What does one celebrate X’mas like a local in Japan? Date night, Romance, Xmas light ups, Strawberry shortcakes and Kentucky Fried Chicken! That’s how!
Xmas traditions in Japan are both familiar and strange at the same time. In some ways, the whole scene looks familiar, and reminds us of home, and some ways, the differences make us aware that we are definitely not back home I think.
The Christmas Holiday season
X’mas is known and celebrated as a Christian holiday all around the world. Here in Japan, the majority of people do not identify as Christians, yet the X’mas season is huge in Japan.
Around late October, X’mas decorations slowly start appearing here and there. A way-too-early Xmas tree, a Xmas wreath on a wall, or even a Xmas themed cake catalogue with Xmas graphics and wordings.
Moving into November and then December, Xmas lights and decorations start appearing in more obvious places like department stores and along certain roads. KFC ads reminding people to order early start appearing on and offline too.
Christmas Food
Xmas food….well ok, Xmas cakes and KFC fried chicken to be exact, are a thing! “Cakes I get, but why Kentucky Fried Chicken?”, you ask? Umm…most say it’s because of a hugely successful marketing campaign that started in the early 1970s.
Cake
Unlike in many other countries, the cake that comes to mind isn’t the Christmas log cake or the Christmas fruit cake, it’s the Strawberry shortcake. Fujiya, a confectionary company, is credited with both introducing, and marketing this delicious cake as a cake to be eaten during Xmas – a Xmas cake.
The term ‘shortcake’ means different things depending on which country you are in, and in Japan, this particular cake refers to a light and fluffy sponge cake with strawberries and fresh cream. Yum!
KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken)
Takeshi Okawara, the manager at the first KFC in Japan, is credited with starting the “Kentucky for Christmas” marketing campaign. Basically, in a country where only a small percentage of people identify as Christians, he probably decided that associating the fragrant fried chicken with the holiday season was the way to go, as there were no existing Xmas traditions in Japan.
This marketing campaign is said to have been launched in 1974, and it has basically become a custom! Talk about a successful marketing campaign!
Nowadays, the Xmas ordering period starts around the beginning of November and ends around the 12th of December. After that, all people need to do is pick their order up anytime between the 18th to the 26th of December.
Xmas Light Up
X’mas Light ups are known as Illumination in Japan. There are many illumination spots and they usually have a similar color theme every year.
Some spots have trees lining the road all lit up in blue lights or yellow lights, and many couples visit these places together and walk along the pavements hand in hand.
There are also areas and parks where visitors walk around the ‘illumination’ and can stop to take a few pictures.
Xmas Markets
In recent years, some Xmas markets have also started appearing. You know, the type you see in Europe with temporary stalls that sell things like sausages and mulled wine – they always remind me of Germany Christmas markets to be honest.
Xmas Eve
Date night
Yes, all the rumours are true. Xmas eve is Date night here in Japan.
Walking around the city, you will see couples holding hands, and more often than not, the female partner will have a single rose stalk or a small bouquet in her other hand.
These couples appear in the evening and are usually all dressed up; they also all usually have restaurant bookings.
So if you are planning on doing something similar, make your reservations early!
And if seeing lovey dovey couples everywhere is something you would rather avoid, umm…stay away from major city centres for just this one day.
House parties
For couples that are happier spending time at home, or for families with kids, Xmas home parties are common.
While it’s not set in stone, most people pick up their KFC orders on Christmas eve and enjoy it with their families that evening. The strawberry shortcakes too! And because most people eat it on this particular day, it also means that you might be able to get good fried chicken deals either on or after Xmas day! Cheap(er) fried chicken anyone? 😉
Some people choose to have home parties with friends so those types of parties are very common too. But, unless explicitly mentioned, they are usually not potluck parties. But since turning up empty handed isn’t really good either, it’s always a good idea to bring some alcohol for the host(s)!
Xmas Day
I think unlike some other countries, where the day might start with Midnight mass, or Xmas morning mass, there really isn’t a specific custom for this day – probably because people don’t really associate Xmas with a religion or culture.
So whether Xmas is part of your culture or not, it is a beautiful time in Japan. I hope you enjoy these Xmas traditions in Japan!
Star
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