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Christmas decorations light up above a Japanese couple in
Tokoy. |
Christmas Eve in some parts of the world may find
parents battling crowds of other last-minute shoppers or struggling to
assemble toys as their children sleep, but in Japan the holiday is as much
for couples as for kids.
Magazines aimed at the young and in love are filled with advice on the
best places to stroll down streets illuminated with stunning displays of
Christmas lights, the best restaurants for a cosy dinner for two -- and
the best hotels for a romantic night.
Tokyo Tower, a popular dating spot, is lighting up a heart-shaped
illumination on its observation deck every night until Christmas. Some
believe that couples who stand under the tower when the lights go on must
vow eternal love.
Lovers can also tie a ribbon to a special Christmas "love tree" on the
tower's observation deck.
"When I tied this ribbon, I made a wish that our love would last
forever," said Masahiro Yamamoto, 23, as he and his girlfriend enjoyed the
view ahead of the holiday rush.
Nearby, the new Tokyo Prince Hotel Park Tower has two specially
decorated Christmas suites on offer for 2 million yen ($16,660) a night,
fancy dinner included.
"We made this special plan for couples who would like to have a special
and memorable Christmas," said concierge Hiromi Koshikawa.
Both suites were booked for December 24 more than a month ago.
"This sort of flashy spending became conspicuous during the 'bubble'," said Toshihiro
Nagahama, a senior economist at Dai-Ichi Life Research Institute,
referring to Japan's late 1980s heydey of sky-high property and share
prices.
"With the economy improving now, spending could go up again."
Only about 1 percent of Japan's population is Christian, and December
25 is a working day for most people, but practices such as decorating
shopping streets and exchanging gifts became common in the robust consumer
economy that emerged after World War Two.
Modern "traditions" include Christmas Cake -- a sponge cake with strawberries and whipped cream eaten on Christmas Eve
-- and, for some families, a take-out bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken.
(Agencies) |
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