In many parts of Europe, Christmas is a deeply cherished family celebration. Streets glow with warm lights, Christmas markets fill the air with the smell of mulled wine and roasted nuts, and families gather around beautifully decorated trees to enjoy traditional meals. The atmosphere is cozy, nostalgic, and rooted in long-standing religious and cultural traditions.
But travel 9,000 kilometers east, and you will find a very different December scene.
Japan’s Christmas: Festive, Romantic, and Surprisingly Unique
Christmas in Japan looks bright and joyful, but it carries a completely different meaning. It is not a religious holiday and not a family-based event. Instead, Japan treats Christmas as a fun seasonal celebration—full of illuminations, music, and shared moments.
Shopping districts shine with extravagant winter illuminations, especially in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe. Couples stroll hand-in-hand through the glowing streets, restaurants promote special Christmas Eve dinner courses, and familiar carols play everywhere—from Mariah Carey to classic Japanese winter songs.
The “KFC Christmas” Tradition
Perhaps the most famous Japanese Christmas twist is eating KFC.
Since a clever advertising campaign in the 1970s, Kentucky Fried Chicken has become a cultural Christmas icon. Many families and couples order their “Christmas Chicken” weeks in advance, often enjoyed together with a strawberry shortcake Christmas cake, another beloved seasonal item.
From the Bubble Era to Today: How Japanese Christmas Evolved
Japan’s Christmas culture has changed significantly over the decades.
🎄 Bubble Era (1980s–1990s): Glamorous & Romantic
During the economic bubble, Christmas—especially Christmas Eve—was considered the ultimate romantic night. Luxury hotels, high-end restaurants, and expensive gifts were promoted heavily. Even pop culture reflected this: dramas, songs, and magazines framed Christmas Eve as a night for couples.
🎄 2000s–Present: More Casual, More Diverse
As society evolved, Christmas became more inclusive and laid-back.
Now you will find:
- Family gatherings with KFC or roast chicken
- School Christmas parties, complete with small presents and handmade decorations
- Home parties among friends with games, light meal spreads, and Christmas cakes
- Illumination dates for couples
- Parents with children enjoying Christmas events at malls and amusement parks
Today, Japanese Christmas is an accessible, fun event enjoyed by all ages—not just couples.
Christmas Music in Japan: A Seasonal Soundtrack
Another charming part of Japanese Christmas is the music.
You’ll hear a mixture of:
- Traditional Western carols
- J-pop winter ballads (such as songs by B’z, DREAMS COME TRUE, or Tatsuro Yamashita’s “Christmas Eve”)
- Showa-era holiday songs that give a nostalgic feeling
And of course, many people remember the iconic JR Tōkai Christmas Express TV commercials of the 1980s and 1990s. In addition to classic Western carols and modern pop songs, many people associate the holidays with nostalgic Japanese winter ballads—especially Tatsuro Yamashita’s timeless hit “Christmas Eve.”
*Fun Fact about Japanese Christmas*
In Japan, Christmas Eve is often considered more important than Christmas Day itself. This contrast surprises many visitors from Europe, where December 25th is the central family holiday. In Japan, however, Christmas Eve has long been treated as a romantic evening, similar to Valentine’s Day. Couples reserve special dinner courses, enjoy night-time illuminations, exchange small gifts, or stay at hotels offering seasonal packages. Because of this cultural trend, December 24th carries a warm, emotional atmosphere that strongly shapes how the holiday is experienced in Japan.
The song, “Christmas Eve.” became inseparable from the season thanks to the famous JR Tokai “Cinderella Express” commercials. One of the most memorable versions, released in 1989 during Japan’s economic bubble era, portrays a young woman waiting alone on a Shinkansen platform for her boyfriend to return home for Christmas. The gentle cinematography, the theme of long-distance relationships, and the emotional anticipation of seeing someone you love resonated deeply with viewers of the time.
For many Japanese people, these commercials captured the emotional side of Christmas—quiet moments, winter trains arriving in the evening, the hope of reunion, and the bittersweet feeling of being apart during the holidays. Even today, the combination of the Shinkansen imagery and Yamashita’s soft melody instantly brings back memories of Japan’s “winter nostalgia,” making it a beloved cultural symbol of the season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrAjdvrlTVA (JR Tokai’s Cinderella express CM in 1989)
December 25th Evening: Japan’s Overnight Transformation
For many foreign visitors, one of the biggest surprises is how quickly Christmas disappears.
In Europe, decorations often stay until early January. In Japan, however, the change is immediate.
On the night of December 25th, store workers begin removing Christmas ornaments as soon as closing time arrives. By the morning of December 26th, Japan is in full New Year mode.
