Celebrate Christmas in Japan: 5 Fun Things to Do and See!

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My first international trip after bouncing back from “houseless-ness” was a three week vacation to Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. The trip initially came about when our Taiwanese friend invited a few of us to fly over to Taiwan with her to watch her mother perform in concert. But it was cheaper to fly into Japan first – so that was all we needed to know before booking. It totally slipped our minds that we would celebrate Christmas in Japan.

If you don’t know anything about Christmas in Japan, know this: it’s cold. Like, VERY COLD. There are also a ton of things to do! So here’s a pretty bangin’ post full of suggestions and things to expect if you happen to find yourself celebrating Christmas in Japan!

How Did Christmas in Japan Become a Thing??

I mean, when you think of Japan…Christianity or Catholicism isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind.

After all, the majority religion in Japan is Shintoism, closely followed by Buddhism. Then waaayyyy down in the minority is Christianity at about 1.5% (at least as of 2012). But religion in Japan is much different than religion in other parts of the world, especially the Western world. Often, religion is viewed more as tradition, practices, and customs moreso than a single ideology.

For example, births and new beginnings are celebrated at Shinto shrines. Whereas deaths and burials follow predominantly Buddhist traditions. There is MAJOR overlap in practices (about 70% of the population incorporate both Shinto and Buddhist practices); there’s a coexistence. A select fewwww Christian/Catholicism style customs have also worked their way into events like weddings.

But a whole Christmas in JAPAN?? What’s that about??

As my lovely Japanese friend Emiko explained to me: “Just like Easter and Halloween, Christmas is cute. So Japan likes it.”

Oh, good ol’ commercialism.

CHRISTMAS SEASON IN JAPAN

You will notice Christmas in Japan starts quite early, following the trend in many other countries. Personally, I blame the onslaught of holiday discounts from retails pushing you to empty your wallets.

But I digress.

Starting from the first of November (and maybe even before that), supermarkets will begin to stock up on Christmas themed snacks and drinks. Department stores and other shops will start decorating for Christmas with vibrant banners of red, green, and gold.

That said, Christmas in Japan is over QUICK. Seriously, December 26th – all the decorations vanish. Why, because an even better (subjectively) holiday is around the corner: New Year’s, which is accommanied by a ton of traditions, festivities, and -unsurprisingly- shopping. New Year’s shopping in Japan, Fukubukuro, is on a whole other level and deserves its own post.

So basically, if you want to celebrate Christmas in Japan, aim on visiting between mid-late November to Christmas day. This ain’t no winter season long event like in Europe.

GIFT GIVING

Santa’s little nuggets of joy. Depending on where you’re from and your background, your family and friends may not exchange presents during the holidays. Christmas in Japan, however, is prime for gift giving.

In recent years, gift giving has also become more the norm than the exception in Japan. While children DO get toys and treats and gifts from their parents and relatives, Christmas in Japan has become a major holiday for couples! So cozy on up to your signif if you have one – or hey, maybe chill at a cafe and find one.

Things to do during Christmas in Japan

Now that I’ve talked your absolute ear off about some of the backstory, let’s get into all the fun stuff! Yanno – THINGS TO DO WHILE YOU’RE THERE! Truly, Japan is an incredible destination to be for Christmas. I spent a week in -mostly- only Tokyo, and I STILL felt like there was so many activities I didn’t get to do. Between all the lights, food, and festivities, be sure to pack comfy shoes.

*Also – bear in mind that the majority of my time in Japan was spent in Tokyo. So I’m going to focus on Tokyo-specific attractions, though you can find similar in basically any major city.

#1. CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Japan really saw how Germany did Christmas markets AND RAN WITH THAT. If you are looking for a classic European Christmas market…well, it might have been easier to just go to Europe. But Japan has them too! Specifically, German Christmas markets. Idk why only German, but specifically GERMAN.

You can find Christmas markets in most of the major cities, (Osaka, for example, has the huge Osaka Umeda Christmas Market), but since I mostly stayed in Tokyo, a few Christmas markets that I would recommend would be the Tokyo Christmas Market in Hibiya Park as well as the Roppongi Hills Christmas Market.

