【にほんごPodcast#27】🎤☺How to Celebrate Christmas and New Yearsクリスマスとお正月（しょうがつ）★★☆Japanese Podcast

Summary

In this podcast, the speaker compares Christmas and New Year celebrations in Japan with those in Europe and Latin America. In Japan, Christmas is mainly celebrated on December 24th with dinner, parties, and gift exchanges, but the holiday atmosphere quickly fades after the 25th. New Year’s is celebrated with family, and most businesses are closed from January 1st to 3rd. The speaker contrasts this with the extended holiday period in Europe and Latin America, where Christmas festivities continue beyond the 25th. The podcast concludes with a warm holiday wish and an invitation for listeners to share their unique holiday traditions.

Takeaways

• 🎄 Christmas in Japan is mainly celebrated on Christmas Eve (December 24th), not on Christmas Day (December 25th).
• 🎉 Unlike in Spain and Latin America, Christmas in Japan doesn't involve large family dinners on December 24th. People often go out with friends or lovers instead.
• 🎁 Presents are exchanged and people eat Christmas cake on Christmas Eve in Japan.
• 🛍️ After December 25th, Christmas decorations, lights, and trees are quickly removed in Japan, making way for New Year's decorations.
• 🎅 Christmas Day (December 25th) in Japan is a normal working day, with shops and restaurants remaining open.
• 🌍 In contrast to Japan, Christmas is celebrated for several days in many countries, such as in Europe and Latin America.
• 🎆 New Year's Eve (December 31st) and New Year's Day (January 1st) are more important holidays in Japan, and they are often spent with family.
• 🏠 Many businesses in Japan close for a few days around New Year's, but shops and restaurants typically remain open from New Year's Day.
• 🎉 In Japan, the New Year's celebrations begin right after Christmas, with special attention given to the first three days of the year.
• 🇪🇸 In Spain, work resumes on January 2nd, which contrasts with Japan, where people often stay home during the first few days of the year.
• 🌏 Different countries have distinct traditions for celebrating Christmas and New Year, with Japan following a unique approach compared to Europe and Latin America.

Q & A

How is Christmas celebrated in Japan compared to other countries?

In Japan, Christmas is mainly celebrated on Christmas Eve (December 24th) with people going out for dinner or having parties with friends or lovers. The 25th is a regular workday, unlike in many other countries where Christmas extends beyond the 24th.

Why is Christmas Eve more significant than Christmas Day in Japan?

In Japan, Christmas Eve is the main celebration where people gather for dinner or parties. The 25th is a regular workday, and Christmas festivities end quickly after the 24th, with decorations being removed by the 26th.

How does Christmas in Japan differ from Christmas celebrations in Spain?

In Spain, Christmas is celebrated more traditionally, with families gathering for a big dinner on the 24th, and the celebration continues into the 25th. In contrast, Christmas in Japan is more focused on the 24th, with the 25th being just another workday.

What happens to Christmas decorations in Japan after December 25th?

After December 25th, Christmas decorations, lights, and trees are quickly taken down in Japan. They are replaced with New Year's decorations, signaling the shift from Christmas to New Year celebrations.

How is New Year's celebrated in Japan compared to Latin America or Europe?

In Japan, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are typically spent with family, with the first three days of January being a time for family gatherings. Many shops are open from January 1st, while in Europe and Latin America, New Year celebrations are often more elaborate and may involve more public events.

Are New Year's holidays longer in Japan than in Spain?

Yes, in Japan, the New Year's holiday lasts from January 1st to January 3rd, during which many companies are closed. In Spain, work resumes on January 2nd, meaning the New Year's holiday is shorter.

What is unique about the way Christmas and New Year are celebrated in Japan?

In Japan, Christmas is more of a couple's or friends' celebration, mainly on Christmas Eve, while New Year's is a family-oriented holiday. This contrasts with many other countries where Christmas and New Year's both have family-focused traditions.

How does Japan's work culture impact its holiday celebrations?

In Japan, the work culture leads to the 25th of December being a regular workday, unlike in many countries where it is a holiday. This also means that after the Christmas Eve festivities, Japan quickly transitions to New Year's preparations.

How are shops and restaurants affected by the New Year in Japan?

While many companies are closed from January 1st to January 3rd, many shops and restaurants in Japan remain open, and businesses often begin New Year sales right after January 1st.

Why was the speaker surprised when experiencing Christmas in Latin America?

The speaker was surprised that Christmas celebrations in Latin America continue after the 25th, unlike in Japan where Christmas ends right after December 24th, and the focus shifts to New Year’s.