The Holiday Seaon in Japan

What is the holiday season in Japan like? Pooh-san (for his picture see my 12.16.07 blog entry) graciously accepted my request for a personal interviewed so that, as a foreigner here in Japan, I could learn how the people in Japan traditionally celebrate the holiday season.

Sheila (S): Hello Pooh-san! Thank you for joining me today. I hope you don't mind answering a few questions about Japanese traditions during the holiday season.

Pooh-san (P): Well hello and it's a pleasure to help!

S: Great! Well first I would like to ask you how Christmas in Japan compares to Christmas in America?

P: There are actually several distinct differences now that you mention it. Because the majority of people in Japan aren't Christian, the holiday is mainly focused on the more commercialized aspects of Christmas. In this way, Christmas in Japan is very comparable to the American holiday of Valentines' Day. Basically, gifts are giving to immediate family members and prospective partners (girlfriends or boyfriends). Usually it's very rare to see friends giving one another presents; although it does happen occasionally. As far as comparisons go, Christmas decorations in Japan can be just as elaborate as those seen in the United States. Many American's in Japan will also recognize Christmas decorations right after Halloween; this is the same in the United States.

S: I agree, it always seems as if Christmas decorations in the states come out earlier and earlier each year. Is there any unique traditions that the Japanese people are sure to partake in around Christmas time? I heard they eat some special food?

P: Oh right! I'm such a silly old bear, I forgot to mention the food! Since it is a couples holiday, it is customary for each couple to buy a Christmas cake (note: please scroll down after clicking on the "Christmas cake" link to see a picture of the cake), which they eat together after a special meal. It can be any kind of cake, but the most popular is strawberry shortcake. You will also see people buying Yule Logs (French chocolate cake roll).

S: What is so special about the meal, Pooh-san?

P: Many of you might be surprised to know that the meal usually comes from Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Since there is no turkey in Japan, the people here go for the next best thing: American style chicken.

S: Oh right! Lauren told me that you can actually purchase a "Christmas Bucket" complete with fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and a bottle of sparkling champagne (1% alcohol) for 5,220 yen (about $52.20). Wow, I wonder how that tradition came to be?! What about New Years, how is it different?

P: New Year's in Japan is more like Christmas as it's celebrated in America. In fact, Japanese people give out New Year's cards rather than Christmas cards called "Nenga-jo" cards in Japanese. The entire family will get together and celebrate the coming of the new year; a time to start fresh.

On December 31st (New Year's Eve is called "Omisoka" in Japanese), most families will spend the whole day thoroughly cleaning the house. It's almost like "spring cleaning", except they're getting ready by removing all the dirt from the previous year. Most families will spend the evening together cleaning, eating dinner (They eat "Toshikoshi Soba" noodles also knowns as "Goodbye to the passing year Soba", which "symbolizes the longevity of family members". ) and watching special New Year's Eve programs on television. After eating dinner the family will also listen to the nearby temple bell tolling 108 times. The bell rings 108 times because the "Buddhist teaching considers that is the number of bad intentions and desires a person has".

January 1-3rd is knows as "Oshogatsu" in Japanese. January 1st is known especially as "Gantan" in Japanese. On "Gantan", Japanese people will wake up early to see the first sunrise of a new year. They also eat special food called "Osechi-ryori", which is usually a three piece box set made up of many traditional Japanese foods. Each food in the "Osechi" set has a meaning. For examle, the "kazunoko" or herring roe (eggs) symbolizes "the hopes that the family will be blessed by just as many children as the eggs of the herring roe". "Oshogatsu" is also a time for families to visit shrines and temples to pray for good fortune in the coming year. According to the Japanese Times, about 70% of the Japanese people will visit shrines at this time (Jan. 1-3rd).

S: Thank you so much Pooh-san! It's been a pleasure talking to you! I have one last question. How do you say "Merry Christmas!" and "Happy New Year!" in Japanese?

P: You're very welcome! Oh that's very easy. Merry Christmas is almost just the same; the Japanese will say it like this: "Mari Kurisumasu!". Happy New Year is a bit different; just say "Akemashite Omedito!".

S and P: Mari Kurisumasu and Akemashite Omedito!




Some information was gathered from the November 30th, 2007 issue of The Japan Times.