200+ Fascinating Christmas Facts About Japan: Traditions, Culture & Festive Surprises You Never Knew

Christmas in Japan is unlike anywhere else on Earth—it’s not a national holiday, yet millions celebrate with fried chicken, strawberry shortcake, and romantic dates. Having always been fascinated by how different cultures reinterpret Western holidays, I find Japan’s take on Christmas simply beautiful and wonderfully unusual.

It’s a gorgeous blend of commercial glitz, stolen customs, and uniquely Japanese twists that make December 25th feel like Valentine’s Day met a winter paradise. Ready to learn the most unexpected, touching, and simply astonishing facts about Christmas in Japan?

Let’s uncover this merry mystery together!

5 Essential Facts About Christmas in Japan

1. Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan—most people work regular hours on December 25th
2. KFC fried chicken has become the unofficial Christmas dinner, with families pre-ordering buckets weeks in advance
3. Christmas Eve is considered more romantic than the actual day, similar to Valentine’s Day in Western cultures
4. Japanese Christmas cake is a light sponge cake with strawberries and whipped cream, eaten specifically on Christmas Eve
5. Illuminations (elaborate light displays) are more popular than Christmas trees in public spaces
6. Only about 1-2% of Japan’s population identifies as Christian, yet Christmas is widely celebrated
7. Department stores begin Christmas displays and music as early as November 1st
8. Christmas is primarily a commercial and secular celebration rather than a religious observance
9. The famous Shibuya crossing gets decorated with millions of LED lights during the Christmas season
10. “Kurisumasu” (クリスマス) is how Christmas is pronounced in Japanese, borrowed from English
11. Exchanging Christmas gifts among friends and romantic partners is common, but family gift-giving is less traditional
12. Many Japanese people learn about Christmas through American movies and Western pop culture
13. Christmas carols are sung in English, even by people who don’t speak the language
14. Hotels and romantic restaurants are fully booked months in advance for Christmas Eve
15. The tradition of Christmas in Japan only became popular after World War II

10 Surprising Facts About Christmas in Japan

1. The KFC Christmas tradition started with a brilliant 1970s marketing campaign called “Kentucky for Christmas”
2. Christmas Eve is one of the busiest nights for proposals and romantic dates in Japan
3. Buddhist and Shinto families celebrate Christmas just as enthusiastically as anyone else
4. Strawberry shortcake became the traditional Christmas dessert because red and white are festive colors
5. Santa Claus is called “Santa-san” or “Santa Kurohsu” (Santa Claus) in Japan
6. Japanese children often believe Santa Claus enters through windows since most homes don’t have chimneys
7. Christmas decorations come down immediately after December 25th to prepare for New Year’s celebrations
8. The Christmas season in Japan runs from mid-November to December 25th, not through January
9. “White Christmas” is one of the most popular songs in Japan, despite snow being rare in major cities
10. Christmas cards are not traditional—New Year’s cards (nengajo) are sent instead
11. Many shopping districts hire foreign workers to dress as Santa Claus for authenticity
12. Poinsettias are popular Christmas decorations, but the Japanese name is “shokujitsuso” (猩々草)
13. Christmas wreaths are displayed, but the symbolism is largely decorative rather than religious
14. Tokyo Tower and Tokyo Skytree have special Christmas illumination displays that attract millions
15. The concept of “Christmas magic” is marketed heavily toward children through television and advertising
16. Christmas stockings are a relatively new addition, introduced through Western media
17. Expensive jewelry is one of the most popular Christmas gifts for romantic partners
18. Christmas markets, inspired by German traditions, have become trendy in recent years
19. The Imperial Palace does not have special Christmas celebrations or decorations
20. Christian churches hold midnight mass, but attendance is mostly from the small Christian community

