When it’s almost Christmas in Japan, you might think people are counting down the days to the 25th, but it’s not quite that simple. Although less than 2% of the population identifies as Christian, Christmas is a popular holiday in Japan.
Even so, the Christmas we know as a day for family, exchanging gifts and hosting guests for an elaborate holiday dinner has a completely different vibe for Japanese people. It may come as a surprise, but Christmas is similar to Valentine’s Day in Japan! It’s common for couples to make fancy dinner reservations, go out for a romantic date and share a “Christmas cake” on Christmas Eve.
While the traditions are different, if you book a trip to Japan over the Christmas season, you’re in for a treat. Winter in Japan brings breathtaking winter scenery and Japan’s holiday season offers a unique and magical experience that’s hard to match.
Read on to learn all about Christmas in Japan and what you can expect during the holiday season.
What to expect from Christmas in Japan?
You may be wondering what you can do during the holiday and if Japanese people celebrate Christmas. Here is everything you need to know about Christmas in Japan and what you can do to celebrate during your trip:
Does Japan celebrate Christmas?
Yes, Japan does celebrate Christmas, however, this day is often celebrated by couples. Family and friends may get together to go out to a Christmas market, winter illuminations or feast on fried chicken and strawberry shortcake.
The holiday is celebrated across the country but does not have a strong religious connotation. It’s more of a commercial holiday where friends and lovers exchange small gifts and cute cards, and make plans to go out.
Does it snow in Japan at Christmas?
If you’re lucky (and in the right location) you may wake up to a white Christmas in Japan! It’s not very common to see snow in the southern and central areas like Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka, but it can snow during December in the northern regions.
Hokkaido and parts of the Japanese Alps, such as Toyama Prefecture, have a higher chance of experiencing a white Christmas, thanks to their colder climates and heavy snowfall during winter.
If you’re dreaming of snow for the holidays, Hokkaido, Nagano or Niigata are excellent destinations, offering picturesque snowy landscapes and even ski resorts during the Christmas season. For most of Japan, though, the holiday magic comes from festive lights, seasonal menus and romantic traditions rather than snowflakes.
Is Christmas a good time to visit Japan?
Absolutely! Japan is a fantastic destination during the Christmas season and throughout winter. Cities come alive with dazzling illumination displays that light up the streets, festive Christmas markets brimming with seasonal treats and crafts, and ice rinks perfect for winter fun.
Many restaurants also offer special Christmas dinners, blending festive flavors with a Japanese twist. Meanwhile, New Year’s, or oshogatsu, shifts the focus to family. It’s a time when loved ones gather to visit temples, share traditional osechi dishes and welcome the new year with hope and gratitude.
Together, these contrasting celebrations make Japan an extraordinary destination during the holiday season, offering everything from festive romance to rich cultural traditions.
Japanese Christmas traditions
1. Japanese Christmas cake
The Japanese Christmas cake, or kurisumasu ke—ki, is a festive staple found everywhere during the holiday season. This delightful dessert is prepared slightly differently than in the US, Australia or the UK.
It features a light and fluffy sponge layered with whipped cream and topped with perfectly sliced strawberries and sometimes festive chocolates.
More than just a holiday treat, the Christmas cake carries a deeper meaning. It became a symbol of prosperity and modernity as Japan rebuilt itself after World War II. Today, it’s a cherished tradition not only for Christmas but also for birthdays and other celebrations, embodying both sweetness and cultural significance.
Christmas cakes are available in bakeries, grocery stores and special shops during the days leading up to the holiday. If you want to master how to make this Japanese sweet treat, then join a Christmas cake workshop in Tokyo!
2. Winter illuminations
All of Japan during the winter months is full of nighttime winter illuminations. When it comes to Christmas illuminations, Tokyo sets the gold standard. Imagine parks, shopping plazas and whole streets lit up in colorful lights, sculptures and dedicated picture spots.
Tokyo already has the dazzling lights of the city’s highrises, Tokyo Skytree, and Tokyo Tower, but combine that with the lights from the local winter illuminations and you have a picturesque backdrop for Christmas. You will also likely see lots of couples walking through nighttime illuminations.
Special illuminations can be spotted throughout the country. If you’re in Tokyo, you will be spoiled for choices. Tokyo transforms into a radiant wonderland during winter, offering stunning illuminations across the city.
The Keyakizaka Illumination in Roppongi Hills dazzles with its “Snow & Blue” theme, featuring trees adorned with silver and blue lights along a scenic street. Midtown Christmas at Tokyo Midtown offers a magical Starlight Garden, with dazzling lights resembling a cosmic display. Miyashita Christmas Park blends holiday cheer with urban cool, lighting up Shibuya with stylish, vibrant decorations. At Tokyo Skytree Town Dream Christmas, you’ll find breathtaking light displays set against the towering Skytree, alongside festive markets.
The Tokyo Shitamachi Kaiyu Takeakari features eco-friendly bamboo lanterns, bringing a warm, traditional charm. Meanwhile, Yomiuri Land Jewellumination showcases millions of LED lights in jewel-inspired colors across its expansive amusement park. Beyond Tokyo, highlights include Enoshima’s annual illumination, considered one of the largest and most spectacular light-up events in Japan, the December 10 to December 19 Arashiyama Bamboo Forest illumination in Kyoto and Nabana no Sato in Mie, featuring elaborate light tunnels and displays.
