12.18.08
Christmas in Japan
The holiday season starts from the Thanksgiving day and the whole country gets decorated with beautiful Christmas decorations in the U.S.
In Japan, we didn’t traditionally celebrate Christmas. It was introduced about 450 years ago, but the concept didn’t really flourish until 1900 when one of Japanese grocery stores used it for a commercialized purpose. Not many people in Japan may know about the meaning of Christmas or how it started, and we spend Christmas as more like a giving gifts time.
Christmas is more important for a couple than a family in Japan. I don’t know why, but for some reason, it’s a HUGE deal to spend time with someone special on Christmas eve if you’re not married. Many restaurants are packed with couples for romantic meals on Christmas Eve.
As a child, I remember getting excited about a Christmas western dinner on Christmas Eve. A typical Christmas meal in Japan consisted of chickens and a white strawberry short cake. The recipe of a whole chicken was passed on from my mom’s American friends, and that has become our traditional Christmas dish in my family. Considering a typical Japanese meal is rice, miso soup, and fish, this western feast was something to look forward to for a year at least in my family.
Christmas is my favorite event in the U.S. The decorations, songs, and spirits make everyone happy. I still cook chicken for Christmas in my home in N.C to cherish my memories of my dearest family in Japan.
This year, I’ll get to share that special day and meals with some of Japanese friends who are away from their families in Japan.
