‘Tis the season to be jolly! Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! In Japan there is no holly! Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la… huh?
Yep! It makes sense if you think about it, right? While Christianity is a notable religion in Japan, Christians still make up about one percent of the population. And given that Japan’s religious make-up is primarily Shinto and Buddhist, it is understandable that Christmas is not a national holiday, as it may be in the home countries of many of our readers (and, indeed, for your humble writer).
That doesn’t mean that Christmas goes unremarked, however: just that the way it is observed is a little bit different. So what can you expect from a Christmas in Japan? Jingle your bells and call, “on Dasher!” to start here we go!
Is Christmas Celebrated in Japan?
The answer is: yes… sort of! Christmas, as mentioned, is not a national holiday. That doesn’t mean, however, that it goes unrecognized. Aside from the insides of a church, though, the religious meanings and accoutrements are largely stripped away. However, there is one part of Christmas that can get around the world in one night, and recognizes no borders: Santa Claus!
Old St. Nick is popular among children all across the globe, and Japan is no exception. Schools will be visited by the saint of children and toymakers across Japan, where children will have the joy of seeing him in person before receiving gifts and dancing with him.
I happened to be in attendance when the Jolly Bowl of Jelly visited some children last year, as he not only gave out presents, but took questions from the curious kids. I — I mean, he — would address their curiosity on subjects such as, why do his reindeer fly? “Well, of course,” he answered, “I must deliver gifts across the world, and reindeer cannot swim, so they have to fly!”
Eminently sensible. That is for a global figure, though: but what about Christmas in Japan itself? Are there any things specific to a Japanese Christmas? You bet your mistletoe!
Christmas Traditions Unique to Japan
The first thing to remember is that in Japan, shorn of its religious significance, Christmas is not the most important day: it’s Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve is a night for lovers, and you can see young couples enjoying themselves in bars, on riversides, and arm-in-arm walking down the road.
But on the 25th… everything goes away! Stores will clear away their Christmas decorations, and increase the emphasis on Japan’s biggest holiday: New Year’s.
Of course, churches across Japan will hold services, and if you’re lucky, you might be able to listen (or join in with) a carol service! You might even be lucky enough to have a turkey dinner! But turkey isn’t a traditional food in Japan, at Christmas or any other time. So for the people in Japan who are in the festive spirit, what are the usual dishes?
Popular Foods for Christmas in Japan
Traditions always come from somewhere, and in a nation when plum puddings, turkey, and glazed hams are far from the norm, how did people from abroad celebrate Christmas in Japan? And what new culinary traditions have survived? Back straight, eyes up, and let’s look to the Colonel!
KFC: a Christmas Dinner Tradition
Kentucky Fried Chicken, as popular in Japan as in the rest of the world, has become a symbol of Christmas in Japan. Legend has it that the manager of the first KFC in Japan, Takeshi Okawara, overheard some people from abroad lamenting that they wouldn’t be able to celebrate Christmas with a turkey. He then decided to create a “party barrel” for Christmas.
A few years later, his idea was rolled out nationwide, and was so popular that KFC has since become almost synonymous with Christmas in Japan. Special menus are created, restaurants with statues of Colonel Sanders are dressed in the garb of Father Christmas, and — on the day of Christmas and Boxing Day themselves — reservations are required to eat in. Yeah. It’s that serious.
Christmas Cakes and Seasonal Sweets
Japan has yet to embrace the joy of a Christmas pudding soaked with brandy and then set alight (for what may be quite sensible reasons), but that is not to say that there are no treats for those with a sweet tooth.
The most famous is the Christmas Cake (クリスマス・ケーキ). Unlike the dense, fruity sort of cakes one might be accustomed to in Europe, Christmas Cake in Japan is made of a light Victoria sponge, topped with whipped cream and often topped with strawberries. While it’s not the same as you may be used to in Germany, Romania, or Italy, it is a tasty treat.
Aside from these, yuzu citrus fruits are very popular, as is chanmery. Chanmery is a non-alcoholic sparkling grape-flavored drink that lets children kanpai along with their champagne-sipping folks. You might also find other fastfood joints trying to get in on KFC’s act with chicken pizzas or burgers!
Best Places to See Christmas Lights and Decorations
One of the most fundamental beliefs of Christmas is that when we get together, the longest, coldest, darkest nights can be the warmest and brightest. The same is true in Japan, and so light shows and illuminations are put on for the benefit of all — as it should be at Christmas. Here are a few of our top recommendations.
Tokyo Illuminations
As may be expected of the nation’s capital, many places go all-out with decorations for Christmas and the New Year. Even smaller areas, such as Osaki, will deck their halls with lights. For the best and most impressive light shows, however, are to be found in Roppongi Hills, Odaiba, and Tokyo Dome City.
Osaka Highlights
In Japan’s second city, you can see impressive lights at both Osaka City Hall and Midosuji. Midosuji holds the distinction of being the road with the most number of lit-up trees on Earth. A terrific runway for Santa! At City Hall, the front of the building will be lit up by 3D LED projections, inspired this year by the Expo hosted by the city. One hopes that Myaku-Myaku will be headlining.
Winter Light Festivals in Hokkaido
What about Japan’s own snow-frosted winter wonderland? It’s a few degrees of latitude short of the North Pole, but it’s still a great place for those who want a white Christmas. The Sapporo White Illumination is now known as one of the top three winter light shows in Japan, while at Lake Toya you can enjoy the Toyako Onsen Illumination Street, where 40,000 lights work together in beautiful harmony.
Christmas Markets and Shopping Experiences
Japan loves to learn from other nations, and when it comes to Christmas, they’ve learned from the best: Germany. Christmas markets pop up in the run up to the day itself, where visitors can buy gifts, enjoy pretzels, currywurst, beer, and spiced, hot Glühwein (mulled wine). The stalls themselves are decked out so expertly that one could imagine one was in the heart of Dresden.
Visiting Japan During Christmas Season
Japan is a terrific place to visit for a unique yet distinctly warm Christmas. But there are a few things to bear in mind before you arrive.
Weather and What to Pack
Despite being subtropical most of the year, December in Japan is cold. Very cold. Make sure to pack plenty of warm clothes. A jacket and a long coat might seem to duplicate what you need,
Handy Phrases for Christmas Season
Here are a couple of phrases that can help you this holiday season:
Meriー Kurisumasu (メリー・クリスマス): Pretty much what it looks like, this is your all-purpose, handy-dandy, easy-peasy Merry Christmas!
Akemashite omedetougozaimasu (明けましておめでとうございます): This is the Japanese for “Happy New Year,” a vital expression in Japan, where the New Year is the most significant holiday of the year.
Santa-san (サンタさん): No prizes for this one — Santa-san is the Japanese way to say “Santa” or “Father Christmas.” If you’re wearing a long red hat with a little fuzz on the tip, don’t be surprised if people call you “Santa-san!”
Tonakai (トナカイ): What would Santa be without his trusty steed? “Tonakai” is the Japanese for reindeer.
Christmas in Japan is not going to be the same as back home: but then, no two Christmases are alike. Even in the land of the rising sun, you’ll find ways to celebrate the season, and who knows? If you’ve been very good, maybe you’ll even get a treat.
