Is Christmas in Japan celebrated as extensively as in America? Or what is the ‘biggest event’ for most Japanese people?
Hey there Hailey! Thanks for the question!
According to one of our students who lived in Chicago, Chicago was full of Christmas decorations during the holiday season. Bridges and roads were decorated, and all of the shops had Christmas trees!
In Japan, you can see that level of decorations in shopping areas, or in central areas of big cities. Young people mostly enjoy the Christmas decorations with friends, not family.
Our teacher is from Canada, and he says that Christmas is a time for family.
In Japan, by far the most important event of the year is New Year's day. Japanese people typically eat osechi, a traditional type of cuisine eaten at this time; decorate mochi, or rice cakes; and make their first visit of the year to a shrine, and make an offering.
Hope this answers your question, and you enjoy your holiday season.
P.s. Love your Christmas tree!