Christmas in Japan: How It’s Celebrated and Why It’s So Different

Christmas in Japan feels familiar at first. Twinkling lights, decorated trees, cheerful music. Then, quietly, you realize it’s something entirely its own.

There’s no day off work and no big family gathering around a fireplace. Instead, Christmas in Japan is about atmosphere: glowing city streets, seasonal treats, and small moments of joy tucked into everyday life.

If you’ve ever wondered how Christmas is celebrated in Japan, here’s what the season really looks like.

Is Christmas a Holiday in Japan?

No. Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan.

December 25 is a normal weekday, and offices, schools, and shops generally run as usual. But that doesn’t mean Christmas is ignored. Far from it.

Instead of being a family holiday, Christmas in Japan has evolved into a seasonal celebration, closer in spirit to Valentine’s Day! It’s something to enjoy with a partner, friends, or simply on your own while wandering through illuminated streets.

How Christmas Came to Japan (and Why It’s Different)

It’s said that the first Christmas celebrated in Japan was in the 16th century, when Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier introduced Christianity, and with it, Christmas, to Japan when he arrived to Kagoshima in 1594. During the Edo period (1603-1867) though, Christianity was prohibited by the state, and so celebrations of Christmas, and practicing of Christianity in general, largely disappeared or went underground.

Part of the "Nanban byobu" screen painting by Kanō Naizen showing Jesuit missionaries arriving in Japan.

After Japan reopened to the West in the Meiji Period, (1868-1912) Christmas became more widely known and there are records of an appearance of Santa Claus in a newspaper in 1906! When Emperor Taisho died on December 25, 1926, the day was designated as a subdued public holiday, where Christmas celebrations were not encouraged.   

Emperor Taisho

Throughout the two world wars, celebrating Christmas was further discouraged as it was associated with America. After the end of WWII though, when many American Christian missionaries entered Japan, Christmas became more widely celebrated and evolved into a family-centered holiday for gift-gifting and a way to signal economic prosperity after the hard wartime years. Celebrations, especially on Christmas Eve, became more extravagant in the 80s and throughout the “bubble period” of Japan’s economic growth, when Christmas became more associated with romance, almost like how New Year’s Eve is in the West.

Japanese Christmas Traditions You’ll Actually See

Illuminations: The Heart of Christmas in Japan ✨

If Christmas in Japan has a main attraction, it’s illuminations. From late November through December, cities light up with elaborate displays. Not just strings of lights, but entire streets and buildings transformed into glowing winter scenes.

You’ll find stunning illuminations everywhere, from Tokyo neighborhoods like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Roppongi, to Osaka and Kobe and even smaller cities and suburban shopping areas. 

They’re free, beautifully done, and very much part of everyday life. People pause on their commute, couples stroll hand in hand, families take photos on the way home.

Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas Dinner (Yes, Really!)

Interestingly, the Christmas meal of choice in Japan has become fried chicken from KFC, thanks to a brilliant marketing strategy by KFC Japan in the 70s.
Today, over 3.6 million Japanese families eat KFC meals during the Christmas season!

Inspired by Western style Christmas dinners with roast turkeys and Christmas, this is a great example of how Japanese has adapted foreign Christmas traditions and turned it into its own unique celebration.  Similarly, the dessert choice — light and delicious strawberry shortcake—is a departure from what is considered traditional Christmas fare overseas!

Japanese Christmas Cake: A Light, Sweet Cake with Traditional Japanese Colors 

The reason why Japan has adopted this cake during Christmastime lies in the simple color combination of white (from the whipped cream) and red (from the strawberries). In Japan, the combination of red and white is known as “kouhaku”, and is associated with festivities and good fortune!  

Christmas Eve: A Romantic Night Out 🎄

In Japan, Christmas Eve is often more important than Christmas Day.

Many couples treat it as a romantic occasion, planning dinners, hotel stays, or evening walks through illuminated streets.

Restaurants and hotels usually offer special Christmas menus, and popular spots book up quickly. It’s not uncommon to see couples dressed up, making an ordinary weekday evening feel just a bit more special.

Gift-Giving in Japan at Christmas

Gift-giving does happen, but it’s typically between couples, among close friends, or for children.

Visiting Japan During Christmas: What to Know

If you’re in Japan in December, Christmas season feels festive but relaxed.

• Decorations usually appear from mid-November

• Shops and transportation operate normally

• Illuminations peak in mid-to-late December

• The biggest holiday shift comes at New Year’s, not Christmas

It’s a lovely time to explore cities without the intensity of Japan’s major holidays.

So, What Is Christmas in Japan Really About?

Christmas in Japan isn’t loud or sentimental. It doesn’t demand much from you.

It’s about enjoying beautiful lights on a cold evening, sharing a simple seasonal meal, exchanging a small, thoughtful gift, and letting winter feel a little warmer.

Different from the Christmas you might know, but meaningful in its own quiet way.

However you may be celebrating your cultural and family traditions during this time, the Bento&co team wishes you very happy holidays full of good food and memory-making!

P.S Have you wrapped your Christmas presents yet? Check out our video below on ways to wrap using furoshiki, Japan’s traditional wrapping cloths. The video is for bento boxes specifically, but the same techniques can be applied for presents!