Having spent my formative years in Japan, the magic of Christmas time is synonymous with Japan. In this exploration, I aim to show how Japan, a country less rooted in traditional religious practices, embraces the winter-time festivities. I invite you to join me in unraveling the tapestry of my blended Christmas celebration, shaped by the influences of my bicultural upbringing.
As we embark on this exploration of Christmas in Japan, it’s crucial to delve into its historical roots. Join me as we journey back to the origins of Christmas in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Unwrapping the Origins of Japanese Christmas
As many may know, Christmas was introduced to Japan by missionaries and foreigners. What might be less known, however, is that the first Christmas on Japanese soil unfolded in 1552. It was the Spanish Jesuit Cosme de Torres who held the inaugural Christmas Mass in what is now known as Yamaguchi prefecture.
The subsequent ban on Christianity through Kinkyourei initiated in 1612 and lasting until the Meiji period, silenced the spread of Christmas, leaving it alive only among a resilient few—the Kakure Kirishitans. Kakure Kirishitans were members of the Catholic Church in Japan that went underground once the ban took effect. They are a very intriguing group of people in Japanese history, maybe I’ll make a post about them one day.
The exception to the above were the Dutch who were in present-day Nagasaki, Japan. They knew Christianity was banned so they repackaged Christmas as Dutch New Year and celebrated the occasion. The invitation was extended to local Japanese people as well. It’s said that people started celebrating a variation of the Dutch New Year as it gained popularity.
Japan finally took in Christmas at around 1900. At the same time, Meiji-ya, a store that sold various food products opened its doors in Ginza. According to a few old articles, that is roughly when the boom of the economy due to Christmas was observed in Japan. By the time the Taisho period rolled around in 1912, Christmas was advertised in magazines written for younger children. The lore of Santa Claus lived in children’s hearts.
It’s believed that Christmas stuck and stayed around by the Showa period because there used to be a holiday commemorating the previous emperor that was held on December 25th. Although the holiday itself was unrelated to Christmas, the date was synonymous with Christmas by then. Post World War 2, the holiday was removed from the Japanese calendar however, the culture of Christmas stuck around to this day. Compared to countries that have religious connotations with the holiday, Japan’s Christmas has evolved as a means for commercial campaigning. By the time December 26th rolls around, much of the Christmas mood has already dissipated from stores and been replaced by the incoming New Year celebration.
Having traced the introduction of Christmas to Japan, let’s fast-forward to the present day. The echoes of history resonate in the festive air as modern Japan adorns itself with enchanting decorations and illuminations. Join me as we stroll through the illuminated streets, where the past and present seamlessly converge.
Navigating Japan’s Illuminated Winter Wonderland
In modern-day Japan, the Christmas mood is set by decor put up as early as November. I don’t want to hear anyone groan about how it’s not even Thanksgiving yet, since Japan does not celebrate Thanksgiving as there were no pilgrims and native Americans sharing food at a table in feudal Japan. The city streets are adorned with Christmas illuminations, which is a feast for the eyes. In Yokosuka, there is going to be a Winter Illumination event going on at Verny Park until February.
One of the most popular spots to see Christmas illuminations has got to be the Aka-renga Souko, or the Red Brick Warehouse, in Minatomirai, Yokohama.
Red Brick Warehouse annually holds the Christmas Market in Yokohama event where they recreate a German Christmas Market. They have a large outdoor Christmas tree by an ice rink. Growing up here, it is as iconic to me as the Rockefeller Center might be for many New Yorkers during Christmas time. Although the scale of the tree is nothing on the iconic tree. To take full advantage of the Christmas Market, you have to pay an entrance fee of 500 yen. They also have the Christmas Illumination Garden located right next to the market, which is free of cost.
The greater Yokohama area is illuminated throughout the winter, so taking a walk through the city might be a fantastical way to immerse yourself in Japanese Christmas-time magic.
