ZaCSA shares Christmas traditions with Japanese friends

Photo By Candy Pafford | Several ZaCSA volunteers pose for a picture with Santa Clause at a ZaCSA Christmas Party held Dec. 1 to share their American Christmas traditions with over 60 ladies from Japanese Friendship Groups at the Camp Zama Religious Education Center. (U.S. Army photo by Mary Pressley)  

CAMP ZAMA, JAPAN

12.07.2015

Story by Candy Pafford 

U.S. Army Garrison - Japan

CAMP ZAMA, Japan — Several Zama Community Spouses’ Association volunteers shared their American Christmas traditions with over 60 ladies from Japanese Friendship Groups Dec. 1 at the Camp Zama Religious Education Center.

ZaCSA held a Christmas party that featured a holiday feast with individual dishes donated by ZaCSA members.

Participants met with Santa Claus and played Christmas-themed games.

Each year, ZaCSA partners with multiple Japanese Friendship Groups to share in each other’s cultures.

Already in the 2015-2016 membership year, ZaCSA members have attended events hosted by Japanese Friendship Groups to include: a tea ceremony, a haiku workshop, hiking and onsen (Japanese hot spring or resort) travels, an Asakusa (district in Taito, Tokyo) outing and more.

ZaCSA members then returns the favor by highlighting unique American traditions in the winter and spring.

Many of these Friendship Groups have been affiliated with ZaCSA for over 20 years and they continue to bring experiences to ZaCSA members that otherwise might be inaccessible to many people new to Japan and the Camp Zama community.

This year’s event concluded with Christmas carols sung in both English and Japanese by all the participants.

• Date Taken: 12.07.2015
• Date Posted: 12.06.2015 20:44
• Story ID: 183643
• Location: CAMP ZAMA, JP