Christmas in Japan

I don't celebrate Christmas (coz I'm a Muslim) but Christmas is a holiday in Malaysia. One thing I like about Christmas is the local toy shop usually will have sale during this time of the year :D

Makes me kinda sad when holidays become a marketing ploy to make more money. Specially when the meaning of Christmas is first and foremost a celebration of Christ and what not; but besides that, it should be a joyous time with Family and friends foremost. Really, presents aren't first in the list of important things. It's the fun to be had and all that merriment :p! Which brings me to this question: Is danny christian?

Hohoho... I see the Christmas article has finally come. It is very commericalized here, and it actually doesn't feel much like Christmas this year. I, myself, am not religous, far from. I do however luv this holiday, and spending it with friends and family.

No day off Danny? I've been off since Monday, and straight till New Years Day. No, I'm not rubbing it in, and I bet you prefer to work anyways. Make sure you at least buy your wife something nice you workaholic, so you're not in the doghouse.

So in case I don't get the chance to tell you all personally, Happy holidays Danny-san, and to all the hilarious poster to whom we all share a laugh. You know who you are you clowns. Cheers!

Christmas is a strange one for me. Im completely non-religious and a non-believer, yet i get swept up in the whole christmas thing just like everyone else!
I, personally wouldnt know the difference between christmas in japan, and in the UK at the moment. The shops are crammed with stressed out shoppers, TV is packed with christmassy adverts and films, and a general super-commercialisation feeling is apparrent everywhere!

Any chance you could do a 'new year in japan' type post in advance like this one? I wanna know what to expect when im there!

Christmas is probaly the biggest holiday there is here in denmark and while the songs we sing often are religious there is nothing religous about it really.
The reason is so big is that it is usually very cold this time of the year here in denmark and it is very cozy sitting in the house with a lot of your relatives enjoying a gorgous dinner.
I suppose almost everybody decorate there house either inside, outside or both, my father is quite fanatic about this actually i think we have 130 christmas alfs (in paper hung up) in our living room and ofcourse and christmas tree and so on.
Further more here it is a 3 day holiday consisting of christmas, 1 christmas day and second christmas day.

All the lights are up, the shops are playing "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas" (it is 24 degrees celcius), but come Christmas day everyone will go to work as usual.

Everybody celebrates Christmas, even though they might not be Christian.

I'd love to walk around the streets in Tokyo on Christmas time, looks lovely.

My Christmas goes as the following; On the day before Christmas(December 24th), My whole family comes over to my home, we spend quality time with each other, then we go to a fancy restaurant in Down Town, then we come back to my home and open/share our presents at 12:00 a.m. midnight. Then we stay almost all night partying.

Anyone else open presents @ midnight?

Christmas is big in the USA, but to me it's more of an excuse to take a day off, gorge oneself with food and get presents. People here say the meaning of Christmas is celebrating Jesus Christ and that you should be thinking of him, but honestly...is that what your seriously thinking about throughout the day? Your first thoughts when waking up are probably "I wonder what I got under the tree from Santa?"

Everyone gets Christmas off in the USA. Unless maybe if your a police officer or something around those lines.

Being a Christian myself, I totally agree with laughingman that it's a shame that Christmas has become as commercialised and materialistic as it is today.

I find it kinda funny, but also sad at the same time that the meaning of a holiday can stray so far from it's origin over the years.

Christianity is a major religion here in the Phils and christmas is a major festivity and everyone celebrates it whether a christian or not

i think the Philippines got the record for a country who celebrates Christmas the longest. People started celebrating christmas from the starting of the "-ber" months (september-october-november-december) and it ends around the end of january

MERRY XMAS EVERYBODY!!! ^____^

I think Christmas has nothing to do with religion, to my eyes is more a pagan celebration than a Christian celebration. The heart and soul of Christmas is about the art of giving your love to someone or to everyone, I kinda don't like it because people most of the time only do that in this time of the year and should do this all year.

Guys here get a day off on Christmas day but some still have to work... Well, whatever...
MERRY X'MAS Y'ALL!

I am christian and I do agree that christmas these days are about Giving and not celebrating Jesus -.-

Woohoo! A christmassy post! XD Well...my family and I DO celebrate Christmas AND New Years, and we are not religious. It's just the time of the year where we can all just sit down, and eat and talk together about god knows what. I still remember the day when my parents forgot that it was new years and my dad went to sleep, and suddenly my mom remembered so we woke him up and he was like "O Me Gosh" *0* kind of face. Hahah! yeah...the good ol' days. But for some reason this year's christmas feels NOTHING like christmas at all, but then again, neither did my 16th b-day T-T Kind of depressing, but oh well I guess. Oh! And the saddest part of all is that I'm broke! And I still have christmas AND new years presents to buy D= I'm dooooooomed!! very depressing... Good thing I have an older brother who can buy the christmas gifts! Well, enough of me. MARRY X-MAS EVERYONE!

This must be why Japan gets hit with so many natural disasters, daikaiju, and atomic bombs. Its all the work of Jesus. JC is all "People of Japan for turning my birthday into a commercial holiday without giving me any mad props I am sending my homie Gamera to lay the beatdown on your small island nation."

Everyone pretty much closes on Christmas, maybe a few restaurants are open for those who want a Christmas breakfast/lunch/dinner and don't want to cook. Either that or stores will close early.

First of, Merry Christmas and a good slide into the new year. ^o^

In germany christmas turned into an commercial thing as well. In the news they rather complain about "ohhh people don't buy so much cause no one has money" as "ohhh no one does go to the church anymore". And t his in a country with a majority of christians...

For me personaly i'm not much better, i don't go the church myself... i'm not that big of a believer and i'm just christian because my mother would "punish" me if i would not be. ;)

We usualy celebrate christmas just with a lot of good food (cooking together and such), we don't do gifts anymore since it's only my mother and me.

