell us more about what to eat in your part of town and where. Ha ha ha. Your Tita Lili is hankering for Japanese food now :))