The Unique Way of Celebrating New Year and Christmas in Japan

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As whole world is gearing up to celebrate Christmas and New Year, how could Japanese stay away from the most anticipated time of year? Japanese people are known for their big heart and the way they celebrate various festivals.

New Year is one of the significant holidays of the year in Japan and the celebration is nothing less than the champagne-popping celebration in Western countries. On this day, most Japanese people, staying away from their homes for work, return to their hometowns and share special meal with their family members. The tradition of sending greeting cards and wishing for health and happiness of the loved ones holds stark similarity with the traditional Christmas celebration in Western countries.

On the other hand, Christmas is not a national holiday in this country, as Christians make up only 2 percent of the popular. However, it does not deter Japanese people from having fun on the Christmas Day.

The holiday songs and decorations are a lot like Christmas season in Canada, though the celebration is unlike the West. Typically, friends and family celebrate and exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, as the day is considered very romantic for couples, a lot like Valentine’s Day.

Soba Noodles on New Year Eve

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There is a tradition of eating a special soba, buckwheat noodle, dish, known as toshikoshi soba. The word toshikoshi means ending of the old year and beginning of the new one, whereas the long soba noodles signify long life in the coming year. One can eat soba noodles either hot or cold on the normal days but on the New Year, people eat the dish typically in a warm broth.

Christmas Cake is Different

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Christmas is an important part of Christmas Eve tradition. While the entire world eats fruit-filled loaf, Japanese prefer to eat a vanilla sponge cake with whipped cream or ice topping. The Japan’s version of Christmas cake looks a lot like a birthday cake, except that it is generally decorated with little Santa Clauses or greetings for holidays.

Mochi Flowers are used for Decorations

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The mochibana are popular decoration during the New Year in Japan. It is made as substitute because flowers naturally do not grow in the snowy, cold regions in the winter months. Mochibana brings a little beauty of spring during the dreary winter of Japan.

Parties are About Forgetting

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Most Japanese companies hold bonenkai parties that means forget the year party. At least one bonekai is hold for the employers in the December month. This is similar to the Christmas parties in the West. During this time, co-workers indulge in heavy drinking and forget their problems, relax their usual formalities and hope for a successful year ahead.

So, when it comes to celebrating the holiday season, Japanese lifestyle and culture can be said as similar to the West.

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Reviews About Japan Help You Adjust Better on Your Visit

If you love to travel and are contemplating going to Japan on your next holiday, you have made the right choice. In Japan you will get the best of both worlds. It is full of culture and is well rooted in traditions yet extremely modern. Visiting Japan should actually be on the top of your ‘Places I must Visit’ list, if you are really passionate about travelling.

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The Land of the Rising Sun is the perfect holiday destination for people who love to explore new ethnicities. The history of the country is very rich and travellers interested in history will completely love Japan. The country is an amalgamation of antiquity and modernity. So, if you want to visit a place in the Orient which has both hills and the sea, your best bet will be a trip to Japan.

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However, as tourists we have many preconceived notions about certain countries. For example, the first time I thought of visiting Japan, I had made up my mind about the fact that I was going to have a language problem in the country, but the people of Japan, proved me wrong. Every tourist spot is full of tour guides who know both Japanese and English. So, if you want to go sightseeing, first get hold of a good guide, for they know the best places in Japan, which are truly worth a visit. The Japanese race is quite proud and some people might not be very welcoming but on the whole, the country is magnanimous.

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You might have trouble communicating at restaurants and small hotels, but with the help of sketches and hand gestures, you can overcome these small hitches. Japan is scattered with western influences; therefore a ‘westerner’ will not feel out of place in the country. They will find it easy to go about the country, buy supplies as almost everything is available in the country. To save money a tourist can purchase a Japan Rail pass. This pass will cover the entire Japanese Rail network but not the subway route in Tokyo.

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Japan is a “shopper’s paradise”. In the busy city of Kyoto, Shijo is a place where you can buy various things, both of Japanese and western origin. Tokyo is the Mecca of technology; therefore if you have to buy electronics, Tokyo is the place. Before visiting the country consider reading a travel review about Japan and Japanese life style. This will help you understand the country and its people better.

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