Living in Japan, visiting Japan, I have spent many Christmas times in this marvelous country. Something about it reminds me of my childhood, back when the sight of illuminations, decorations, and the smell of peppermint used to delight me down to my toes.
You might be thinking, “Why is Christmas so big in a country that isn’t even partway religious?” Well, that is because the Japanese have remembered the foundational element of togetherness that makes Christmas so special to begin with.
Whenever the winter season blows into Japan with cool, damp temperatures and snow throughout the mountains, the “feeling” of Christmas begins to emanate from the country’s deepest roots. Giving presents, spending time with loved ones, enjoying the small things like coffee together or decorating a tree are all activities people begin engaging in often.
Stationary stores and 100-yen shops bring in their holiday inventory of cards and notes, snacks, and ornaments. Sometimes the spread is far more impressive than anything I had ever seen back home in the States.
People begin to put in reservations for their Christmas cakes, which are a huge deal in Japan, and department stores overhaul their supply of wrapping paper.
Photo: pinterest.com
In Japan, sending thoughtful notes to friends and family is still in practice. Christmas is just one of the few times throughout the year people write loving messages or give thanks to those in their lives. This, of course, precedes New Year’s Eve, considered the most boisterous holiday of them all in Japan.
You see, to give and receive are honors. When you receive something, you delight the giver by viewing the item or card, carefully opening the envelope or wrapping (which can be as complicated as origami), and appreciating the sentiment.
Read also – 10 Amazing Christmas Traditions around the World
What do we do in America? We rip the wrapping off, toss it aside, then view our prize. If it does not match our tastes, we trash it or re-gift it. Kids play with their toys for, what, five minutes? To me, this comes off us ungrateful. Expectant. As if you do not care what you get as long as you get something.
The Japanese, however, mull over even the simplest of words in their notes. The culture is so full of respect. During Christmas, it just… glitters. Like the lights that illuminate the trees, shop displays, and houses.
Photo: pinterest.com
Whenever you find yourself in Tokyo, Japan, I highly recommend going to the following places to see some of the most beautiful Christmas lights anywhere:
- Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi
- Caretta Shinodome
- Showa Memorial Park
- Ginza – the streets around Ginza intersection are magical
- Shinjuku Southern Terrace – very romantic spot
- Omotesando-dori – all those trees lining the street get adorned with sparkling lights
- Odaiba – a gargantuan electrical Christmas tree is set up outside of Decks Odaiba.
Of course, there are some major differences in a Japanese-styled Christmas. Since Christianity is not seen as the reason for the season, you will not see much references to Jesus in his manger. Gasp! But, again, the Japanese love Christmas for its spirit of giving. Moreover, it is a day of romance, friendship, and bonding.
This also shocked me when I first experienced Christmas in Japan. Apparently, where in the United States we make up this gargantuan spreads of food for our family, the Japanese reserved a pot of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Because almost everyone does this, you sometimes have to make your order of wings weeks in advance.
As for the cake I mentioned? Around the world, the custom seems to be fruit cake. Why, I will never know. But in Japan? It is yellow sponge cake, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries. Naturally, the cakes are wrapped as beautifully as some presents are.
No one gets off on Christmas, because it is not a national holiday. If you work in a school for children or adolescents, the day might be made up of parties though. Dancing, singing Christmas songs, and getting visited by a rather skinny Santa Claus are par for the course. Speaking of Santa, his name is written in Japanese as サンタクロース (Santa Kurosu). “Merry Christmas” is seen as メリークリスマス.
Read also – 10 Amazingly Romantic Attractions in Tokyo
So if you know someone living abroad in Japan, send them a card. Or if you plan on traveling to Japan throughout the holidays, why not practice spreading some cheer by saying “Merry Christmas” to those you meet? Because of the glory of the season is that kindness and love is international and comes with no language barriers.
Christmas Markets and Winter Illuminations Create Magical Atmospheres
One of the most enchanting aspects of Christmas in Japan is how entire neighborhoods transform into winter wonderlands through elaborate illumination displays and charming Christmas markets. Unlike the bustling, commercialized Christmas markets you might find in Europe or America, Japanese Christmas markets have a distinctly serene and thoughtful quality. Vendors carefully arrange their stalls with handcrafted ornaments, warm beverages like amazake (sweet rice drink) and mulled wine, and delicate pastries that look almost too beautiful to eat.
The illuminations themselves are works of art – millions of LED lights are meticulously programmed to create synchronized light shows that dance across buildings, bridges, and parks. What strikes me most is how families and couples stroll through these displays with such reverence, taking time to truly appreciate each installation rather than rushing past. Children point excitedly at the twinkling displays while parents capture photos, but there’s an underlying sense of peaceful appreciation that feels uniquely Japanese. These markets and illuminations typically run from late November through Christmas Day, creating weeks of magical evenings that celebrate the season’s spirit of wonder and togetherness.
