White J-Crimbo

“I’m dreaming of a white…something or other…”

Oh hang on, Christmas has been and gone. But I was dreaming of a white one (better than a wet one), and my dream come true. [Next time: California Dreamin'!]

Off I trotted to the mountains of Takayama in Gifu-ken, way out yonder. Next thing, a cold snap…snap your fingers and va va voom, a good ole smattering. Godsmacking, in fact. Knee high for heaven’s sake!
Christmas in Japan is all about the decorations…and, er, that’s about it. Not even soft in the middle. Nothing in the middle. We roll out of the futon in the glorious ryokan (big, big o-susume) half-expecting everyone to be wearing Santa-san hats and waving mistletoe about like nobody’s business, but not even a holly-embroidered kimono. Not even so much as a ‘Meri kuri’ (‘Merry Christmas’ in Japanese)! How shockingu! Needless to say I didn’t manage to pluck up the courage to ask if they served mince pies as I munched through the sushi and shabu shabu for dinner.

But, oh! How wunderbar! Bar unhumbug, I love the J-Crimble! Giz a kiss!