{"id":39786,"date":"2024-12-24T00:52:41","date_gmt":"2024-12-24T05:52:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/why-couples-in-japan-treat-christmas-like-a-second-valentines-day\/24\/12\/2024\/"},"modified":"2024-12-24T00:52:41","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T05:52:41","slug":"why-couples-in-japan-treat-christmas-like-a-second-valentines-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/why-couples-in-japan-treat-christmas-like-a-second-valentines-day\/24\/12\/2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Why couples in Japan treat Christmas like a second Valentine\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\"><em>Editor\u2019s note: Sign up for <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters\/travel?source=nl-acq_article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Unlocking the World, CNN Travel\u2019s weekly newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>Unlocking the World, CNN Travel\u2019s weekly newsletter<\/em><\/a><em>. Get news about destinations, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, and where to stay.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">One of Sumire Sekino\u2019s most memorable Christmases involved spending the day hopping around some of Tokyo\u2019s best date spots with her boyfriend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">That day, she recalled, began with the pair snapping away at TeamLab, an immersive and extremely Instagrammable digital art installation. Then, they headed up Shibuya Sky, an observation deck perched 751 feet off the ground, to catch a panoramic view of the Japanese capital.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cIt was only our first month together, so we were still nervous. But I had so much fun going to these places with him for the first time,\u201d says the university student.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Another student, Akao Takao, 19, checked out some dazzling light displays and went to a Christmas market with his girlfriend last year, before they sat down for a belly warming hot chocolate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cI had a wonderful experience,\u201d he recounts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">But in Japan, the festive season has long taken on an additional dimension, a rather romantic one: it\u2019s widely seen as another Valentine\u2019s Day<strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Couples go on a special date on Christmas Eve, checking out festive decorations, dining at fancy restaurants and staying at luxury hotels.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Love is in the air everywhere from Tokyo \u2014 where its bustling districts like Roppongi and Ginza are filled with couples holding hands on the streets, lined with sparking trees \u2014 to Hokkaido, where the promise of a white Christmas awaits.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>A couple sits in a central Tokyo park under Christmas lights. &#8211; Thomas Peter\/Reuters\/File<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">For guys who are willing to splurge a little, luxury hotel rooms with spectacular views \u2014 which easily run up to $2,000 per night \u2014 are on offer, if they haven\u2019t already been booked solid.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Young people in Japan tend to stay with their parents until they get married, so spending a night together outside the home is seen as a special treat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">This year, the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo offers a \u201cromantic escape\u201d that includes credits for a fine dinner and ice skating experience at an outdoor rink. Grand Hyatt Tokyo, meanwhile, promises a \u201cromantic evening,\u201d offering rooms that overlook the festively-lit trees.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Restaurants and shops also seize on the opportunity to unveil special dinner sets and discounts on a range of gifts, from chocolates to jewelries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cIt\u2019s all about mood and atmosphere,\u201d associate professor Roy Starrs, who specializes in Japanese studies at the University of Otago in New Zealand, tells CNN Travel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cYoung couples go out together on dates once it gets dark to view the spectacular displays of colorful lights and this is thought to be a very romantic atmosphere conducive to young love.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Workers dressed as Santa Claus parade around Tokyo's Marunouchi business district. - Issei Kato\/Reuters\/File\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/oowiou0DqOFspWfvy5epEQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_articles_875\/89eb6ac6808f6a303c295a0de092eb58\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Workers dressed as Santa Claus parade around Tokyo&#8217;s Marunouchi business district. &#8211; Issei Kato\/Reuters\/File<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">A country of 124 million, Japan\u2019s most-followed religion is Shintoism, with less than one percent of its population being Christian. And yet, the nation celebrates Christmas in full spirit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Christianity entered Japan in the mid-16th century, according to Starrs, but was largely suppressed for another two and a half centuries during the Tokugawa era, a period marked by its strict social order and isolationist policies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">It wasn\u2019t until after WWII that American culture began to sweep through Japan, bringing Christmas along with it. But the holiday has been celebrated with a uniquely Japanese touch.