Merry Christmas! 5 Things To Enjoy During Christmas In Japan

Christmas is just around the corner and sparkling seasonal decorations are already put up both in private homes and in public places. The beautiful Christmas trees and other illuminations around the city help us embrace the holiday spirit. The Japanese tradition of giving small presents to friends and family matches perfectly with the spirit of Christmas, and one can feel everyone's excitement as they look for the right gift for their dear ones.

Christmas in Japan is enjoyed by young and old alike. Let's see how Christmas is celebrated in Japan and what do people enjoy during this holiday season. If you happen to be in Japan during the holidays, do try to enjoy the local take on Christmas!

Christmas Shopping

In malls and and other shopping facilities you will find a great variety of Christmas-themed items and interior goods. These items come in gorgeous colors and have a festive feel to them, so they are a great choice for decorating homes and office places. From little trees and small reindeer to jelly stickers for windows, many kinds of cute trinkets are available from as low as 100 Yen! Many shops also offer small to medium sized fake trees, lights, pre-decorated trees, and a whole range of other Christmas items. Among the most popular ones are Christmas costumes to dress up as Santa, Elves and cute Mrs. Santa.

Special weekend-only Christmas markets are held in areas like Roppongi Hills, Hibiya Park and Yokohama, marking the beginning of Christmas. Among many local products, you will find Christmas items that are traditionally of European origin, such as mulled wine and gingerbread.

Pre-Ordered Special Christmas Cakes

Christmas cannot be imagined in Japan without the special Christmas cake. Many confectionery shops located within supermarkets receive orders until December 25th. The typical Christmas cake is a type of sponge cake covered with snow-white whipped cream and topped with perfectly shaped, ruby red strawberries. It is a beloved December-time treat in Japan, not just because it’s delicious, but also because it is a symbol of Christmas as a festival of happiness and love.

Because of its festive white-and-red coloring, strawberry shortcakes have become the unofficial Christmas Eve dessert in Japan. Cake is shared by families together in the evening after everyone comes back home from work. Ready-made Christmas cakes can be purchased at supermarkets, while specialty bakeries and confectionery shops offer their own take on Christmas cakes. The cake is usually decorated with miniature figurines of trees, flowers, and Santa Claus, making it a treat for the eye.

Intriguing Christmas Bento

Bento (lunch boxes) are a specialty of Japan, being enjoyed by the locals on a daily basis. Around Christmas one will be able to buy special bentos that reflect the holiday spirit. Beautiful and intricate decorations grace the bento, adding to its visual appeal. These special bento boxes are only available on December 25th every year, which makes them a really special treat.

If you would like to enjoy Christmas bentos, then head to the nearest specialty shops, supermarket or food stalls on December 25th!

The famous KFC Christmas Chicken

The KFC fried chicken meals enjoy popularity in Japan, but they become even more sought after around Christmas. The tradition of eating KFC for Christmas began more than four decades ago, when the chain launched a marketing campaign with the slogan: "Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!" (meaning "No Christmas without Kentucky!"). Their special Christmas menu includes sparkling wine and cake along with the traditional fried chicken. This menu is so beloved by the Japanese that you will see people queuing to get their KFC for Christmas.

If you would like to taste the KFC Special Christmas menu, we recommend you pre-order it, as the stores can get really crowded on New Year's Eve.

Various Sweets with Christmas Motifs

Wagashi, the traditional Japanese sweets, well-known for how they reflect the changing of the seasons, are also getting a Christmas make-over. Japanese confectioners create wagashi sweets in festive shapes, such as reindeer, Santa Claus, holly leaves or snowmen. However, even if their design changes, the traditional flavors of the wagashi, such as red bean, burdock root and green tea, remain unaltered and you will be able to enjoy them.

Supermarkets and candy shops are filled with Christmas candies and cookies. Various different shapes depicting Christmas motifs are available to purchase as presents, as well as for yourself. It is indeed a treat to watch all the wonderful candies lined up for sale. Many restaurants offer pancakes decorated with small Santa Claus figures. Christmas sweets are obviously one of the most awaited seasonal treat every year in Japan.

In Conclusion

Although Christmas is not formally a national holiday in Japan, the Japanese culture has welcomed and adopted the season’s traditions and spirit over time. In all the Japanese cities you can enjoy festivals and special events on December 25th, and the locals celebrate the season with sentiment, exchanging small presents and enjoying delicious seasonal food.

If you are visiting Japan during this season, we invite you to join them in this celebration of light and hope. Merry Christmas!!