Tokyo Christmas Market is the biggest market in Tokyo and usually starts up around the second week of December through Christmas. If you’re taking the subway, which you probably are, the stop will be:  Exit A14 of Hibiya Station, Exit B2 of Kasumigaseki Station, Exit A7 of Uchiyukicho Station – depending on the line you take. Admission is free and the hours are typically 11am-11pm, rain or shine (though may be cancelled during storms).

Though smaller, Roppongi Hills Market has the same feel. At both you will find non-alcoholic mulled wine, tea, and hot cocoa. And since they follow the German Christmas Markets, you’ll also find sausages among the Christmas decorations and present stalls. There will even be Christmas songs playing, either performed live or over speakers. Boss.

For a change of scenery, you can take a day trip to Yokohama to visit the Christmas Market there!

#2. Christmas Lights

I feel like the tunnel of lights are pretty iconic in Japan, and for good reason. They’re beautiful AND make for a great boomerang.

There are a few of the most popular ones, like Hanatoro in Kyoto, Nabana no Sato on Nagasaki (which reminds me of Oregon’s annual ZooLights), and Nabana No Sato near Nagoya.

But there are plenty of Christmas lights to see in Tokyo as well! Most of the streets and major shopping areas will have the trees and streetlamps wrapped in colorful lights, as well as multiple giant Christmas trees and chandeliers in all shapes and sizes.

My favorite would be Yomiuri Land Jewellumination and Sagamiko Illumillion. They are both massive theme parks that transform into a giant bedazzled LED winterfests. It’s incredible to see. However if you’re looking for a light tunnel specifically, head to Tokyo Mega Illumination – which also has a synchronized water show!

And some other places that are more on the low-key *cough* free *cough* side:

• Tokyo Dome Winter Garden: along with a GIANT tree, and ferris wheel, there are light corridors too!
• Midtown Winter Moments: there’s an ice rink and a giant snow globe in the park
• Omohara Illumination: rooftop garden moment
• Yebisu Garden Place Winter Illumination: if you wanna see a REAL BIG chandelier

Most of the shopping districts and streets are lined with lights as well. These decorations usually run throughout the entire winter season, so even if you don’t celebrate Christmas in Japan, you can catch them ~Novemberish through February!

#3. Catch a Fireworks Show

Even if you have nothing else to do at night in Tokyo, ya gotta see some fireworks. In my opinion, the best place to catch fireworks for Christmas in Japan would be Daiba Park. Every Saturday night in December, almost near 2,000 fireworks light up the sky near Odaiba’s Statue of Liberty. One, it’s free. Second, fireworks. Third, there’s music too! That said, it starts PROMPTLY at 7pm and only lasts 10 minutes, so be sure to arrive on time! They’ll open the area about 5 minutes before 7pm.

If you don’t want to go all the way out to Daiba Park for 10 minutes, you can also catch the show from a few locations in Tokyo: Deck’s Tokyo Beach, Aqua City Odaiba, Denver City Tokyo Plaza, and the Palette Town Ferris Wheel.

#4. Eat KFC

KFC? As in KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN? The…fast food chain??

Hear me out.

For Christmas in Japan, people eat KFC. It’s a thing.

I could LITERALLY talk foreverr about why Japanese people eat KFC during Christmas, but in short, it was a marketing strategy by KFC Japan. With the slogan “Kentucky Christmas” (Japanese: ケンタッキークリスマス), KFC offered party buckets intended to feed families a complete holiday meal. Needless to say, it caught on. In fact, as of 2019, Christmas sales of KFC made (specifically around Christmas Eve/Day) account for nearly five percent of KFC Japan’s annual revenue.

So while it may seem strange, especially if you are American, but if you want to do Christmas in Japan like a local, grab yourself a bucket of KFC.

American fast food chains are better abroad anyway.

#5. Disneyland

You don’t think I’d really leave the happiest place on Earth off the list did you??

