A Unique Holiday Experience: Christmas and New Year in Japan
What you need to know
With so many people having time off over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, it makes sense to take advantage of the opportunity to travel.
If you are thinking of heading over to Japan during this period, there are a few things you should know.
Christmas decorations and the like abound but Christmas itself is celebrated in a very Japanese way. After all, Japan is not a Christian country. New Year is celebrated very differently than in the West too. So, if you think you will be able to celebrate these in the same way as might back home, you may need to reframe your expectations.
The New Year period is an incredibly quiet time in Japan, with the whole country effectively shutting down for 3 to 4 days. And while this can be an amazing time to experience a side of Japan you wouldn’t ordinarily, it is important to make sure that you know what to expect.
White Christmas
If you are wanting to experience a White Christmas in Japan your location is important. Places like Kyoto and Tokyo seldom see snow in winter, being at a lower altitude and being further south.
If a White Christmas is important to you, then consider staying further north – Sapporo on the Island of Hokkaido is an excellent choice, or perhaps the ski fields of Japan (of which there are many).
Christmas Traditions
The Japanese tend to recognise Christmas more than celebrate it. References to Christmas tend to be about the more commercial aspects of the season.
The good news is that Japan’s main cities offer up fabulous Christmas markets and various Christmas-themed activities so there is plenty of yuletide cheer.
Stores will play Christmas tunes and there are the usual Christmas decorations you would see back home, albeit often with a Japanese twist. Stores like Starbucks range limited-edition Christmas food and goods. When out and about, you will definitely feel the Christmas vibe.
Winter illuminations are a hallmark of the season in Japan, particularly in major cities like Tokyo and create a truly magical atmosphere.
Japanese Christmas ‘Traditions’
There is a quaint and somewhat peculiar Japanese tradition that will make even the biggest Grinch smile. Thanks to the power of advertising, many Japanese celebrate Christmas by eating KFC on Christmas Eve as they have been led to believe this is what Americans do.
Christmas Day
Christmas Day is a regular workday in Japan but if you are after a traditional Christmas lunch or dinner with all the trimmings, many Western hotels host fabulous events. These are extremely popular with expats so you will need to book well ahead. A favourite of The Japan Concierge team is the Family Christmas Lunch with Santa Claus at The Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
Tokyo Disney also offers a wonderful Christmas experience, especially for those travelling with children.
Christmas Eve is the biggest date night in Japan, akin to Valentine’s Day in the West. This dates back to the 1930s when the media started promoting Christmas as a romantic time of year and it stuck. If you celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, don’t be surprised to be seated amongst a sea of couples while enjoying your Christmas dinner.
New Year
Visitors to Japan often assume that since Tokyo is a truly global city that there will be large scale New Year’s Eve parties, fireworks celebrations, and the like. This could not be further from the truth.
It is important to note that New Year is a very sacred time for the Japanese and is akin to western Thanksgiving or Christmas celebrations.
From New Year’s Day, all major cities will effectively close, as residents travel back to their hometowns to quietly celebrate the arrival of the New Year with their families. This period is a time of reflection, to spend time with loved ones, enjoy traditional New Year’s dishes and pray for a prosperous New Year.
There is no similarity between what we in the West might consider New Year’s celebrations and how the Japanese ring in the new year. There may be the odd party in Tokyo or Osaka that caters for ex-pats or visitors, but even these can be few and far between.
Tumbleweeds in Tokyo
Since everyone leaves the cities to go back to their hometowns, cities will effectively shut down for 3 to 4 days depending on where New Year’s Day falls in the week. Most stores and restaurants will close and there are limited activities to participate in. Your hotel may even close their restaurants, so it is best to check ahead. Trains will continue to operate but on a reduced schedule.
There will be places that are open during this time, but it is best to have a plan to ensure that you are not caught short.
Last New Year’s Day saw us on a bike tour through Tokyo with family. Meandering through the uncrowded streets, it was as if we had the whole of Tokyo to ourselves.
It is a wonderful time to be in Japan if you manage your expectations as to what you’ll be able to see and do (and eat!)
First Shrine Visit
Hatsumode is the first shrine visit of the New Year and is an incredibly important part of Japanese culture. Shrines and temples will be very crowded for the first three days of January as a result, especially the most famous ones. It is a very special thing to be a part of but be prepared for queues, though this being Japan they will be very orderly.
Hatsumode is the perfect time to reflect on what you would like for the year ahead. It is customary to buy amulets (omamori) and write wishes on wooden plaques (ema) as well as getting a fortune (omikuji) for the year.
How to pray at a shrine:
Throw a coin into the offering box (preferably a 5 yen coin or go-en as this translates as ‘good relations’)
Bow twice
Clap twice
Make a prayer
Bow when finished
Conclusion
The holidays are a truly magical time to be in Japan, but things are celebrated a little differently. Why not embrace the difference and create unforgettable memories!? Whether you enjoy KFC for Christmas Eve or dine at a sushi bar on Christmas Day, we wish you the happiest of holidays in Japan.