Christmas in Japan: A Family’s Guide to Tokyo and Kyoto Holiday Traditions

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to celebrate Christmas in Japan? Do they celebrate Christmas? The answer is yes, and it’s probably a bit different than what you would expect. We celebrated the holidays in Tokyo and Kyoto, and I was definitely surprised by some of the Japanese Christmas traditions and I’m guessing you might be too.

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Does Japan Really Celebrate Christmas?

Before our trip, I wondered if we’d even find Christmas celebrations in a country where less than 1% of the population is Christian. The answer surprised me: yes, Japan celebrates Christmas, but in a uniquely Japanese way.

Walking through the streets of Tokyo and Kyoto, there wasn’t an overt sense of Christmas. The commercial districts sparkled with festive lights and decor, but we had to dig deep to find holiday events. The way Japanese people celebrate the holiday is quite different from Western traditions.

Christmas as a Romantic Holiday

One of the biggest surprises during our visit was learning that Japanese people view Christmas primarily as a romantic holiday. It’s similar to Valentine’s Day in the United States. On Christmas Eve, we noticed couples dressed in their finest heading to upscale restaurants for romantic dinners.

We tried to get a reservation at a nice restaurant on Christmas Eve, but learned the hard way that you need to book weeks in advance. The majority of restaurants were completely booked! Instead, we enjoyed a wonderful, intimate dinner in an Italian restaurant in Kyoto. It wasn’t the same, but it was certainly a moment to remember. 

Japanese Christmas Traditions: Fried Chicken and Christmas Cake

Our family learned about two foods that define Christmas in Japan: fried chicken and Christmas cake. At first, I thought someone was joking when they told us KFC was the traditional Christmas meal, but we quickly discovered this was absolutely true.

In the mid-1970s, KFC started a marketing campaign that has made KFC synonymous with Christmas in Japan. We saw families ordering special Christmas dinner sets that included fried chicken, salad, and cake. Some couples on a budget even have their Christmas dinner at KFC locations. We were told to place an order by December 18th or risk missing out entirely.

Did we order KFC for Christmas dinner? You know we did! It wasn’t easy to order from the U.S. since you need a Japanese credit card. Thankfully, our hotel concierge booked an order for me and let me pay her when I arrived at the hotel. We had to walk and pick it up on Christmas Day, but it was worth it.

Delicious chicken, something similar to a shrimp au gratin, and a chocolate cake. Oh, and a decorative souvenir plate! We were very amused by the experience, and the food was better than expected.

As a side note, other companies have picked up on this trend and you can now find fried chicken Christmas dinners at places like Lawson and Family Mart.

The Hunt for Christmas Cake

Christmas cake was a different story. Typically, it’s a light sponge cake decorated with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. This dessert became a symbol of prosperity in post-war Japan, when ingredients like sugar, butter, and milk were luxuries only the wealthy could afford. Once Japan’s economy recovered, Christmas cake became a symbol of the nation’s economic success.

I went searching for this cake online, both on the internet and on Instagram. On Instagram, I discovered two places from where I could pick up a cake: Daimaru Department Store and Malebranche. Instead of ordering online, I was told I could pick up a cake the day before Christmas Eve, so that was my plan.

What I learned – there are Christmas cakes EVERYWHERE! Every bakery, both large and small, will have Christmas cakes on offer. Just choose one that looks good to you, and it’s sure to be a hit! We found some miniature cakes at Daimaru that were perfect with our Christmas dinner.

Christmas Markets in Tokyo

One of the things I wanted to seek out in Japan was the Christmas markets in Tokyo. While not as extensive as European Christmas markets, they offer a delightful taste of holiday cheer and are definitely worth seeking out.

The Christmas market at Roppongi Hills was particularly memorable for our family. Set against the backdrop of Tokyo’s glittering skyline, this market features charming wooden stalls selling German-style treats, mulled wine (and hot chocolate for the kids), handcrafted ornaments, and seasonal gifts.