Well – 2nd happiest place. There’s still the Sloppy Joe Restaurant in Cuba.

Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea are incredible additions to the Disney Theme Park family. If you are familiar with Disney theme parks then you know they typically dress up the park around the holidays. Christmas in Japan is no exception! Between early November and Christmas Day (December 25th), you will find Christmas decorations, ornate trees, light parades, limited edition drinks, food, and merchandise…all on top of the normal everyday Disney magic!

Tickets are cheaper than the theme parks in the US, (though not as low as Hong Kong Disney), and the ticket prices are as follows.

One day pass (to either Tokyo Disney OR Disney Sea)

• Adult ¥8,200
• Junior ¥6,900
• Child ¥4,900
• Ages 65 & over ¥7,600

For additional passes (like for consecutive days, late entry, or park hopping) visit Tokyo Disneyland’s official website.

#6. Ice Skating

Okay, I know I said “5 things,” but I decided at the last minute to include ice skating because it’s super cute. But I already made the little pinterest graphic at the bottom and it just seems like a lot of work now to change it since I suck at graphics. Anyways, if you’re new to my blog. Welcome. I do this all the time.

Anyways, ICE SKATING! Remember how I said Japan was cold in December? Well you can try to hide from it by staying inside (like I did most of the time, lol). OR you can embrace it! There’s actually a good amount of ice skating rinks in Tokyo, and with all of the lights and decorations for Christmas in Japan, it makes for a super cute and memorable experience!

My personal recommendation would be the ice skating park at Akasaka Sacas. You’ll probably already be in the Roppongi Hills area for shopping and other lights, and every year Akasaka Sacas throws a winter event called “White Sacas.” It lasts from late November to early January. There’s tons of food and gift vendors, but most importantly there’s a huge ice skating rink! The skating fee is ¥1,000 (+rental shoes).

In terms of other skating places, there’s also a rink at Futako Tamagawa RISE and Urban Dock Lalaport Toyosu (great view) if you want other options. The skating rink at Tokyo SkyTree Town and Tokyo Midtown don’t open until after January 1st.

HOW TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS IN JAPAN

You might have already guessed by now, but for the most part, Christmas isn’t a family holiday in Japan. You’ll see lots of people out and about, probably shopping, and lots of businesses will be open. Which is great for you as a traveler!

If you get tired of shopping and tourist attractions, and want to spend the day like a local, treat the day like you’re having a cute date. A “treat yoself” day, if you will. Lots of couples will catch a movie, then get reservations at a nice restaurant, and end the day strolling around and looking at lights.

Note: if you want to get dinner at a fancy Teppanyaki restaurant, or any fancy restaurant for that matter, you should definitely try to make a reservation.

What’s with all this cake???

If you’re celebrating Christmas in Japan, you’re going to notice a lot of strawberry shortcake.

A lot of it.

As my personal favorite choice of cake, I absolutely LOST MY MARBLES. I didn’t care why, I just knew Japan immediately became one of my favorite countries. But if you’re slightly curious, the Japanese Christmas cake is (typically) a large strawberry short cake with tons of cream and strawberries for about ¥3,000 ($30 USD).

You’ll be able to find this cake at grocery stores, supermarkets, and even convenience stores. But once December 26th hits, like most Christmas decorations, it’s gone.

As the -quite bleh- saying goes in Japan, unmarried girls over 25 are “Christmas cakes”, meaning no one will be interested in them anymore after 25.

Don’t mind me, I’ll just be here, over 25, unmarried, and unbothered.

Christmas in Japan: Conclusion

Christmas in Japan is very different from Christmas in other countries. Obvi. But it’s a great destination for a Christmas getaway. I mean, as long as you come prepared with a jacket and some mittens.

I personally had a fantastic time exploring Tokyo in December and celebrating Christmas in Japan! Though, just for the sake of my own fingers, I might come back in the Spring or Summer months…hahah.

If you have any questions about Christmas in Japan, ask away in the comments below. Have you ever celebrated Christmas abroad? Where was it? And can I come next time??

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