Japan’s main religions are Shintoism and Buddhism, and the percentage of people who are Christian is very small. Nonetheless, Christmas is a very popular holiday in Japan! But the way Christmas is celebrated here might be a bit different than you’re used to if you are from a country where the holiday is celebrated as a part of the Christian religion. In Japan, Christmas is not about religion but more about creating a cozy atmosphere during the colder dark days and enjoying the company of your significant other and friends. Let us tell you a bit more about how to celebrate Christmas in Japan as well as some of the best things to do!
- A Couple’s Holiday
- ‘Kuribocchi’: Those Who Spend Christmas Alone
- The Wonderful World of Winter Illuminations in Japan
- Christmas Atmosphere in Japan
- What’s up with Christmas KFC?
- Christmas Cake in Japan
- Holiday Shopping in Japan
- J-Pop Christmas Songs
- Popular Christmas Events in Japan 2023
- Popular Christmas Events in Tokyo 2023
- Traveling to Japan in Winter
- Japan Wonder Travel Tours
- Other articles you might like
A Couple’s Holiday
In most countries that celebrate Christmas, the holiday season revolves around being with your family. It is the time when adult kids go back to their parents’ home to get together and an opportunity to meet your extended family again. For many, it is the one time every year that they get to see their relatives. In Japan, the time to see your family is during the New Year’s holiday and during Obon in August. Christmas is not even an official holiday, and many people have to work on December 25th.
But still, Christmas is celebrated extensively by many. Besides Valentine’s Day and White Day, Christmas is a time to be with your lover! The week before Christmas is probably one of the easiest times to find a date in Japan, as no one wants to be alone on Christmas Eve. On that evening, you will have a hard time finding a room in a ‘love hotel’, as this is the night young couples make time for each other.
‘Kuribocchi’: Those Who Spend Christmas Alone
There’s a unique Japanese word that well expresses this sad aspect of Christmas in Japan. Single people are referred to as kuribocchi during the Christmas season, which can be translated as someone who spends Christmas time alone. It’s a combination of the words Christmas (in Japanese it’s pronounced as kurisumasu) and bocchi that means being alone.
People tend to avoid being a kuribocchi but singles who didn’t manage to find a date or are taking a break from dating would meet up with their other single friends and have a nice dinner together. When it feels like the rest of the world is getting together with their significant others, what is better than to chat and drink the night away with your best buddies? Many restaurants offer special Christmas menus or deals which are more luxurious than what they usually serve. Your best bet would be to look for delicious Christmas menus in high-end hotels or western/American restaurants. Also celebrating Christmas at an Izakaya isn’t the worst thing in the world either if you want to get away from the crowds of lovers!
The Wonderful World of Winter Illuminations in Japan
One of the best parts of winter in Japan are the many fairytale-like illuminations that pop up all over the country. From late November until mid February, many large shopping malls, open-air (amusement) parks and gardens, busy streets, and special venues erupt in a sea of colorful little lights. The illuminations definitely give some respite from the long dark nights in the middle of the winter and there’s no better way to get into the Christmas spirit!
In Tokyo, some of the best spots to enjoy winter illuminations in 2023 are Yebisu Garden Place in Ebisu, Keyakizaka Street in Roppongi and around Tokyo Station. In Kyoto, you don’t need to go further than Kyoto Station for some incredibly beautiful illuminated scenery.
If you really want to go all-in, you should make your way to one of the parks that is 100% dedicated to illuminations. The Ashikaga Flower Park has a great flower-themed illumination event between October and February. In the greater Nagoya area you can find the number 1 illumination event in Japan called Nabana no Sato, and on the Izu Peninsula the Izu Granpal Park has an amazing illumination event that even has a zipline year-round.
Christmas Atmosphere in Japan
From November you will start to see Christmas decorations pop up all over the place. Santa is a popular figure in Japan and of course you will see beautifully decorated trees in shopping malls etc. In that way, Japan isn’t too different from the rest of the world. Home decoration stores will usually sell pretty Christmas-related trinkets that you can decorate your home with. While the number of people who decorate their homes during Christmas isn’t nearly as many as in the west, those who are a bit home-proud often want to add some Christmassy touches to their place.
Christmas markets have gained great popularity in the last decade, and nowadays most major cities in Japan have one or multiple Christmas markets going on in December. At these cozy markets you can find tasty western-style winter snacks like fried cheese and roast beef, as well as Glühwein (Mulled wine, spiced warm red wine) that adds to the wintery atmosphere. You can also buy small handicrafts, and sometimes they have an old-fashioned carousel for the little ones.
