Culture · From the archive
Christmas in Japan a part of Japanese Culture
Preserved in the archive in 2002. Historical article; travel and business details may have changed.
**Christmas in Japan
New Year in Japan
Royal birth with many symbols
CHRISTMAS JAPANESE STYLE**
Christmas in Japan is a bit different from here. The major religion in Japan is Buddhism and Shinto, so Xmas is more commercial event. And eve is the main event instead of Xmas day. It’s common to give presents each other and decorate Xmas tree but it is rather couple’s event than family one.
For single women, it is really crucial if they have someone to spend with on Xmas eve. It is really important for them where to spend and what present they can get. It have to be very special, gorgeous and romantic. Women who have a boy friend are tend to show off and women who haven’t are not happy to talk about the topic. There also used to be a sarcasm that Xmas is compared with women’s age. A lot of cake shops sell cake a bit before Xmas and try to sell out until eve because people cerebrate on Xmas eve not on Xmas day.
Over 25 years old women used to be said ‘unsold Xmas cake.’ It’s a bit bad joke, though. However, nowadays, the average age for marriage has changed, getting older and older, and it is a history.
