---

【国際交流PRアソシエイトからの発信★】Christmas in Morioka - Reflections on the Winter Holiday Season

クリスマスやお正月をみなさんは楽しみましたか？クリスマスは国によってお祝いの仕方が異なりますね。さて、日本のクリスマスを見て留学生が驚いたこととは何でしょうか？Rittさんがレポートで詳しく紹介してくれています。ぜひご覧ください！Did you all enjoy Christmas and New Year's? Christmas celebrations vary from country to country. So, what surprised international students when they experienced Christmas in Japan? Ritt has written a detailed report on the topic--be sure to check it out!

（言語：英語?タイ語）

(Language: English and Thai)

Christmas in Morioka - Reflections on the Winter Holiday Season

(盛岡のクリスマス)

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a peaceful and joyful holiday season. How was your winter holiday? I hope you had time to relax and enjoy the festive spirit with your family and friends.

Here in Morioka, we may not have large Christmas parades or major events like in other places, but we still have our own special way of celebrating. One of the highlights is the beautiful Christmas lights at Morioka Station, and another favorite spot is Kowai Farm, where the lights beautifully blend with nature. The quiet winter scenery combined with the colorful decorations really captures the holiday spirit. Whether you're strolling through the lights or spending time with family and friends, there's a warmth to the season here.

On December 23rd, the Iwate University International Office held a winter holiday party. It was a fun event where we learned about Christmas traditions in America, such as Christmas trees, Santa Claus, holiday decorations, and special foods enjoyed during the season.

Did you know that the Christmas tree tradition began in Germany around 1539? By 2018, 82% of families in the U.S. used artificial Christmas trees. When we think of Christmas in America, turkey often comes to mind, right? However, families can vary, and ham is also quite popular. Traditional sweets include cookies, cakes, gingerbread, and candy canes, which are also favored. In Japan, turkey isn't typically eaten. Instead, many families enjoy KFC! This unique tradition started with a marketing campaign in Japan, but it has since become widely popular, with even convenience stores offering it during the Christmas season. It's always a surprise to people! Have you ever had fried chicken for Christmas? It's fascinating to see how different cultures adapt holiday traditions in their own ways.

At the Winter Holiday Party, we also enjoyed some delicious snacks and drinks while chatting with friends. It was a wonderful opportunity to relax and connect with others. The event was filled with laughter and good conversation, reminding me of how important it is to spend time with people during the holidays.

Overall, it was a fun and meaningful Christmas celebration, full of learning and sharing. I hope everyone had their own special moments of holiday joy, no matter how big or small the celebrations were. Here's to a bright and exciting New Year, full of new opportunities and memories to create!

--------

????????????????????