Merry Christmas! メリークリスマス!
Are they Christian? Most of them are not. However, people say “Merry Christmas.” Even they don’t know it’s the day when Christ was born. In Japanese Christ and Christmas sound very different. until they learn English and see the spelling, they could not have that idea.
Japanese are willing to adopt any foreign customs which they think is cool, convenient, and beneficial for their life. Then they adjust and improve little by little. Finally, they forget their origin. It is the DAN of Japan.
What do they do?
Christmas in Japan is a day for little kids and a boyfriend and girlfriend. They can receive a Christmas present from Santa Claus, Usually one from Santa. They believe Sana Clause. ONE from Santa. not from families.
For a young couple, romantic date day. going out for dinner and viewing Christmas lights. exchanging Christmas presents. Many restaurants and hotels have special offers. It’s a big event for a young couple, some for the old couple. Special date day! People spend a lot of money and love it.
When I was young and alone, we have girls’ Christmas. Once my sister invited me to a newlywed home. Women who don’t have anybody to go out with force to feel lonely.
They have a slang ” クリぼっち kuribocchi” spending Christmas alone.
クリ Kuri; Christmas ぼっち Bocchi; Hitoribocchi alone
What do they eat?
Food Christmas decoration cake and chicken. Roast chicken and fried chicken from KFC became a popular selection. You will see a long line in front of KFC on ChristmasEve. All supermarkets and convenience stores sell fried chicken and roast chicken, not a whole.
Most seem to be the same as U.S. Christmas trees are the same but both food and tree are very different in size! Japanese ones are much smaller.
Kids love Christmas Eve
We have a party on Christmas eve. Usually, it is the last day of school before winter break. So, for the kids, December 24 is the most favorite day when they will have a present from Santa Clause, and eat Christmas dinner and cake, and no more school!!!! New year gift to kids called Otoshidam, new year money will come too! Much more; sleep late get up late, play games, have fun with the family.
December 25
On December 25th kids opened a Christmas present from Sant Clause, Expect that nothing happens. Only Christians go to church. The majority starts to clean up Christmas trees and start another cleaning and prepare for the new year. All of a sudden decorations of department stores and town are becoming for New year, which is the biggest celebration in Japan.
I have never thought about why we Japanese clean up Christmas decorations and prepare for a new year. Welcoming a new year is to welcome a god of a year, which is Shinto thinking, I think.
P.S.Christmas cake
After Christmas eve 24, cakes aren’t sold well so people sometimes nicknamed a woman of age 25 Christmas Cake which means nobody wants. Such harassment! But at that time I only could feel bad about myself.