What makes Christmas in Japan so unique?

Christmas in Japan is really something special. From the glitz of Tokyo to the winter wonderland of Hokkaido, Japan’s exuberant festive celebrations take the seasonal cheer to another level. Andrew, one of our Japan Specialists, offers an expert glimpse into what it’s really like to celebrate Christmas in Japan.

“Christmas definitely divides aspirations, as well as opinions. Many people come to us looking for a winter holiday in Asia that avoids the event completely, and we plan the most fabulous Asian adventures over December and January without a bauble in sight. Not so for our Japan-bound clients, however, who land straight into a Christmas maelstrom bigger than many will have ever experienced!

Christmas in Japan is huge. It performs a total takeover, and the country becomes lit up with the brightest and gaudiest displays imaginable. Of course, only a relatively small percentage of Japan identifies as Christian, and it isn't the religious significance that has become prominent, but Japan has seriously embraced all the other aspects of the Christmas season.

Decorations go up really, really early, and at scale, in shops, streets, businesses and in people’s homes. To be honest, some of the most impressive Christmas displays in the world are surely in Japan. Japanese children write letters to Santa san and wait eagerly to see what he has brought come Christmas morning. TV ads and billboards take on a Christmas theme… there is no escape. 

Alongside going all-in on the most well-known Christmas traditions, Japan has developed a few distinctive Christmas customs of its own. Many of these have become somewhat famous in their own right, and certainly much discussed, so it's time to engage in a bit of myth-busting (or myth-elaborating-upon at least!).

Firstly, there is the tradition of consuming fast food fried chicken for Christmas dinner in Japan which has, over the decades, become a bit of a quest. The most extravagant buckets need to be ordered a month in advance, and even then, collecting them means being happy to stand in epic queues on Christmas Eve. Even long-term foreign residents find themselves drawn in and, after a few years, it feels perfectly normal to make time in the day to secure some Christmas chicken. There is some dispute as to how this unusual tradition started, but most people in Japan are fully aware that it’s a Japan-only thing. Unsurprisingly, KFC fully embraces and encourages the trend, as it accounts for a large proportion of its annual sales!

Next comes the cake. For those used to rich, alcohol sodden, fruity Christmas cakes, as we are in the UK, the Japanese version may feel surprisingly lightweight. Japanese Christmas cakes are made from layers of shortcake, sandwiched together with strawberries and cream - seasonal red and white - and decorated beautifully. It’s definitely a crowd pleaser and absolutely delicious - the kind of sweet treat that Japan does very well. This is one you definitely need to reserve in advance, too, with cake shops everywhere furiously competing with each other.

In Japan, Christmas Eve is the most romantic night of the year, and Tokyo is full of couples making their way to dinner reservations to celebrate. While Valentines Day is still also a big event, Christmas is lighter, and not as serious. Valentines is about dating; Christmas eve dinners are about true love.

Essentially, Christmas in Japan is another fantastic time to be there. It’s a fun country that makes events from joyous things, and Christmas is one of them. In a strange kind of way, it brings out the best in the country. 

If you’re visiting Japan at this time of year, Christmas can definitely take centre stage, or it can simply be the joyous backdrop to your Japan winter holiday. Either way, you’ll find it hard not to smile at Japan’s unsurpassable Christmas spirit.”

Get in touch with our Japan Specialists to start planning your trip to Japan at Christmas.

by Andrew on 29th November 2024