How is Christmas Celebrated in Japan?
If you are in Japan any time between November 1st and December 25th, you will absolutely notice that the Christmas season is in full swing. As soon as the clock strikes midnight at the end of Halloween night, department store windows and city streets across the country are suddenly full of Santas, Christmas trees, and beautiful light installations. For a country that doesn't have a long history with Christmas, it sure seems like Japan loves to celebrate this holiday.
But since Christmas is not a traditional Japanese holiday, you will soon notice that there are many differences between how Christmas is celebrated in Japan and how it is celebrated in your home country. So let's take a look at how Christmas is celebrated in Japan, how it might be different from how it is celebrated in your home country, and we'll also look at some of the fun Christmas and illumination events you can enjoy this holiday season in Japan.
Christmas Culture in Japan
While Christmas has been introduced (and outlawed) a few times over the course of Japan's long history, the holiday as it is celebrated in the country today didn't truly take form until after World War II. While on the surface it may seem as though Christmas is celebrated the same as it is in many Western countries (with Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and presents) there are quite a few ways that Japanese people celebrate Christmas that are unique to the country. So first, let's look at how Christmas is celebrated in Japan, and how it may be celebrated differently from others.
・Christmas is a Holiday for Couples
This is a part of Christmas culture in Japan that may be very different from your home country. While for people in many countries, Christmas is a holiday where you spend time with family, in Japan, Christmas is perceived as more of a holiday for couples. If you are wandering around Japan on Christmas, you will probably see tons of couples holding hands and walking around the city, enjoying different Christmas-themed events or illuminations.
If you don't have a date on Christmas in Japan, don't worry! Many people who are single will spend time with friends instead by having a good meal or going out to have fun together. That way, nobody has to spend Christmas alone.
・Christmas is Not a Public Holiday
Unlike many other countries in the world (primarily those with a long history of Christian influence), December 25th is not a national holiday in Japan. So if Christmas falls on a weekday, everyone will be going to work or school as usual and may only have time to celebrate the holiday in the evening. As well, more people tend to choose to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas Day, so you're even less likely to see people out enjoying Christmas on the 25th.
・KFC is The Go-To Christmas Dinner
This is possibly one of the more well-known differences between Japanese Christmas and Christmas in other countries, if only because it is such a unique tradition. So why do so many people in Japan eat Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas?
Well, in the 1970s one store manager decided to start promoting KFC as a "Christmas meal," since in Japan it was very difficult at the time to find a Christmas turkey like one you might eat in countries like America. This marketing campaign became extremely popular, and soon enough KFCs around the country had masses of people waiting to buy some fried chicken for Christmas.
KFCs in Japan will start taking orders for Christmas fried chicken meals as early as November, and stores often sell close to 10 times the usual amount of chicken on Christmas itself, so if you want to celebrate Christmas the "Japanese way" by eating KFC, make sure to head to your local store and make an order well in advance!
Many KFCs in Japan will also have statues of Colonel Sanders outside the store dressed as Santa, which could be a fun chance for a photo that you could show friends and family back home.
・People Love Their Christmas Cakes
Another unique part of Christmas in Japan is the "Christmas Cake." Originally these were simple strawberry shortcakes (since red and white are Christmas-y colors), but nowadays you can buy Christmas cakes that come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors. Christmas cakes are also extremely popular, so you may need to order one in advance if you want to make sure you'll be able to get one for Christmas.
・Exchanging Presents isn't as Big a Deal
Generally speaking, a lot fewer presents are exchanged on Christmas in Japan compared to other countries. Couples will also exchange gifts with one another but for the most part, only children will get Christmas gifts, and they may only get presents from their parents and Santa. A mountain of presents under the tree on Christmas morning is not a common sight in Japan--in fact, it is not common for people to have Christmas trees in their homes at all. This brings us to our next point, which is...
・Decorating Homes with Christmas Lights is Not Common
In some countries, like the United States, families will deck out the outside of their homes with Christmas lights during the holiday season. This is very uncommon in Japan, so you are unlikely to see many homes with Christmas lights outside. As well, it's rare to find people who get a real Christmas tree every year, as they just aren't readily available. Some families will choose to get a fake Christmas tree and use that every year, but this is also not particularly common. If you are living in Japan and really want to get a real Christmas tree for your home, check stores like Costco or Ikea if there is one in your area, as they may get some real trees in stock during the holiday season.
