Christmas in Japan is a completely unique occasion. To be expected for a country that totes a 1% Christian population. Don’t worry though, there are some similarities to get you in the Christmas spirit! Once Halloween is over, all decorations start to switch to Christmas. Which is fair, as they don’t have a different holiday in between the two like we do in the states. Whether you are looking for some glimpse of home or a completely different take on the holiday, here’s a guide to what you’ll experience in Japan.
How is Christmas in Japan the same
Lights and trees
This may be the best part. Illuminations take over the winter in Japan. In fact, they last all the way till Valentine’s Day in most cases! There are Christmas trees set up in most shopping areas. However, I don’t know anyone besides foreigners that have a tree in their house. I’d rather just go enjoy the super fancy ones myself anyway! (Plus I’m out exploring more than I’m home!).
Christmas music
This probably starts almost immediately after Halloween. Again, there isn’t Thanksgiving in between to stop them, so can you blame them? The music you will hear is all the same classics you will hear in the states. There’s not any Christmas music that’s Japanese that I’ve heard.
Starbucks specials
I may have a Starbucks addiction. It’s the only place you can get decent sized coffee though! Everyone loves Starbucks Christmas cups though and Japan isn’t any different. They also have lots of gifts and special thermos as well. The cups are both red AND green though!
Santa is coming to town
There’s still Santa Claus but he is サンタさん (santa-san). You will hear people saying メリークリスマス, Merry Kurisumasu! However, Santa bringing presents is still a newer addition I believe. New Years still tends to be the time when presents are given. Which leads to…
How is Christmas in Japan different
It’s not a national holiday and the religious connotation is not there as the Christian population is very small in Japan. The emperors birthday is on the 23rd so there is a national holiday near by (though that will change when the emperor changes), so sometimes with the weekend, the holiday can fall close to Christmas.
If you are thinking of a family get together though. Christmas is not it but the more important holiday for Japan is New Years, which is a four day celebration.
Completely Unique Japan
There are differences, and then there are completely Japanese takes on somethings.
Date Night
Christmas in Japan is more for dates than a family affair. Actually, to the extent that if you aren’t dating someone, you don’t do anything for the holiday. I agree it’s definitely a romantic day with all those lights! Japan hasn’t missed an opportunity of advertising to push the consumerism behind it. Between fancy restaurants and hotels and magazines explaining how to have the best Christmas date. It’s very much like you would see in America around Valentines day.
Possibly the best marketing campaign in Japan ever
KFC saw an opportunity to promote a bucket of chicken, inspired by American Turkey dinners. In 1974 ran a campaign called クリスマスにはケンタッキー, Kurisumasu niwa Kentakki, or Kentucky for Christmas. And it stuck! For the past 40+ years, KFC is synonymous with Christmas. If you don’t pre-order your meal (which starts about a month out!), you’ll be waiting for several hours to get your KFC meal set. I’ve lucked out with friends going for lunch and just getting a normal meal (because we had to since it was the tradition, after all!). Something that also comes with the meal is Christmas Cake.
Christmas Cake
Ah, another thing that you must order early or have an entire disappointed family. These are available at convenience stores but you can also get fancy models at the nicer grocers. Even on some street corners in the bigger cities. It’s a sponge cake with white frosting and normally strawberries. You can read all about the history of them here, which is a very interesting read.
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Loved reading about it! Coming from Brazil to Europe, both heavily Christians, I never really considered how different Xmas time could be!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s so interesting to find how other cultures celebrate. I bet theres things in Xmas in Brazil would surprise me! I’m working on posts for other Japanese takes on holidays. Be on the lookout for them!
Indeed! But for us Christmas is very family-oriented and the weirdest thing is that although it’s summer, Santa Claus looks and dresses the same and we put fake snow on things lol
New Year’s Eve is when we really go all out! I will write about it soon, as I’m heading to Rio to celebrate it there for the first time in 5 years, so excited!!
Omg! I forgot about the fact that it would be summer down there. I don’t know if I could do it. Lol. Cold Christmas just seems right. 🤣
Can’t wait to hear about new years down there!