I don't celebrate Christmas but would really love too...
Not the party style though...
I hate seeing all the wild parties on the streets...
(On the street! Literally!)
Just a quite family dinner or a simple gathering with friends would be nice...
Sitting by the fire place, watching the first snow of Christmas...
But that's just a dream...
You'd have to be crazy to actually have a functioning fire place in your home in Malaysia...
(Unless you live up the mountains or just have it built as part of the interior design...)
And there could never be a real white Christmas here...
(Unless the pollution mess up the climate so much that it'll actually snow in tropical area... But the snow would probably be toxic...)
Anyway, just wanna wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year 2008... (^o^)/

In response to one of the earlier posts that says the poster saw Christmas as more of a pagan holiday, well, it's not :) It's the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our lord and saviour.

Here in the Philippines I remember there was a town that made it illegal to use X-Mas in any public sign, and insisted it be the full "Christmas." Sort of putting the "Christ" back in "Christmas"

Though I recall someone telling me that the celebration WAS placed on a pagan holiday, the Winter Solstice, in an attempt to make it easier for non-believers to convert. If I'm not mistaken, historically and Biblically Jesus was born sometime in March, though don't quote me on that.

It shouldn't lessen the celebration in any way, though. :) Even if you aren't Christian, the whole concept of giving and sharing I think is pretty universal. But yes, I agree that the giving and sharing should be practiced all year round.

As to how it's celebrated here, my fellow countryman already gave a good picture. We've probably the longest in the world. I know we don't take down our lights and angel decorations till after Valentine's day :D

But I've rambled enough... ^^

Merry Christmas everyone!

Nuts and butts. I just typed this huge response, but it didn't go through properly. I clicked "back" to resend, but nope. All gone.

Well, having grown up in a family where we interact with other people with different religion, I would say that I enjoy christmas (though I'm not christian). I mean it's always fun to enjoy it with other people in this festive season, I reckon ^^.

i'm not religious so I don't celebrate it, while I do see the holiday is now becoming more and more of non religious holiday. My family celebrates New Year with exchange of presents, but this is an Eastern Europe tradition.

I'm not a particularly religious person, so all Christmas means for me is two long weekends (the other for New Years) and free food when I visit the family. Honestly the holiday is more about spending a little time with the family I don't see often rather than meaningless commercialism or religious hoo-haa.

I don't celerbrate Christmas. Don't really care about it, its all a conspiracy... To me that is.

i don't celebrate christmas but it is a public holiday in singapore. most companies get half day off on christmas eve as well.

and lastly i wish everyone here a merry christmas. 圣诞快乐.

well i'm going over to hokkaido for my christmas lol..

I'm a filipino expat and I do not celebrate Christmas. I cannot support the gluttony and self-indulgence that this Hallmark holiday endorses no matter how "well-intentioned" these gestures are.

But I do observe the winter solstice! At least the sun's relationship with the earth is real.

I'm not Christian and neither are any of my relatives. Christmas is then just present exchange with friends and family feasting for a few days. I like driving around during Xmas since other drivers seem more laid back this time of year.

I love how Japan celebrates christmas, there are pretty lights and huge christmas trees everywhere.

In Singapore it's just in Orchard Road (the place where everyone goes shopping).

No one in my family is christian but we still celebrate christmas anyway - just for the fun of it ^^

I think Christmas isn't big in Chinese culture, hence I don't celebrate it, my family has never celebrated it either, even though we're Christian.

My Japanese teacher said that only 0.7 japanese were christian. He also said that KFC sells really well in this time.

lol, business opportunity, that sounds bad, but still, lol

my family members are christians.. we do celebrate christmas every year..

Merry Christmas to you Danny ;-)

i'm not christian nor my familiy. christmas doesn't affect and i don't care about it

My family only sort of celebrates Christmas because everyone will be working on Christmas this year so we did "Christmas" last weekend. I honestly don't think religion needs to be a part of Christmas to celebrate or enjoy the good times and joyment that Christmas is supposed to bring.

i go to church on Christmas day and ponder about the nature of God becoming Man, and.... thats about it. I stopped giving and receiving presents years ago. I hate all the crap people tell me how I should be nice and cheerful during the season just because its THE season. My understanding is Christmas has been severely warped over the years and has lost its true meaning which is the birth of Jesus Christ, our lord and savior (and all-around good guy and destroyer of all evil)

What did the dog say? Think I heard "show us some booby," I know that isn't right..

i'm mexican and even thought i ain't religious Christmas is the most celebrated holiday by my family and also by the country.
in my city (chihuahua,chihuahua) we had already a christmas parade and the holidays decorations by goverment where put on most of downtown.
on durango city (i go there for xmas) there is a life size birth of jesus and a mini belen stablished on the guadiana park. there really is massive amount of decorations by goverment (as well as by households) to celebrate de ocasion, we also got posadas!

My family, just like everyone around here celebrates Christmas, but I really don't care about it. It's not really Christmas anymore...it's more like an excuse for businesses to try and sell stuff.

I don't see why we need a specific day do be able to buy something for the people we care about. At the same time I don't see why we should feel that we NEED to buy them anything just because it's 'Christmas'. Every year my family nags me to make a list of stuff I want for Christmas, but it can't be very expensive, because I have a large family, so they can't afford to spend much on any one person--My thoughts on this are;

1. If it's not expensive and I want it, chances are pretty good I've already bought it.
2. Everyone's money could be better spent than burning them on miscellaneous frivolities that will likely be passed off to some one else at the next garage sale.
3. My family seems to have this odd belief that 'price' and 'value' are the same thing. Seriously, they cheap out as much as they can because there is many people to buy for. Then when the day comes around they are all bragging that their gift cost more than someone elses.

I don't buy people gifts. Never have and never will. If anyone every gets a gift from me it won't be something that came from a store and it won't be because everyone gives gifts on Christmas, it will be because they deserved it.

Hell yeah, everybody is here drunk in christmas. :D

Christmas, to me is a time for families to get together and reminisce about the past year.
who the hell am i kidding. its just another time of the year to extort presents from parents.^^
IMO, christmas is tooo commercialized these days, there is just no soul in it anymore.