Now that we’ve immersed ourselves in the visual spectacle of Japanese Christmas, let’s shift our focus to the distinctive culinary traditions that define this season. From the glow of Christmas lights to the savory aroma of KFC and the sweet allure of Christmas cakes, the tapestry of Japanese celebrations unfolds in diverse and delectable ways.
Culinary Delights of Japanese Christmas
Undoubtedly, one of the most distinctive Japanese Christmas traditions revolves around the iconic pairing of KFC and Christmas cake. Eating KFC for Christmas dinner is said to have begun in 1974 under two different stories. Some say it originated when Americans in Japan, unable to secure a turkey for Christmas, turned to KFC as a festive alternative. Another tale involves a manager dressing up as Santa, sparking a public fascination that led to a promotional campaign. Regardless of its origin, the sight of Colonel Sanders donning a Santa suit has become synonymous with the Japanese Christmas experience. When I was a child, I firmly believed he was Santa, and he was watching whether I was good or bad– at the mall cafeteria.
As the festive season approaches, preordering KFC Christmas Chicken buckets becomes crucial, as KFC outlets do not sell chicken on the day itself. The popularity of this tradition has extended beyond KFC, with convenience stores joining the Christmas Chicken bandwagon to meet the demand. During my high school years in Japan, I worked part-time at FamilyMart and vividly remember standing outside the store in a Santa hat, ringing a bell, and offering Christmas Chicken boxes to passersby—a memory that still brings a smile to my face.
In addition to the savory delight of Christmas Chicken, the Japanese Christmas experience is incomplete without a preordered Christmas cake. Working at FamilyMart exposed me to the necessity of preordering these delectable treats. Typically, a Christmas cake features a sponge cake adorned with whipped cream and fresh strawberries or a bûche de Noël. The act of preordering adds a sense of anticipation, ensuring that these cakes become a cherished part of the holiday celebrations.
Reflecting on my experiences at FamilyMart, each Christmas season was marked not only by the jingle of bells but also by the hustle and bustle of customers securing their Christmas Chicken and cakes. These traditions, rooted in practicality and culinary delight, encapsulate the essence of a Japanese Christmas celebration.
At the End…
As we reach the end of this exploration into the magic of Christmas in Japan, the threads of history, tradition, and personal experience weave together to create a bicultural tapestry of joy. From the early days of Christmas Mass in 1552 to the contemporary celebrations featuring illuminations, KFC, and Christmas cakes, the evolution of this festive season reflects not only a cultural amalgamation but also the resilience of traditions over time.
My bicultural upbringing has endowed me with a unique perspective, blending the enchantment of Western festivities with the subtleties of Japanese traditions. Whether it’s the echoes of Kakure Kirishitans’ resilience or the vibrant illuminations of modern Yokohama, each facet contributes to the rich mosaic that is my Christmas celebration.
As we bid farewell to the festive streets and the tantalizing aroma of KFC, I invite you to reflect on your holiday traditions. Christmas in Japan may not be rooted in religious practices, but it has found a place in the hearts of the Japanese people as a time for joy, togetherness, and cultural expression.
May the memories of Colonel Sanders in a Santa suit, the twinkling lights of Yokohama, and the anticipation of preordering Christmas treats linger in your thoughts as we embrace the transition from Christmas to the upcoming New Year celebration.
As we wrap up this journey through the enchanting world of Christmas in Japan, I’m eager to hear about your holiday traditions and experiences. Whether you’re in Japan, have celebrated Christmas there, or are halfway across the globe, the holiday season unites us in joy and warmth.
Share your festive tales in the comments below! What unique traditions make your Christmas special? Have you ever encountered unexpected holiday delights or created your blend of cultural celebrations?
Let’s create a global tapestry of holiday stories right here. Your experiences might resonate with others, bringing a touch of shared joy to this festive season.
Wishing you all a magical and heartwarming holiday season!
Miles from Home 
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