How is an unconventional Christmas celebrated in Japan? You won’t believe what they are preparing for Christmas Eve dinner!

Have you ever wondered how Christmas is celebrated in Japan?

The answer may surprise you.

What do Japan and KFC have in common on Christmas Day?

It’s definitely not what you would expect.

Christmas in Japan is celebrated in unconventional ways, and their traditions and customs are vastly different from what we’re used to.

Do the Japanese feast on sushi or rice for Christmas Eve dinner?

Come along with us to find out.

Christmas Day in Japan

Here, families gather on Christmas Day, and in the evening, they exchange gifts that Santa brought them. And how are they doing in Japan?

It will probably surprise many that December 24 is a typical working day for them. Adults go to work, and children go to school.

Only 1% of Japanese people are Christians. For them, Christmas is not a Christian holiday full of traditions and customs but a day for friends and lovers. Christmas Day is like Valentine’s Day.

Instead of spending time with family and giving gifts, Japanese people go on dates, romantic dinners, and walks. Restaurants are booked weeks in advance, couples exchange gifts, and young people party.

Parents and children then visit Disneyland in Tokyo. There are lovely decorations, performances for children, and Christmas parades.

For them, Christmas as such is more like a celebration of the Japanese New Year. The celebrations last from December 31 to January 4. At this time, whole families meet, feast on typical dishes, and exchange gifts.

Who brings gifts in Japan?

Although traditional Christmas is not celebrated in Japan, children are not deprived of presents. The traditional Santa Claus or Hoteiosho wears them.

Hoteiosho is a Buddhist monk, one of the seven representatives of the Gods of Fortune.

Usually, Santa Claus carries presents through a chimney, but chimneys are not that common in Japan. The children then say that Santa is a ghost who appears and leaves presents in the apartment.

Of course, it depends on families and their habits. They don’t stick to Christmas presents here. Somewhere Santa Claus or Hoteiosho wear them to children.

What are the Christmas decorations like in Japan?

Christmas in Japan is different in every way.

There are no typical Christmas trees or Christmas decorations in families.

In contrast, many lights appear in cities at the beginning of winter. Decorative lights are on trees, shopping centers, and parks. Towns and parks are decorated with so many lights that there is pressure in Japan to buy chains with energy-saving LED.

In winter, Japanese cities are beautifully lit up.

You can see the most beautiful lights in Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe.

Japan has breathtaking irradiated parks. The most famous parks are Ashikaga Flower Park and Nabano no Sato.

Giant Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and other classic Christmas decorations can be seen in the shops.

Christmas in Japan and KFC?

What do you think the Japanese have for Christmas Eve dinner?

Maybe you can imagine they have some unique dishes with sushi or rice and some traditional dishes. Instead, most Japanese people who don’t have a romantic dinner at a restaurant order KFC Kentucky fried chicken.

There is such a demand for this dish that you must pre-order your meal about 6 weeks in advance.

Japan has no traditions and customs for Christmas, except for KFC on Christmas Day.

The tradition started in 1970, when the first manager in Japan, Takeshi Okawara, dreamed of creating a Christmas party menu.

In 1974, KFC launched a major marketing campaign. It was so successful that it became a Japanese Christmas tradition.

For Japan, the traditional dinner on Christmas Day is a KFC menu.

Christmas carols in Japan

Music also enhances the Christmas atmosphere in Japan. Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Ode to Joy, can be heard from all angles.

Japanese choirs sing a symphony in German. Why in German?

During the First World War, German soldiers imprisoned in Japan sang this symphony. Since then, it has been associated with Christmas.

In December, a performance takes place in Osaka, where 10,000 amateurs sing it.

Christmas sweets in Japan

As you already know, they don’t have any traditions or customs in Japan, except for KFC. But apart from that, they like to indulge in sweet desserts.

They don’t have candy like we do, but sweet cakes.

Their most famous Christmas cake is the Kurisumasu keeki. It is a sponge cake with soft cream and strawberries decorated with fruit and Christmas motifs.

Of course, there are different variations of tastes and garnishes in every family.

Christmas in Japan is very unusual. We can be inspired by the fact that they do not marry for gifts but enjoy the Christmas atmosphere with friends and family.

Would you be inspired by KFC fast food? It definitely saves time for Japanese families—they don’t have to cook. Feasting together on food from the same bucket also creates a bit of a family atmosphere.

And their winter lighting is worth a tourist visit!