JSランゲージスクールブログ | The difference in Christmas
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Sticking with the Christmas theme for this month, today I will be writing about the difference in Christmas between Japan and the United States. I think the biggest difference is about who you spend Christmas with. In the United States, no matter how old you are Christmas is always spent with family. Christmas and Thanksgiving are the biggest family holidays in the U.S.
However, in Japan Christmas is all about couples. It is a holiday that has been marketed as a day where couples should go on dates. This makes Christmas in Japan lonely if you are not in a relationship. For me, Christmas should be the least lonely time of the year because people in my country are always surrounded by family during this time.
In Japan, there are so many Christmas promotions and recently I have seen many restaurants which offer a “Christmas menu” for couples who are celebrating. Everything in Japan is very couple oriented around Christmas. Even going to big light-ups in Roppongi or Tokyo station is awkward if you don’t go with your boyfriend or girlfriend.
This is interesting to me because in the U.S, looking at Christmas lights is a family tradition in my family. I don’t associate it with romance at all. But in Japan, it seems to be a kind of romantic thing to do with your significant other.
I think both of these traditions are good, but around this time of year I do miss the decorations and feeling of an American Christmas. However, since I live in Tokyo now, I can also see many lights! I think the most important thing is that everyone enjoys themselves on Christmas Day!