Facts About Christmas in Japan for Kids

1. Santa-san is believed to know if Japanese children have been good or bad, just like in Western countries
2. Children write wish lists and leave them by their pillows on Christmas Eve
3. Schools are closed for winter break during Christmas, which usually starts around December 25th
4. Kids enjoy Christmas parties called “kurisumasu pahtii” with games and gift exchanges
5. Decorating small Christmas trees at home is a fun family activity for children
6. Many children receive one special gift rather than multiple presents
7. Christmas isn’t about religious stories for most kids—it’s about Santa, reindeer, and magic
8. Popular Christmas gifts for children include toys, video games, and character merchandise
9. Kids often watch Christmas-themed anime episodes and specials on TV
10. Making paper snowflakes and origami Christmas decorations is a common school activity
11. Children sing Christmas songs in English class, learning “Jingle Bells” and “Rudolph”
12. Christmas-themed bentos (lunch boxes) are created by creative parents
13. Many kids visit theme parks like Tokyo Disneyland for special Christmas events
14. Building snowmen is a Christmas activity in regions where snow falls
15. Children learn that Christmas and New Year’s are different holidays with different traditions
16. Advent calendars are becoming more popular among Japanese families with children
17. Kids enjoy watching “Home Alone” and other Christmas movies dubbed in Japanese
18. Christmas morning is not typically gift-opening time—presents appear overnight
19. Many children believe Santa travels the world in a single night, despite different time zones
20. Japanese kids are taught that Santa lives at the North Pole, just like in Western stories
21. Christmas picture books featuring Santa and reindeer are bestsellers in December
22. Some children attend Christmas events at churches to learn about the holiday’s origins
23. Stuffed reindeer and Santa toys are popular Christmas decorations in kids’ rooms
24. Children enjoy Christmas-themed snacks like chocolate coins and candy canes

100 Comprehensive Facts About Christmas in Japan

1. Christmas was first introduced to Japan by Christian missionaries in the 16th century
2. The holiday was banned during the Edo period when Christianity was outlawed
3. Christmas made a comeback during the Meiji era as Japan opened to Western influence
4. Department stores like Mitsukoshi began Christmas promotions in the early 1900s
5. The Morozoff confectionery company ran Japan’s first Christmas advertisement in 1910
6. Christmas became associated with luxury and Western sophistication in pre-war Japan
7. American occupation forces after WWII popularized Christmas celebrations
8. The 1970s saw an explosion in commercial Christmas marketing
9. Christmas illuminations began appearing in Tokyo’s Marunouchi district in the 1980s
10. Roppongi Hills’ Christmas illuminations attract over 2 million visitors annually
11. The giant Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center inspired similar displays in Japan
12. Osaka’s Grand Front features elaborate Christmas light tunnels every year
13. Kobe Luminarie, though originally a memorial, has Christmas-like illuminations
14. Nabana no Sato in Mie Prefecture has one of Japan’s largest illumination displays
15. Christmas-themed trains and buses run in major cities during December
16. Starbucks releases special Christmas drinks and merchandise in Japan
17. Limited-edition Christmas cosmetics and beauty products are hugely popular
18. Japanese fashion brands create special Christmas collections every year
19. Christmas playlists dominated by Mariah Carey and Wham! play everywhere
20. “Last Christmas” by Wham! is arguably the most iconic Christmas song in Japan
21. Japanese artists release Christmas albums and singles for the holiday season
22. Christmas concerts featuring classical music are popular among adults
23. Jazz clubs host special Christmas Eve performances
24. Christmas-themed manga and anime episodes are released annually
25. Pokemon releases special Christmas promotional cards and merchandise
26. Studio Ghibli films often air on TV during the Christmas season
27. Christmas is considered the second-most important gift-giving season after New Year’s
28. The average Japanese person spends 20,000-30,000 yen on Christmas celebrations
29. Luxury hotels offer Christmas Eve dinner packages costing 30,000-100,000 yen per couple
30. Christmas cakes must be purchased and eaten on December 24th—discounts on the 25th are huge
31. Unsold Christmas cakes on December 26th symbolize outdated or unwanted things
32. The phrase “Christmas cake” once referred to unmarried women over 25 (no longer acceptable)
33. Convenience stores sell smaller, individual-sized Christmas cakes
34. Decorative Christmas candy and chocolates are popular gifts
35. Mont Blanc (chestnut cream desserts) sometimes replace traditional Christmas cake
36. Champagne and sparkling wine sales peak during the Christmas season
37. Christmas dinner reservations require months of advance booking
38. Western-style roast turkey is rare—chicken is far more popular
39. Pizza chains offer special Christmas pizzas and party platters
40. Christmas-themed bentō boxes are sold at train stations and convenience stores
41. Wine and sake with Christmas-themed labels are released seasonally
42. French and Italian restaurants are especially popular for Christmas Eve dates
43. Christmas-themed afternoon tea sets are offered at luxury hotels
44. The concept of “Christmas dinner” is specifically for December 24th
45. Christmas morning breakfast is not a special tradition
46. Hot pot (nabe) might be enjoyed on Christmas if it’s not a romantic occasion
47. Christmas Eve is known as the “busiest night for love hotels” in Japan
48. Single people sometimes gather for “Christmas parties” to avoid feeling left out
49. Anti-Christmas movements among single people have emerged on social media
50. “Kuribocchi” (Christmas alone) describes spending the holiday solo
51. Some young people view Christmas pressure as stressful rather than fun
52. Group dates and matchmaking events are organized around Christmas
53. Christmas weddings are relatively rare compared to spring and fall
54. White dresses and tuxedos for Christmas events are inspired by Western weddings
55. Christmas-themed photo booths and Instagram spots are set up in shopping districts
56. Couples take “illumination tours” visiting multiple light displays in one night
57. Wearing Santa hats is common at Christmas parties but not in everyday life
58. Reindeer antler headbands are popular accessories during the season
59. Christmas sweaters (like ugly Christmas sweaters) are becoming trendy
60. Red and green are the dominant Christmas colors in decorations
61. Gold and silver decorations are also popular, representing luxury
62. Christmas ornaments often feature anime characters and kawaii designs
63. Handmade Christmas decorations are popular in craft stores
64. 100-yen shops sell affordable Christmas decorations and party supplies
65. Miniature Christmas villages and snow globes are collectible items
66. Christmas music begins playing in stores immediately after Halloween
67. Some people find the two-month Christmas music loop exhausting
68. “Silent Night” is sung in both Japanese and English versions
69. Christmas carols are performed by school choirs and community groups
70. Christian hymns are less commonly known than pop Christmas songs
71. Japanese Christmas songs like “Koi Bito ga Santa Claus” exist
72. Christmas episodes of variety shows feature celebrity gift exchanges
73. Year-end sales (winter sales) coincide with the Christmas shopping season
74. Electronics and gadgets are popular Christmas gifts
75. Watches and accessories are traditional gifts for romantic partners
76. Plush toys and character goods are popular for friends and children
77. Gift wrapping services are free at most department stores
78. Christmas gift bags and wrapping paper feature Santa, reindeer, and snowflakes
79. Re-gifting Christmas presents is generally considered impolite
80. Online shopping for Christmas gifts has grown dramatically
81. Amazon Japan offers special Christmas deals and recommendations
82. Christmas gift sets (assortments of food or cosmetics) are pre-packaged
83. Personalized gifts are less common than in Western countries
84. The act of gift-giving matters more than the gift’s personal meaning
85. Christmas cards from Western countries sometimes confuse Japanese recipients
86. Business-related Christmas gifts are not traditional in corporate culture
87. Year-end gifts (oseibo) are separate from Christmas presents
88. Religious Christmas services are attended mainly by Christians and the curious
89. Nativity scenes are rare outside of churches
90. The story of Jesus’s birth is not widely known among non-Christians
91. Christmas is understood as a Western cultural festival, not religious
92. International marriages have influenced how some families celebrate
93. Expat communities host traditional Western Christmas celebrations
94. International schools in Japan celebrate Christmas more traditionally
95. English conversation schools use Christmas as a cultural teaching opportunity
96. Christmas vocabulary is taught in English classes during December
97. Young Japanese people learn Christmas traditions through social media
98. Instagram and TikTok influence Christmas decoration trends
99. Christmas has become more commercialized each decade
100. Despite commercialization, many Japanese people genuinely enjoy the festive spirit

