Here in Japan it’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas, or as it’s known locally, Kurisumasu. In addition to being an important day for the 1% or so of Japanese who are Christians, December 25th in Japan is a festive time when children look forward to a special present from “Santa-san” and couples plan a romantic dinner together. Just as Japanese cities compete against each other to make the prettiest sakura displays in April, they work hard to create beautiful lit-up areas for couples to walk through — some of the best can be founded in Shinjuku, Ginza and the Roppongi Hills area. For a gaijin expat living in Japan, nothing says “Christmas” like being asked to play Santa Claus and hand out presents to children, and I’ve donned the red suit and fake beard many times. At one visit to a preschool operated there was a question-and-answer period when kids could ask me anything they wanted. One asked, “Santa-san, what’s your favorite food?” and I kind of freaked him out by answering “reindeer hamburger steak.” Then there was the year I was asked to play Santa for a Buddhist preschool near J-List, which was kind of odd since you don’t normally associate festive Christmas icons with Buddhism. The kids sang Christmas songs while holding candles and lotus flowers, though, and we all had fun.
Christmas in Japan is a happy time for couples and foreigners dressed like Santa-san.
