Christmas in Japan
Christmas is a holiday that is celebrated almost worldwide, and Japan is no exception. Many of the Christmas customs that are common in Western countries are also common in Japan, but Christmas in Japan also differs in many ways.
In Japan, Christmas is a secular event that is not influenced by religion. It is nothing more than a popular event for pure enjoyment.
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The History of Christmas in Japan
Christmas was first introduced to Japan in the mid-1500s by Jesuit missionaries. However, this all came to a halt during the Edo period and Christmas was not reintroduced until the beginning of the Meiji period.
In 1900, Meijiya opened a department store in Ginza that sold Christmas products. This was followed by a popular song in 1912 about the department store’s Christmas decorations, leading to the popularity of the holiday in Japan.
Ginza in the 1920s
A Christmas Poster in Aeon Mall in Nagoya
Christmas is a Holiday for Couples
In Western countries, like Europe and North America, Christmas is generally a time spent with family and New Year’s a time with friends.
However, in Japan, it is customary to spend New Year’s with family. While Christmas is reserved for couples to enjoy a romantic dinner together and then take an evening stroll to admire Christmas lights.
Christmas is a Holiday for Couples
Japan’s Obsession with Christmas Illuminations
Christmas lights are referred to as illuminations in Japan. Although these illuminations that color Japan’s winter towns were not originally tied to Christmas, the two have become very closely related.
Nabana no Sato Tunnel of Lights
Shopping Mall Christmas Trees
Reindeer Display at an Office Building in Nagoya
Pass the Christmas Fried Chicken Please
My fondest memories of Christmas dinner are a huge honey baked ham, a roasted turkey, green beans, and mashed potatoes. But in Japan, the most popular Christmas dinner staple is fried chicken.
Chicken Dinner and Christmas Cake Display
Chicken Dinner Offer at Family Mart
Japanese Christmas Cake
Christmas desserts such as gingerbread houses, snowball cookies, and Christmas themed cut-out cookies were commonplace during my childhood. In Japan, the tradition is to eat an elaborate Christmas cake.
Christmas Fruit Cake
Japanese Christmas Cakes
Today there are other cakes that offer a wide variety of flavors and decorations, but the fresh cream and strawberry cake is still the most popular Christmas cake in Japan.
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