Japan Christmas Traditions

1. Booking a Christmas Eve dinner reservation months in advance is essential
2. Ordering KFC requires advance reservations—walk-ins face hour-long waits
3. Picking up pre-ordered Christmas cake on December 24th is a family tradition
4. Dressing up for Christmas Eve dates is expected, especially for women
5. Exchanging gifts with romantic partners is customary on Christmas Eve
6. Illumination dates are a must-do activity for couples
7. Watching romantic Christmas movies together is a popular couple activity
8. Christmas Eve proposals have become a cultural phenomenon
9. Giving jewelry, especially rings and necklaces, is traditional for couples
10. Hotel stays on Christmas Eve are considered romantic and special
11. Christmas parties at workplaces and with friends happen throughout December
12. Secret Santa gift exchanges are called “purezento kōkan”
13. Setting up a small Christmas tree at home is common in apartments
14. Decorating with LED lights and small ornaments is typical
15. Placing a Santa figurine or decoration at the entrance is popular
16. Creating a festive atmosphere with candles and fairy lights is trendy
17. Preparing special Christmas-themed meals at home is less common than dining out
18. Watching Christmas specials on TV is a cozy evening tradition
19. Attending Christmas markets to shop for gifts and try seasonal foods
20. Drinking hot wine (mulled wine) at Christmas markets is becoming popular
21. Ice skating at outdoor Christmas rinks in Tokyo and Osaka
22. Visiting theme parks decorated for Christmas with family
23. Taking Christmas-themed photos for social media and year-end cards
24. Wearing matching couple outfits or accessories on Christmas Eve
25. Listening to Christmas playlists while shopping or decorating

