Unlike some countries, where the first signs of Christmas marketing show up in the heat of summer, Christmas in Japan starts around mid-November. For most Japanese, Christmas Eve is an even bigger deal than Christmas Day. Pick from the popular spots, less-crowded areas, day trips, hikes and more this spring. As a result of KFC's brilliant advertising campaign, most Japanese now believe that Westerners celebrate Christmas with a chicken dinner. Christmas in Japan isn’t really something where you sit together with your family and spend some calm and relaxing days. This rail pass is open to foreign residents and tourists alike. That’s right. Go On A Date. We don't endorse any of the companies we link to but we are selective in terms of the companies that we choose. People of this coountry celebrate this festival by eating a 'Christmas cake'. And being such, you may as well experience (and enjoy) a typical Christmas date, so here are a few tips for where to start and what to expect. It is common to give Christmas presents in Japan, and … The upbeat track, which to this day plays almost as pervasively as Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" during December in Japan, gave new meaning to a visit from Santa. On December 24th, many Japanese couples book a room at a “love hotel.” Christmas Eve is considered the most romantic night of the year in Japan, which naturally became … Beware of the “Quarter Men” With over 750,000 readers each month, Tokyo Cheapo is the site of choice for value hunters who want their yen to go further in Tokyo. New Year is a very big celebration in Japan. Christmas in Japan: Facts and traditions November 23, 2020 Christmas is in the air! how to get from Narita airport to Tokyo, which JR rail pass to choose, getting a SIM card and pocket wifi. Though December 25th is not a national holiday in Japan, Japanese tend to celebrate Christmas especially in a commercial style. Sponsored posts are clearly labeled with a "Sponsored" tag. Walk among the glowing mushrooms, see a rare species of seahorse and swim with the sea turtles. Christmas for those in Sunday schools is the happiest day of the year. Here's how to get yourself down to paradise. Tokyo's had its fair share of dark times. Looking to explore the sun-kissed islands of southern Japan? As you know, that Christmas Eve in Japan is a date night, couples frequently exchange presents and goodies on that day, but this practice is usually limited to only them. People line up at their outlets to pick up their orders. Well, you better have a date on Christmas in Japan or you’re just a poor, lonely loser. Japan? For couples and lovers, Christmas Day is the day of the year to spend time together. Hence, Christmas parties tend to be mixed up with bounenkai. The month of December is the bounenkai season (forget-the-year-party) in Japan. The Midtown Christmas event near Roppongi Station has a shorter run from November 15 to December 25. See what you can do with it. Within the family parents give presents to their children, but the children do not give presents to the parents. Another important Christmas tradition are the Christmas illuminations. The event has been hyped by the T.V. A 'Disney' style Christmas might have also influenced how Japanese culture celebrates Christmas as a fun and romantic time, rather than a religious one. That’s when you start noticing Christmas merchandise in stores. The celebration of Christmas in Japan is quite different from western countries like US and Australia in which the population has a large percentage of Christians. Additionally, content such as tours and tickets, hotels and apartments are commercial content. Obscure museums, a 12 ha forest, shrines and more. Last year, Japan was on the Christmas news again with the Enoshima Aquarium, where the lights from the tree were powered by… an electric eel: Like US and Australia, families also have a Cristmas tree on this occasion and now having lights on the outside of house has become more popular. Once-off cards, rechargeable cards, virtual cards—here's the lowdown on alternatives to regular credit cards. Here’s an academic paper on the cake, if you’re interested. Well, for many of the younger Japanese, Christmas is seen as more of a romantic holiday, like the precursor to Valentine’s. Nonetheless, December 23rd (or in the case of 2018, the 24th) is a yearly public holiday since it’s the reigning Emperor’s Birthday that day. That all being said, Christmas Day is not a national holiday in Japan so, depending on the policy of your workplace, you’ll likely have to take it off as part of your annual leave. While it isn’t a national holiday in Japan, since only about 1 percent of the whole population in Japan is Christian, it’s still felt throughout the country. One can find many variety of christmas cakes on this occasion. We cover all the basics including things to do in Tokyo, The reason for this unusual date emerges from ancient history. Just be warned that Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are huge date nights in Japan. Christmas in Japan is quite different from the Chrismas celebrated in most countries in which the population has a large percentage of Christians or a Christian heritage. According to JapanToday, 63% of people want … Exchange of cristmas gifts is common among Japanese on this occasion. Christmas fell away, except perhaps in celebrations by secret Christians—kakure Kirishitan. Decoration-donning stores, elaborate light-ups, German-style Christmas markets—and of course Colonel Santa—can be found at every turn. In Japan Christmas Eve is more famous than the actual Christmas celebration. 