Christmas trees vanish and are replaced by:
- Kadomatsu made from pine and bamboo
- Shimekazari (sacred ropes with charms)
- Kagami mochi, symbolizing prosperity
- Decorations featuring cranes, plum blossoms, and traditional motifs
The sudden shift is so complete it feels like a scene change in a theater.
How Japan Transforms Stores from Christmas to New Year Overnight
The rapid overnight shift from Christmas displays to New Year decorations in Japan is not spontaneous—it is the result of careful planning and highly coordinated work done outside business hours. Many retailers have established detailed strategies to ensure this seasonal transformation happens smoothly and efficiently.
1. Thorough Planning and Advance Preparation
• Scheduling and team organization:
Most stores plan their display changeover weeks in advance. The actual work is usually carried out after closing time—late at night or in the early morning hours—and must be completed before the doors open the next day.
• Preparing materials in advance:
New Year decorations such as kadomatsu, shimenawa, kagami mochi, and traditional Japanese ornaments are designed, packed, and delivered to designated storage areas inside the store ahead of time. Updated POP (Point of Purchase) signage for the New Year season is also prepared in advance.
• Modular display systems:
To make seasonal updates faster, many stores use modular fixtures, easily replaceable fabric panels, and digital signage. These systems allow for rapid decoration changes without major construction or large-scale rearrangement.
2. Efficient On-Site Execution
• Teamwork and role distribution:
Multiple staff members work as a coordinated team, removing Christmas decorations while simultaneously installing the New Year displays.
• Synchronized removal and setup:
Old decorations are taken down quickly and sorted for reuse or recycling. At the same time, new display elements are positioned according to the pre-planned layout.
• Updating lighting and background music:
Along with the visual changes, stores also adjust lighting tones—from the warm hues used during Christmas to the calmer white tones associated with New Year. The in-store BGM is updated as well, creating a completely refreshed atmosphere.
3. A Uniquely Japanese Approach
Japan places strong cultural value on seasonal transitions, which is why the shift from Western-style Christmas décor to traditional New Year ornaments happens so immediately and completely. Over decades, retailers have accumulated expertise and routines to perfect this “overnight transformation.”
In this way, Christmas night becomes one of the busiest nights of the year for many stores. Thanks to meticulous preparation, teamwork, and a deep respect for seasonal traditions, Japanese retailers are able to reinvent their spaces practically overnight—welcoming customers on December 26th with a brand-new atmosphere ready for the New Year.
Preparing for Japan’s Most Important Holiday: The New Year
While Christmas in Japan is lighthearted and modern, New Year (Oshōgatsu) is considered the country’s most sacred and traditional family holiday. People return to their hometowns, businesses close for several days, and preparations quickly take over daily life. From December 26 onward, households and shops are busy with:
- Ōsōji, a deep cleaning ritual to welcome good fortune
- Buying or preparing Osechi ryōri, the beautifully arranged New Year dishes
- Writing and sending Nengajō, New Year greeting postcards
- Making or buying mochi
- Searching for the best fukubukuro (lucky bags), which go on sale from January 1
This shift from Christmas to New Year becomes even more visible when looking at how Japanese businesses operate during the holiday season. During the first three days of January—known as Sanganichi—many stores either close completely or operate on shortened hours. It is still relatively rare for shops to run normally on New Year’s Day.
How Stores Operate During the New Year Period
Most department stores and shopping malls close on January 1, reopening on January 2 or 3 for Hatsu-uri, the highly anticipated first sale of the year. These early days often feature special promotions and lucky bags, though opening and closing times may be adjusted. Restaurants and specialty shops inside malls usually follow the modified schedule of the main facility.
Supermarkets have increasingly embraced the idea of “resting during New Year,” leading more of them to close not only on January 1 but throughout the first three days. Some supermarket chains operate regular hours however, recently more shops close during the first 3 days of January and resume business on January 4.
Restaurants and other service businesses also shorten hours or temporarily adjust their menus during this period. Convenience stores generally stay open, but certain locations may reduce hours depending on staffing and local circumstances. Meanwhile, banks, many companies, and government offices typically close from December 29 to January 3, resuming official duties on January 4 (or January 5 in years when the 4th falls on a weekend).
Because these schedules vary by store and region, it is always wise to check ahead using official websites, special holiday information pages, or posted signs at the store entrance.
A Holiday Journey Like No Other
Experiencing December in Japan means witnessing two completely different celebrations in the span of just a few days:
- The glittering, modern, and romantic style of Christmas
- The symbolic, traditional, family-centered New Year
The dramatic overnight shift—from Santa Claus and illuminations to pine decorations, mochi, and New Year rituals—captures Japan’s unique blend of global influence and deep-rooted cultural identity.
Whether you enjoy winter lights, nostalgic music, home parties, or meaningful New Year traditions, the journey from Christmas to Oshōgatsu is one of the most fascinating seasonal transformations in the world.