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The winter holidays can be one of the hardest times to be away from home, especially for Westerners. Japan celebrates Christmas very differently from the traditions that we might be used to, which is why we’ve put together this article to show how the Go! Go! Nihon team celebrates the holidays in Japan. Let’s take a look at the different ways we make Japan our home away from home during the holiday season.
How do I recreate holiday traditions from home?
Movies, decorations, and cozy rituals
Malia, our Blog Manager from the US, says, “I like to watch Elf, put up decorations, and even dress my Baby Yoda up in a Santa costume every year.”
Mégane, our Graphic Designer from France, likes to listen to Christmas playlists to feel festive. And Sean, one of our Student Advisors who is half Japanese half British, likes to put up a Christmas tree in his home.
Lisset, our Web Developer from Cuba and the US, keeps cultural traditions alive by opening presents at midnight on Christmas Eve.
Bringing familiar food and celebrations to Japan
Secret Santa is a fun and thoughtful way to spread some holiday cheer with friends, family, or colleagues during the season. It’s a simple tradition that brings people together and adds a little surprise and excitement to the holidays.
Crystal, our Study Trip Programs Lead, likes to host holiday parties with Christmas-themed crafts, good food, and mulled wine. She even brings tasty treats into the office for her lucky coworkers!
Finding festive spirit in Japan
Christmas markets and winter illuminations
Matt, one of our Student Advisors from the UK, likes to exchange presents and winter illuminations with friends and family. Roman, our Lead Web Developer from Ukraine, recommends visiting Christmas markets, especially Yokohama’s Christmas Market, which is the biggest one in the area.
Christmas “Japanese style”
Roman also recommends celebrating Christmas the Japanese way, which includes eating Christmas cake with friends or family and participating in the iconic KFC fried chicken tradition. Leaning into these distinctly Japanese customs can be a fun way to make new memories, especially if you’re spending the holidays far from home.
Building new traditions
Holiday outings and experiences
Malia likes to go see The Nutcracker Ballet at the New National Theatre Tokyo on Christmas Day and go ice skating.
Saskia, one of our Student Advisors from the UK, also likes to go ice skating. She added, “There is a British pub/restaurant in Shimokitazawa that is doing a Christmas dinner offer, so I might try and book to go there if I can! Apart from that, I like to spend time with friends and watch all the classic Christmas movies.”
What do I do for my first Christmas in Japan?
If you’re experiencing your first Christmas in Japan, you’re not alone — many of us on the Go! Go! Nihon team have been exactly where you are. What made our holidays meaningful, even while far from home, wasn’t about recreating everything perfectly. It was the small things: spending Christmas Eve with close friends, sharing strawberry shortcake (Christmas cake), watching favorite holiday movies, or keeping one simple tradition alive, like opening presents at midnight or putting up a tree.
Our biggest advice? Surround yourself with people who make you feel supported, explore the beautiful winter illuminations and Christmas markets, and keep at least one tradition from home to ground you. At the same time, don’t be afraid to embrace Japanese-style celebrations, and enjoy the chance to create new memories in your new home.
Creating a home away from home
It’s completely normal to feel homesick during the holidays, especially in a place where Christmas is celebrated so differently. But the magic of this season doesn’t disappear just because you’re far away; it simply takes a new shape. By building small rituals, celebrating with friends, and embracing both familiar and new traditions, you can create a warm, meaningful holiday experience right here in Japan. Home isn’t just where you come from — it’s something you can recreate, piece by piece, wherever you are.
To learn more about life in Japan, Japanese holidays, and other traditions, check out our blog for more!