1614: Christianity is banned, Christmas is canceled. For more about the people behind this site, check out the profiles of the cheapos. There are many cities across the world that decorate its streets with beautiful lights for these dates, but in the case of Japan the thing goes much further, creating authentic visual shows with lights and sounds using even entire parks. Many people even make reservations for their "Christmas Chicken" in advance. Winter illuminations are not necessarily … Christmas in Japan is—like many things in the country—a little wacky. The Japanese take on a traditional Christmas cake emerged and quickly became established as a central feature of Xmas celebrations that you’ll still see today. Except it’s not at all religious (except for the small population of Christians in Japan), it’s not a holiday, and it’s not really about family. Questions or comments about this article? A Little Piece of the Low Lands at Sakura Furusato Square, How to Get a Prepaid Credit Card in Japan, 5 Unique Things to Do on Hachijojima Island, Mega Guide: The Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo, Tokyo to Okinawa: How to Get to the Islands. The Christmas related merchandise was sold in Europe and United States. New Year’s in Japan. If you want to join the crowds for a special meal out at a good French or Italian restaurant, be sure to reserve well in advance. Christmas lights, or “Illumination” as it’s called here, is a huge attraction … It’s believed that the first Christmas celebrations in Japan were held in the first few years after St. Francis Xavier’s arrival. Woe is me. For single women in Japan, the Christmas Eve evening is the time to spend quality hours with their special someone. If you purchase from or sign up with some companies we link to, we will be compensated. Many people can be seen on the street on December nights in Japan. Since Christmas is not a Japanese tradition, there are no elaborate gift exchanges like in the U.S.A or any other European Country. The main celebration of the festival revolves around Christmas eve and not Christmas day. During World War II, all things deemed American and celebratory fizzled out—including, it would seem, Christmas. Sakura Furusato Square in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture, is the ultimate spring day trip. The season begins from early December and all the shopping malls are crowded with plenty of shopping freaks. Novel Coronavirus: Is It Safe to Travel to Hong Kong? You should exercise careful judgement with any online purchase. In recent years, the Christmas Chicken Dinner has become quite popular because of the marketing prowess of the folks at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Stollen has also became a popular Xmas treat. "In the fourth century Roman Catholic Church, officials established the date of Christmas as December 25th." Go-Karting in Tokyo: Everything You Need to Know, Your Prepaid SIM Card Options for Travel in Japan, Renting a Pocket Wifi Router in Japan: Best Options, Cheapest Way to Transfer Your Money Out of Japan. And around that time, shops and restaurants add a few Christmas decorations. I had honestly never thought of the holiday in this way—to me, it had always been a stay-at-home family event, rather than a time to take a date out on the town. Although the 23 of December is a national holiday, it has nothing to do with … To find why we started this site, check out the Tokyo Cheapo Manifesto. If you want to contribute to or sponsor Tokyo Cheapo, get in touch. Word is that a bunch of foreign tourists were wandering around looking for turkey for their Christmas dinner but couldn’t find any, so they settled on fried chicken. K (my best Japanese friend) messaged me on Christmas eve last year saying, I don’t have a girlfriend or date on Christmas so I’m drinking alone on Christmas. Increasingly suspicious of Christianity, the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu banned the religion, and practitioners were badly persecuted. On December 26th, all the Christmas decorations are gone, ready for the New Year celebrations to start! 'Akemashite, Omedeto Gozaimasu' means 'Happy New Year in Japanese'. Inspite of this, Christmas is a popular festival in Japan. The main celebration of the festival revolves around Christmas eve and not Christmas day. It’s officially celebrated from January 1 st through the 3 rd, but traditions and celebrations of 年末 ( nenmatsu ), or the year’s end, can begin as early as the beginning of December. お正月 ( o shougatsu), or New Year’s, is one of Japan’s biggest holidays. Because of this, extending a girl an invitation to be together on Christmas Eve has very deep, romantic implications. Illuminations. Christmas Eve in Japan is often thought of as a couples’ holiday, like Valentine’s Day … Restorative hot springs, refreshing mountain walks and more await. This was my introduction to Christmas Eve in Japan—envisioned as a chance for stylish young couples to take in Tokyo’s sparking nightscape after a romantic dinner for two. For many people in Japan, Christmas Day in Japan is Valentine’s Day, take two. The New Year celebrations, Oshogatsu, is a very important holiday in Japan. The 24th sees celebrations, but these involve romantic dinners for couples at KFC. Here’s a look at the making of Xmas in Japan. IT IS NOT A HOLIDAY. People order their slightly-fancier-than-usual finger-licking-good meals months in advance and enjoy them with wine or champagne—and of course, a slice of that Christmas cake. Christmas in Japan is unique as the celebration is thought of as a holiday of lovers rather than a time to