I don't celebrate because I'm not a christian, I'm a moslem, and today we are having Idul Adha

I'm celebrating Christmas this year by first of all working until 2:30 (stupid Japanese companies!) and then I will be going out on a date in the evening with a beautiful, super cute girl.

THATS what Christmas is all about!

btw, I was always wondering,are most japanese atheist??
CMIIW

@Dead Snake

No, I remember reading wikipedia, it says most Japanese is Shinto, about 90% if I remember correctly.

Here's the link if you want to read it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan#Demographics

Then again, I prefer Japan to be atheist though. ^^

I lived in muslim country. So no Christmas for us. Not to mention we cant even allow to celebrate new year here. Even if we do, the police coming to raid the place up no matter its a restaurant or your home.

boring place, but i already live with it for 20+ years. LOL

I'm a Jehovah's Witness so no Christmas.

We don't celebrate Christmas (At least me and my parents).
It is a good reason for family reunion though and I am very fine when it is only about my parents and my older sister (if there is the chance).
Me? I don't need gifts and I feel fine that way otherwise. ^_^

Still it is a pretext my extended family (who are not christian either) to give/receive gifts (My cousins which are still kids/teenagers obtain costly gifts from their parents). And whenever they organize a family reunion, I grit my teeth and secretly wait for the time to pass by.
Affection for them? That is my way of showing it for those who do not deserve the true me. Diplomacy. ^^;

Sorry for the rant... And if I forget to wish it to you Ladies and Gentlemen present here when the time comes, here it is in advance:

Merry Christmas to all of you! (And yes, even if you don't celebrate it)

dont quote me on anything im gonna say but its my understanding that... as far as religion goes.. Christmas is on the wrong day. Everything that doesnt involve you doing some church/prayer related activity was adopted from from some secular idea/event to boost Christianities popularity. ie stanta presents etc..

My opinion would be that anyone who wants to celebrate xmas should go ahead and do so. Maybe all the religious aspects of the holiday should be removed all together and made into a world-like holiday since its not like the idea of families getting together is really considered bad.

@benjamin: thx for the info ^^
and look what I found

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Japan

it says :
The primary religions of Japan are Buddhism and Shintō (神道, "the way of the gods"). Most Japanese people do not believe in just one exclusive religion; instead they incorporate the features of both religions in their daily lives in a process known as syncretism.

^^;
I assume they don't really care about it

It's pretty much the same in every country in the far east. They do technically celebrate christmas, but you'll be hard pressed to find a difference between christmas day and any other random winter day. In Hong Kong, the civil servants get a holiday but all the shops, cafes, etc are still open as usual.

Advertisement No.:
1) A bank?
2, 3, 4 were fine; they got me hungry, in fact.
5 was... a bit freakish.
6... well that's fine too.

And whether you'd Christmas or no, well, I'll wish you have a merry Christmas (and buy all the cutesome figures you want; tis' the season where you can justify the spendin' o' money! ;D)

sorry for the moslem's, but the mosque in my neighborhood singing from
6 am to 6 am, i didn't even get some sleep yesterday, no offense

is this happen to most mosque (indo or no indo) yesterday?

TV, shopping center, church celebrate christmas, not as flashy as japan though
my family just having their x-mas holiday at home

Arrggg...
A local figure/toy shop just launched its Christmas sale...
Buy 3 get 1 free!
(You get to choose all four and the cheapest of the four will be free of charge!)
But I'm not gonna benefit from it, since all those that I really want are already in my home, sold out or still with the manufaturers...
Sigh...

Is a little hard to explain, but... Sorry, I HATE Chirstmas!! Nothing personal, really... Oh, well, it deserves an explanation, I suppose...

Well, I was working on supermarkets, and similar for years, and I tell you, people simply gets bersker this part of year. Where is the mensage of peace and all?? People is MORE furious that ever!! Plus, all is more expensive, not only food, the subway is aaall full of madnees people dressed with Santa`s hood, and desperatly looking for presents that cannot find beause are out of stock, and can find all the year more cheaper, and what in heel happens with mail service?! Why is soooo slow!?? AAARGH!!

This is, in sintesis, the reason why I hate Christmas...

Hendrik:

I think it didn't happen to most of the mosques...
It only happened to ALL of them...
It's Hari Raya Aidiladha...
Probably a bigger event than Hari Raya Aidilfitri in the Islamic calendar...
(Correct me if I'm wrong... I'm not a muslim... lol)

@hendrik: AFAIK yes it does happen on every mosque, it's called "takbiran(read: tuc beer-run,CMIIW)"

are u not from indonesia?

@hendrik

I sympathize, it must have been hard on you, I know how you feel since I was always (on daily basis) bothered by the mosque, too.

You know, as someone on 10 months holiday (it's gonna end on february 12, 2008), I was (probably 3 months ago) used to sleep at 4-5 am, after playing games, browsing, reading hentai manga, etc..

But I couldn't sleep because a mosque (and it's not even near my house) started to sing so loudly (they use loudspeaker). The song is called "Alllahuakbar" song, I think.

I apologize if I accidentally hurt anyone's feeling with this comment.

Cheers.

the decoration @ roppongi hill is pretty nice. I happen to gaze down from my office last week and notice those white bulb trees lined alone the walkway below, very nice ^_^

oh ya, back in singapore, the streets will be decorated with lots of xmas stuff too, we have xmas count down every year. Dun think japan have count down for xmas?

that's not a song FYI, it's Adzan, a call for pray/Sholat(we pray 5 times a day, subuh,dhuhur,ashar,maghrib,and isya')

and yes subuh is early in the morning before the sun rises

let's get back to christmas talk shall we ^^;

here in Chile, its celebrated Christmas, but the high % its chritstian too.

I'm not Christian, but some family it is, and i have no problem to share whit all =).
But i'm disagree whit the promotion of a celebration in countrys where not beleave in this same religion, and only use for marketing, it's bad to the original's culture rescue.

I would say the majority of Americans celebrate Christmas too. Unfortunatly, worldwide Christmas is being stripped of all religious meaning- which I find extremely disappointing.

I'm interested though, do people actually "celebrate" Christmas in Japan by having parties, jolly and good will to all men, etc? Or is it just buy a present and move on? Either way those christmas lights look beautiful!

