Christmas is a celebration that is widely celebrated across the world. Even in Japan, Christmas is celebrated, but with traditions unique from other countries.
Table of Contents
- Does Japan celebrate Christmas? Is it a public holiday?
- How is Christmas in Japan Celebrated?
- Christmas Food in Japan
- Popular Japanese Christmas Songs to Tune Into
Does Japan celebrate Christmas? Is it a public holiday?
Christmas in Japan is not recognised as a public holiday. This is because Christmas is a religious holiday, but only around 1% of Japan’s population practice the Christian faith. Therefore, apart from the minority of Christians, the majority of Japan’s population celebrate Christian as a fun (and heavily commercialised) winter event as opposed to a Christian holiday.
In Japan, Christmas is, likewise, celebrated on December 25th, and Christmas Eve on December 24th. Since it is not a holiday, Christmas parties and celebrations usually take place in the evening after work, or on the nearest weekend. In some years, Christmas becomes a holiday when December 25th falls on a Sunday.
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How is Christmas in Japan Celebrated?
Christmas in Japan is celebrated quite differently than other countries. As mentioned above, the religious aspect is minimal to none except for churches and Christian families, while the rest of Japan enjoys it as a festival. A heavily commercialised celebration, many shops market Christmas themed goods as presents, and even supermarkets and restaurants join in with Christmas menus, food, and drinks. Additionally, in Japan, Christmas is mostly celebrated by couples and friends.
The below post summarizes the biggest differences between Christmas in Japan and other countries.
Romantic Christmas Eve for Lovers
Christmas Eve on December 24th has a strong image in Japan as a romantic day for couples, more so than Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is the day to confess one’s feelings to the other and become a couple, and Christmas Eve is the first major event to celebrate together after becoming a couple.
Couples enjoy a romantic dinner, stroll the streets enjoying the bright Christmas lights and beautifully decorated Christmas trees, and exchange Christmas presents. Popular restaurants become fully booked during Christmas week, so if you are planning a romantic dinner then plan and arrange well ahead of time.
Christmas and Winter Illumination to Light Up the Streets
❄️ Winter is coming. 💡 But illumination is already here! イルミネーション (Irumine-shon), aka “Illumination”, is synonymous...
Posted by WeXpats on Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Illumination is synonymous with winter and Christmas in Japan. The otherwise cold and dark streets become alight in a sparkle of lights bringing warmth and joy. There are many illumination events in Japan and Tokyo, read our pick of 10 here. Also, giant Christmas trees are a common sight at many illuminations to add to the festive Christmas atmosphere.
Christmas Markets in Japan Growing in Popularity
In recent years, Christmas Markets have also become a common sight in Japan’s Christmas scene. Various stalls selling classic Christmas food and drinks including eggnog, hot wine, spiced wine, hot chocolate, roast chicken leg, fruitcake, cookies, and more will be present. There will of course be stalls selling all manner of Christmas-themed items suitable for gifts or decorating your homes for Christmas as well. Christmas choir and classical instrument performances are also something to look forward to.
Christmas Parties to Dine and Have Fun
For friends, Christmas parties are the event to look forward to. Classic Christmas foods (in Japan) and drinks are enjoyed, and presents may be exchanged. Home parties are sometimes held, but more commonly they are held at restaurants or even Karaoke rooms where Karaoke takes up a huge part of the festivities. It is a typical season as shown in anime and Japanese dramas.
Not just among friends, families, especially Christians, and families with young children will hold a Christmas party to celebrate.
Christmas Food in Japan
What do Japanese people eat for Christmas in Japan? It’s not the traditional Christmas food like roast chicken or turkey, glazed ham, and Christmas pudding we all know and love. Instead, in Japan, there are foods that are representative of Christmas that other countries might find unthinkable.
Christmas Means KFC
After a successful marketing campaign, “KFC for Christmas” had become the norm in Japan. As Christmas approaches, KFCs in Japan become busy with bookings for Christmas fried chicken. Additionally, the few days leading up to Christmas, KFC outlets may suspend eat-in services and are open only for Christmas booking collections.
In recent years, looking at the success of KFC, other businesses have also started offering fried chicken for Christmas.
Pretty Christmas Cakes
Another classic Christmas food in Japan are Christmas cakes. Strawberry shortcake is the most popular choice but other popular options include chocolate cake. Christmas cakes are decorated beautifully, or cutely, to match the festive season. Come December, many cake shops and even convenience stores will have Christmas cakes available for booking.
Popular Japanese Christmas Songs to Tune Into
What Christmas songs are there in Japan? Classic English Christmas songs are also played here of course, but there are also Japanese Christmas songs to tune into. Here are some popular ones you should know.
Yamashita Taro - Christmas Eve
A romantic Christmas song about the love between a couple who are meeting up on Christmas Eve. It was first released in 1983 and is still a classic and popular Japanese Christmas song till today. The above video is a special PV for the movie “Miracle: Devil Claus' Love and Magic” that was inspired by, and uses, the song.
BACK NUMBER - Christmas Song
BACK NUMBER is a popular Japanese rock band. “Christmas Song” is one of their most popular songs. Despite its title, it is not actually a Christmas song, but a song about reminiscing on an unrequited love on Christmas Eve. Even so, it is a classic during Christmas in Japan, with many people singing it at Karaoke during the Christmas month.
SEKAI NO OWARI - Silent
A Christmas song by SEKAI NO OWARI, “silent” was first released in 2020. Relatively new, it has grown in popularity as a song that embodies Christmas in Japan. The MV that showcases warm Christmas lights really gives off the spirit of Christmas.
Ryuichi Sakamoto - Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
An instrumental piano piece that mixes traditional Japanese with festive Christmas themes. It was composed and recorded for the 1983 movie of the same name. A vocal version of the song exists called “Forbidden Colours” with vocals by David Sylvian.
To Close
So what do you think about Christmas in Japan? Is it very different from Christmas at home? We hope you have the opportunity to enjoy an authentic Japanese Christmas experience at least once. メリークリスマス (Meri- Kurisumasu) !!
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