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.)
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).
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
This is great! We do Christmas Around the World each year too. (Well, this is our third year.) Anyway, we've never done India or Japan. They might be good ones to add in this year.
ReplyDeleteWe're having fun with it!
DeleteI'm so glad you're sharing these. My plan for the school year was world geography, but we sidetracked it due to lack of mommy energy. Now I have great ideas for next year!! Your ideas will go perfectly with the Friend's calendar for the rest of the month.
ReplyDeleteYes, we've got the Friend calenfar laminated and on our wall! Ready to go!
DeleteHow great! Love this fun idea. My son isn't a big craft person but he does love learning about other countries so maybe this will convince him to make crafts with us:)
ReplyDeleteGuy put angry ninjas on his garland yesterday! Boys! ! Haha
DeleteThis was a fun one for me to read since my son will be in Japan for Christmas. We've heard that people there stand in long lines at KFC on Christmas day to get an "American" meal for the "American" holiday. How funny it is to me that they consider it an American holiday.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I had read that too about KFC! Yum, I'd love it there! ;)
DeleteThanks for sharing a little about Christmas in Japan. I think it is awesome that you are teaching your children about Christmas in other cultures.
ReplyDeleteBlessings for a wonderful week!
Thanks, LeAnn!
Deletelearning lots!
ReplyDeleteAnd having lots of fun!
DeleteDelicious cake and mind blowing Christmas Tree. Great. I like the style of celebrating Christmas in Japan. Christmas celebrations around the world
ReplyDelete