Japan may not be a Christian country, but it sure as heck knows how to celebrate Christmas! Here are 5 cool things to do ’tis season!
Visit Otesuji Shopping Street!
If you want a real “local” Japan experience where you’re not obstructed by crowds of tourists but rather crowds of Japanese locals, I’d highly recommend Otesuji Shopping Street in Fushimi, Kyoto. During Christmas, the entire street is decorated with red and green colors, Xmas lights, and even little Santas running up the walls! You may even hear Christmas carols being played on the loudspeakers. Yup, Japan goes all out with Christmas festivities despite being a secular country
Order some Christmas Kentucky!
“Christmas Kentucky” is a phrase you may have heard of when it comes to Christmas in Japan. This is because instead of traditional turkey dinners, the country goes all out on roast chicken instead (likely due to turkey shortages here). At this time of year, there are many exclusive items at KFC Japan including roast chicken, red-hot fried chicken, and Christmas desserts.
Enjoy the Snow!
Snow is one of the many beautiful inclusivities that come along with Japan’s Christmas season. When you’ve lived in countries like Australia and the UAE your whole life, experiencing real snow is a unique experience! My favorite place to see the snow in Japan would have to be Nagano and its amazing Snow Monkey Park!
Buy Exclusive Xmas Goods!
Of course, it’s not Christmas without delicious desserts that let you feel the sweetness of the season! It can be a wonderful time to visit restaurants and cafes and check out the seasonal items on offer (or even convenience stores for that matter!). This amazing strawberry parfait was part of the Christmas dessert options at Hama Sushi, and boy was it a treat!
See the Yoyogi Park Xmas Lights!
Honestly, you haven’t seen Christmas lights until you’ve seen the “Shibuya Blue Cave Illumination” at Yoyogi Park in Tokyo. I was lucky to have stumbled upon this magical world by fluke as I wandered Tokyo with my friends in the Christmas season of 2018. To this day it remains my most memorable Christmas because of the sheer beauty that was exposed to my unsuspecting eyes.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!