There's been plenty of celebration, but in Shinto/Buddhist Japan, Christmas was just another ordinary working day.

The major celebration of this season is New Year's Day.

Cards depicting the animal of the New Year (2009 is the cow) are sent to everyone you know.

It's also tradition to watch the sun rise. We gathered in the dark winter cold to listen while taiko drummers beat out a ritual rhythm for the rising sun.

In the lead-up days, drums and claps sticks could be softly heard through the streets at night.

More than 2000 of us enjoyed soup and the annual mandarin throw.

Mandarins and mochi (sticky rice cake) are some of the celebratory season's symbols.

There's also been celebratory food like namako (blue sea slug) and a New Years bento box packed with symbolism for a joyful coming year.

It includes prawns (flexibility), red and white fishcake (the colours of happiness), tiny fish (abundance), salmon roe (for happy children) and lotus root (through which we may see the future).

Although Christmas is not celebrated with gifts, the act of giving is a common activity.

Bountiful generosity and kindness is just part of the culture.

I have been given so much, including constant assistance, small gifts to brighten my spirit and nearly everything needed to furnish my apartment.

More than 90 per cent of Japanese call themselves Buddhist but this is equally blended with the native Shinto religion.

Rituals like removing your shoes before entering a home and offering prayers before and after meals are common practices.

Shinto is unique to Japan and honours kami (spirit) in nature and all living things.

It is defined by four affirmations: Respect for traditions and family, loving nature as sacred, physical cleanliness and ritual purification, and Matsuri (festivals of kami).

This has definitely been a Christmas I will never forget.

Not only because December 25 was just another day, but because I spent it surrounded by the most incredible, ancient culture in a modern society, still strong in its identity in a rapidly homogeneous world.

* Kate is a Warrnambool artist and musician working on an exchange program in Miura.