Japan Christmas History

1. Francis Xavier introduced Christianity and Christmas to Japan in 1549
2. Early Japanese Christians celebrated Christmas secretly during persecution
3. The Shimabara Rebellion (1637-1638) led to stricter Christmas bans
4. Christmas remained underground for over 200 years during the Edo period
5. The Meiji Restoration (1868) allowed religious freedom to return
6. Ginza’s Morozoff bakery created the first Christmas advertisement in 1910
7. The 1914 Christmas truce in WWI was reported in Japanese newspapers
8. Department stores imported Christmas decorations from Europe in the 1920s
9. Christmas became associated with Western modernity and sophistication
10. The 1930s saw growing interest in Christmas among urban middle-class families
11. WWII temporarily halted Christmas celebrations due to anti-Western sentiment
12. American soldiers celebrated Christmas in Japan during the occupation (1945-1952)
13. The 1950s saw Christmas marketed as a symbol of peace and prosperity
14. Japanese companies adopted Christmas bonuses (though called “winter bonuses”)
15. The 1960s economic boom made Christmas gifts more affordable
16. Television commercials in the 1960s heavily promoted Christmas products
17. KFC opened its first Japan location in 1970, introducing fried chicken
18. The 1974 KFC “Kentucky Christmas” campaign revolutionized Japanese Christmas
19. Christmas cakes became widely popular in the 1970s
20. The bubble economy of the 1980s made lavish Christmas spending trendy
21. Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983, offering American-style Christmas celebrations
22. Christmas illuminations became competitive among shopping districts in the 1990s
23. The concept of “White Christmas” romance was popularized by 1990s TV dramas
24. The 2000s saw Christmas becoming increasingly commercialized
25. Social media in the 2010s amplified Christmas celebration trends and expectations

Where to Spend Christmas in Japan

1. Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea offer magical Christmas events and parades
2. Roppongi Hills features stunning Christmas illuminations and a Christmas market
3. Shibuya’s shopping district transforms with millions of twinkling lights
4. Shinjuku’s department stores showcase elaborate window displays
5. Tokyo Midtown has an outdoor ice rink and illumination displays
6. Marunouchi Illumination creates a romantic tree-lined walkway
7. Tokyo Skytree lights up with special Christmas colors
8. Odaiba’s waterfront offers romantic Christmas views
9. Yokohama’s Red Brick Warehouse hosts a popular Christmas market
10. Yokohama Cosmo World amusement park features Christmas rides and lights
11. Osaka’s Umeda Sky Building has spectacular rooftop Christmas views
12. Namba Parks in Osaka features massive Christmas tree displays
13. Universal Studios Japan offers Christmas shows and themed attractions
14. Kyoto’s temples don’t celebrate Christmas, but hotels and restaurants do
15. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is beautiful during winter but not Christmas-specific
16. Kyoto Station’s illuminations and massive Christmas tree are impressive
17. Sapporo’s snow creates an authentic “White Christmas” atmosphere
18. Sapporo’s Shiroi Koibito Park has Christmas-themed chocolate factory tours
19. Hokkaido’s winter landscapes provide stunning Christmas backdrops
20. Kobe’s Harborland features beautiful waterfront Christmas lights
21. Kobe Mosaic garden has European-style Christmas decorations
22. Nagoya’s Nagashima Spa Land has one of Japan’s largest illumination displays
23. Fukuoka’s Canal City hosts Christmas performances and illuminations
24. Harajuku’s Omotesando Avenue is famous for its elegant tree lights
25. Mount Rokko in Kobe offers Christmas illuminations with panoramic views
26. Enoshima Island near Tokyo features lighthouse illuminations
27. Nabana no Sato in Nagashima has breathtaking winter flower and light displays
28. Luxury hotels like the Park Hyatt Tokyo offer exclusive Christmas dining
29. Karuizawa resort town provides a snowy, romantic Christmas getaway
30. Hakone’s hot springs offer relaxing Christmas escapes with mountain views

Conclusion

Christmas in Japan is a beautiful reminder that holidays can develop and adapt while still giving joy and connectedness to people’s lives. Whether you’re captivated by the KFC custom, enchanted by the illuminations, or amused by the romantic Christmas Eve craze, there’s something wonderfully special about how Japan has made this Western holiday its own.

Next time December rolls around, consider adding a Japanese twist to your celebrations—maybe try a strawberry shortcake, plan a romantic meal, or simply enjoy the shine without the stress.

After all, Christmas in Japan illustrates that the holiday spirit isn’t about following rules—it’s about creating moments that make your heart feel warm, even in the coldest winter. Merry Kurisumasu!