be with one’s family. Increasingly suspicious of Christianity, the shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu banned the … Stores deck the halls with boughs of holly, baubles and all of that, and carols float out over the speakers. media as being a time for romantic miracles. It is a day to be spent with one's boyfriend or girlfriend in a romantic setting, so fancy restaurants and hotels are often booked solid at this time. Christmas Eve in Japan is the most romantic day of the year. Despite some success in converting Japanese people to Christianity, the land’s Buddhist and Shinto religions won out—and even today, less than 1% of the population are Christian. St. Francis Xavier rolled into Kagoshima as Japan’s first Jesuit missionary. For the people of Japan, Christmas is an enjoyable day in the year. In Japan, Christmas in not an official holiday and has less importance than New Year's Day, which everyone in Japan celebrates. It’s believed that the first Christmas celebrations in Japan were held in the first few years after St. Francis Xavier’s arrival. Love is well and truly in the air during a Japan Christmas, and all the best restaurants in town will have been reserved weeks in advance of 24 December. Christmas is not a legal holiday in Japan, but has become a commercial gala as people are interested in yearend shopping. Finding the Right Travel Insurance for Japan, Sustainable Travel in Japan: From Sushi to Single-use Plastic, 'Tis the Season: A Timeline of Christmas in Japan. There are beautifully illuminated Christmas trees, and you can find roast chestnuts, mulled wine and all of the other ingredients for a winter wonderland. It’s The Great Snoopy Museum, Charlie Brown, Visiting Okunoshima - Japan's Famous Rabbit Island, Exploring Toyosu—Tokyo's Revitalized Fish Market, 10 Things to Do in Secretly Awesome Shinagawa, A Dutch Windmill in Kanto? Only 1/2 of 1% of the Japanese population is estimated to be Christian, with the majority of Japanese being tolerant of all faiths: Buddhism, Christianity, Shinto, etc. Two years ago, one of the most unusual Christmas trees was made in Japan from 50000 sardines, at Hakkeijima Sea Paradise in Yokohama. Illuminations, fashionable restaurants, Christmas cake, KFC, omnipresent Santa Claus avatars, Disneyland and the infamous love hotels. KFC’s marketing department heard about this and decided to punt their food as the Christmas meal, using the rather unremarkable slogan “Kentucky for Christmas!” And that was that—the whole country adopted a new Christmas tradition that continues today. Couples typically see… Though December 25th is not a national holiday in Japan, Japanese tend to celebrate Christmas especially in a commercial style. That’s actually something Japanese people will do instead on “ Omisoka ” (大晦日, Japanese New Year’s Eve) and “ Shougatsu ” (お正月, Japanese New Year’s Day). When Japan re-opened its doors to the world during the Meiji Restoration (from 1868 onward), a lot of big changes were made in society. Inspite of this, Christmas is a popular festival in Japan. Speaking of affection (or lack thereof), Christmas Eve is comparable to Valentine’s Day in Japan. Armenians usually celebrate Christmas on January 6. Some of the articles on this site contain affiliate links. The major religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shinto and the estimated population of Christians is only ½ of 1%. Although there are various theories as to how Christmas, or rather Christmas Eve, came to be a romantic occasion in Japan, there is broad consensus that media in the 1930s played a major role. Lights, lights everywhere. This one really confuses a lot of people, but KFC chicken is extremely popular at … Bright lights … On Christmas Eve or Christmas night, the children carry out special programs that go on for hours and consist of song, recitation and drama performances. It’s typically a round sponge cake decorated with red and white icing (have you had a look at the Japanese flag recently?) [Disclaimer: Content includes topics on death and violence.]. and is eaten by families and couples alike on Christmas Eve. With the American influence in the years of rebuilding after the war, Christmas suddenly exploded into a popular event—albeit a secular, commerce-oriented one (wait, what’s so different here about that?). The Japanese take dating seriously at the best of times, and even more so on Christmas Eve. One of these was the enshrining of religious freedom, which meant that Christianity and customs like Christmas could be practiced once again. Reason behind this is that only Santa bring presents for all, so once the children no longer believe in Santa the presents are no longer given. In Japan, the arrival of Christmas is announced by Christmas illuminations and decoration. Incidentally, it’s one of the busiest nights for love hotels. With info on COVID-19, for your future travel plans. Eat KFC Chicken. You’ll be hard-pressed to avoid the Christmas season in Japan nowadays. You can expect most high-end Western restaurants to really jack up their prices during this time. Christmas in Japan is about Illuminations and Decorations. Over here, Christmas Eve is the most romantic day of the year (yes, outstripping Valentine’s Day, … See fields of tulips blooming at the yearly Sakura Tulip Festa! It is also a time to reveal your affection to your loved ones. Decorations typically go up at commercial centers and storefronts at the beginning of November, then disappear the morning of December 25th, to be hastily replaced by decorations for Japanese New Year's. 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