I celebrate Christmas...but not in a religious way...
It's just an excuse for me to blow my pay on toys

Yes I celebrate the winter solstice, also the birthday of Ishtar and more recently Jesus. It helps that I'm somewhat of an unrepentant materialist though. My family is Christian so it is a good excuse to party and give/get presents, and being an only child, I get more and don't have to spend as much money. Though I do think Saturnalia would be more fun, it had gambling and drinking and public nudity (I guess that wouldn't work in Canada at this time of year anyways)

If there is commercialism, there will also be also Christmas... and Valentine's day.

like others latin americans post down, the xmas can be the most religios thing in the year or not. But yes here in Mexico is common to see stables outside and things like that.

And yes the problem is that USA suprass frontiers and xmas is too much comercial and that, Is a world problem

christmas is out of control!
it needs to stop.

i agree with squee, i'm not really into Christmas if i celebrate it it's only because for me it's a good excuse to buy figures and stuff!!!

ppl rarely celebrate christmas in indo, well, not celebrate it in the house

and for friggin 17 years i have life in indo, there's no friggin natural snow!

my family celebrating christmas only when i'm still like elementary, which where most of my cousin usually gather at my house, some of them take a night at my home and we play with each other

how i miss elementary....

@deadsnake
i live in indo, never last more than 2 week in "other world"(other country)
i rarely checked calendar, so i never remember which day is religious day.

what i only remember is: my birthday (17th august, ho ho ho), christmas, hero's days (10 oct), and new year

Nowdays, Christmas is more like an excuse to gather the family, exchange presents, have a rest and a good time...

Brazil is a Christian country, so yeah, lots of people still celebrate it for it's original meaning... with the birth of Christ and all... but not many people I know particularly.

But I don't really care. I think most holydays are exactly for that: To take a break from your usual routine.

In a recent survey here in the US, the majority of people said the best part of Christmas was "to be with relatives" and the worst part of Christmas was "to be with relatives"! LOL

@D_Blade, you wished all the ladies and gentlemen merry christmas, but you forgot about me! lol.

@FatBastard, merry X-Mas to you too.

Im not Christian,.. or do I have any religious affiliation for that matter, .. but on Christmas we make it a point to spend time with my family, and my gf's family so we will appreciate everyone more.. and by "appreciate" I mean "try not to kill". Yes, family can be irritating.. but then, Im sure they feel the same way about you.

"Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family ........in another city.
George Burns (1896 - 1996)"

Merry Christmas to everyone! Even if you dont celebrate it, just take a couple seconds to appreciate each other, even the oddballs that post comments on DChoo. You guys (and gals) are great, look forward to talking to you all more.

Hey Danny! Merry Christmas! Hey DRAGUN and D_Blade! Merry Christmas guys! Hey everybody! Merry Christmas! I can't force any of you to have a good time but the least I can say is we all have a reason for good cheer this time of year. So with that, you all have a good night (and day of course).

ahh pretty lights
I've always wanted to visit Japan during christmas, but haven't been able to get the chance :( For the moment I've only gone either at the end of summer or beginning of summer. Ah well...someday!

happy holidays

Jonny Boy, Merry X-Mas in advance to you too!

Hey DRAGUN, you're not a gentleman or a lady? Are you then an evil entity that likes to warn about the risks of eating halibut and singing "ba la ba ba ba" once in awhile?
If no, no worries.
If yes, no worries.
If you don't know, I can worry. ^^;
Merry X-Mas to you still!

Ok, I can't resist it any longer. Nothing about Christmas has changed. It's what we have allowed it to become in the secular world and in our hearts. Christmas will always be the same, even if we remove it from the secular tomorrow, a celebration of the birth of Christ. Well you can throw stones now if you want. ^^;

That aside, I find it wonderful that the spirit of what Christmas is all about is in the actions of those who aren't Christian.

Yes, I'm Roman Catholic so Christmas is an important part of the year for me and I do celebrate it. I give gifts, send cards and all the other activities that are associated with the season. I also remember and celebrate the true meaning...

Merry Christmas everyone!

@hendrik: you're born on 17th of august?? your parents must be a nationalist or somethin to give birth to you at that day LOLz

AFAIK,
christmas in here aren't usually celebrated by giving presents or something like christmas tree but ppl go to church.

the girl in the pepsi commercial is really really hawt as hell lawl

@Dragun Thx! Merry Christmas to you too. May your girl jingle your bells, and you deck her halls. I'm soooo festive this time of year... yeah, baby!

Christmas is a public holiday here, but still, some people is still working if not, the street and all will be life-less.

My family only order the christmas version pizza from pizzahut =.=; no gatherings, no presents, no greetings. I just reward myself with a figure^^

Even if you're not a christian, you can and you should celebrate christmas, any religion. I mean, living in this world is to be happy yeh? Why care for so much?

Merry Christmas ALL!!~ look out for sky-falling figures lol

@FatBastard, I hope she doesnt deck my bells! Ba la ba, ba la ba, ba la ba ba ba!* Id hit it!

(*sung to the tune of Jingle bells)

@D_Blade, I think we all know the answer, so I will leave it at that.

Christmas is a public holiday here, and it's very much celebrated here. Many people get christmas trees and some decoration in and outside the house.

Only, I want some snow for christmas, there hasn't been a white christmas here in quite some years.

Oh, the other Malaysians here are so lucky to have a figure sale on Christmas which is not in my area.

Even though there is no snow, we're expecting rain this Christmas.
I'm a Christian so I celebrate Christmas but of course, anyone can celebrate it.

Not compulsory but I think it's appropriate for Christians to spread the true meaning of Christmas (Jesus coming to this world to die for our sins, sorry if I get too religious).

Christmas is about birth of Jesus which, so many people here also take for granted it's the season of the fat guy in red suit that works only on Christmas night.

Speaking of that, anyone who visit dannychoo.com still believe in Santa Claus?

We celebrate christmas here once the "ber" months starts. The ambience just changes whenever it's that time of the year again.