The one thing that is a bit different about Christmas decorations in Japan compared to many other countries who celebrate Christmas is that the decorations are usually taken down no later than the night of December 25th. On the 26th, you won’t find any Christmas-related decorations anywhere, as they will have been replaced by traditional Japanese New Year’s decorations by then.
What’s up with Christmas KFC?
One of the most famous commercial slogans in Japan is ‘Kentucky for Christmas’. A brilliant store manager came up with the slogan in the 1970s and it stuck. It means that in Japan, there are long lines in front of every KFC outlet as many people want to observe their Christmas tradition of eating (KFC) fried chicken during Christmas. They sell special Christmas boxes that will satisfy any hungry family.
Many think that KFC won this competitive edge by fibbing about fried chicken being an American Christmas tradition, but KFC spokespeople says that the savvy manager saw a business opportunity after dressing up as Santa during a Christmas party one time. No matter what the actual origins are of the smart marketing ploy, the Japanese tradition to eat fried chicken at Christmas is still going strong today.
In recent years, not only KFC food chains, but even convenience stores have hopped on the chicken for Christmas train. Due to the fact that everyone wants to eat KFC for Christmas now, their Christmas deals tend to sell out quick. However, the big convenience stores have taken notice and now have their own Christmas chicken deals! But be sure to order yours early because sometimes even these will sell out too.
Christmas Cake in Japan
Another curious culinary Christmas tradition in Japan is the Christmas cake. The most popular type of Christmas cake is a simple sponge cake covered with whipped cream and topped with strawberries. Often times there will be a depiction of Santa on the cake as well. The tradition of eating Christmas cake started after a famous pastry shop from Tokyo rode the wave of westernization, and it was considered classy to eat western-style food. At the time it was mainly just the upper-middle class who could afford such a luxury.
When western-style bakeries became more ubiquitous in Japan, Christmas cake became more readily available to the general public and the prices dropped. Nowadays, sharing a Christmas cake with your family and/or friends has become a Japanese tradition enjoyed by many, and you will see all kinds of Christmas cakes in bakeries’ windows come December.
Holiday Shopping in Japan
The holidays wouldn’t be the holidays without some shopping. Just like most other countries, Japan has lots of sales come December. You will be able to find not only festive items for Christmas and New Year’s, but loads of other products on sale this time of year. Shopping centers and big department stores will have big sales and they can be the perfect place to find a gift for your significant other or loved ones. As New Year’s is one of the biggest holidays, if not the biggest holiday of the year in Japan, people often try to buy gifts for friends, family and colleagues.
Christmas isn’t actually a National Holiday in Japan, so most stores are open and running without any changes. However, be aware that many stores close over the New Year’s holiday period.
To learn more about all of the best holiday shopping spots in Tokyo, have a look below!
J-Pop Christmas Songs
Even though Christmas hits like Mariah Carey’s or Wham!’s songs are still played everywhere in Japan, J-Pop Christmas songs are also popular. The most played J-Pop Christmas songs of all time are Christmas Eve by Tatsuro Yamashita, Koibito ga Santa Claus by Yumi Matsutoya and Sutekina Holiday by Mariya Takeuchi. The funny thing is that Christmas songs tend to get popular when they are used for the TV commercials for KFC and Coca Cola. Shiroi Koibitotachi by Keisuke Kuwata and Happiness by AI are some of the best examples.
Popular Christmas Events in Japan 2023
Kingdom of Lights at Huis Ten Bosch
Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park located in Nagasaki that recreates a town in the Netherlands from hundreds of years ago. This European inspired theme park is brightly lit with Christmas lights during the holiday season. You can immerse yourself in this unique European town full of Christmas spirit. There’s even a meet and greet event with Santa Claus where visitors can take pictures with him! In addition, there are fireworks in the evening to end the day in a special way on a select few days.
Date: November 5th (Sat) – December 25th (Sun) 2023
Christmas at Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios is another popular theme park located in Osaka. Many people visit this theme park for the huge bright Christmas tree in the New York themed area. To celebrate the 20th anniversary at the park, the tree is decorated in more colorful colors. Of course, there are Christmas performances and shows to enjoy as well as Christmas dinner and snacks here and there at the park!
