There is something magical about going to Japan around the Christmas time.
Although Christmas in Japan is seen much differently than in the United States and other countries, who celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ or a holiday as gift giving to family and friends.
While the religious aspect to Christmas for Christians, because the majority of Japan are not too keenly aware or believe in Christianity (as the country’s primarily religion is buddhism and shinto), certain aspects celebrated in the west have made it to Japan.
In Japan, Christmas is more of a grand romantic holiday that lasts for nearly two months, in addition to Valentines and White Day which is celebrated for one day.
Many locations illuminate and have Christmas events to promote shopping and make Christmas as romantic as possible. It’s also a time for families to eat KFC (yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken) thanks to KFC’s 1974 ad campaign promoting fried chicken for Christmas which has stuck with many Japanese celebrating Christmas. So, while we have Santa Claus, Japan has Colonel Sanders (often outside of a KFC store) dressed up as Santa Claus.
And also a time to purchase Christmas cakes which pastries go all out in Japan.
And unlike the US who sees Christmas as an extended holiday through New Year’s Eve and a time to chill, Japan’s holiday is on December 23rd for the Emperor’s Birthday and then they celebrate the New Year’s break (December 31 – January 4) and this is where Japan celebrates something similar to Christmas because of the holiday and they also have their Black Friday sales ala Fukubukuro.
But I guess the reason why I find it so special is as we get older, we start to think about when Christmas became a big part of our lives and you think about the time when you were a child and celebrating with your family members and then creating new memories with your own family, your own children and if anything, doing what we can to make sure our loved ones or those less fortunate, can enjoy the holiday.
For the past two years (with the exception of 2018), I have been in Japan when they began celebrating Christmas time (which starts the day after Halloween for many places). Usually by the end of November, a lot of the illumination locations are ready to go and it’s been a long time where I felt that special Christmas feeling while having certain similarities of what we have in the US, it’s a different type of feeling that I enjoyed.
In 2017, I wanted to experience it as much as possible and I had a wonderful time.
I happened to shoot a lot of Christmas footage which I never featured on video because by the time I got back it was Christmas and then New Year and I felt weird about posting any Christmas stuff early in year and figured, I’ll hold it until Christmas is around the corner and sure enough, I figured I’ll post a video today.
Here is my latest Random Musings… Enjoy!
