Unlike the traditional Christian observance ... colourfully wrapped gifts, and Christmas cakes," says Starrs. Japan is a society that values aesthetics highly, he adds, so it makes sense that ...

Since Christmas Day is not counted as a national holiday in Japan, you’ll likely have to take it off as part of your annual leave, depending on your company’s policy. 2. A Holiday for Couples ...

Couples exchange gifts on Christmas Eve and go out for a date. Picture: JR Pass Elsewhere, there is Kobe’s Luminaire, one of the largest illumination events in Japan, which is held in Kobe as a ...

Ms Yoshie Kumagai teaches how to wrap gifts by using Furoshiki, a Japanese traditional wrapping cloth. Even after moving back to Japan in June, Ms Kumagai keeps teaching the technique online.

In Western culture, Christmas is that time of the year when families gather around a long table to catch up, opening lavishly wrapped gifts and sipping eggnog. Some attend church. But in Japan ...