Christmas in Japan: Not a Major Holiday; Oshogatsu Is

Santa Claus does not widely deliver presents in Japan on December 25. Christmas is not a national holiday and is celebrated mainly as a commercial/couples event (similar to Valentine's Day), with traditions like eating KFC and Christmas cake. The primary winter celebration is Oshōgatsu (New Year), observed from December 31 to January 3. Families gather, visit shrines (hatsumōde), eat osechi-ryōri, and give otoshidama (money envelopes) to children. Gift-giving occurs at New Year, not Christmas.