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cMost Japanese do not view Christmas as any kind of religious event but as a pop-cultural spectacle imported from the West \u2014 an aesthetically pleasing melange of bright lights, Santa Claus dolls, Christmas markets, colorfully wrapped gifts [and] Christmas cakes,\u201d says Starrs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Japan is a society that values aesthetics highly, he adds, so it makes sense that these festive displays, often accompanied by ample snow, concoct the perfect recipe for a romantic white Christmas.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A visitor looks at a Christmas installation with goldfish and colorful lights at Tokyo's Art Aquarium Museum. - Kim Kyung-Hoon\/Reuters\/File\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/lK3f8VUmDrOzvK6X0I.9FA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_articles_875\/ca093784febdf26c74280904550327dd\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>A visitor looks at a Christmas installation with goldfish and colorful lights at Tokyo&#8217;s Art Aquarium Museum. &#8211; Kim Kyung-Hoon\/Reuters\/File<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cThe couple may also exchange gifts, visit an exotic German\u2013style Christmas market, and end the evening in a fancy French or Italian restaurant. And after all that the mood may be exactly right for a marriage proposal!\u201d says Starrs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The romantic spin of Christmas may be one of the best presents the Japanese government can hope for, as it scrambles to boost marriages and births.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2024\/06\/07\/asia\/japan-birth-rate-population-dating-app-intl-hnk\/index.html#:~:text=The%20nation%20of%20123.9%20million,dropped%20from%201.26%20to%201.20.?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:fertility rate;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">fertility rate<\/a> plunged to 1.20 last year, another record low, far below the 2.1 required to maintain a stable population in a country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">For the older generation in what was once the world\u2019s second biggest economy, lavishness was the way to go, the glitzier the better. Apart from expensive hotels, men often popped open bottles of champagne and rented limousines for a night to impress.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">But after years of stagnation, Japan\u2019s once enviable economic prowess has lost it shine, slipping to world\u2019s number four spot earlier this year. With the rising cost of living \u2014 exacerbated by the recent depreciation of Japanese yen \u2014 young couples are looking for creative ways to celebrate.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative col-body mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A couple walks through Christmas lights at a shopping area in Tokyo. - Koji Sasahara\/AP\/File\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/q2d0dcctvxkHJOHPGHlLhA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cnn_articles_875\/ddb7735a042cd998dd55afe0bd337b2d\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-[4] size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>A couple walks through Christmas lights at a shopping area in Tokyo. &#8211; Koji Sasahara\/AP\/File<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">University student Inoue Shogo, 23, says he would avoid hotels because of the price surge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cSince the Western food gets more expensive, as everyone seeks for a Christmas dinner, we opt for a cheaper version which is usually Japanese food,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Simply having a Christmas cake, staying home for a private party, and checking out Christmas lights have become more popular options among the younger generation these days, according to a recent survey by marketing company MERY.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">Yuhi Hasegawa, 19, visited Enoshima with his girlfriend last year, soaking in the festive lights and beautiful views.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">The small island is located an hour train away south of Toyko, known for its sandy beaches and a relaxed lifestyle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">\u201cWe should value the time with our partner. Instead of spending money on fancy restaurants or luxury cosmetics, staying home, watching \u2018First Love\u2019 (a Netflix love series) and finding true love might be the perfect solution,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"col-body mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words min-w-0\">For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cnn.com\/account\/register?source=external-feeds_iluminar&amp;cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo&amp;registration_email_campaign=https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/newsletters\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:CNN.com;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">CNN.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/lifestyle\/why-couples-japan-treat-christmas-050056746.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Editor&rsquo;s note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel&rsquo;s weekly newsletter. Get news about destinations, plus the latest in aviation, food<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/why-couples-in-japan-treat-christmas-like-a-second-valentines-day\/24\/12\/2024\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39788,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39786"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39786"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39786\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39788"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}