Japan is a country that loves to put its own unique spin on things. Some perfect examples of this are Japanese curry, the country’s take on India’s dish, and Japanese ramen, their slant on the Chinese ramen. They even add their own unique flair to Western holidays, including Christmas! So today, we’re diving into the fun world of Christmas in Japan!
Read on to learn more about what Japan does to celebrate this holiday, including food and fun events and customs!
Does Japan Celebrate Christmas?
One of the questions we often get from our foreign friends and family is: Does Japan even celebrate Christmas? Well, the answer is yes. Japan celebrates and loves this winter holiday, but it has a very different feeling.
First of all, it’s not a major holiday, with most people spending most of Christmas day working or at school-related activities or events. The dominant winter holiday for Japan is New Year’s, when people get several days off, enjoy time with their families and stay at home or at their familial home. Meanwhile, Christmas is just a fun, festive time that is more focused on friends, children, or significant others (partners, spouses, etc.).
In fact, Christmas is often called a couple’s holiday, making it similar to Valentine’s Day. That’s why many young people go on a mad rush for a partner just so they can have that romantic Christmas experience.
Plus, Christianity is a minor religion in Japan, so there’s not that significance to the holiday either. Most people just treat it as a chance to enjoy some fun, festive times.
How does Japan Celebrate Christmas?
There are a few versions of Christmas here in Japan. If you’re a single person, you might spend the weekend before, the day before or the day of with friends at a party or event. Couples will spend the season doing romantic dates and fun things together.
If you have a child (or are a child), you might also enjoy a quick Christmas Eve celebration and presents in the morning. Let’s hop into some of the more specific celebrations and events though.
Parties
Christmas parties are one of the biggest ways that people join in on the winter holiday fun. Families, friends and loved ones come together and enjoy plenty of food, drinks and Christmas cake. While “Christmas cake” can mean fruitcake or any other cake enjoyed on the holiday, in Japan, the usual Christmas cake is a strawberry shortcake with plenty of strawberries and whipped cream on top.
These parties will also include food like chicken (in many forms), pizza, fries and a lot more! In terms of the music playlist, Japanese people prefer the seasonal pop hits from both Western artists like Mariah Carey and from Japanese artists, like the song “My Baby Santa Clause” by Yumi Matsutouya.
Illuminations
One of the most romantic things you can do with a partner (or just a friend) is to hit up one of the many illuminations that pop up around the country. Parks like Yomiuriland or Huis Ten Bosch, popular shopping streets, and flower gardens and parks put up amazing winter lights during this period.
The illuminations usually start in November, with some starting as early as October. Their end date widely depends on the place, with some leaving the light up until as late as May! Some of these light-up events can be simple lights, but others will feature music and light shows to create a more magical and fun experience.
Family Time
Those with families often do parties at home with loved ones on Christmas Eve or the weekend before Christmas. However, families with children also like to do a typical Christmas morning, complete with opening gifts from Santa, before heading off to work or school.
But how does Santa-san deliver presents in a country where chimneys are extremely rare? Well, he just leaves them by the front door!
Christmas Markets
Japan actually really loves European Christmas markets, specifically German-style. Areas all over Japan, including Tokyo Skytree, Meiji Jingu and Yokohama’s Red Brick Warehouse, host these markets. They come complete with amazing winter decorations, Christmas trees and tons of shops for handmade items and seasonal foods.
Plus, this is one of the opportunities to enjoy some tasty German beers in Japan. Every major city will have at least one market going, so you can enjoy a festive, fun time anywhere as long as you’re in Japan from late November to Christmas day!
Dates
Like we mentioned, this holiday has become such a couple’s holiday that young people often try to find someone just so they aren’t single on Christmas. Those who accomplish their goal can look forward to going to fun restaurants, hitting up cute cafes and exchanging thoughtful gifts with their winter holiday lover.
Illuminations, Christmas markets and amusement parks like Tokyo Disney (both Land and Sea) and Universal Studios Japan are popular date spots as well.
Does Japan Really Eat KFC for Christmas?
Yes, Japanese folks really do eat KFC for Christmas. Fried chicken has become one of the two representative foods of Christmas in Japan, alongside the shortcake. To explain it briefly, this fried chicken obsession comes from the first ever KFC branch in Japan.
In the 1970s, the shop manager overheard a couple of foreigners talking about how much they miss things like turkey on Christmas. That manager then dreamt (literally had a dream) of the “party barrel” and the idea of marketing fried chicken for the season with the iconic slogan: “Kentucky for Christmas”.
KFC took the winter holiday by storm to the point where many Japanese people think it’s what we Westerners eat for Christmas too. KFC shops see tons of reservations starting six weeks in advance as people secure their bucket of chicken.
However, to simply call it a bucket may be inaccurate as KFC creates holiday bucket sets that are perfect for parties, complete with plenty of sides and even decorative plates.
KFC Alternatives
Kentucky Fried Chicken isn’t the only thing in high demand during the holiday season. Of course, other styles of chicken are also popular. Kara-age (Japanese fried chicken thighs), chicken wings and baked chicken make for great alternatives if you can’t manage or don’t want to get the KFC bucket.
Pizza is also extremely popular and is quickly catching up to the bucket, with plenty of people opting for it as a replacement or opting for it in addition to the chicken. This also means that if you want to eat pizza the day of, you’re going to want to call way in advance. Christmas cake also requires a reservation at most places, but you can also find it at convenience stores here.
Other popular foods that make their way to winter feasts include salads for healthy option, tons of sushi and plenty of other sides! Chirashizushi is also a popular option. It's a dish of various fish (usually cooked) placed over a bed of rice that is easy to share and super delicious!
If you’re ever in Japan for the winter holiday season, join in the festivities with fried chicken, pizza, cake and a visit to an illumination, amusement park or a Christmas market. That’s how we enjoy Christmas in Japan, and we’d love to see you join in the fun!
