Christmas in Japan is a fascinating mix of imported traditions, local creativity, and a focus on community rather than religion. While only about 1% of the Japanese population identifies as Christian, the holiday has become a beloved seasonal celebration, infused with Japanese cultural twists.
A Secular and Festive Holiday
Unlike in many Western countries, Christmas in Japan is not a religious holiday or a national public holiday. Instead, it is celebrated as a time of light, joy, and togetherness. The season is marked by sparkling illuminations, lavish department store displays, and themed events, making December one of the most visually dazzling times of year in Japanese cities.
Illuminations and Decorations
Christmas illuminations are one of the highlights of the season in Japan. Cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe host elaborate light displays that attract locals and tourists alike. Shopping malls, hotels, and even train stations are decorated with towering Christmas trees, glowing ornaments, and festive music. These illuminations often last through the New Year, extending the holiday spirit.
Christmas Eve as a Romantic Occasion
In Japan, Christmas Eve is often considered more important than Christmas Day. Inspired partly by Western movies and advertising, it is seen as a romantic holiday similar to Valentine’s Day. Couples exchange gifts, enjoy candlelit dinners, and spend the evening together. Restaurants, especially those offering Western-style cuisine or elaborate “Christmas dinner sets,” are often booked out weeks in advance.
The Famous Christmas Cake
One of Japan’s most iconic Christmas traditions is the Christmas cake—usually a sponge cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries. Symbolizing happiness and prosperity, it has become a must-have seasonal dessert. Families, couples, and friends often share a cake on Christmas Eve, and bakeries across Japan compete to create the most beautiful and festive designs.
Fried Chicken Tradition
Perhaps the most unique Christmas custom in Japan is the tradition of eating fried chicken. Thanks to a highly successful KFC marketing campaign in the 1970s, millions of Japanese families now associate Christmas with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Reservations for KFC’s special Christmas sets often need to be made weeks in advance. It’s a quirky yet beloved part of the holiday.
Gift-Giving and Shopping
Gift-giving in Japan at Christmas is more modest compared to Western countries. Couples often exchange presents, but children typically receive only one gift from their parents. The bigger gift-giving season comes just a week later during New Year’s, when children receive “otoshidama” (money in decorative envelopes).
Christmas and New Year Contrast
For many in Japan, Christmas is a fun, lighthearted event, while New Year (Oshōgatsu) is the most important family holiday. Christmas is about romance, friends, and seasonal treats, while New Year is about family gatherings, traditions, and spirituality at shrines and temples.
Japan’s Christmas is less about religion and more about joy, romance, and seasonal festivity. From strawberry-topped cakes to fried chicken feasts and sparkling illuminations, it’s a holiday celebrated with creativity and a uniquely Japanese twist.
