Although Japanese are now quite familiar with images of Christmas presents being delivered by “Santa-san” (as he’s usually called) it wasn’t always that way. During Japan’s long period of sakoku (“chained country”), when the only foreigners allowed were Dutch traders in Nagasaki, Christmas was celebrated unofficially as “Barbarians’ Winter Solstice.” The starting point of Christmas as a general cultural phenomenon is said to be 1900, when department store Meiji-ya decided to expand its operations into the upscale Ginza part of Tokyo. To attract customers, they decided to decorate their store with a Christmas theme, which caused other stores to follow suit in short order. Confectionary company Fujiya introduced the British tradition of “Christmas cake” in 1910, and now millions of Japanese families reserve a cake from a cake shop or convenience store to eat on Christmas Eve each year. Christmas is seen as a fun time for families with kids, and Toys R Us has successfully trained parents and grandparents in the art of Christmas present giving. December is also a time for couples to enjoy a special night together, walking beneath the beautiful Christmas lights that sparkle in many parts of Tokyo this month. Even Akihabara is getting into the spirit, with a gorgeous Mobile Suit Gundam Christmas tree celebrating the 30th anniversary of the series.
Christmas is a time for couples to enjoy a special date together.
