Although Christmas isn’t celebrated with gifts and presents in Japan, it is celebrated with elaborate displays throughout the major cities. Giant trees that overlook shopping centers have lights that illuminate, not just the tree, but everything around it. Bridges have elegant lights strewn though the posts and hang wires that align the bridge inspire awe from passerby’s. Oceans of LED lights lay in small groves underneath giant skyscrapers that promote good will and cheer from the cities occupants. Christmas in Japan is about spreading cheer to the people and creating inspirational fixtures that were thought to only exist in one’s imagination.
This year, the great and ever growing city of Bunkyo has decided to follow in the footsteps of cities like Tokyo and Shiodome in creating an elaborate Christmas display. Although the entire city will be lit up with killer LED fixtures, the shopping mall will be the center of attention. Christmas trees will zigzag the sidewalks and lamp posts will have lights of green, blue and red spiraling, and intertwining from the base, to the bulb. These crazy displays will be placed in such a way that’ll lead the cities occupants to the doors of the shopping mall.Not only that, but these light displays will provide for an excellent show later into the evening.
When entering the shopping mall, you will find that the store fronts have been completely transformed. Some stores have workshops in place that allow it’s customers to experience the life of one of Santa’s elves; building toys, stuffed animals and making candy. Small games and contests will be in place outside of stores that will invite people to throw pies in each other’s face, compete for the best build snowman, remote control reindeer races, and karaoke. All of the proceeds will go to charities.
Now, as awesome as the light displays are, and the games, there is also an indoor ice skating ring set up for people to spread cheer. The ring will have giant candy canes lining the perimeter and snow will be lining the edge of the ice to create a more authentic atmosphere.
First and foremost, be sure to tag your posts correctly. In order to distinguish threads from normal roleplays going on, tag any and all threads for this event as ‘AUWinter’.
The event will run from December 21st to December 29th.
Once the time is up you are allowed to continue threads from the event but you are not allowed to make new starters set during the event.
This is not a mandatory event and participation is optional.
「Safety and Etiquette Rules 」
Make sure to not touch the burning LED lights set up all over the park.
Take caution around the ice skating rink, as the ice can be very slippery and dangerous.
Try not to aim for the head when throwing snowballs at people.
Since the park is family friendly, avoid doing anything inappropriate.
Many shops are offering classes such as knitting, sewing, creating ornaments, baking treats, and making plush toys for personal touches on gifts.
Cafes such as Tinker's Delight are holding holiday sales and discounts on their desserts.
Each evening there is a strawberry shortcake throw, where people pay for a slice of shortcake to throw at someone of their choosing.
Snowman building contests are held twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening with prizes for the top three entries.
For 1000 yen, people are able to enjoy the ice skating rink that has been set up.
Food stands have been set up all along the park for hungry visitors.
Alongside the food stands, there are many booths with games for anyone to play - win a goldfish, shoot a plate, toss rings onto bottles, etc.
Once the sun goes down, the LED Ocean strung up along all of the trees turn on. Walk under the lights with a loved one.
Snowball fights are sure to start amongst visitors. Make friends (or even enemies) and see who becomes the all powerful Snowball Fighter.
