【Teacher’s Guide】 5 Surprising Ways to Enjoy Your First Christmas in Japan

Hello, everyone! 🇯🇵 It’s your sensei here, ready to guide you through another exciting aspect of your future life in Japan. As Filipinos, we are famous worldwide for having the longest Christmas season—starting as early as the “Ber” months (September) and lasting until the Feast of the Three Kings in January. We love our Simbang Gabi, family reunions, and plates full of lechon and hamon. 🎉

However, when you move to Japan, you will find that Christmas (or クリスマス – Kurisumasu) is celebrated in a very different way. It isn’t a public holiday, and its meaning is more about romance and commercial fun than religious tradition. But don’t worry! While it might be different from the “Paskong Pinoy” you know, it is a magical experience you will never forget. 🎄✨

Today, I want to share 5 surprising ways you can enjoy your very first Christmas in Japan while learning the language and culture. Let’s get started!

1. Order a Bucket of “Kentucky” for Dinner 🍗

One of the biggest culture shocks for Filipinos is finding out what Japanese people eat for Christmas dinner. In the Philippines, we have our grand Noche Buena. In Japan, the tradition is… Fried Chicken! Specifically, KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken). 🍗

• The “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii” Tradition

  This tradition started in the 1970s through a clever marketing campaign called “Kentucky for Christmas.” Today, it is so popular that people have to pre-order their “Party Barrel” weeks or even months in advance! If you don’t pre-order, you might find yourself waiting in a line that goes around the block for hours. 🏃‍♂️💨

• Convenience Store Alternatives

  If you miss the KFC deadline, don’t worry! Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart (often called “Konbini”) sell amazing fried chicken too. FamilyMart’s “Famichiki” is a cult favorite during the holidays!

2. Indulge in a “Kurisumasu Keiki” (Christmas Cake) 🍰

In the Philippines, we might have fruit salad or leche flan. In Japan, Christmas isn’t complete without a クリスマスケーキ (Kurisumasu Keiki). But this isn’t just any cake; the classic Japanese Christmas cake is a Strawberry Shortcake—light sponge cake with whipped cream and fresh red strawberries. 🍓

• Symbolism of Red and White

  The red of the strawberries and the white of the cream represent the colors of the Japanese flag, which are considered auspicious and celebratory. It is a very “Instagrammable” treat that you will see in every bakery window from December 1st.

• The “After-Christmas” Sale

  Here is a little secret from your sensei: Because Christmas is not a holiday, shops want to get rid of their cakes immediately. If you go to a department store on the evening of December 25th, you might find these expensive cakes at half price! 💰🍰

Quick Vocabulary: Festive Food & Drink

Japanese (Katakana/Kanji)	Romaji	Meaning
フライドチキン	Furaido chikin	Fried Chicken
イチゴのショートケーキ	Ichigo no shōtokēki	Strawberry Shortcake
シャンパン	Shanpan	Champagne (often non-alcoholic for kids)
予約	Yoyaku	Reservation / Pre-order

3. Get Lost in the Magic of Winter Illuminations 💡✨

One of the most beautiful things about winter in Japan is the イルミネーション (Iruminēshon). While we Filipinos love to put up colorful Christmas lanterns (parols) on our houses, Japan takes it to a whole new level with massive public light displays.

• Spectacular Displays

  Entire parks, shopping districts, and train stations are covered in millions of LED lights. Famous spots like Roppongi Hills in Tokyo or Nabana no Sato in Mie Prefecture are breathtaking. These displays usually stay up until mid-February, so you have plenty of time to enjoy them!

• Dress for the Cold!

  Remember, December in Japan is cold—much colder than a Baguio morning! When you go to see the lights, make sure to wear a heavy coat, a scarf (マフラー – mafurā), and gloves (手袋 – tebukuro). 🧣🧥

4. Experience “Date Night” on Christmas Eve 👩‍❤️‍👨

This is perhaps the most surprising difference for Filipinos. In the Philippines, Christmas is 100% about family. In Japan, Christmas Eve (December 24th) is the most romantic night of the year—even bigger than Valentine’s Day! ❤️

• A Holiday for Couples

  You will see couples everywhere holding hands, going on dates to fancy restaurants, and exchanging gifts. It is the peak season for “confessing” your love to someone. If you are single, don’t worry! Many friends also gather for “Kurisupa” (Christmas Parties), but the general vibe is very romantic.

• Theme Parks

  Places like Tokyo Disneyland or Universal Studios Japan (USJ) become extremely crowded on Christmas Eve. They have special parades and shows that are truly world-class. If you plan to go, buy your tickets months ahead!

Comparison: Christmas in the Philippines vs. Japan

Feature	Philippines 🇵🇭	Japan 🇯🇵
Main Focus	Family & Religion	Romance & Commercial Fun
Traditional Food	Hamon, Queso de Bola, Lechon	Fried Chicken & Strawberry Shortcake
Public Holiday?	Yes (Dec 25th)	No (Business as usual)
The Big Night	Christmas Eve (Noche Buena)	Christmas Eve (Date Night)

5. Prepare for the “Instant” Transition to New Year 🎍

In the Philippines, we might leave our Christmas trees up until the end of January. In Japan, the moment the clock strikes midnight on December 25th, Christmas is officially over. 💨

• The Great Clean-up

  You will be shocked to see shop workers tearing down Christmas decorations at 10:00 PM on the 25th. By the morning of the 26th, the Santas and reindeer are gone, replaced by traditional Japanese New Year decorations like Kadomatsu (bamboo and pine displays) and Shimenawa (sacred straw ropes).

• Why the Rush?

  This is because New Year (お正月 – Oshōgatsu) is the most important holiday in Japan. While Christmas is just for fun, New Year is the time for family, tradition, and visiting shrines. It’s a very quiet, respectful, and deeply cultural time.

• Teacher’s Insight

  Observe this transition closely! It shows the Japanese value of “Shun” (seasonality). Everything has its proper time, and once that time passes, they move quickly to the next season. It is a lesson in being present and organized!

Your First Step to a Japanese Christmas starts with Language! 🇯🇵

I know it can feel overwhelming to think about moving to a new country and experiencing these traditions for the first time. But remember, every “shock” is actually an opportunity to learn and grow. By understanding these cultural nuances, you are already one step closer to your dream of living in Japan! 🌟

Whether you are studying for the JFT-Basic or just starting your Hiragana, keep pushing forward! Your future self will thank you for the hard work you are doing today. Japan is waiting for you with its bright lights, delicious cakes, and beautiful winter scenery.

You can do this! Ganbatte kudasai! (頑張ってください！) 🎉💪