Most employees in my country enjoy their leaves at this time to celebrate christmas in their hometowns. Usually people here take two weeks off if they're working away from home, else you only have 2-3 days off. heheh. ^^

Christmas is very much celebrated here. The last day of school is the whole school going to church. This may seem a bit odd for a not very religious country, but I guess it's just a sort of old tradition.

Until a few years ago we celebrated Christmas at home, but as I got older we stopped celebrating it.
On my primairy school we always went to church with Christmas, but I personally never felt and still don't feel any need to do all kinds of relegious things with Christmas.

x'mas is important event for lovers in jpn
(and family with little child)
(nothing feel about Religion)

in the theater,Theme park,famous street,
Restaurant,cafe...etc
there everywhere with lovers!!

its mean if youre single at x'mas
it make youre feel so lonely

if snow drops at day24,25(eve is important event day than day 25 in jpn)
its white X'mas....Precious times if snow drops December24,25 at Tokyo. lovers always welcome it.

in hokkaidou it is not precious because always snow drops at winter day.

in okinawa never snow drops.

in tokyo sometimes snowdrops at winter
so if snow drops at X'mas its feel real special day!

(excuse about my poor engrish if you mind)

I've worked on Christmas before when I worked at a movie theater. For the most part, people have Christmas off. 7-11 employees, though, are screwed. - So, from what I've gathered, Japan celebrates Christmas like the US celebrates Halloween.

Of course here in the states it's everywhere.Though I don't celebrate Christmas, I still take advantage of the sales and enjoy the fact that people make a concerted effort to be nice to one another if only for a brief period, once in a while I give gifts though, in the non religious sense.

When it comes to Christmas in the city, not only do you get lights but also a damn lot of traffic. A business opp indeed.

I could care less about Jebus.

But I'm a huge fan of sparkling lights, days off work, presents, and family hang outs.

Just to make one thing clear... :P Christmas begun with the romans celebrating the day of Saint Nicolas which is now known as Santa Claus he had a reputation for secret gift-giving, this so called celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ came only in the 16 or 17th century so said one pope which I don't remember the name. Christmas is very well known as a pagan celebration not a Christian celebration but there is still must discussion but I believe in Christmas as a pagan celebration.

Saint Nicholas Day is a festival for children in much of Europe related to surviving legends of the saint, and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts. The American Santa Claus, as well as the Anglo-Canadian and British Father Christmas, derive from these legends. "Santa Claus" is itself derived from the Dutch Sinterklaas.

The history of the festive Saint Nicholas celebration is complex and reflects conflicts between Protestantism and Catholicism. Since Nicholas was a canonised saint, Martin Luther replaced the festival that had become associated with the Papacy with a Christkind ("Christ child") celebration on Christmas Eve. The Nicholas celebrations still remain a part of tradition among many Protestants, albeit on a much smaller scale than Christmas. The Protestant Netherlands, however, retain a much larger Saint Nicholas tradition. Many Catholics, on the other hand, have adopted Luther's Christkind. (taken from wiki)

This article reminds me of how Christmas really went downhill for me over the years.
I don't really celebrate it anymore, but I'm hoping this year now that I have my own income I'll be able to try and get my family back into it. Decorating and what not.
Tokyo looks amazing during Christmas time. Absolutely breathtaking.
My first day working was on Christmas as well. Everybody treated me like dirt though for some strange reason. Seems like the holidays aren't as friendly anymore too.

The day to get three "snow cans" for 10 bucks and unleash your creativity on unsuspecting cars parked beside the roads... ;)

KENTUCKY CHRISTMAS !

Had to do it =D

But It doesn't surprise me that only 1% of japenese are christian and yet everyone celebrates.
Lets face, a good majority of folk in the US these days are Agnostic, yet they still celebrate it.

We're not Christians, but since everyone else does it we just followed their lead. Plus, Australia is a multicultural country... so we celebrate quite a lot of other cultural festivities.
We used to celebrate Christmas back when I was much younger. It was so fun helping out setting up, decorating the tree and hanging up lights. The last celebration we had as a family was about 4 years ago when my relatives hosted a BBQ at their house. All the children planned secretly all these games and events for the parents to fool around for the night. It was a great success, we had fun preparing it, parents had fun playing around.
I really miss those times.
Since Christmas is a public holiday in Australia, instead of celebrating the old way, we would just go out to the beach or something instead.

Wow... still thinking of business when its really a religious holiday. Well its no better here. In Toronto, it is a considered to be a holiday. Schools get two to three weeks off for Christmas + New Years though it isn't necessarily celebrated in the traditional manner. It is often just a ploy to get people shopping like mad. By overlooking the business and shopping aspect of Christmas, it is nice to actually get a break from school work. Some people may have work depending on what kind of job they have. They are usually compensated by 1.5 pay or something if they work the day of a holiday. With the current state of Christmas, it feels kind of butchered...

As far as i now many japanese do celebrate Christmas although in a different manner.
I never bothered looking into it but i'll be posting articles regarding Christmas traditions till Dec 25 so i'll be discussing them ^^

I celebrate christmas, together with my boyfriend. We'll visit his parents (my Dad is going to be on a holiday trip) and have dinner with them <3

in my country we celebrate xmass and its great, but the last years our president chavez...if you know him XD tried to teke off all the stuff like santa, snow and US things that arent really tradition of our culture...but... didtn work XD

Nobody in my family is particularly religious, but we celebrate the holiday season with gifts and gatherings with friends and family. A typical Christmas will encompass gifts in the morning and drinking and karaoke with friends in the evening.

