{"id":106868,"date":"2024-12-12T09:37:32","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T00:37:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=106868"},"modified":"2024-12-12T09:37:33","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T00:37:33","slug":"christmas-sweets-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/christmas-sweets-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Enjoying the Sweet Side of Christmas in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
It is Christmas season all around the world \u2014 and also in Japan! Even though Japan is not traditionally a Christian country and, it could be said, some Japanese people don’t know the religious origin of Christmas, it has become one of the big seasonal events, that everybody looks forward to. Starting at many places directly after Halloween, on November 1, you will see a lot of Christmas decorations everywhere and there is a lot to do<\/a> during this time of the year. One of these things, and probably my favorite, is eating all the seasonal sweets. So let’s take a closer look.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before we start with the sweet side of Christmas, let’s take a look at the difference between Christmas in Japan and in Western countries. While in Germany, where I am from, Christmas is celebrated from the evening of December 24 to December 26 with two public holidays and all the shops being closed, in Japan, Christmas is not a public holiday at all. This year, having Christmas Eve on a Tuesday means it is a usual working day and many people work until the evening. December is the perfect time to meet up with your friends one more time and look back on the year so many people combine this with a Christmas-themed afternoon tea at a restaurant, caf\u00e9, or luxury hotel<\/strong>. Many places offer these from December 1 until December 25<\/strong>. Note that some require prior reservations and prices may rise on the dates closer to Christmas Day.<\/p>\n\n\nChristmas in Japan is Different<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, Christmas is not a “big family festival” as I know it from my home country. In Japan, families meet for New Year (just one week later) and Christmas is rather a day you celebrate with your partner \u2014 similar to Valentine’s Day \u2014 or in the small round of your family if you have children.<\/strong>
Outside of the family, however, Christmas is a big business, with decorations, Christmas presents and a whole spectrum of food! All the amusement parks, like Tokyo Disney Resort<\/a> or Universal Studios Japan<\/a>, have Christmas events and you can see Christmas trees and decorations at every corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChristmas Afternoon Teas and Sweets Buffet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n