Christmas in Japan

The holiday season in Japan offers a fascinating blend of Western influences and traditional Japanese customs. For expats and digital nomads celebrating their first Christmas and New Year's in Japan, the experience is a delightful mix of the familiar and the exotic. While Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan, it is celebrated with much enthusiasm, and New Year's (Shogatsu) is one of the country's most important annual celebrations.

Christmas in Japan

Christmas in Japan is more of a commercial and romantic holiday, often compared to Valentine's Day in the West. It's a time for couples to go on dates and exchange gifts. Families with young children also embrace the festive spirit, with parents buying presents for their kids. Santa Claus, known as 'Santa-san' or 'Santa Kuroosu,' is a recognized figure, and children look forward to receiving gifts from him.

Gift-giving is a part of the Christmas tradition, but it's usually reserved for close friends and family members. The presents are often small and thoughtful, rather than lavish. Christmas cards are also a popular way to convey holiday greetings.

When it comes to food, Christmas in Japan is synonymous with two things: Christmas cake and fried chicken. The Christmas cake is typically a sponge cake decorated with cream and strawberries, while fried chicken, especially from fast-food chains like KFC, has become a quirky but widely practiced custom.

New Year's Celebrations

New Year's is a more traditional and family-oriented holiday. It's a time for reflection, renewal, and preparation for the coming year. Many people return to their hometowns to spend time with their families. The lead-up to New Year's is busy with preparations, including a thorough cleaning of the home, known as 'osoji,' to welcome the New Year with a fresh start.

On New Year's Eve, many people eat toshikoshi soba, long buckwheat noodles that symbolize crossing over from one year to the next. Just before midnight, temple bells ring 108 times to dispel the 108 earthly desires believed to cause human suffering.

During the first few days of the New Year, many visit shrines or temples to pray for good fortune. This visit is called 'hatsumode.' It's also common to send New Year's postcards, called 'nengajo,' to friends and family.

Christmas and New Year's Events

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, cities across Japan light up with beautiful illuminations. Tokyo, in particular, is known for its dazzling light displays, with areas like Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Roppongi Hills drawing crowds of onlookers. Christmas markets, inspired by European traditions, can also be found, offering holiday crafts, food, and mulled wine.

For New Year's, one of the most significant events is the Emperor's New Year's Greeting in Tokyo, where the Imperial Family makes several public appearances. Another popular event is the first sumo tournament of the year, held in mid-January, which is a big draw for sports enthusiasts.

Local Celebrations and Decorations

Certain towns and neighborhoods are famous for their festive decorations. Kobe's Luminarie, an elaborate light festival, is held in memory of the victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake. In Tokyo, the Caretta Shiodome's winter illumination is a spectacle of lights and music.

Christmas markets can be found in various cities, with the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market and the Sapporo White Illumination being notable examples. These markets offer a cozy atmosphere with holiday goods, warm drinks, and a chance to experience a touch of European Christmas spirit in Japan.

While Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are not public holidays, and most people do not go to church, some may attend midnight mass or Christmas services, which are more of a novelty experience in Japan. New Year's, however, is steeped in Shinto and Buddhist traditions, and many people visit shrines and temples at this time.

Experiencing the holiday season in Japan is a unique opportunity to witness how another culture adopts and adapts festive traditions. From the romantic, commercial vibe of Christmas to the solemn, family-centric atmosphere of New Year's, the end-of-year holidays in Japan are a blend of the new and the old, the secular and the sacred. Whether you're marveling at the winter illuminations or enjoying a bowl of toshikoshi soba, the holiday season in Japan is sure to create lasting memories for expats and digital nomads alike.