KEY TAKEAWAYS

• What do Japanese do on Christmas day?

• Do Japanese celebrate Christmas in Japan?

• What is a Japanese Christmas like?

• Contact TheJEGroup! at +81.70.9041.6946 for questions on Japan

• Do Japanese people go to church on Christmas day?

Christmas In Japan: A Romantic Guide

Daniel TJ International Correspondent Tokyo, Japan

So, grab your coffee—is that a mocha? Nice choice—and pull up a chair. We need to talk about Christmas in Japan.

If you’re from the West, like me, you probably grew up thinking of Christmas as this chaotic, family-centric explosion of wrapping paper, turkey, and arguing with your uncle about politics. But here? In Japan? It’s a totally different beast.

Honestly, it’s basically Valentine’s Day 2.0. It is the date night of the year.

And if you’re looking to have a... let’s say, sexy Christmas here, you have to throw out the rulebook. Forget the ugly sweaters and the family gatherings.

This is about atmosphere, intimacy, and navigating some truly unique cultural quirks. I’ve spent enough Christmases here now to know what works and what turns into a freezing cold disaster.

Let’s start with the visuals. You can’t ignore the illuminations. I know, I know, it sounds cliché. Everyone goes to see the lights. But there’s a reason for it.

Japan doesn’t just string up a few bulbs; they turn entire districts into glittering, LED-soaked fantasies.

If you want romance, you walk through Omotesando. The trees are wrapped in this warm, champagne-gold light that makes everyone look good.

Seriously, it’s the best lighting filter you’ll ever find. Roppongi Hills is another big one—the Keyakizaka lights are stunning, with Tokyo Tower glowing red in the background. It’s iconic.

But here’s a tip from me to you: if you want to impress someone, try the Tokyo Mega Illumination at the Oi Racecourse. I know, a racecourse? Sounds weird. But the scale of it is insane.

They have these synchronized light and fountain shows that are actually kind of mesmerizing. Plus, it’s usually big enough that you aren’t crushed against a thousand other couples, which kills the mood pretty fast.

There’s something about the cold here, too. Japanese winter is crisp. It cuts right through you. So, walking through these lights isn't just about looking at pretty things; it’s an excuse. You have to hold hands. You have to huddle close to keep warm.

It’s physically engineered for intimacy.

Speaking of the cold—ice skating. I am terrible at it. Like, Bambi on ice level bad. But that’s the charm, right? There are these pop-up rinks, like the one at the Red Brick Warehouse in Yokohama or Midtown in Tokyo.

The backdrop is usually stunning. Even if you’re falling all over the place, it’s fun. And laughing together is sexy. It breaks the tension.

Now, if you want to elevate things—literally—get on a boat. A dinner cruise on Tokyo Bay on Christmas Eve is top-tier romance. Seeing the skyline and the Rainbow Bridge lit up from the water, maybe catching some fireworks... it feels luxurious.

It separates you from the chaos of the city streets. You’re in a little bubble.

Okay, let’s get to the nitty-gritty. Where are you sleeping?

This is where Japan gets really interesting. You’ve got two main routes for a sexy night: the high-end luxury hotel, or the infamous "Love Hotel."

The luxury hotels—your Park Hyatts, your Aman Tokyos—are incredible, obviously. But be warned: the prices on Christmas Eve are astronomical.

And you have to book them months in advance. I learned that the hard way one year, scrambling in November and finding absolutely nothing but a business hotel in the suburbs. Not sexy.

But then... there’s the Love Hotel.

Look, if you haven’t been to one, get the sleazy image out of your head. Modern Japanese Love Hotels (they call them "leisure hotels" now to be polite) are like adult amusement parks.

We’re talking massive Jacuzzi tubs with disco lights, karaoke machines in the room, saunas, and beds the size of a small island.

It’s an experience. It’s private, it’s anonymous (you often pick your room on a screen in the lobby so you don’t even have to face a receptionist), and it is 100% designed for a romantic night. Some of them are incredibly high-end, arguably nicer than the 5-star chains.

Plus, if you’re feeling playful, stopping by a Don Quijote store beforehand to pick up a Santa costume—or something a little more risqué—is pretty much a Christmas tradition for couples here. Embrace the campiness of it. It’s fun.

Let’s talk food. This is where I have to laugh a little.

You’ve probably heard about the KFC thing, right? That Japanese people eat KFC on Christmas? It’s true. It’s not an urban legend. People reserve buckets of fried chicken weeks in advance. Now, is a bucket of grease sexy? I’m gonna go out on a limb and say... no. Not really. Unless you’re really into comfort food comas.

But! It’s a funny memory. Maybe save the KFC for lunch.

For dinner, the pressure is high. Every French and Italian restaurant in the city will offer a "Christmas Course." It’s usually expensive and fixed. If you can snag a reservation at a place with a night view, do it. But honestly? Sometimes the best nights I’ve had were the ones where we bucked the trend.

Find a cozy Irish pub or a high-end English-style tavern. They’re warm, they usually have great roasts or stews, and the vibe is festive without being stiff.

Or, find a secluded Izakaya with private booths. There’s something very intimate about sharing small plates and sake in a little wooden booth, knees touching under the table, hiding away from the world.

And you can’t forget the sweets. Japanese Christmas cake is a religion. It’s a strawberry shortcake—white sponge, whipped cream, perfect strawberries. It’s light and fluffy. Grab one of those, or maybe hit up a specialty fruit parlor for a Christmas parfait.

These things are works of art. Layers of chocolate, fruit, cream... sharing one of those is a whole event in itself.

If you have the time, and you really want to win at Christmas, get out of the city. Go to an Onsen.

A hot spring trip is the ultimate relaxer. Booking a ryokan (traditional inn) that has a private open-air bath attached to your room... that is the peak. Imagine sitting in steaming hot water, maybe with snow falling around you, looking out at a mountain or a river, completely naked with your partner. It’s quiet.

It’s primal. It strips away all the stress of work and the city. You wear your yukata(robes) to dinner, you eat an incredible Kaiseki meal, and you just... exist together. It’s expensive, yeah, but for a romantic memory? It’s unbeatable.

Oh, one last thing. Christmas Markets.

They’ve popped up everywhere in the last few years. The one in Hibiya Park or the Red Brick Warehouse in Yokohama are great. They try to recreate Germany. It’s a bit kitschy, sure. The sausages aren't quite right, and the ornaments are pricey.

But standing there, shivering slightly, drinking hot Glühwein (mulled wine) from a paper cup? It sets the mood perfectly before you head off to your hotel.

So, that’s the playbook. It’s a mix of the super-commercial and the genuinely sweet.

My advice? Don’t try to do it all. The crowds in Tokyo on Christmas Eve can be overwhelming. Pick one or two things. Maybe the lights and a nice dinner.

Maybe just the Love Hotel and a convenience store feast (don't knock it 'til you've tried it—Japanese convenience store fried chicken is actually top-tier).

The most important part is just leaning into the fact that it’s a couples' holiday here. Don't worry about missing the family turkey.

Enjoy the fact that you have a legit excuse to be completely self-indulgent with your partner.

Buy the silly Santa hat. Drink the hot wine. Hold hands so you don’t slip on the ice. It’s a weird, neon-lit, wonderful kind of magic.

Anyway, I think my coffee’s getting cold. You ready to head out? It’s freezing out there.

Use Arrow Up and Arrow Down to select a turn, Enter to jump to it, and Escape to return to the chat.

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS? What are the visa fee's to live in Japan?