・There are Illuminations Across the Country
If you are worried you won't be able to see beautiful Christmas decorations because people in Japan usually don't put decorations up in their own homes, don't be! During the holiday season cities all over Japan will hold special illumination events along with other Christmas-themed events. Some of these illuminations feature huge lighting displays that stretch across large parts of the town, and in recent years special projection mapping illuminations have become more common as well. Sometimes these illuminations will even be timed to music. All these illuminations really help to bring some Christmas spirit to cities in Japan, and they usually begin in November and continue up until Christmas or early January.
Japanese Christmas Events Worth Checking Out
There are different Christmas-themed events in cities all across Japan over the holiday season. Here are just a few of the events that you could check out if you are in Japan this time of year.
・Sapporo Factory 30th Anniversary Christmas
The Sapporo Factory in Sapporo, Hokkaido will be illuminated from November 3rd to December 25th, with special events all centered around a giant Christmas tree. There will be various events throughout the Christmas season, so check out Sapporo Factory's website here to see if there are any you are interested in checking out if you're in Hokkaido around Christmas.
・Sendai Christmas Market
The Christmas Market in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture is a big, German-style Christmas market with unique decorations at the Koutoudai Park Civic Plaza. While most days admission to the Christmas market is free, some days or events may require you to buy a ticket in advance. If you do have to pre-purchase a ticket, it'll come with a novelty like a free mug! If you're in the Tohoku region and are looking to enjoy a European-style Christmas market, don't miss this.
The Sendai Christmas Market runs from December 8 to 25. Learn more here.
・Tokyo Christmas Market
Japan's largest event, the Tokyo Christmas Market, takes place in the Meiji Shrine Outer Garden from November 23 to December 25. The biggest highlight of the Christmas market in Tokyo is the 14-meter-tall German-style Christmas Pyramid. Tokyo Christmas Market is the only place in Japan during the holiday season where you will able to find this kind of Christmas decoration.
You'll need to pay for admission to the Tokyo Christmas Market, and prices do go up closer to Christmas. If you pre-purchase tickets you'll receive a special Christmas market mug as well. Learn more here.
・Nagoya Building Christmas Illumination
From November 8 to December 25 the "Sky Garden" of the Dai Nagoya Building in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture will be brightly lit up with approximately 110,000 LED lights. The theme of the illumination event is "Champagne Gold Christmas," so expect to see a lot of gold-themed photo spots and lights set against the backdrop of the Nagoya cityscape.
Learn more about the event here.
・Osaka Castle Illuminage
From November 22 to February 25th, illuminations at Osaka Castle will depict the history of Osaka Castle and recreate areas featuring famous sights in Osaka. You'll be able to enjoy seeing illuminations inspired by famous Osaka tourist spots like Dotonbori and Teutonkaku along with much more.
Learn more here.
・Flower Illumination in Tottori Hanakairo
From November 10 to January 8 the Flower Illumination in Tottori, Tottori Prefecture features a collaboration of one million illuminations with flowers. There is also the Flower Corridor Winter Fireworks event held on weekends during this time. The Tottori Hanakairo (Flower Park) is located close to the famous Mt. Daisen, which you can see directly from the park while you're enjoying the illuminations. If you're looking for a more unique illumination event and love flowers, be sure to check out this one!
Learn more here.
・RIVERWALK 20th Christmas Carnival
This event is held in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture from October 24 to February 29, but features special Christmas decorations up until December 25th. RIVERWALK is a large shopping center close to Kokura Castle and the Murasaki River in Kitakyushu, and you'll be able to see the castle from the mall's fifth-floor garden where some of the Christmas decorations are located. But the biggest highlight of the Christmas Carnival is Fukuoka's largest Christmas tree (standing at fifteen meters tall) along with photo spots around the tree. If you want to enjoy Christmas lights while shopping and are in Kyushu, this is a great event to check out.
Learn more about this event here.
There are so many other Christmas markets and illumination events taking place in cities all over Japan during this season, so if you are looking for something closer to where you are, you're sure to find something fun to do around Christmas.
Enjoy Christmas in Japan!
While there are some differences between how Japan celebrates Christmas and how it is celebrated in other countries, there is still so much holiday cheer to be found in the country up until Christmas. If you find yourself in Japan during the Christmas season, why not try celebrating Christmas the Japanese way? Get some KFC, grab a slice of cake, and head out to enjoy one of the many illumination events taking place all December long.
