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🎄 JAPAN
Christmas in Japan
Christmas in Japan sparkles in a different way: streets glow with dazzling lights, couples plan a special evening out, and a light sponge cake takes centre stage. It is less about a long holiday and more about one bright, romantic night.
Quick Facts
Main celebration
Christmas Eve, December 24, is the big moment; December 25 is a normal working day, not a national holiday.
Gift-bringer
Santa Claus brings gifts for children.
A signature food
A strawberry-and-cream sponge “Christmas cake,” ordered weeks ahead, and fried chicken.
How to say Merry Christmas
“Merii Kurisumasu”
When and How They Celebrate
From November, shopping streets and stations fill with spectacular “illumination” displays that draw evening crowds. Christmas Eve is treated like a romantic evening for couples, with restaurant reservations and small gifts, while children receive small presents and big cities host festive markets in a European style.
Traditions to Know
Illuminations are the signature sight of the season, turning ordinary streets into tunnels of light. Couples often dress up for dinner on Christmas Eve, and families enjoy the markets, music, and decorations without expecting a day off the next morning.
On the Table
The famous Christmas cake is a light sponge layered with cream and strawberries, often ordered weeks ahead to be sure of getting one. Fried chicken is the other well-known festive meal, a tradition boosted by a famous 1974 restaurant campaign and still popular today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December 25 a holiday in Japan?
No, December 25 is a normal working day in Japan, not a national holiday, and Christmas Eve is the big moment.
What is a Japanese Christmas cake?
It is a strawberry-and-cream sponge cake, often ordered weeks ahead of Christmas.
Why is fried chicken popular at Christmas in Japan?
The fried chicken tradition was boosted by a famous 1974 restaurant campaign and has stayed popular ever since.