Why Do They Celebrate Christmas In Japan

Christmas has only been widely celebrated in japan for the last few decades.

Why do they celebrate christmas in japan. The observance of christmas around the world varies by country. Which brings me to another different in the way christmas is celebrated in japan i use the word families loosely because while families do celebrate christmas and parties are often planned for children. In japan christmas is the time for friends and couples to have parties make plans to meet up for dinner and celebrate as much as they can and new year is the time of the year when all members of the family come together visit the temple and usher in january 1st. The most notable aspects of christmas in japan for a foreigner are those that are the most different from what he or she is used to.

That s actually something japanese people will do instead on omisoka 大晦日 japanese new year s eve and shougatsu お正月 japanese new year s day. The holiday season in japan seems to be celebrated the exact opposite way as it is in western countries. There is a growing trend in japan of categorizing christmas as a day for young lovers to go out together on a romantic date. Christmas was and still is a secular holiday in japan a country where less than 1 of the population identifies as christian and in the 1970s many people didn t have established family.

In others christian. Why then do they celebrate christmas. The day of christmas and in some cases the day before and the day after are recognized by many national governments and cultures worldwide including in areas where christianity is a minority religion. It s still not seen as a religious holiday or celebration as there aren t many christians in japan.

They used to admire that americans can eat steaks and eggs for breakfast live in houses 20 times their size go. Buddhism christianity shinto etc. Now several customs that came to japan from the usa such as sending and receiving christmas cards and presents are popular. The emphasis here is placed on christmas eve for example and it usually seems odd to outsiders that the 24th would be celebrated but not the 25th.

Japanese people adored anything american since the end of wwii. Even though only about 1 percent of the japanese population. Only 1 2 of 1 of the japanese population is estimated to be christian with the majority of japanese being tolerant of all faiths. The akogare is very strong that they often mimic practices in the us.

Christmas in japan isn t really something where you sit together with your family and spend some calm and relaxing days. If this year is your first christmas in japan you might be a little surprised or even confused at some of the traditions you witness.