Christmas: Nativity, Symphony, Christmas trees

The Nativity in our Church office building

In front of the Christmas tree in the Church office building

With Brother Koyamagishi who works here in the building

 

A little Japanese Nativity in the office on Sister Watabe's desk

The back of this Nativity; notice the angel's wings.

 

 

 

 

We went to see the Senshu University Philharmonic Symphony on Saturday with our friends,
Elder and Sister Graham.  Here we are in front of Symphony Hall which is in Kawasaki
which is close to Yokahama. 

The symphony hall

The symphony hall had three tiers.
Notice the beautiful pipe organ inside, too.

 

 

I had never seen adjustable chairs which were for the musicians.

Tuning up for the performance



These were amazing musicians.  The selections were from Schubert, Dvorak, etc.
I was very impressed.  They have a tremendous work ethic here and one can
only imagine the hours and hours and hours that they practice. I wish I could
have taken a movie of the conductor as he was super-energetic waving his arms
and jumping and very entertaining but I think it is bad manners to take pictures
or take movies, as no one was doing that.

Leaving the symphony

The beautiful Christmas tree inside the big hall.

Close by in a huge shopping center, the music was quite a bit different.
This band's name was Please.

Looking down at the band and the shopping center and people

 

We decided to eat at a diner with American hamburgers, etc.
When we are really hungry sometime, we'll have to take the
three train rides to go eat at the American buffet!

We loved the tree and decorative candles that kept changing colors.

Here is the same tree in blue.

I love this; don't you!

Here is a beautiful life-sized nativity in front of our beautiful Tokyo Temple.
We are so grateful to live so close to the temple and are blessed to be able to attend each week.
Families can be forever and we are grateful for the temples where these sacred ordinances are performed.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from Tokyo everyone!

Chrostmas time at Tokyo Skytree

 

Here are some pictures of a little trip last Saturday a few miles from where we live.  Since less than 1% of Japan is Christian there isn't much of a Christmas celebration and almost nothing with Christ.  It's common to see Christmas trees and hear Christmas music in the stores and you can buy Christmas trees to decorate.  Around the Skytree is one of the few areas with lots of Christmas lights and a big shopping mall filled with Christmas things and lots of shoppers.  We enjoyed the visit.  We went to a Japanese restaurant for lunch.  They had no menu in English and no one who spoke English which is actually quite unusual in Tokyo.  So we didn't really know what we were ordering but it all turned out to be very good.  Also, Carol helped decorate a nice Christmas tree and set up a Christmas display in the front of our office building which is on a very busy street.  It is the only scene we have seen of Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. 


The Tokyo Skytree--tallest tower and 2nd tallest structure in the world at 2020 feet

At the bottom of the Skytree is a very large mall and lots of Christmas decorations and lights which aren't easy to find in Tokyo

  

Our friends, Doctor and Sister Eliason in front of tower and sculpture

Skytree from half mile away--its foundation goes down 150 in the ground to bedrock.  There are two observation levels-one at 1200 feet and one at 1500 feet.  We went to both.



Strange sculpture like a sweet potato

Gary and Carol across the Sumida River from the Skytree about a mile away.



Entrance to Asakusa shopping area.  It is the oldest shopping area in Tokyo.

 

Rickshaw at Asakusa market

Gary and Carol under giant lantern at Asakusa

Shops inside Asakusa market

 

 

Buddhist Senso-ji Temple at Asakusa

Smoke (incense) purification

Interior of Senso-ji Temple

 

Small park next to Temple

Ornate ceiling in Temple

Small Shinto temple/shrine next to Senso-ji

 

Inside elevator to Skytree

 

Late afternoon of part of Tokyo

View of different part of Tokyo

 

Looking down at Asakusa market across the river and one mile away

 

Christmas characters in Skytree

Another part of Tokyo looking northeast

Sumida River

 

Some strange American

Looking down at a barge on the Sumida river

  

Another view of Tokyo in later afternoon

Looking down 1500 feet

  

Metlife blimp flying around Tokyo

  

Sun setting near Mt. Fuji

Mt. Fuji

  

City with Mt. Fuji in background right side

 


Central Tokyo at dusk

City lights coming on

West side of central Tokyo

Mt. Fuji looming over Tokyo--actually about 70 miles away

Looking up the elevator shaft to the higher level

Mt. Fuji and city

More city views

Merry Christmas from Tokyo--there is no Christ in Christmas

Looking up from the base of Skytree

Christmas lights on trees

Just like you, we are very grateful that we are Christian and that we
know the real reason we celebrate Christmas.  May we always love
and appreciate our Savior, Jesus Christ and all that he has done for
each and every one of us.
Merry Christmas you all, our dear friends and family.