Christmas in Japan is unlike anywhere else in the world. While it's not a national holiday and most people still go to work on December 25th, the Japanese have created their own unique traditions that might surprise you. Here's what makes Christmas in Japan so special.
1. KFC is the Ultimate Christmas Dinner
Christmas in Tokyo
You might think turkey or ham, but in Japan, Christmas means Kentucky Fried Chicken. This tradition started in 1974 when KFC launched a wildly successful marketing campaign called "Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii" (Kentucky for Christmas).
Today, Japanese families order their KFC Christmas meals weeks in advance, and people wait in long lines on Christmas Eve to pick up their buckets of chicken. It's become so popular that KFC represents about one-third of all fried chicken sales in Japan for the entire year.
2. Christmas is for Couples, Not Families
Couples' Photos in Tokyo
In most Western countries, Christmas is the biggest family holiday of the year. But in Japan, Christmas is considered one of the most romantic nights of the year, similar to Valentine's Day. Young couples see it as an opportunity to dress up, go on special dates, and spend quality time together.
The romantic nature of Japanese Christmas means that restaurants offering special Christmas dinner courses are booked solid weeks or even months in advance. Hotels create romantic packages with champagne, fancy dinners, and special room decorations.
Popular date spots likeTokyo Tower, where couples can see the city lights together, become extremely crowded on Christmas Eve.
3. Christmas Cake is a Must-Have Tradition
Japanese Christmas Cake
The Japanese take their Christmas cake very seriously. These aren't your typical fruitcakes though. A traditional Japanese Christmas cake is a sponge cake covered in white whipped cream and decorated with strawberries.
Bakeries across Japan display elaborate Christmas cakes in their windows, and families typically enjoy them on Christmas Eve. The cakes are so important that there's even a somewhat outdated term "Christmas cake" that was once used to describe unmarried women over 25, implying they were past their prime like cake after December 25th.
4. Only About One Percent of Japanese are Christian
Sensoji Temple
Despite all the Christmas celebrations, less than two percent of Japan's population identifies as Christian. The vast majority of Japanese people practice Buddhism, Shintoism, or consider themselves non-religious. This means that for most people in Japan, Christmas has absolutely nothing to do with religious observance.
Christmas in Japan is viewed as a fun, commercial, and cultural holiday rather than a religious one. You won't find many nativity scenes or hear religious Christmas carols. Instead, the focus is on secular symbols like Santa Claus, Christmas trees, reindeer, and snowmen. Churches do hold special services, but these are attended primarily by the small Christian community, not the general population.
5. Christmas Illuminations are Spectacular
Tokyo Winter Illuminations
If there's one thing Japan does better than almost anywhere else, it's Christmas light displays, called "illuminations" in Japanese. From November through early February, major cities transform into magical wonderlands with millions of LED lights creating breathtaking displays.
Tokyo's neighborhoods compete to create the most stunning displays. Roppongi Hills features elaborate light installations that attract millions of visitors. Shibuya's "Blue Cave" creates a tunnel of blue LED lights that feels like walking through a fairy tale. Marunouchi's shopping district decorates its streets with champagne-gold lights that create an elegant atmosphere.
6. Christmas Eve is More Important Than Christmas Day
Tokyo Christmas Market Shiba Park
While December 25th is celebrated as the main day in most Western countries, in Japan, Christmas Eve is when everything happens. December 25th is a regular working day for most people, with businesses, schools, and offices operating normally. But Christmas Eve, particularly the evening of December 24th, is when the real celebration takes place.
This is when couples go on their romantic dates, families pick up their KFC dinners, and everyone enjoys their Christmas cake. The evening feels almost like New Year's Eve in Western countries, with a festive atmosphere filling the streets. Shopping districts are packed with people, restaurants are full of couples enjoying special dinners, and the Christmas illuminations create a magical ambiance.
7. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony Defines the Season
Tokyo Christmas Market
In one of the most uniquely Japanese Christmas traditions, performing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony has become an integral part of the holiday season. Throughout December, orchestras across Japan perform this classical masterpiece, with some performances featuring choirs of thousands of singers.
