Japanese Christmas Traditions

Christmas is a time to enjoy with family and friends. A lot of people have family get together, parties and feasts. The homes are cleaned and decorated with lights, evergreen twigs and garlands. The Christmas tree is brought home and decorated with paper flowers, ornaments, tinsel and tree topper. All people and homes are decked up to welcome the festival. Christmas has universal appeal. The celebration of Christmas differs from one nation to other. One associates Christmas music, food, decoration with Christmas. The Christmas traditions followed vary according to families. Japanese Christmas traditions differ in some areas.

Christmas in Japan is celebrated with great excitement and festive fervor. Japan has few Christians yet Christmas is celebrated all over Japan. Due to commercialization and influence of western ideologies, all Christmas symbols like candles, Santa Claus, Christmas tree are available in local markets and shopping malls. In Japan during Christmas, important buildings are decorated with lights. Public places like parts, squares have well-lit and decorated Christmas trees. Some families have Christmas tree at hoes too. Christmas celebration in Japan has differences due to the culture. The traditions change as per the Japanese customs.

The Christmas cake in Japan is a white whipped cream cake with strawberries. There is a sponge cake that is decorated with miniature figurines of Santa Claus, flowers and trees. Turkey is served during traditional Christmas dinner with delicacies like fried chicken. People give gifts to each other on Christmas Eve and have parties and dinner with friends and family. Daiku is the traditional music that one listens in Japanese homes during Christmas. Gifts are placed next to the pillows of children on Christmas Eve. Hoeiosho, a Buddhist monk gives gifts to good children on Christmas. People identify him as Japanese Santa Claus.

Japanese Christians go to church and worship the lord. A lot of charity is given to poor, sick and underprivileged people during Christmas season. Every home has a nativity scene. Kids enact nativity scene in public performances. People sing carols on Christmas Eve. Japanese enjoy the Christmas festival even though the Christmas Eve and Christmas day are not national holidays. The New Year is the most important day. People clean homes and decorate it to welcome the New Year. There are holidays in all offices and everything reopens on January 4. Evil spirits are driven out of homes by using dried beans in all the corners of home. This brings good lick and spirit in the homes.

Even though, Christmas is not a true Japanese festival, they celebrate it with great festive spirit. They enjoy food and music with family and friends during Christmas.