Now, I'm off to get a mobile phone, a X-mas cake, some KFC, gin, and portable gaming system.

you don't have to be religious to enjoy a holiday. ^^

In Czech, we celebrate Christmas a lot. In all the shopping centres, there is Xmas decoration already and in the centre, there are Xmas Markets. But, it's not regarded as a religious event by majority, coz Czech is the most atheistic country in the world (I'm not sure about this statement, our teacher told it).
I think that you don't have to be Christian to celebrate Xmas in the modern way. Our family are not Christians but we celebrate, have a Xmas tree, have the Xmas Dinner on Christmas Eve, then we exchange presents right after the dinner. Yes, on the 24th's evening and not on the 25th's morning. It's normal here.
I know only a few people going to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. I don't even know when the mass takes place.

my country being multi-religious, i used to celebrate almost all types of religious festivals when i was a kid. seems kinda pointless now and a waste of time and money. i sleep late on those holidays "_"

I celebrate christmas for the sheer fun going out with friends and window shopping.X_X. Then we'd all hang out and play video games all rest of the day.

Christmas is celebrated but the whole theme of "not just receiving but giving because it's nice" dwindled as siblings age. Presents are not much of a suprise anymore and when it comes to clothes, you shop with your parents, choose what you like, and regret having to wait until the 25th to wear it.

I think that Christmas can be considered just as much a cultural as religious celebration in Canada. Culture tends to have religion interwoven, but even when the outward display of religion is removed, the cultural aspects can persist.

Christmas started officially today here. But the "spirit" came one month ago, when the "X-mas sales" season started XD

>Is Christmas a public holiday in your region?
Yes it is, but as in Japan, it is recognized more as a day of celebration, peace (and business opportunity of course) rather than important religious holiday.

Indeed, Each year, I celebrate Christmas with my friends and my family ^^

They sure do amazing christmas lights in Tokyo, if you get a chance Danny check out Shinjuku Southern Terrace - it's amazing! and Krispy Kreme is there too :)

Celebrate Christmas and students get a Christmas break, although they now call it winter break to be politically correct. It's kind of stupid because everyone knows we're getting the break because of Christmas and not because it's winter or Kwanzaa or whatever.

Mmmm, finally it's December again. I'm probably as far from religious as you get, but I still love Christmas. There's nothing quite like sitting inside, eating Christmas goodies and drinking hot juice or mulled wine while watching the snow outside and listening to good music or playing a nice game. Aaahhhhhh, I love this season ^^

I enjoy Christmas, but it's a secular holiday for me. New Year's Day is the religious holiday. ^^

To me Christmas is is all about tradition, I don't care about presents and stuff but I love to spend Christmas Eve's evening with my family, eating traditional dishes which my mom makes only this one time in the year, feel the smell of Christmas tree and sing REAL carols (not this awful English Christmas SONGS). I hope this year a snow will fall cause without it, Christmas loose a half of it's magic, stupid global warming how dare you to ruin my favourite holiday...

I'm a Christian and Christmas did first began with the birth of Jesus Christ where the shepherds brought presents to him, hence the presents during birthdays and Christmas.
Very sad that people now days use it as a public holiday in most areas, even x'ing the "Christ" out.
Oh well i think people should have the free will to celebrate Christmas too.

For my circle of family and associates, it's less Christmas than Yuletide, and New Years is rapidly becoming the gift-giving day.
This satisfies everyone best, given diversity of belief, without disrespect for any one of the religious holidays of the season.

2 years ago I celebrated Christmas in a japanese fashion way. Kimonos, sushi and sake. But even if I'm not very religious, I tend to celebrate Christmas in some traditionnal ways. I just love yuki (snow) and love to take walks outside at night in the month of december while it's snowing. It's kinda magic... Well, enjoy your holidays everyone!! Merry Christmas to you all!!

I celebrate Christmas but not because it's religious. I celebrate Christmas because it's a great opportunity to get together with my relatives.
I think everyone can celebrate Christmas whether or not you are religious.
Here in Sweden Christmas is a public holiday for everyone.

The best thing about Christmas is the food.
In Sweden we eat meatballs, sausages, potato gratin with sardelles, Christmas ham etc.

What do you eat for Christmas?

I celebrate it. I buy presents for my family and make cards for them, sometimes for some friends too. I don't go berserk over it but, I enjoy it. I like that it's just me and my family too. Wouldn't want to go to any relatives places. -_-' (I am Christian so, I celebrate it for that too.)

My husband and I celebrate Christmas, but I guess the Japanese way w/o any religious meaning. He is Buddhist (Japanese) and I am Jewish...

Christmas lost almost all its meanning when I started working retail (walmart) during my college years. Now I just don't care. It's another nice day to hang out with the folks and have a good time but it doesn't have anything to do with Religion and all it's tradtional values anymore.

Every year Christmas seems to get less about the religious aspect or even your fellow man in England and more about just gifts. Even with all the lights, adverts, shops etc I do not think that I have heard or seen one thing about Jesus, which it is supposed to be about at the end of the day. I am not religious by any stretch of the imagination, but it really does feel that the meaning of the holiday has changed since when I was younger

Christmas is more funin england but is starting to become couroupt and about money and money

don't celebrate it anymore... i mean i got to this Christmas partys an such but when it comes to the Christian part no way. i moved away from that madness long time ago...

Christmas is celebrated at my house. I was raised as a Catholic and I do think people who do not follow the Christian religion should still enjoy the festivities. Here in Toronto we do have both the commercial side to things as well as the religious aspect fully displayed. In Canada we have two holidays around the same time. December 25th, and 26th which we call Boxing Day, where it is similar to Black Friday in the US, Cheap shopping discounts! Merry Christmas everyone & Happy Holidays! {^^}

Christmas is the best time of the year imo...even though it has been commercialized it is still a great time to hang out with friends and family that you don't see often...gotto love xmas commercials btw...haha

We celebrate much, as in whole village; could join even a stranger. :D

My family don't exactly celebrate christmas specifically, we celebrate the holidays and new year. Like most Chinese people there's gatherings between families that lasts for many hours.

Like many others here, I celebrate Christmas with my family as a holiday but not religiously. I used to attend a Catholic school and there'll be more Christ related stuff there.

Looking at the picture here as well as some Shibuya pictures my friend in Japan just post, I noticed that they use a lot of blue and white lights there. What happened to red and green?