This tradition dates back to World War I, when German prisoners of war held in Japan performed the Ninth Symphony. The performance was so moving that it started a lasting tradition. Now, hearing Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" has become synonymous with both the Christmas season and the end of the year in Japan.
The performances range from professional orchestra concerts to community events where amateur singers can participate. Some companies even organize their own Ninth Symphony performances as year-end events for employees. It's become such a part of Japanese culture that many people associate the music with feelings of hope, celebration, and new beginnings.
8. Christmas is a Borrowed Western Tradition
Christmas wasn't really celebrated in Japan until after World War II, when American influence introduced the holiday to Japanese culture. Department stores and businesses quickly embraced it as a commercial opportunity, creating a uniquely Japanese version of Christmas that blends Western imagery with local customs. Santa Claus, Christmas trees, and holiday decorations became popular symbols, even though they weren't tied to any religious meaning.
9. Gift-Giving is More Modest
Figurine Gifts
Unlike Western countries where Christmas often involves extensive gift exchanges among extended family members, Japanese Christmas gift-giving tends to be more restrained and focused. The tradition primarily involves couples exchanging gifts with each other and parents giving presents to young children.
The gifts exchanged between couples are typically thoughtful but not extravagant. Common gifts include accessories, perfume, clothing items, or practical things the person wants. There's an emphasis on the thoughtfulness of the gift rather than its price, although there's certainly social pressure to give nice presents.
For children, Christmas presents might come from "Santa-san" (Santa Claus), though this isn't as deeply rooted as in Western countries. Some families give gifts, while others don't make it a major focus. There isn't usually the elaborate tradition of writing letters to Santa or leaving out milk and cookies, though some Japanese families have adopted these practices.
10. New Year is the Real Family Holiday
Japan New Year Celebration
While Christmas belongs to couples and commercial celebration, the New Year (Shogatsu) is the truly important family holiday in Japan. This is when people travel home to be with their families, clean their houses, prepare special foods, and visit temples and shrines. Many businesses close for several days, and it's a time for reflection and new beginnings. In many ways, Japanese New Year celebrations resemble what Christmas means to families in Western countries.
Christmas in Japan shows how holidays can transform when they travel across cultures. The Japanese have taken Western Christmas traditions and reimagined them in ways that fit their own society, creating something entirely unique. Whether you're eating KFC on Christmas Eve or marveling at spectacular light displays, Christmas in Japan is an experience you won't forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, unlike many Western countries, Christmas is not a public holiday in Japan. Businesses, schools, and government offices remain open. The holiday is more of a commercial and cultural event rather than a religious or official occasion, with its own unique traditions and celebrations.
KFC's popularity during Christmas can be traced back to a highly successful marketing campaign in the 1970s called "Kentucky for Christmas." The campaign struck a chord with the Japanese public, who didn't have a defined Christmas meal tradition. As a result, ordering KFC became a popular Christmas tradition, with many people placing their orders weeks in advance.
A staple Christmas dessert in Japan is the Christmas cake. Unlike the fruitcake often associated with Christmas in Western countries, the Japanese Christmas cake is typically a sponge cake, light and fluffy, adorned with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. It symbolizes purity and brightness associated with the festive spirit.
Santa Claus, known as 'Santa-san' or 'Santa Kurohsu' in Japan, shares many characteristics with his Western counterpart. He's depicted as a cheerful, rotund man in a red suit who brings presents. However, the narrative of Santa entering homes via the chimney isn't as prevalent in Japan, given the architectural differences.
Yes, Christmas songs are quite popular in Japan. Alongside global classics like "Jingle Bells" or "Silent Night," local Japanese songs also resonate with the public. A prime example is Tatsuro Yamashita's "Christmas Eve," which has become a seasonal favorite since its release in 1983.
Japanese Christmas decorations feature a fusion of Western and Japanese aesthetics. Citywide illuminations, or 'Illumi,' are common, with some cities known for their extravagant light displays. Christmas trees are decorated, often with origami ornaments or 'tsurushi-bina'—traditional hanging dolls. Japan also has a unique take on the Advent calendar, with 'mochi' (rice cake) wreaths counting down the days to New Year.
