Christmas in Japan

The next country we are visiting in our trip around the world is Japan. We were all interested to discover that kids in Japan often go to school on Christmas Day, because Christmas is not a national holiday.

Although not many people are Christian in Japan, many people have adopted Christmas traditions, such as putting up Christmas trees and exchanging gifts. Christmas in Japan is considered a time to make others happy. (Japanese New Year celebrations are more akin to Western Christmas celebrations where they spend time with family, have a special meal, pray, and send greeting cards.)
One Christmas food that you will see in Japanese bakeries around Christmas time is a white, round, Christmas cake decorated with strawberries, whipped cream, and ornaments (usually ornaments of Santa).
Our children really enjoyed devouring this delicious cake after we came home from Guy's school music concert last night!

We also made these traditional Japanese fans which people use to decorate Christmas trees in Japan, along with dolls, tiny candles, and wind chimes.
By the way, if you were wondering how to say "Merry Christmas" in Japanese, you'd say "Meri Kurisumasu" (pronounced: meh-REE kur-i-sue-MAH-sue!)

And children wake on Christmas morning hoping to find gifts from "Santa Kurohsu" (pronounced koo-ROW-sue).

For more information on Japanese Christmas celebrations see whyChristmas.com
Meri Kurisumasu!

Find out about More Christmas Traditions from Around the World:

Christmas in India
Christmas in Japan
Christmas in Nigeria **I love to read YOUR COMMENTS! Thanks for leaving one: http://beinglds.blogspot.com**