Kumamoto City

There are many ways expats feeling homesick for Christmas can get into the festive spirit in Kumamoto. Although Christmas is not an official holiday in Japan, Kumamoto is one of many cities in the country that acknowledges the festival with events and light displays. Christmas in Japan Japan is not a Christian-majority country. However, its increasing Western expat population has led Christmas celebrations to grow in recent years. The country has unique ways of celebrating the holiday season, blending its traditions with those from other places, such as the U.S. and Europe. The Japanese typically celebrate Christmas throughout December, although locals usually work on Christmas Day. Family gatherings and parties are more likely to occur around the New Year period. During December in Japan, expect to see excellent street lighting displays, European-style Christmas markets, and the special Japanese Christmas cake (kurisumasu keki). Many Japanese couples treat Christmas Eve as a romantic time and will head out to a nice restaurant. Friends and family may buy each other small Christmas gifts, but this is not the big thing it is in Western countries. Christmas Illuminations Japan pushes the boat out when it comes to spectacular winter lighting displays. Each year, from…