{"id":5367,"date":"2022-11-29T14:22:43","date_gmt":"2022-11-29T05:22:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrcjapan.com\/christmas-in-kumamoto\/"},"modified":"2025-08-28T11:33:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T02:33:53","slug":"christmas-in-kumamoto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcjapan.com\/en\/christmas-in-kumamoto\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas in Kumamoto"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

Christmas in Japan<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

During December in Japan, expect to see excellent street lighting displays, European-style Christmas markets, and the special Japanese Christmas cake (kurisumasu keki<\/a>). 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.<\/p>\n

Christmas Illuminations<\/h3>\n

Japan pushes the boat out when it comes to spectacular winter lighting displays. Each year, from around mid-November to the start of January, you can see extravagant and colorful illuminations in streets, parks, and shopping centers.
\nAmong the best annual displays in Kumamoto is the Yusui Tunnel Park<\/a> annual lights display in Takamori, which features illuminations along the 550-meter tunnel that was originally going to be a railway but became a park instead. The display runs throughout December and is called \u201cChristmas Fantasy.\u201d This unique event also typically features around 50 Christmas trees created by groups from various organizations. Visitors can vote for their favorite in a contest that takes place a few days before Christmas.<\/p>\n

Another event is the Fantasy of Light at the Arao Greenland Amusement Par<\/a>k. This features over 100 illuminations, including a giant lit Ferris wheel, a eight-meter-tall tree, pink lights on the cherry trees along Sakura\u2019s Stroll Path, and lights on the grand avenue, called Luce Viale. Entry to the park costs 1,600 yen for adults, although you can view the illuminations from outside the park for free. For a bird\u2019s eye view, take the Ferris wheel or Sky Lift. The event is more for New Year than Christmas, typically running from around December 28th to 31st.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re willing to go a little farther afield within Kyushu, some additional options include:<\/p>\n