How is Christmas celebrated in Japan?

Learn how Japan celebrates Christmas as a secular, romantic season of lights, cake and Christmas Eve dinners, and what visitors can enjoy in December.

Published October 21, 2026 at 8:17 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Christmas in Japan is mostly a secular, commercial and romantic occasion rather than a religious family holiday. It is not a public holiday, so many people work as usual. Christmas Eve is popular for couples, gifts and dinners, and common treats include strawberry shortcake-style Christmas cake and fried chicken. Cities add lights, decorations and illuminations through December.

A secular holiday with a Japanese twist

Christmas is widely celebrated in Japan even though only a small share of the population is Christian. Its popularity is largely secular and driven by commerce, with shops, stations and shopping malls decorating from early in the season. Christmas trees appear in homes and public spaces, and seasonal music plays in stores. For visitors from Christian countries, the atmosphere will feel familiar, but the meaning is quite different.

Christmas is not a national public holiday in Japan. Offices, schools and many businesses operate as usual on December 25, though some people take a day off, and the weekend nearest the date is busy. This surprises many visitors who expect a quiet day with closed shops; in practice, department stores, restaurants and attractions are generally open and often busier than usual.

The history helps explain this. Christianity and Christmas re-emerged in the Meiji period, and Christmas parties and gift exchanges were influenced by American customs. The celebration became popular with non-Christians after the Russo-Japanese War in the 1900s. Over time it became a festive occasion rather than a religious one, focused on enjoyment and togetherness.

Christmas Eve: the romantic evening

For many people in Japan, Christmas Eve (December 24) is the main event, and it has become a time for couples to spend together and exchange gifts. Gifts are also sometimes exchanged on Christmas itself, and parties are held around Christmas Day. The mood is closer to a special date night than a family gathering, so restaurants with special menus can fill quickly.

Visitors who want a dinner reservation on December 24 or 25 should plan early, since popular places book up well in advance. Families with children also celebrate, usually with a home meal, a cake and small gifts, but the romantic image is the one that dominates in advertising and media. Friends often hold parties on a nearby weekend rather than on the exact date.

Because many people work on December 25, the days around the holiday can feel like a short celebration in the evenings, followed by a return to normal life. By December 26, decorations in shops are often swapped quickly for New Year displays, because the New Year is Japan's most important holiday season, and preparation starts almost immediately.

Christmas food: cake and fried chicken

The classic Christmas treat in Japan is a white sponge cake covered in cream and topped with strawberries, known as Christmas cake. Bakeries and convenience stores take orders in advance, and cakes are sold in many sizes and styles in December. Imported or locally made stollen, a German fruit bread, is also widely sold at this time of year.

Another well-known tradition is eating fried chicken around Christmas. A 1970s advertising campaign made this a national custom, and stores take reservations months in advance because demand is so high. Visitors who want to join the tradition should order ahead, or look for the many shops that offer festive meal sets for the holiday week.

These foods are easy for travelers to try. Supermarkets and convenience stores sell single slices of cake and prepared chicken, so there is no need for a big reservation, and individual portions suit solo travelers. Check the shops' own pages or signs for ordering deadlines and pickup times, as these differ by store and year.

Lights, illuminations and markets

Cities decorate with Christmas lights, and many parks, shopping streets and facilities hold winter illuminations that often begin around November and may continue into the New Year. These displays are a highlight for visitors, especially in large cities where trees, tunnels of lights and large light installations attract couples and families. Many are free to view, while a few charge an entrance fee.

Tokyo's official tourism guide describes Christmas markets with treats such as mulled wine plus performances and concerts, and notes that Tokyo Skytree has its own market and special light displays. Some other towns and facilities also hold markets inspired by European traditions. Dates and locations change each year, so check the official tourism page of the city or facility. Evening is the best time to see the lights, and weekends are crowded, so a weekday visit is more relaxed.

Dress warmly, as December evenings are cold, and arrive earlier than the sunset to find a good spot. Photography is typically welcome, but follow signs about tripods or restricted areas. Public transport can be crowded around well-known illumination areas on Christmas Eve, so allow extra time and consider walking between nearby stations.

Who it suits and special cases

Families with children can enjoy the cakes, lights and department store displays, which often include seasonal characters and events. Some theme parks and attractions hold special Christmas programs, but ticket availability, hours and prices change, so check each operator's page. Strollers are welcome in most larger shopping areas, though the busiest illumination streets can be crowded.

Solo travelers are well served by the many casual options, from bakery slices to convenience store sets. Older travelers may prefer daytime shopping and quieter parks, followed by an early dinner. Visitors who celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday can look for church services; some churches and cathedrals hold Christmas Eve services, and local tourism offices can point to English-language options.

There are no special entry rules for the season, but hotels and transport are busy in late December as people travel for the New Year. Booking lodging and trains early is wise, and visitors should be aware that the New Year holidays from around December 29 can close many shops and restaurants.

Common mistakes and misunderstandings

One common mistake is assuming December 25 is a day when everything closes, as it is in many countries. In Japan, it is a regular working day, and businesses are open. The real closures come at the New Year. Planning for the New Year closures, not Christmas Day, avoids empty-handed meals and closed attractions in the days that follow.

Another misunderstanding is expecting a family-centered holiday. Christmas Eve is more often a time for couples and friends, so family-focused travelers may need to adjust expectations. Children still receive gifts and enjoy cakes, but the evening is not always a big home gathering. The celebration is cheerful but relatively light compared with the New Year.

Visitors also sometimes assume that every restaurant will have a Christmas dinner menu. Many do, but others do not, and menus can be limited. Reserve ahead, ask about set courses, and check the dates for special menus. Also remember that popular sweets and chicken sets can sell out on December 24, so do not leave purchases to the last minute.

Planning tips and next steps

Decide whether the trip is about lights, food or shopping. Check the city's official tourism page for illumination start dates and any Christmas markets, book dinner or ordered treats early, and plan for crowds on December 24 and 25. For trips that continue into the New Year, check shop and attraction closures from around December 29, and book trains early.

For those arriving later, Christmas atmosphere fades quickly after December 25, but winter illuminations often run into January or February at some locations. Local tourism sites and the Japan National Tourism Organization winter pages are helpful starting points, and travelers can also plan visits to shrines and temples for the New Year.

This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. Opening hours, event dates, ticketing and transport arrangements around the holiday period differ by place and year, so check the official pages before traveling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is December 25 a public holiday in Japan?

No. Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan, so offices, schools and most businesses operate as usual. Department stores, restaurants and attractions are generally open and often busy. The long holiday closures come around the New Year, so plan around those dates instead.

Why do people eat fried chicken at Christmas in Japan?

A 1970s advertising campaign helped turn eating fried chicken at Christmas into a national custom. Stores now take reservations months ahead because demand is high. Visitors can order ahead, or look for single portions and festive sets at supermarkets and convenience stores around December 24 and 25.

What is a Japanese Christmas cake?

It is a white sponge cake covered in cream and topped with strawberries. Bakeries and convenience stores sell them in many sizes in December, and many people reserve in advance. Stollen, a German fruit bread, is also widely sold at this time of year, so there are several options to try.

Want to go deeper? Tokyo Paul's book Japanese Culture and Customs is available on Amazon.

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