Christmas in many countries involves lots of snow and large turkey meals. But Japanese Christmas completely shifts focus to shopping and romance. This blog explains how Japan celebrates Christmas and offers advice for tourists visiting in December.
The Rise of Christmas in Japan?
Christmas has never been a significant religious celebration there as only about 1% of the people in Japan are Christian. It instead arrived in Japan through Western influence and gradually evolved into a celebration centred on shopping and socialising.
And Japanese culture eventually shifted Christmas away from religion and toward enjoyment and relationships. So Japan in short took the Christmas holiday and shifted its focus from religion to happiness and socialisation.
When and how is it celebrated?
Christmas decorations and bright lights are put up starting in mid-November which is long before the holiday itself. And Christmas Eve is considered more important than Christmas Day itself. And many people go to work as usual because Christmas Day is not a public holiday.
Hence Christmas in Japan is mainly seen as a time for fun and celebration but not your standard holiday.
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Unique Christmas Food and Customs
Christmas celebrations in Japan have many unique foods and surprising traditions.
KFC & The Christmas Meal
The most popular tradition is eating KFC with about 3.6 million Japanese families enjoying it for their holiday meal. And this tradition started from a successful marketing campaign decades ago.
Why KFC?
Western turkey was never a popular food in Japan. But the first KFC manager in 1970 thought fried chicken could replace turkey after hearing foreigners wanted it. And the “Kentucky for Christmas” campaign launched in 1974 made fried chicken the national Christmas meal.
Kurisumasu Keki: The Japanese Christmas Cake
Another famous holiday food is this covered with strawberries and whipped cream. It is much lighter than fruitcakes common in the West and has small decorations like Santa figures.
Why this Cake?
It was first introduced to Japan in the early 1900s by the confectioner Fujiya, who popularized the idea of having cake for Christmas. And fancy Western sweets became a sign of wealth and hope when Japan recovered after World War II. Almost every store sells different varieties of this cake in December. But they all sell out by Christmas Eve.
Other popular foods include traditional Japanese sweets called wagashi that are shaped like winter objects. And sometimes even pizza as fast-food chains try to offer other Western holiday meals.
The Romantic Side of Japanese Christmas
A key difference is that Christmas here feels more like Valentine’s Day than a family or religious festival. Couples celebrate its eve with a romantic dinner and then walk under street lights. And many restaurants and hotels are fully booked weeks or months before Christmas since so many people want to celebrate.
Friends also sometimes gather for small parties on Christmas Eve to enjoy chicken and drinks rather than just romantic couples celebrating. This day is more about romance and enjoyment than religious or family customs for many Japanese.
Bright Lights and Seasonal Fun
Japan makes the atmosphere incredibly festive even though Christmas isn’t a religious holiday. The main attractions are the stunning winter lights and the Christmas markets.
- Many Japanese cities from mid-November onwards put up fantastic displays of streetlights and fairy lights on buildings which makes public areas look bright and magical.
- Big shopping areas and even entire neighbourhoods can become beautiful spots. Such places are great for evening walks or simply enjoying the festive mood.
- Christmas markets which look like those in Europe start appearing. They sell special holiday foods and sweets along with hot drinks and gifts to create a cosy atmosphere.
- Combining walking under bright lights with browsing Christmas stalls creates a memorable holiday experience for both tourists and couples.
Visiting Japan in December, especially before Christmas is the best time to experience city life and holiday fun.
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Gifts, Santa, and the Japanese Christmas Spirit
This holiday successfully uses things like giving gifts and fun products even though it’s not an official holiday.
- Santa is known as Santa-san or Santa Kurosu in Japan.
- Stores in big cities sell many Christmas items such as cards and sweets. These are popular with couples and friends who prefer a simple and modern way to celebrate.
- Some younger Japanese people use Christmas to show they care or to spend time together by exchanging small gifts or going on special dates.
- Most Japanese remove Christmas decorations by 26th December to immediately prepare for the New Year. It is a much more important holiday than Christmas in Japan.
Is there a Family Christmas?
Yes. But the way Japanese families celebrate Christmas differs from how families in countries where Christianity is the main religion celebrate it.
- Families often share fried chicken and Christmas cake at home. This is a common tradition especially when children are involved.
- Some families may visit the winter lights or Christmas markets. But Christmas is an exceptional opportunity for comfort and a happy dinner rather than a religious event.
- But the biggest family holiday in Japan is New Year’s and not Christmas. It’s when families get together to pray at temples and follow traditional customs.
It means that Christmas is treated as a fun but less severe holiday than New Year’s Day for many Japanese families.
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Tips to Visit Japan During Christmas
Here is what you should know if you are planning a trip to Japan during Christmas:
- You can enjoy the amazing lights and decorations everywhere in cities. This makes the evening very beautiful for photos or walks.
- Be sure to reserve your spot early in restaurants and hotels if you want a special or romantic dinner. It’s because they are booked weeks in advance of Christmas Eve.
- If you want the iconic Japanese Christmas meal then try to order a KFC set beforehand. It’s because you may face long waits if you just show up.
- Buy Christmas cakes quickly from stores or bakeries as they are popular gifts and sell out fast.
- Remember that 25th December is not a national holiday. So public transport and shops operate as usual even though the festive mood remains.
Conclusion
Japanese Christmas is not a religious or a national holiday. But it still gives a warm and fun time to visitors. Christmas here is a mix of Japanese and Western traditions. And it shows that any culture can completely transform a holiday into a source of comfort and joy while still keeping the celebration special.
December here means enjoying the whole Christmas experience with bright streets and romantic city nights. Imagine a cosy vibe and strawberry cakes when imagining your holidays here. Christmas here feels like a complete event and not just a single day.
FAQs
Q1. Is Christmas a public holiday in Japan?
No. It is not a day off here and most people go to work or school on 25th December. But festive feelings remain strong.
Q2. Do Japanese people celebrate Christmas as a religious festival?
Hardly as only 1% of the people here are Christians. This day is celebrated as a fun time for shopping and festivities.
Q3. Why do the Japanese eat fried chicken at Christmas?
Fried chicken became popular since KFC advertised it as a replacement for traditional Western turkey dinner in the 1970s which quickly became a tradition. Many Japanese families now order KFC party barrels ahead of Christmas.
Q4. What is a Christmas cake in Japan? And how is it different from the Western version?
They are light sponge cakes covered in whipped cream and strawberries but differ from heavy fruitcakes. They have become a favourite dessert of this season since they are sold everywhere in December.
Q5. Should I expect a family-oriented celebration like in the West?
Not exactly as Christmas Eve is treated more like a special date of outing with couples or friends. Family gatherings are less common as New Year’s Day is the major festival here.
Q6. What happens if you’re single and alone on Christmas?
Christmas Eve can feel stressful for singles, since it prioritizes couples. Many people spend it with friends or just spoiling themselves.
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