It's a normal working day
December 25 isn't a public holiday. Offices, schools and shops run as usual. If you want time off, book it.
Christmas in Tokyo looks familiar: lights, trees, music in every shop. But it works very differently from Christmas back home, and if you're new, it can sneak up on you. Here's what to expect, and how to make sure you have people to spend it with.
December 25 isn't a public holiday. Offices, schools and shops run as usual. If you want time off, book it.
For many people in Japan, the 24th is a romantic evening for couples: dinner out, a walk under the lights. Restaurants book up fast.
A Christmas meal of fried chicken is a real tradition here, often ordered weeks ahead, along with a strawberry shortcake "Christmas cake".
The big time for family and going home is New Year, roughly December 29 to January 3. Many places close then, not at Christmas.
No. December 25 is a normal working day in Japan. Shops and restaurants are open, and most people go to work or school as usual. The big family holiday is New Year, from around December 29 to January 3.
Christmas Eve is mostly a date night for couples, with dinner out and illuminations. Many families eat fried chicken and Christmas cake. Among friends and international residents, small dinners, parties and illumination walks are common.
Popular illumination spots include Marunouchi, Roppongi, Omotesando, Ebisu Garden Place and Tokyo Midtown. Most run from November into December; check each one's dates for the current year.
Make a small plan with one or two people a week or two ahead: a dinner, an illumination walk or a Christmas market. Many international residents are in the same position, so a simple invitation usually gets a yes.
Yes, if you want a popular restaurant. Christmas Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year for restaurants, and many book out weeks ahead.
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