| Christmas is not celebrated like it is in the | | | | Japanese families have a small evergreen tree |
| west. Christmas is seen more as a commercial | | | | in their home which may be mistaken for a |
| event particularly embraced and encouraged by | | | | Christmas tree yet it is actually a |
| merchants. In Japan Christmas is mainly | | | | traditional Japanese religious decoration for |
| about gift giving and romance! The major | | | | the new year. New year's day is the most |
| religion in Japan is Buddhism and Shinto with | | | | important day of the whole calendar in Japan. |
| only 1 per cent of Japanese people being of a | | | | However artificial Christmas trees are now |
| Christian faith or belief. Hence most | | | | appearing in shops but not yet popular. |
| Japanese people are unaware of Christmas | | | | People are also placing lights on the outside |
| religious roots and customs. Even among the | | | | of houses for decoration while shops are |
| Christian Japanese, Christmas is not a day | | | | keenly seen to be glowing with decorations |
| for the family like it is in America and | | | | and particularly lights. |
| Europe. There is no traditional meal or plum | | | | |
| pudding instead it is a day spent giving to | | | | While we in the west are following |
| others especially doing nice things for those | | | | traditional Christmas customs in December, in |
| that are sick in hospitals. | | | | Japan they are preparing for their most |
| | | | celebrated day of the year New Years Day. |
| However it is common in Japan to give | | | | People prepare by thoroughly cleaning their |
| Christmas presents. The main celebration in | | | | houses on new years eve then adding special |
| Japan revolves around Christmas eve and not | | | | decorations. People dress in their finest |
| Christmas day. Presents are given to | | | | clothes often being traditional Japanese |
| children but children do not give presents | | | | kimonos. A tradition is for the father of |
| back to their parents. The idea is that only | | | | the house to be followed by all the family as |
| Santa brings presents so once you no longer | | | | he marches throughout the house driving away |
| believe no presents are given! | | | | evil spirits. Custom is for the father to |
| | | | bid evil spirits to withdraw and good luck to |
| In Japan Hoteiosho is a priest or a God who | | | | enter as he throws dried beans into corners |
| closely resembles our Santa Claus. Hoteiosho | | | | of each room. The family then attends the |
| is depicted as a kind old man carrying a huge | | | | Shinto Shrine where they clap hands to get |
| pack in which he brings presents to local | | | | the attention of the gods and request good |
| houses for the children. Children think he | | | | fortune. People send new years day cards |
| has eyes in the back of his head, so they | | | | like people send Christmas cards in west. |
| behave at their best in case he is nearby. | | | | |
| | | | Christmas time especially Christmas eve is a |
| The Christian faith was first introduced into | | | | time for boyfriend and girlfriend to get |
| Japan in the sixteenth century by Jesuit and | | | | together, exchange gifts and spend a romantic |
| later by Franciscan missionaries. Even | | | | dinner and evening together much like |
| though few in Japan are Christian or have an | | | | Valentines day celebrated in the west. |
| understanding of traditional Christmas | | | | Advertisements appear for special Christmas |
| customs, in a survey conducted by among | | | | eve and Christmas day hotel and restaurant |
| young Japanese people, a majority of 54 | | | | dinners and shows, generally with a strong |
| percent responded that Christmas today means | | | | romance theme. Its been said that single |
| something special to them, with women and | | | | women dont like to talk about the Christmas |
| teenagers showing a particular attraction. | | | | occasion as they feel left out. There has |
| | | | been much sarcasm towards single women alone |
| In another survey done by 74 percent of | | | | on Christmas eve. As an example cake shops |
| people responded to celebrate Christmas in | | | | with cakes left after Christmas are seen as |
| Japan with a Christmas cake. Their Christmas | | | | being old and out of date. Women of 25 years |
| cake is usually made of sponge cake, | | | | and older who are single have been referred |
| strawberries and whipped cream or just as | | | | to jokingly as unsold Christmas cake. |
| popular is a strawberry gateau. | | | | |
| | | | Wondering how to say Merry Christmas in |
| Most people decorate their shops and homes | | | | Japanese? Its simply Merry Christmas! |
| with evergreens during the Christmas period. | | | | |