Christmas in Japan: A Unique Celebration Compared to Brazil
Christmas in Japan is a fascinating blend of Western influences and local traditions. For someone like me, who has experienced Christmas in both Japan and Brazil, it’s incredible to see how the same holiday can have such different meanings and customs. In Brazil, Christmas revolves around family gatherings, religious traditions, and festive meals. In contrast, Christmas in Japan becomes a lighthearted, romantic, and highly commercial celebration.
A Brief History of Christmas in Japan
To fully understand the customs of Christmas in Japan, it’s essential to look at how this celebration came to exist in a country where Christianity is a minority religion.
The Origins of Christmas in Japan
Christianity was introduced to Japan in the 16th century by Portuguese missionaries, particularly Jesuits led by Francis Xavier. This religion had a significant impact during the early Sengoku Period but faced prohibition and persecution during the Edo Period (1603–1868). As a result, Christmas disappeared from public life for centuries.
The Growth of Christmas as a Commercial Event
Unlike in Brazil, where Christmas is deeply tied to religious meanings, Christmas in Japan is a purely secular event. It is driven by marketing campaigns and consumerism. Stores and shopping malls transform into winter wonderlands, offering everything from Christmas cakes to themed gift sets.
Christmas Decorations and Festive Atmosphere in Japan
One of the most enchanting aspects of Christmas in Japan is its visual appeal. From late November, cities light up with dazzling decorations, and the festive spirit fills the air.
Extravagant Illuminations
Christmas illuminations are a highlight of the season in Japan. Cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe host spectacular light displays, drawing millions of visitors every year. These events create a magical and romantic atmosphere, especially for couples.
Christmas Markets
Inspired by European traditions, Christmas markets are becoming increasingly popular in Japan. At these markets, you’ll find festive foods, mulled wine, and handmade crafts, offering visitors a unique blend of Japanese culture and Western Christmas traditions.
Home Decorations
While public spaces go all out, home decorations for Christmas in Japan tend to be more modest. Small Christmas trees, wreaths, and lights are common, but the focus is on simplicity rather than extravagance.
Christmas Eve in Japan: A Day for Couples
In Brazil, Christmas Eve is a family-centered occasion filled with laughter, meals, and religious observances. But in Japan, it’s more like Valentine’s Day.
Romantic Dinners and Dates
For couples, Christmas Eve is the highlight of the season. Romantic dinners, gift exchanges, and walks through illuminated streets are common activities. The tradition of treating Christmas Eve like Valentine’s Day is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, with couples enjoying the festive atmosphere and creating special memories.
Festive Foods: Comparing Japan and Brazil
No Christmas celebration is complete without food. The dishes served during Christmas in Japan and Brazil couldn’t be more different.
Christmas Foods in Japan
- KFC Fried Chicken: Thanks to a successful marketing campaign in the 1970s, KFC fried chicken has become synonymous with Christmas in Japan. People place orders weeks in advance to secure their bucket of chicken.
- Christmas Cake: A fluffy sponge cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries is essential for Japanese Christmas. It’s so popular that many bakeries start taking reservations months in advance. Renowned confectioneries create elaborate designs, making the cake a true work of art and a centerpiece of the holiday season.
Christmas Foods in Brazil
- The Brazilian Feast: In Brazil, Christmas is all about abundance. Dishes like turkey, Chester, farofa, codfish fritters (bolinho de bacalhau), white beans, and rice with raisins dominate the table. Desserts like panettone and Brazilian-style French toast (rabanada) complete the meal.
- Family Gatherings: Unlike in Japan, where Christmas food is often enjoyed in small groups or as takeout, Brazilian Christmas meals are loud, communal, and filled with laughter.
A Personal Story: Two Christmases, Two Cultures
In 2015, I had the opportunity to spend my first Christmas with my wife, who was then my girlfriend. We were living in Toronto, and it was her first Christmas outside Japan. For her, it was a memorable experience full of cultural discoveries.
The Surprise of the First Christmas Outside Japan
Having grown up celebrating Christmas in Japan, the Christmas cake was an essential part of her holiday. So, it was a big surprise for her to find that the dinner we prepared in Toronto didn’t include any cake. In Brazil, the United States, and Canada, the idea of having a specific cake for Christmas isn’t common, which puzzled her but also opened the door to new experiences. She was delighted to try different dishes like Brazilian-style French toast (rabanada) and other Christmas desserts she had never tasted before.
Experiencing Brazilian Christmas
The following year, she had the chance to experience Christmas in Brazil, where family celebrations take center stage. In a warm environment, with a large family gathering, she saw how Christmas in Brazil is a true explosion of flavors, love, and tradition. On December 24th, she actively participated in preparing the dinner dishes. Together with my family, she helped make rabanada, codfish fritters, farofa, roasted turkey, and a variety of traditional desserts.
Reflecting on Christmas in Japan and Brazil
Having experienced Christmas in Japan and Brazil, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the unique ways both countries observe this special holiday. Christmas in Brazil is warm, emotional, and deeply rooted in family traditions, with large gatherings and festive meals. In contrast, Christmas in Japan is lighthearted, romantic, and filled with lights and commercial elements.
Whether it’s eating fried chicken under dazzling city lights during Christmas in Japan, or sharing a bountiful feast with family in Brazil, the essence of Christmas remains universal: a celebration of love, joy, and togetherness.
