This is going to be my third Christmas in Japan in the 13 years. Normally I go back to Canada for Christmas but due to the price of tickets, I’m staying here.
Christmas in Japan is unique. Back home Christmas is a family day. We have big turkey dinners with all our family members. In Japan, it’s a day for couples. Couples get together and go for dinner and maybe to a love hotel for some fun. They miss the point of Christmas. Christmas isn’t about religion, presents or couples. It’s about families in my opinion.
The other day my student came to class pissed off. She had a fight with her boyfriend over Christmas. Her boyfriend has to work all day on Christmas so they can’t go out. She was at the point of wanting to break up with him. I told her “You’re missing the point of Christmas. He has to work so shoganai. Take this opportunity to spend time with your family. Christmas isn’t about couples, presents or religion. It’s about enjoying time with your family. It’s your last Christmas with your family before moving abroad. “. She felt better but much like other Japanese, she misses the point.
Don’t get me wrong, Christmas has merged into Japanese culture. Christmas lights are everywhere, more and more families put up Christmas trees, kids get presents from Santa, they have chicken Dinners. As much as it’s merged into the culture, Japanese are clueless about Christmas.
The biggest surprise was when I asked how many reindeer drive Santa’s sleigh? Both adults and children can’t correctly answer this. Back at home most will quickly answer 8 or 9 depending on if they count Rudolph. Another thing that surprised me and something I’ll miss this year is that they don’t eat turkey. In fact, I have yet to see turkey in Japan. Most kids don’t even know what turkey is. Even if I say “shichimencho”, they still don’t know.
I had my first Christmas in Japan 13 years ago. The day started with having to teach 12 lessons in a row without a break. Many students did double lessons and for dinner we ordered pizza to the class. I finished work at 9:30 and then headed to the popular gaijin bar. Since it was after 9 there was no bus so I had to walk 30 minutes. At the normally popular bar there were a total of 5 people including the owner and myself. The 5 of us sat together and drank the day away and all for free. It was a sad Christmas after the day was done.
My second Christmas was 4 years ago and was so uneventful that I don’t remember what I did. As for this year, I will be spending the day at Universal Studios Japan. No turkey for Christmas.
Christmas in Japan is unique. Back home Christmas is a family day. We have big turkey dinners with all our family members. In Japan, it’s a day for couples. Couples get together and go for dinner and maybe to a love hotel for some fun. They miss the point of Christmas. Christmas isn’t about religion, presents or couples. It’s about families in my opinion.
The other day my student came to class pissed off. She had a fight with her boyfriend over Christmas. Her boyfriend has to work all day on Christmas so they can’t go out. She was at the point of wanting to break up with him. I told her “You’re missing the point of Christmas. He has to work so shoganai. Take this opportunity to spend time with your family. Christmas isn’t about couples, presents or religion. It’s about enjoying time with your family. It’s your last Christmas with your family before moving abroad. “. She felt better but much like other Japanese, she misses the point.
Don’t get me wrong, Christmas has merged into Japanese culture. Christmas lights are everywhere, more and more families put up Christmas trees, kids get presents from Santa, they have chicken Dinners. As much as it’s merged into the culture, Japanese are clueless about Christmas.
The biggest surprise was when I asked how many reindeer drive Santa’s sleigh? Both adults and children can’t correctly answer this. Back at home most will quickly answer 8 or 9 depending on if they count Rudolph. Another thing that surprised me and something I’ll miss this year is that they don’t eat turkey. In fact, I have yet to see turkey in Japan. Most kids don’t even know what turkey is. Even if I say “shichimencho”, they still don’t know.
I had my first Christmas in Japan 13 years ago. The day started with having to teach 12 lessons in a row without a break. Many students did double lessons and for dinner we ordered pizza to the class. I finished work at 9:30 and then headed to the popular gaijin bar. Since it was after 9 there was no bus so I had to walk 30 minutes. At the normally popular bar there were a total of 5 people including the owner and myself. The 5 of us sat together and drank the day away and all for free. It was a sad Christmas after the day was done.
My second Christmas was 4 years ago and was so uneventful that I don’t remember what I did. As for this year, I will be spending the day at Universal Studios Japan. No turkey for Christmas.
This post is part of my Gaijin and Japan series. For more click here.
