As if Christmas and New Year had been mixed up once, on the Japanese "Kurisumasu Ibu" (クリスマス･イブ), a reference to the English "Christmas Eve", the focus is not on the family, but on friends and the partner. Those who can't show a date on this day and visit the family instead, are sometimes pitied. This is because Christmas Eve is often celebrated as a second Valentine's Day in Japan.
Since Christmas in Japan is not a traditional family holiday and free of any religious significance (less than 1% of the population are Christians), it is also not an official holiday. Nevertheless, in recent decades, giving presents to children on December 24 or 25 has become increasingly popular, so that they are now visited and given presents by a being called Santa Claus.
Weeks before Christmas, the shop windows of shopping malls are already shining, counting on the generosity of parents and couples. Every Christmas decoration can be found there and also the music selection puts the customers more and more in Christmas mood with every step through the department stores. But also the cities shine in impressive light shows, the so-called Christmas Illumination, and Christmas decorations. Millions of Yen are invested here every year to develop and implement the elaborate light shows. In comparison, the Christmas illuminations of German cities look sad and can not keep up with the dream landscapes of millions of small lights in Japan.
Couples and also friends begin the evening on 24.12. with a walk in the shine of the Christmas lighting. You will be accompanied by the sounds of classical music. This is followed by dinner in a good restaurant, which must be served weeks in advance. Otherwise, you may be one of the unfortunate groups who cannot get a free table due to their spontaneity.
The festivities are accompanied by a Christmas cake, which has become a tradition in Japan and is one of the two culinary cornerstones of the "traditional" Japanese Christmas meal. The basis of the baked goods here is an American recipe for a strawberry shortcake, which found its way to Japan at the end of the last century. Soon the original recipe was replaced by a sponge cake dough, which was softer and fluffier than the hard shortcake. This is served with strawberries and plenty of whipped cream. The second cornerstone of the Christmas meal on the menu is the all-inclusive Kentucky Fried Chicken package. Here, people stand in long lines in front of the American fast-food-chain to pick up their pre-ordered Christmas menu. In addition to a large portion of fried chicken, this consists of a Christmas-themed plate, a Christmas cake and a salad. According to Kentucky, this tradition was started by an American who walked into a Japanese KFC store on Christmas Eve because he couldn't find a turkey on short notice and saw fried chicken as the best alternative. The following year, Kentucky Fried Chicken had already launched its "For Christmas Kentucky" marketing campaign, ensuring that many Japanese count fried chicken as a typical Christmas meal. In addition, any Christmas costume can be found for sale in all department stores. While in Germany usually only father or grandfather dress up as Santa Claus, in Japan it is a popular tradition to show up at Christmas parties in reindeer costumes, Santa dresses or with Santa Claus masks.
As soon as the evening is over, already on December 25, all the decorations and costumes disappear from the stores and the Christmas spectacle comes to an end. Because now space must be made for the real family celebration of the country: New Year.
New Year, also called Oshôgatsu, is the biggest festival in the Japanese calendar and takes place over several days. It is celebrated in a very traditional way with various customs. Preparations usually begin as early as mid-December. Shortly before New Year's Eve, the old year is said goodbye at the so-called Bonenkai. This is celebrated with friends and work colleagues at a big party, where sins and burdens are to be left behind, so that no one does take these burdens into the new year. At the turn of the year, the Omisoka, things become quieter and more familiar. To drive away evil spirits, New Year's Eve starts with a comprehensive house cleaning. Subsequently, houses and apartments are festively decorated. Here, flower arrangements or decorations made of pine trees are used. In all Buddhist temples on New Year's Eve a chime of exactly 108 beats, which is called Oharai, is played. This is to extinguish 108 passions of the past year, so that everyone can start the new year with a free mind. On the first day of the New Year, many Japanese go to the temple with their families to pray for good luck in the New Year. In addition, traditional food such as miso soup with mochi and vegetables, tuna with sweet seaweed, fish paste, sweet potatoes with sweet chestnut and sweetened black beans are on the menu on New Year's Day. All dishes eaten on this day fall under the term Osechi. In addition, New Year cards are exchanged and sent within the family and the circle of friends and relatives. Adopted from the Chinese custom, children receive gifts of money for the New Year, which were wrapped in envelopes.
- Saori, Japan