Christmas and New Year in Japan

1. Christmas and New
Year in Japan
日本の
お正月と
クリスマス
（にほんのおしょうがつ
とくりすます）

2. Christmas
 In Australia, Christmas is the biggest holiday of the year.
 What do you think is the biggest holiday in Japan?

3. New Year
 The Japanese New Year (called 'o shogatsu') is more like
a traditional Western Christmas. New year is the period
where families get together, have a special meal, pray
and send greetings cards. New year is celebrated over
five days from December 31st to January 4th and is a
very busy time.

4. Christmas in Japan
 Christmas is not widely celebrated in Japan as not many
people there are Christians. However, several customs
have come to Japan such as sending and receiving
Christmas cards and presents.
 In Japan, Christmas in known as more of a time to
spread happiness rather than a religious celebration.
 Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan, so schools
and businesses are normally open on December 25th.

5. Christmas Cake
Japanese Christmas Cake is a sponge cake decorated with trees,
flowers and a figure of Santa Clause. The traditional Japanese
christmas food is christmas cake, but it's not a rich fruit cake, but is
usually a sponge cake decorated with strawberries and whipped
cream.

6. Christmas Dinner
Fried chicken is often eaten on Christmas day. It is the busiest time
of year for restaurants such as KFC and people can place orders at
their local fast food restaurant in advance!

7. Christmas Decorations
There are lots of Christmas decorations in Japan and
particularly Christmas lights.

8. New Year
• It is during this time that family is gathered in the way expected
during Christmas in the west.
• In Japan they celebrate New Years from the 31st of Dec to the 3rd
of Jan.
• People eat osechi-ryouri which is a special New Years group of
dishes.

9. New Year Decorations
It is traditional to decorate with a kadomatsu, a pine for the gate-way.

10. New Year Traditions
On New Years Eve the local Buddhist temple will ring their bell 108
times.
Each bell rings represent a defilement people have in their minds.

11. New Year’s Cards
A big New Years tradition in Japan is giving out
nengajyou or New Years cards.
A New Years custom is giving out money to
children, known as otoshidama. They are
presented in envelopes called pochibukuro.

12. Mochi Making
Another tradition of New Years is the
making of mochi a rice dumpling.

13. Games
Some traditional New Years games include...
.
hanestuki takoage

14. Games
Some traditional New Years games include...
koma sugoroku

15. Games
Some traditional New Years games include...
fukuwarai karuta