Christmas & New Year Traditions in Japan Christmas is celebrated all around the world. Each country has different customs and traditions. Learn about the Christmas traditions in Japan. Different countries celebrate in their own way including different dates, food, drinks which lead to a variety of diverse Christmas traditions around the World! This article features popular Japanese Christmas traditions detailing the celebrations, gift giving, Santa Claus and other customs followed in Japan. We have even included some useful facts and information about the country, the flag and even the language!
Flag of Japan
Christmas & New Year Traditions in Japan A tradition is a specific practice of long standing in which unwritten customs and practices are passed from one generation to the next. Traditions and customs form part of a country's culture and heritage. The following information provides some fast, interesting facts about customs and Christmas traditions in Japan:
The non-religious celebration of Christmas is popular in Japan, although Christmas is not a national holiday
The name for Santa Claus is Santa-san (meaning Mr. Santa)
Japanese children look forward to O-toshidama when they are given gifts of small envelopes containing money - just like our Western traditions only good children will receive these envelopes!
Matsuri is the Japanese word for a festival which often feature processions or parades which may include elaborate floats. The New Year festival is called Shogatsu and is the most important and most celebrated part of the holiday season
New Year decorations adorn the Japanese houses. The kadomatsu decorations are popular and consist of are made from bamboo, pine branches and strips of white folded paper
Just before midnight on New Years Eve the Japanese watch temple ceremonies on TV where a huge gong is stuck 108 times to wipe away the 108 sins of the past year
After breakfast on New Years Day people dress in traditional kimonos to go to the shrine or to the temple to pray for good luck and good health in the New Year
Daruma wish dolls, used for making New Year's resolutions, can be purchased at the temple market. Similar to Russian dolls without arms or legs the dolls have a face with a moustache and beard. Its eyes only contain the color white. One of the eyes is blackened with a magic marker when making a resolution. If, during the year, they accomplish their wish, they blacken the other eye to show they succeeded!
New Year cards are sent which are called Nengajyo
Japanese Christmas traditions and customs
Christmas & New Year Traditions in Japan - The Food! What do people eat in other countries at this special time of the year? Festive feasts and recipes are traditional for special occasions including family dinners and meals. Interesting facts about the special food eaten as part of the customs and Christmas traditions in Japan:
New Year festive food in Japan is called osechi-ryori. The colorful osechi-ryori dishes are packed in layers of lacquer boxes, called jubako. Each dish and ingredient in osechi-ryori has a meaning, such as fertility, good health, happiness and long life
Osechi dishes might include the following:
Kobumaki - Salmon cooked in kelp served in rolls
Kuromame - Simmered sweet black beans
Datemaki - Sweet egg roll
Kurikinton - Mashed Sweet Potato with Sweet Chestnuts
Kinpira Gobo - Root vegetables that are stir-fried and glazed with soy sauce, sake, and sugar
Tazukuri - Dried Sardines in a teriyaki sauce
Namasu - Thinly sliced uncooked pickled vegetables and seafood - marinated in rice vinegar
Japanese Christmas Vocabulary How do you say Merry Christmas in Japan? If you have friends or family who live, or have ties with, a different country it is a nice gesture to add a seasons greetings in the language of the country. A practical addition to learning about Christmas traditions in Japan:
How do you say Merry Christmas in Japanese? "Merii Kurisumasu!"
What is the name for Santa Claus? Santa-san (meaning Mr. Santa) Santa kurōsu
Facts and Information about Japan Learn a little about the country of Japan, as well as its Christmas traditions! The following information provides some fast, interesting facts about Japan:
Location: Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula
Japanese Land Size : 374,744 sq km
Japanese Climate / Weather : varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north
Japanese Capital City: Tokyo
Japanese Currency : yen (JPY)
Facts and Information about the Japanese Flag Facts and info about the flag of Japan:
The flag of Japan is described as white with a large red disk (representing the sun without rays) in the center
The history of the Japanese flag:
Christmas Traditions in Japan This article provides an overview of the country and the different Christmas traditions in Japan. Lots of free, facts and information for kids, children and teachers! Popular Japanese Christmas traditions detailing the celebrations, gift giving, Santa Claus and other customs followed in Japan.
Christmas Traditions in Japan
Christmas Traditions in Japan
Japanese Christmas traditions and customs
Festive greetings in Japanese
Interesting Facts and Info about Japan - including the Flag of Japan
Read about Christmas Traditions around the World
Christmas Traditions around the world
For teachers, kids and children
Free, useful facts and interesting information
Christmas Traditions in Japan
Christmas Traditions in Japan
"Merry Christmas, have a happy and prosperous New Year!"