I sort of celebrate it. I'm an atheist, and both my parents and grandparents are agnostic, but a lot of the traditions got carried over. Except for the whole going to church bit, since we'd all probably burst into flame.

we are not celebrating Christmas here, for our family Christmas is not Christian. It just like every Sunday holiday. Nothing changes except TV show ^^

Pretty much the same with us. Though we do have more Christians that celebrate religiously. Most others just use this opportunity to have fun :D

I actually vastly prefer the commercial, "festive" side of Christmas over the solemn religious side, although that's probably just me being atheist. As far as I'm concerned, though, you're free to celebrate it however you want, with or without religion; I don't think there's really a wrong answer either way.

And besides, I like my Christmas break XD

i still believe in Santa.....

I celebrate Christmas but i do not enjoy it as much as i used to when i was younger. The irony is that i can't even enjoy it now a years because of the slow business at work, and well, i earn hourly wage and the month of December is the month i miss a lot of hours. Sometimes the monthly salary i make on the side besides my hourly wage saves me but it's not even a decent salary. It's salary i get for doing management work. I'm not an official manager where i work but i can perform the duties of one.

CAN'T wait for christmas sale stuff!!!!!!

When there's a holiday what's not to celebrate? XD

Our family does not really celebrate Christmas but we ofcourse spend time together around Christmas time and have dinners and activities together. Christmas lights are nice, its wonderful to see a whole street fill with them. Tokyo lights are nice reminds me of HK lights ^^

I am not Christian but I celebrate Christmas. I think when I live by myself, however, I will no longer celebrate it. For me, it is special only because of snow, pretty lights, and warm memories with family.

celebrate, and broke because of all the gift shopping :D

I wish we had some Christmas lights where I live. It's so dark and dreary compared to other places.

Funny thing is that people believe that Christmas, as a whole, is a Christian holiday. But in all truth, a majority of the practices are not Christian in origin.

Gift giving, Christmas trees, and even Santa Claus are of different religious origins. And I think seeing it as the one holiday that everybody, regardless of religious belief, can celebrate in unity... Of family, friends, neighbors, Jedi, Sith, and Stormtroopers alike. :3

And sorry Danny, I tried to get you the kind of cloning facility seen in Episode II, but I found out that they don't plan to go Mac until 2009 or 2010.

Since Christmas is a holiday in the US, it's one of the rare times family members scattered around the US have the time to gather and eat together. We generally eat after the day's passed, however, since traditional X-mas food and desserts tend to get discounted then, heh.

This year... my Christmas holiday might be not too festive due to restraints in various things and well, my responsibilities that isn't carried over evenly. I'm not too fond of the commercial side of Christmas since it makes it seem like you 'have' to get a present for someone. I rather see fun spirits without having to feel like you need to get something. Plus, that will be more pleasant memories that way (hopefully)~

i think anyone can join the festivities. sure christmas has a religious basis but its really about the corny stuff like being with family, appreciating people you love by giving them gifts, the awesome food, and showing kindness to strangers. Other cultures and religions can join because they allow foreigners to join, just like how the japanese allow gaijin to dress up and join in japanese festivals? i like seeing different cultures and people of different beliefs experience foreign holidays with an open mind and good intentions. merry christmas everyone

hmmm.. christmas seem to be more like valentine's day in there~

we celebrate chrsitmas too. Some activites include the christmas eve mass and noche buena (christmas meal)

Celebrate Christmas?

well, for that we'd have to define which 'Christmas' you may be refering to.
1. Birth of Jesus, Saviour of the world, etcetcetc (i can go on for 2hrs of theology, but i wont)
2. The end of the year where it's a time to splurge on yourself and others and generally 'feel-good'

Well, i definitely am sick of option 2 so go figure.
iRage during christmas time at the lost meaning - especially at Japan where the meaning does not even exist in the slightest.

Honestly I haven't had the opportunity to celebrate xmas in awhile.
This year will be a bit different (yay i get to spend time with someone, huzzah!) ^_^
*oopsy there goes my poll answer

Christmas is for everyone and that the true meaning of it.
I doesn't matter if you celebrate it for religious purpose or for business purpose.
As long as you truly celebrate from your heart, then its for you.
Merry Xmas
Now i wish it would snow....yea maybe in my fridge..

'Tis a little out of cycle for my season's greetings, but better while the iron's hot, eh?

Happy Xmas to all, from me and the cat that's doing her best to obst

'Tis a little out of cycle for my season's greetings, but better while the iron's hot, eh?

Happy Xmas to all, from me and the cat that's doing her best to obst

I think its ussually to find trees with christmas lights on them.

I'm atheist so I only interested in Xmas gift, candies and typical Italian cakes (Panettone, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panettone, and Pandoro, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandoro).

Well this seems a bit sad, because in Europe for many people this holiday is a very particular one and has a deep religious meaning. For them to hear that, in Japan it only means business, would be probably quite wrong. I, personally, am not a Christian, but I respect the tradition I was brought up in and after finding out that, the japanese don't give a damn about the religious value of this holiday, I didn't have any thoughts on the issue. I mean, that I just can't imagine Christmass without any symbolic meaning behind it, even if you don't belive in it, then it only turns out to be a waste of time for you, because of all the preparations T.T
Christmass is a public holiday in my country. And I don't think you have to be a Christian to enjoy it, but that you should know the origins of this (as well as every other, if you participate in them) holiday.

And now a bit off side question, are there many companies in Japan, that have around 30-40% of the staff members Gaijin?

I always see xmas in japan as being with your special someone that or i ve seen too much anime.

Here in Finland it's the same as anywhere else in Europe me thinks. It's commercial, people want to make money out of it, and it's the primary objective! The Fins believe Santa is from Finland, Lapland to be precise, and even have a theme park in Rovaniemi. XD http://www.santaclausvillage.info/ if you want to take a look at it. And more at http://www.santaclauslive.com/main.php?kieli=eng

But we have Christmas holiday of course, and at Christmas most of the people will spend some time too at sauna! :D It's also pretty standard to visit family and eat dinner. And drink some more...

I believe religous people should celebrate Christmas because of their beliefs, but I also believe that people who are not religous should also celebrate it, because it is important to give out gifts etc., it makes you less self centered, and spending money on other people is a great way to build your personality.

