Issue #18

Words by Cory Ohlendorf | Photography by WNMKM

As the song goes, we all “need a little Christmas” … but when you think of this holiday, your mind conjures images of magical store windows in New York, Dickensian dinners in London, or the glowing lights twinkling from a snow-dappled Paris. But in Japan, the holiday season has become an amalgam of all these and more to become something that’s distinctly Christmas and yet uniquely Japanese—a celebration of love, lights and, oddly enough, fried chicken.

Japan’s festivities focus less on the religious angle of Christmas or family gatherings and more on sparkly nights of lighthearted enjoyment, intimate dinners and heartfelt moments shared between couples. So how did this foreign, inherently Christian holiday—firmly planted in the story of the nativity—transform into one of Japan’s most romantic days of the year? It’s a curious evolution, blending Western commercialism, Japanese consumer culture, and the country's own unique traditions.

The Seeds of the Holiday Take Root

The history of Christmas in Japan dates back some 400 years, when missionaries first introduced Christianity to the country through Nagasaki. But soon after, government restrictions and the eventual prohibition of Christianity caused the holiday to essentially fade into obscurity. It wasn’t until the Meiji Restoration that Western influences began to revive Christmas customs. Back then, there were no family feasts or crowded church services. Instead, it became an occasion for Western-style parties and socializing. It was more of a novelty—an exotic curiosity, even—for the Japanese elite and the upper class.

The Post-War Boom

Japan’s post-war economic boom in the 1950s and 1960s laid the groundwork for Christmas to be reimagined as a consumer spectacle. As the country embraced capitalism and Western-style holidays, Christmas quickly evolved into a commercial event, not unlike what was happening in the U.S. During this time, retailers began to market Christmas as an opportunity for sales. Toy stores, department stores, and bakeries all jumped on the bandwagon, offering Christmas-themed goods and decorations.

The Sparkling Magic of the Season

One of the more universal and enchanting aspects of Christmas is definitely embraced in Japan: Those elaborate illuminations that light up the dark winter nights (more on those below). Long boulevards, parks and upscale shopping districts from Tokyo and Osaka to Sapporo and Kobe have become famous for their extravagant light displays. The glowing illuminations are often designed to evoke a sense of magic and wonder, which brings families and friends along with pairs of lovers to come and marvel (not to mention take copious amounts of photos). It's an experience that blends Western aesthetics with Japanese attention to detail, creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere.

These illuminations are more than just festive decorations; they’ve become a kind of cultural touchstone, embodying the feeling of romantic allure that Christmas now evokes. For many Japanese people, strolling beneath the shimmering lights and holding hands with a partner has become as integral to the holiday season as the Christmas tree itself.

Japan has an elaborate gift culture. Therefore it should come as no surprise that the Japanese are masters of gift wrapping. If you've ever bought a gift and had it wrapped at a Japanese department store, you likely noticed the speed and ingenuity of the sales associate who wrapped it, using no cuts and likely just one piece of tape to secure the paper at the very end. The technique uses a pull-and-fold method on each side of the gift to literally hug the box in folds of the paper, securely.

Green Bell Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer of “edged tools” based in Osaka. They produce a range of cutting products crafted at their in-house factory in Seki—the city in Gifu Prefecture known as the blade capital of Japan. This is where the country’s world-famous knives and swords are crafted. And that same strength and sharpness is imbued in these handy nail clippers. The sturdy stainless steel construction gives them a nice heft, making them easy to grip and the blades are so sharp that they cleanly clip through fingernails and toenails without any catching, splitting or sending clippings flying every which way. While other clippers dull after a while, these well-made blades will stay super sharp for years.

Bōnenkai (忘年会) is the Japanese name for a "forget the year" party. They're for coworkers and friends to gather and drink. The goal is to leave behind the past year’s hardships and celebrate the wins with plenty of good food, alcohol and maybe some karaoke and spirited debates. And while it might seem like a modern tradition created by overworked salarymen, the history of bōnenkai actually dates back to the 15th century. Obviously, the practice has evolved with the times, but it’s important to be aware that this is an old and cherished part of Japanese vocational values. If you’ve been invited to one, it’s in your best interest to attend.