Date: November 21th (Tue) 2023 – January 8th (Mon) 2024
*Event period is subject to change!
Popular Christmas Events in Tokyo 2023
Tokyo Christmas Market 2023
One of the biggest Christmas markets in Japan, Tokyo Christmas Market is held at Hibiya Park for 2 weeks. Since 2015, it is held annually which is inspired by the oldest Christmas Market in the world in Dresden, Germany. There will be 16 food stalls and 11 shops where you can buy Christmas ornaments and gifts, and enjoy European inspired food such as Gluhwein. There will be live music performances to get you into the Christmas spirits!
Date: November 23th (Thu) – December 25th (Mon) 11am – 9:30pm 2023 *First day: 4pm-9:30pm
Fee: 1,000 yen (Need to purchase a ticket online in advance)
Have a look here for more information on all of the Christmas markets in Tokyo in 2023:
Christmas at Tokyo Disney Resort
Tokyo Disney Resort is the most popular theme park in Japan and the most popular place to enjoy the Christmas season. Both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea will be beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and ornaments during the Christmas season. Both parks also offer you magical moments with Christmas performances and shows! At gift shops, you can find cute Christmas original souvenirs, such as character’s plush dressed in elves and trees. Find different Christmas trees at the parks, and each tree differs in design depending on the area’s theme.
Date: November 8th (Wed) – December 25th (Mon) 2023
Jewellumination at Yomiuri Land
Yomiuri Land boasts beautiful Christmas lights all around the huge park where 6.5 million LED lights illuminate the winter evening. One of the highlights of the illumination is the fountain show. The pool area turns into the wave of the colorful lights, and from 5pm every 15 minutes you can enjoy the dynamic fountain show.
Date: October 19th (Thu) 2023 – April 7th (Sun) 2024
Christmas Mass
If you would like to attend Christmas Mass, there are churches that offer Christmas Mass in English in Tokyo. In 2021, Franciscan Chapel Center offered both ticketed and a live-streamed mass for both Christmass Eve and Christmas Day. On 24th, mass was held at 4pm, 7pm and 8pm and was live streamed at 4pm and 9pm. On the 25th, it was held at 9am, 11am and 5am and was live streamed at 11am. For every mass, tickets are required. Please book your ticket on their website if you plan to attend the church. The mass schedule for 2023 has yet to be announced yet.
Traveling to Japan in Winter
The most popular seasons to travel to Japan are the spring and autumn. Temperatures are mild around these times of the year, and nature is beautiful with all kinds of flowers blossoming in the spring, and fall foliage in autumn.
However this doesn’t mean that winter isn’t a good time to travel to Japan! Besides enjoying illuminations and Christmas-related events, if you travel to Japan during the winter there will be smaller crowds, especially at the more famous tourist destinations. In addition, hot springs are a great way to relax your body and mind after a long cold day. And let’s not forget about the great winter sports resorts in Japan.
No matter what season you’re coming to Japan, booking a private tour with an excellent local guide is always a good idea. As a local to the area, they will be able to take you to highlights as well as lesser-traveled phidden gems. No matter what you are looking for, spending one of your valuable days in Japan with a private guide will not be something you regret!
Japan Wonder Travel Tours
Japan Wonder Travel is a travel agency that offers guided tours throughout Japan.
From private walking tours to delicious Food and Drink tours, we can help you organize the best tours just for you! If you want to explore Japan and learn more about the history and backstories of each area you are visiting, our knowledgeable and friendly English speaking guides will happily take you to the best spots!
In addition, we can provide you with any assistance you may need for your upcoming trip to Japan, so please feel free to contact us if yu have any questions or need some help!
▶Tokyo Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Drink Tour
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▶Tokyo 1–Day Highlights Private Walking Tour (8 Hours)
There’s no better way to explore an area than taking a tour with a knowledgeable local guide. You will have the chance to learn about the history and interesting background stories of Tokyo, as well as discover some hidden gems which can be hard to do without a guide.
▶Mt. Fuji Day Trip Bus Tour from Tokyo
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Happy traveling!
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Stefanie Akkerman moved from the Netherlands to Japan in 2013 with her Japanese husband and son. She jumped into the niche of Dutch tour guiding in Tokyo and Kamakura in 2015 and occasionally writes articles about all the great sights and activities Japan has to offer. She loves (Japanese) food, and to work that all off she goes diving, snorkeling, cycling, or hiking.
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