Santa Claus in Japan, a seasonal matchmaker !

2019年 12月25日


Japan is not originally a christian country. Christmas spirit is therefore not really presents and the event is purely a marketing move, for most of the Japanese people.

There are no Christmas Holidays, which is why I am writing yo you from my desk in my office in Tokyo!
Until this year, December the 23rd was a bank holiday since it was the birthday of the former Emperor Akihito. As from this year, the new Emperor Naruhito's birthday on February 23rd will be a national holiday.

But do not be sad: Sant Claus does visit Japanese, even if it seems to be for a different purpose than the one we are used to...

Indeed, Christmas in Japan rhymes with shortcake, couples and illuminations.

The seasonal dish is a shortcake, with a recipe less heavy on the stomach than the American one: it is spongy, covered in whipped cream with strawberries on top. It appeared in Japan around the 20s.
Its colors are apparently not trivial since they match with the red and the white of the national flag...

Nowadays, young people are especially hired for the occasion to sell the cakes on any street corners. If you don't have time to stop by a bakery during business hours, do not worry: convenience stores (small shops open 24/24 an 7/7) are selling a wide range of Christmas cakes, for one share or many.
They will be on sale today, on December 25th, since they will be considered as out-of-date products. Unfortunately, this popular cake is used as a sexist joke towards women who are not in a relationship or married on their 25s, and are consequently "no good anymore"...

Contrary to Western countries, the New Year is the moment to spend some quality time with your family by sharing a convivial time while eating “Osetchi ryouri ” (special New Year's dishes), mikans (Japanese orange fruits), under the coziness of a kotatsu. Japanese people enjoy national holidays during this period.

After a day at work, Japanese people typically celebrate Christmas Eve by spending the evening with friends or with their significant other. This evening is perceived as the most romantic of the year, almost more romantic than the Valentine's day itself, and definitely way before the White Day (a sort of reverse Valentine's day, celebrated on March the 14th, where men offer presents to women as a thank you gift).
On this occasion, restaurants are overbooked and shops vie with ingenuity to attract couples, looking for a romantic moment to spend together.

And children do get their share of dreams, since Santa Claus is in charge of Christams presents for some families!
Speaking of presents, you still have time to offer to your loved ones the amazing experience of travelling across essential heritage sites of Japan...

© Chiaki Yokoyama

What could be more romantic than walking through the downtown dazzling Christmas illuminations?

With globalisation, Christmas markets are popping in every big city. After taking a stroll across the seasonal illuminations, Japanese couples, friends and families enjoy foreign foods at the stalls, in an international atmosphere. Lights up begin as soon as winter comes, around mid-November when the day shortens. They remain in place until the beginning of January but are the most visited during the two special evenings on December 24th and 25th.

Many travel or Weekender websites rank a top 10 of illuminations for the occasion (nationwide or local), and for the biggest one you can even check when are the busiest days on their dedicated websites.

 

All of our team members wish you a Merry Christmas ! 🎅