A lot of it just has to do with what days the holidays fall on.  I remember last year most of the days were on weekdays which definitely helped.  This year you lose two days to the weekend.

Last year I took 14 days of nenkyu for December and the year before that 18 days so you're not doing so bad.

His school might just be doing the turning the blind eye thing to some of his days off.  Or he may have some daikyu in there somewhere.  If you look in your contract though, it probably has in it what days you get off for the new year.  At least mine does.

For me I get the 23rd off and the 29th or whatever to the 4th or whatever.  I don't remember off the top of my head since I'll be here during that time heh.

I definitely do NOT have those extra days off.  I'm leaving the 23rd, coming back the 6th, and I'm taking 6 days of nenkyu. 

Thanks for responding, guys- Yeah, I don't think there's any daikyuu or trickery involved...I have no idea what the deal is. My pred went home for 18 days last Christmas and only had to take 4 nenkyuu. I'm frustrated and don't know what's going on, but at the same time it feels sorta hopeless b/c no one's explaining anything to me at my school. -_- *deflate*

A lot of it just has to do with what days the holidays fall on.  I remember last year most of the days were on weekdays which definitely helped.  This year you lose two days to the weekend.

Last year I took 14 days of nenkyu for December and the year before that 18 days so you're not doing so bad.

Yeah last year the vacation days, weekends and the Emperor's Birthday lined up JUST RIGHT.  Since this year much of the New Year's holiday is over a weekend, it's not as great.  Thus last year the same holiday length would have needed less vacation days if you placed it right.

Actually, the crappy way the holidays fell this year was part of my reasoning to just go home during Silver Week this year.  And as much as I know people hate to hear it, everyone`s situation is just a little bit different, even in the same city.  He might have some daikyuu that you wouldn`t simply because he`s been here for a year already and possibly helped somewhere that earned him a couple daikyuu days.  (English days sometimes get them for you).

My usual number of days for a trip home has been between 9 and 11, so i would say you`re doing pretty on par for the course there :)

Ahhhhh, I see, that TOTALLY makes sense. Yeah, things must've lined up just right, as you guys said....Ok. I think I can have peace of mind, I guess I can stop thinking that they're out to get me here, haha. I should have suspected they weren't, since my secretary is always so sweet. Sigh.
Thanks so much, guys! =D

Yeah I always recommend to people spend your first December in Japan rather than going home for a couple reasons.

1) You've only been here 4 months.
2) If you only stay one year, you'll be home permanently in 7 months.
3) If you recontract, you can go home next Christmas and turn into a rock star since you've been gone for over a year.
4) You can save up 12 days of nenkyu to carry over the following year and then have super long awesome vacations in December.

I'mma do that, only go home next August (not December), because it'll be nice to be home were it's warm but not OMFG I'M GOING TO DIE HOT.

It appears that here in Takashima the schools close for a four day winter break within the two weeks students aren't here.  If you are staying local then you don't have to use nenkyu, but if you are going on vacation then you have to use nenkyu days.  We have the same thing during Obon.  I can't figure out why we have to use days when the schools are closed.  Meh. 

Yeah, I know going home isn't the most logical thing to do, especially since I'm only staying a year, but I am a weak person and miss my dog desperately. Thus, the trip home ^_^
Trust me. He's THAT cute.