Im not down with all the commercialisation though, that sucks.

They celebrate because it means business and more business. After all, Xmas was invented for that (and a lot other dates like that too).

i dont like christmas, and I do like japan
one more reason =D

i do celebrate christmas ^^ hopefully i get something this year hehe around here Christmas is a matter of bussiness and also a religious thing

I do celebrate Christmas and was raised Catholic. Its a big deal where I come from.

This year though. I have duty so I will be standing watch on the ship all day. Got New Years off though. Nice trade off considering my family is several thousand miles away.

Here we do celebrate Christmas. It's a public holiday and I think that one shouldn't necessarily be religious to enjoy the festivities. To be with your folks and friends, having some tasty meals around you, laughing and all - that's what counts!

P.S. By the way, what did that dog say in the first advertisement?

pretty much its a fad for most people in Asia, Christmas is nothing but a big commercial holiday, In america, real gathering of family is Thankgsgiving, Christ wasn't even born on Christmas, so its just bull that its a religious holiday

Merry Christmas y'all!

I came across this site looking for info about Christmas in Japan as my students are studying Japanese culture right now. I was saddened by some of the posts on here. Mainly because I can relate. I went out the day after Thanksgiving and bought a ton of gifts for my kids despite the fact that my husband and I said we were going to keep it minimal. I took all but three gifts for each child back and was refunded the money. It's so easy to get caught up in the materialism of Christmas. Satan is good at taking what is intended to be a beautiful celebration and lessening the value and impact of it. My children each get three gifts to represent the gifts Christ received at his birth and we do acts of service for family, friends and strangers as a way of demonstrating Christ's love. It is not about my love for other people, it is about Christ's love. The love that compelled Jesus to die on a cross so that we would be saved from an eternity of hell. His birth should be celebrated because it represents the promise of salvation that came through Him. Okay, I'll get off my soap box. Merry CHRISTmas to you and yours. I pray that CHRISTmas finds you well and that your heart is filled with rememberence of a sovereign God who loves you deeply.

I only have a BIG BIG dinner with my family and a little present exchanging with some friends ^^;

I don't celebrate christmas but love to see the happyness

I WANT TO GOTO JAPAN DURING XMAS!! CRIES*

To the believers and non believers..

Merry Christmas!!

私は逆に外国ではクリスマスが国民的な休日だなんて知らないまま、初めての外国旅行を、２００１年のクリスマスの時期にアメリカへ短い旅行に出かけました。
９１１事件のすぐ後の時期だから、警戒体制があふれるロスのダウンタウンを一人歩いていて、ちょっと高層ビルの中のトイレを借りるにも、ビルの入り口で大きな体の黒人の警備員さんに怪しまれてパスポートを見せたり、私への警戒が解けたら、たかだかトイレなのに、エレベーターを乗ってその警備員さんがわざわざ高層階のトイレまでエスコートしてもらいドキドキした事が印象的です。
また、アメリカ全体が休日だと把握できてないまま気まぐれで一人ぽつんと米国に乗り込んでしまったので、１２月２３日の午後に空腹で、片言の私でも気軽に食べ物が買えるファーストフード店を見つけようとしたのですが、ファーストフードのメッカの国のアメリカなのに、なかなか開いている店が見つからず、「多分９１１のせいなのだろうか」と思いつつ、ビジネスマンばかりで観光ムードゼロの、西新宿のような高層ビルが建ち並ぶ、ロスのダウンタウンの中をぐるぐる歩きまわり、やっとビルの地下に開いているバーガー屋さんを見つけ、バーガーを女一人の私が買い求め、その場で店が用意してある椅子に座って食べようとした時の店員さんたちの私を見る目がとてもいぶかしそうに見ていたので、ジロジロ見られて私はドギマギしてバーガーを食べていました。
私以外誰も座っていない・・・店員はまだ午後の明るい時間なのに、椅子をテーブルに上げ始め、大掃除を始めるではないか・・・。
私が片言の英語で「もう閉店ですか？」みたいな事を聞いたら、よけいにびっくりしていた。
日中なのにどこの店もシャッターがおり、開いていたそこのバーガー店の客が少なすぎるムードと閉店準備が私は心配になり、”もしかして”と思い、直接そこの店員に片言の英語で「アメリカはクリスマスはナショナルホリデーなのですか？」とズバリ聞いてしまいました。
怪しい人間に思われないように「私は昨日日本から初めてアメリカへ来たばかりで、日本ではクリスマスは皆働いているので・・・」と私自身の事情を説明すると、店員さんたちは「日本人はクリスマスでも働くのか？」と余計にびっくりしていました・・・。片言で話しているうちに、ようやく店員さんたちは私がアメリカに来たばかりで、慣れていないのでアメリカのクリスマスらしからぬ過ごし方をしている外国の旅行者という事を理解してくれたようでした。

その翌日のクリスマスイブはオレンジ郡付近のディズニーランドに行きたいと思っていましたが、日本であればクリスマスシーズンは商売側にとって客をrushの書き入れ時だというのに、アメリカに来て当日行く前にディズニーランドですらお休みと初めて知り、予定を変更して、アメリカのクリスマスの様子を見るため、バスに乗って郊外のショッピングモールへ行き、大きなツリーの写真を撮ったりしてアメリカの家族たちが日本の大晦日のように賑やかに買い物していた様子を見て思った事は、たぶんアメリカのクリスマス＝日本の正月、という事で合点がいき、そうに違いないと私は思いました。

日本の正月の時期だって、日本全体が休日で、元旦は店はどこもシャッターが下り、人々は家族が集まって家で祝うのが一般的だから、大晦日の大掃除間際のバーガー屋さんで、女一人ポツンと居座っているのは、怪しまれるし、あの時のアメリカ旅行で怪しい目で見られたのは、こういう事だったのかなと、時がたって理解できるようになりました。

I was celebrated Christmas, but now i don't celebrate Christmas because I'm Buddhist now. But i still wish get a Christmas presents. ho..ho..ho..Merry Christmas!!