3. Japanese Christmas markets
Christmas markets in Japan are bringing festive cheer once again, drawing inspiration from Germany’s beloved holiday traditions. These cozy markets buzz with lodge-style booths offering handmade crafts and irresistible seasonal treats like mulled wine, churros, bratwurst and freshly baked pretzels.
For the grandest experience, visit the Tokyo Christmas Market at Meiji Jingu Gaien. Supported by the German Tourism Association and the German Embassy, this bustling event is a crowd favorite — especially on Christmas Eve. Strolling through the market, you can savor rich cocoa, sausages and mulled wine while soaking in the holiday spirit.
The Yokohama Red Brick Christmas Market offers an equally magical experience in a more scenic setting. Framed by the iconic red-brick warehouses, the event features a towering Christmas tree and festive stalls serving German beer, stollen and bratwurst.
Other must-visit markets include:
Some markets are free to enter, while others may require advanced planning and an entry fee. Whether you’re here for the festive vibes or the mouthwatering food, Tokyo’s Christmas markets are a delightful way to celebrate the season.
You can also find skating rinks at Japanese Christmas markets and throughout the city that whisk you away to a winter wonderland.
4. Tokyo Disneyland: Christmas events and illuminations
One of the most magical Christmas traditions in Tokyo is visiting Tokyo Disneyland, which transforms into a festive wonderland from the second week of November through Christmas Day. During this season, the park is beautifully decked out with holiday decorations, including sparkling lights and festive displays.
Visitors can enjoy special Christmas parades, stage shows and even meet beloved Disney characters dressed in holiday attire. However, by December 26th, the Christmas decorations are quickly replaced to make way for the New Year celebrations, which are a significant event in Japan.
Tokyo Disneyland’s Christmas celebrations include the special Disney Christmas Stories “Fond Farewell” parade for the final time this year, Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights, "Jingle Bell Jamboree" and the Haunted Mansion “Holiday Nightmare.”
Tokyo Disneyland's Christmas events offer exclusive holiday-themed goods from Mickey and friends, and special menu items throughout the park, restaurants and hotels. Make sure to do as the locals do and pick up a festive pair of Mickey ears to wear in the park.
5. Universal Studios Japan (Osaka): Christmas events and illuminations
In Osaka for Christmas? Visiting Universal Studios Japan before Christmas is a must!
Universal Studios Japan offers a spectacular Christmas experience with its NO LIMIT! Christmas event, running until January 5, 2025. A standout feature is the dazzling NO LIMIT! Party Tree, a 30-meter-tall spectacle adorned with glittering ornaments and vibrant illuminations that dance to the rhythm of Christmas tunes. Park characters even wear special Christmas outfits.
Popular spots like Minion Park and Universal Wonderland will feature exclusive Christmas-themed shows, including the energetic Power of Pop: Christmas Holiday Heartbeat performance.
For Harry Potter fans, the Hogwarts Magical Night: Winter Magic show transforms the iconic Hogwarts Castle into a winter wonderland.
In Japan, Christmas takes on a romantic charm that’s quite different from its Western counterpart. While the holiday season in the West often centers on family gatherings, Christmas in Japan is all about couples and friends.
Christmas Eve, in particular, is celebrated as the most romantic day of the year — often dubbed the Japanese version of Valentine’s Day.
Couples plan special evenings, booking tables at romantic restaurants that offer festive menus, exchanging thoughtful gifts and strolling through beautifully illuminated streets. From sparkling light displays to cozy Christmas markets, the atmosphere is tailor-made for creating unforgettable memories together.
In Japan’s big cities, major shopping centers and department stores offer traditional Christmas trees, ornaments and festive decorations. While exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve is a romantic tradition for couples, broader gift-giving isn’t common, as Japan has its own end-of-year traditions.
Oseibo, a work-culture custom similar to Secret Santa, involves exchanging edible gifts in December, and New Year presents hold significant cultural importance, far surpassing Christmas in gift-giving emphasis.
7. KFC on Christmas Day
Yes, you read that right. The tradition in Japan is to order a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas, and it’s no surprise that Japanese people love karaage (fried chicken).
It’s said this tradition was a happy accident, as some foreigners looking for turkey had settled for the next best thing, a fried chicken party bucket from the chain. The Colonel looking like Santa Claus was just a coincidence KFC jumped at for new sales opportunities. They went on to create the slogan “Kentucky for Christmas.”
It’s advised you pre-order your KFC bucket in advance as they sell out quicker than you may think! But, maybe fried chicken drumsticks on Christmas are not your thing. If you prefer a sit-down meal, these restaurants are great Christmas dinner options in Tokyo.
Christmas in Japan is a special occasion that welcomes everyone to join in on the fun, coupled up or not. If you find yourself in Japan during Christmas you have plenty of markets, illuminations and delicious restaurants to check out.
Looking to stay warm in Japan this winter? There are plenty of Japanese winter foods and shabu-shabu to indulge in this season. And if you want to escape bustling Tokyo during your trip, check out winter in Kyoto.
Frequently Asked Questions