The towering Christmas tree, covered in thousands of lights, created a magical atmosphere, but it didn’t even come close to the real thing (except for crowds).

There are Christmas markets in other areas, like the Azabudai Hills Christmas Market, Tokyo Christmas Advent in Ueno Park, and along the pedestrian streets of Marunouchi. The key is knowing where to look. These markets aren’t everywhere, and you need to plan your visit around them specifically if Christmas markets are important to your holiday experience.

Winter Illuminations in Tokyo and Kyoto

If there’s one thing Japan absolutely excels at during the winter season, it’s illuminations. These over-the-top light displays are where you’ll find the true magic of the season, and they’re arguably the best Christmas-related experience Japan has to offer.

Tokyo Illuminations

In Tokyo, we were blown away by the sheer scope and artistry of the illumination displays. The Marunouchi area near Tokyo Station transforms into a tunnel of champagne colored lights that stretches for blocks. The trees lining the streets are wrapped in millions of tiny lights, creating a canopy of shimmering gold overhead.

Shibuya’s “Blue Cave” illumination was another favorite. The pathway is covered in blue LED lights, creating a surreal atmosphere that my kids couldn’t stop talking about. The nearby shopping districts also feature their own unique light installations, each with different themes and color schemes.

Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown both host elaborate illuminations that extend beyond just their Christmas markets. The displays feature not just traditional lights but also projection mapping, interactive installations, and choreographed light shows set to music.

Kyoto Illuminations

While Tokyo goes big and modern with its illuminations, Kyoto offers something more simply stated, but no less spectacular. There are several temple illuminations where ancient architecture is highlighted with carefully placed lights, creating an atmosphere that is both spiritual and festive.

There are a couple of illuminations that were recommended to us, but both are outside of Kyoto. 

• Twinkle Jōyō can be found in Jōyō City on the train line to Nara. Every evening, there are light displays, festive food offerings, and entertainment. 

• Kameoka City also offers an annual winter illumination, where you walk through the bamboo forest of Kikyou no Sato Garden covered in thousands of LED lights, and the Kyoto Botanical Gardens offers Light Cycles, which is more of a non-holiday light show experience.

Many of these illuminations run from late November through Christmas and even into the New Year period, so they’re accessible for quite a long window. Unlike the Christmas markets, which can be hit-or-miss, the illuminations are a guaranteed highlight, and I’d recommend these to anyone visiting Japan during the winter season.

Our Experience Celebrating Christmas in Japan

If I’m honest, experiencing Christmas in Tokyo and Kyoto with my family was eye-opening, but it wasn’t the holiday experience we’re used to back home. Christmas in Japan is not widely or overtly celebrated the way it is in Western countries. You really have to seek out Christmas experiences if you want that festive holiday feeling.

Walking through residential neighborhoods, you won’t see homes decorated with lights and inflatable Santas. Regular stores and shops may have minimal decorations or none at all. Life goes on as usual for most people. Remember, it’s not even a national holiday. 

If you’re expecting the all-encompassing Christmas atmosphere where every store plays carols, and every corner feels festive, you’ll be disappointed.

That said, if you know where to look and make the effort to find them, there are wonderful Christmas experiences to be had. The Christmas markets, department store displays, specific illumination events, and tourist-friendly areas like Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Station do offer that magical holiday feeling. But these are destinations you need to intentionally visit; they won’t surround you everywhere you go.

The Importance of Planning Ahead

For families traveling to Japan hoping for a traditional Christmas experience, my advice is to do your research ahead of time. Mark the specific Christmas markets, illumination displays, and special holiday events on your itinerary. Don’t expect to stumble upon Christmas magic around every corner, because you won’t.

When you find those bits of celebration, the dazzling light displays, and the fascinating blend of Western and Japanese traditions, they truly are special and make for memorable moments.

Japan during Christmas is unique and worth experiencing, but it requires intentionality. Go in with realistic expectations: you’re not visiting a Christmas wonderland, but rather discovering how one culture has adopted and adapted a Western holiday in its own distinctive way.