What Is Christmas Like in Japan?

Anamul Hoque Anik via Vecteezy

People say it’s the most wonderful time of the year; the special season that calls for good will among humans and peace on Earth. The time for high-spirited singing in the streets, eating grand meals that bring everyone together, and exchanging gifts that fill each and every heart with joy.

Whether you celebrate it or not, Christmas has a grand presence in most nations across the globe. Each country has its own special way of celebrating this holiday, and even many cultures that are not predominantly Christian acknowledge the holiday in one way or another.

This brings us to Japan. Anime fans like me know that most series, if not all, have an episode revolving around Christmas, even though only 1 percent of Japan’s population practices Christianity. It made me realize that people in Japan view the holiday in a different light from nations in the West, so what makes a Japanese Christmas unique? How different is it from how we in the United States celebrate it? And, most pressing of all, how did Christmas come to Japan in the first place?

According to KCP International, the first recorded Christmas in Japanese history was believed to have been during the Sengoku period (15th–17th centuries CE). It was at this time when a group of Jesuit missionaries, led by Francis Xavier, landed on Japanese soil to introduce Christianity to the masses. It turned out to be very bad timing on their part, as the country had been in the throes of a turbulent social upheaval among Japanese warlords at that time. Then, during the Edo period (1603–1867), the practice of Christianity was prohibited by the state. Christmas didn’t become popular until after World War II, when more Christian missionaries came to Japan.

The first thing one must keep in mind is that although Christmas has the birth of Jesus Christ at its core, it is a season of family, joy, and general togetherness. That’s the first thing that American and Japanese Christmases have in common: friends and relatives will all get together to share in a lavish meal and drinks while enjoying each other’s company. People in Japan even regard Christmas as a romantic holiday, on par with Valentine’s Day; it’s not uncommon to see couples taking walks through the city to admire the many light displays.

In the US, there are plenty of non-Christians who celebrate Christmas too. The difference is that in Japan, because Christmas is not considered a religious holiday, most workplaces regard the 25th as a normal workday. On the other hand, schools will often close their doors on the 25th in accordance with the New Year school break.

The second and arguably the biggest difference in how Japan and the United States celebrate Christmas is the preferred food choice. Where most American families spend the whole day preparing a fine roast beef or a big, juicy turkey, the Japanese have a taste for fried chicken: Kentucky Fried Chicken, specifically. Yes, really! This tradition came about in 1974, when the fried chicken chain released its “Kentucky for Christmas” campaign in Japan. KFCs across the country offered party buckets, which, as the name suggests, intended to feed an entire guest list for a Christmas party. Today, eating the “finger-lickin’ good” fried chicken on Christmas is as in full force as it was all those years ago. Another thing that the Japanese love to dig into on Christmas is sweet strawberry shortcake rather than something more rich, like yule logs.

Regardless of how you celebrate Christmas, the most important thing to remember is that it is a day of togetherness, community and cheer. Me, I’m celebrating the holidays with my loving parents and my sister. So from my heart to yours, I wish you all a happy holiday season and a happy new year!