Christmas in Japan is pretty much an unadulterated Gimmee Fest. Santa is everywhere, baby Jesus? って誰？Who’s that? I like to call it Christmas, Inc.
A good comparison would probably be the American version of Valentine’s Day. I mean, sure, there’s a religious tradition in there somewhere, but it’s been so warped that now it’s really just a chance for kids to exchange cards and yours truly to eat too much chocolate. (Valentine’s Day in Japan is totally backwards, but I’ll save that for February.)
Here most people celebrate Christmas on the evening of the 24th. They eat fried chicken and “Christmas Cake,” which is usually a strawberry and whipped cream topped vanilla sponge. Interestingly enough, Kentucky Fried Chicken (known in Japan simply as Kentucky) is strongly associated with Christmas. Usually, there is a Colonel Sanders statue outside. He is dressed like Santa during the holiday season, and you actually have to reserve your “holiday bucket” weeks ahead of time.
Santa brings one gift for each child. I think he comes when the kids are at school, since the 24th and 25th are regular work days here. Family members don’t exchange gifts. There is no nativity scene or church attendance. Relatives don’t come to visit. Grandparents don’t call.
The next day, the tiny tree comes down and the New Years decorations go up. Christmas, Inc. is over for another year, quickly forgotten in the face of the upcoming New Years celebrations, the biggest event of the Japanese year.
But watch out! If you misbehave in Japan, Santa will come back and take your toys away.
This is an original post to World Moms Blog from mother of two in Japan, Melanie Oda. You also can find Melanie writing on her personal blog, Hamakko Mommy.
Photo credit to Jennifer Burden. Blue Christmas tree at Haneda Airport in Japan.
Oh wow, I complain a ‘little’ about the hoohaa surrounding Christmas but I’m not sure that this sounds like Christmas either. Fried chicken and strawberry sponges, and one present, and no day off school or work, and the biggest – no visiting family.
I found this intriguing to read – is there a celebration day similar to Christmas for people in Japan?
New Years is the “Christmas” of Japan.
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The importation of Christmas to other cultures fascinates me because so much of it does seem to be about only the giving/getting of Stuff. I’m not a very religious person, but even my heathen self tries to instill the message of GIVING to my kids, and also the importance of this day in the Christian tradition. Love, love, LOVE the image of Colonel Fried Chicken being also Father Christmas. That’s really funny.
I was in Japan one time just before Christmas time for a wedding. I was amazed to see so many Christmas trees and decorations! I wasn’t expecting to see any.
It’s interesting to see how ideas, culture and holidays spread around the world, and what pieces become prevalent in different places and why! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Jen 🙂
I’m not surprised at all considering how atheistic Japan is. And money and status rule, that’s for sure.
I am surprised about KFC though and it actually makes me crave it right now. 🙂
What an insightful writing about Christmas in Japan. Thank you for taking me to Japan tonight.
It reminds me so much of Christmas in China. The next day all the decorations were gone changed with New Year’s much like there in Japan then in January the Chinese New Year’s decorations went live.
It seems that Christmas everywhere is very commercial these days. My husband, who grew up going to church, said to me that Santa has no religious significance. And I (the Jewish one) had to remind him of St. Nick. I do have to say I am surprised of no visiting relatives – that’s one of the best parts of the holidays – as long as it’s made up for with New Year’s. Btw, I love that Santa comes back and takes the gift away if the kids don’t behave! 🙂