Christmas in Japan

Halloween's decorations have just been put away in cupboards at the end of October when the different shop windows of Tokyo are covered with red and white of Christmas. All becomes tinsels, snow, christmas tree and candels. Streets follow at the beginning of December. The more known districts in Tokyo for their Christmas' illuminations are Shibuya, Harajuku or also Roppongi, but most of the streets of Tokyo are decorated. Streetlights are often surrounded by lights. In addition to this magical atmosphere, many European Christmas market are put in place, for instance in Roppongi, with the German one.

Roppongi Hills and its illuminations

In conclusion, the perfect Christmas'picture transposed in Tokyo. Transposed. That is the important word of the sentence. As the kind of Christmas that we know in France, a familial and religious celebration, has been adapted by Japanese people. Indead, in Japan, Christmas does not have the same values as French Christmas, which can be explained by the absence of catholical religion's print. Christmas is here a guy who wears red and white clothes giving presents thanks to his sleigh and his friends, hobgoblins and reindeers. Jesus' birth is forgotten and there is not any crèche settled under christmas trees and even less Midnight Mass in Japanese Temples and Shrines on the 25^th of December.

In Japan, Christmas is the equivalent of the French New Year. It is celebrated by parties between friends, rendez-vous... Indead, it is above all a Love celebration and, in Christmas Eve, the tradition is to go out with your lover to admire illumination in animated districts of Tokyo after eating together. That is why you should not be surprised to find a Christmas Box in Mac Donald, for instance, a giant Happy Meal for two with nuggets, two drinks and a huge portion of frites to share.

« Christmas Box » by Mc Do for Christmas

Christmas at Mac Do or how Christmas and Christmas Eve dinner in Japan is not a good moment for gastronomy. No fois gras, no turkey served with chestnuts, no chocolates... Courses of the Christmas Eve dinner are the same as usually in Japanese families. The only diferences are the presence of fried chicken, kind of a giant nugget, in all combinis and of a cake for the desert... Which is important to notice as, first, most of the time deserts are absent at the end of the Japanese meals, and second, this is the Christmas Cake. A cake close to our Bûche de Noël in its texture, its favours (chocolate, coffee, chestnut...) but not in its shape, as it is rond.

Japanese Exceptions for Christmas Eve Dinner

Illuminations, lovers, gastronomy... but, where are the children ? After all, this is their favorite celebration in France ! They are the one spoiled there ! And in Japan too... Even if they do not avec the Advent Calendar which does not exist. However, they write their letter to the Father Christmas or Santa Claus and receive presents. But not under the Christmas Tree and even less in their slippers: I tell our habits to Japanese children and they were mezmerized. Presents are here left on their pillow or on their desk in Christmas morning. Like that, no need to leave the heat of the bed to open them. However, it is sometimes not a good idea to be precocious: some children stop to ask for presents to their parents when they discover who is the real Father Christmas. The story does not tell if parents impose that on their children or if they are really embarassed to ask for presents...

However, do not be to worried: they are not bullied. Indead, some days later, New Year arrives with its familial traditions and its presents. If Japanese Christmas is an event celebrated between lovers or friends, Japanese New Year, which is enjoyed in family, looks like the French Christmas and life just stops in Japan during the first days of January.

Marièke POULAT