{"id":107388,"date":"2023-12-14T08:18:43","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T13:18:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/japanese-merry-christmas-holiday-traditions\/"},"modified":"2025-02-24T05:04:21","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T10:04:21","slug":"japanese-merry-christmas-holiday-traditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/japanese\/japanese-merry-christmas-holiday-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"“Merry Christmas” in Japanese and 62 Other Holiday Phrases"},"content":{"rendered":"

To wish someone “Merry Christmas” in Japanese, the phrase is \u30e1\u30ea\u30fc\u30af\u30ea\u30b9\u30de\u30b9<\/strong> (merii kurisumasu).<\/em> But be aware: Christmas in Japan might be a bit different than what you’re used to.<\/p>\n

Take a look at the guide below and learn some phrases you can use to spread holiday cheer. Plus, learn more about how Japan celebrates the holidays.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

Holiday Greetings and Well Wishes<\/h2>\n

\"christmas<\/p>\n

Here are some common Japanese phrases<\/a> for the end-of-year holidays:<\/p>\n

\u30e1\u30ea\u30fc\u30af\u30ea\u30b9\u30de\u30b9 \u2014 Merry Christmas!<\/h3>\n

Romaji: <\/strong>Merii kurisumasu<\/em><\/p>\n

This is the standard Japanese adaptation of the classic English greeting. It’s easy to remember because they sound similar!<\/p>\n

\u30e1\u30ea\u30af\u30ea \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0Merry Christmas! (shortened)<\/h3>\n

Romaji: <\/strong>Merikuri<\/em><\/p>\n

You can think of this as a casual form of the usual “Merry Christmas” greeting. It’s often used among friends or on social media.<\/p>\n

\u697d\u3057\u3044\u30af\u30ea\u30b9\u30de\u30b9\u3092\u904e\u3054\u3057\u3066 \u2014 Have a Merry Christmas!<\/h3>\n

Romaji: <\/strong>T<\/em>anoshii kurisumasu o sugoshite<\/em><\/p>\n

Another translation for this is: “Have a fun Christmas!” This phrase includes the verb \u904e\u3054\u3059 (\u3059\u3054\u3059), meaning “to spend (time),” and you’ll see it a lot in Christmas cards and messages.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u30b8\u30e7\u30ef\u30e6\u30ce\u30a8\u30eb \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0Joyeux No\u00ebl!<\/h3>\n

Romaji: <\/strong>Jowayu Noeru<\/em><\/p>\n

This phrase is French for Merry Christmas. Japanese is full of loan words<\/a> and phrases from other languages. You may see this one on signs and promotional materials around the holidays.<\/p>\n

\u30cf\u30c3\u30d4\u30fc\u30db\u30ea\u30c7\u30fc\u30ba \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0Happy Holidays!<\/h3>\n

Romaji: <\/strong>Happ\u012b horid\u0113zu<\/em><\/p>\n

This is another loan phrase from English, and it works for more general well-wishing.<\/p>\n

\u697d\u3057\u3044\u795d\u65e5\u3092\u904e\u3054\u3057\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044<\/strong> \u2014 Enjoy the holidays!<\/h3>\n

Romaji: <\/strong>Tanoshii shukujitsu o sugoshite kudasai<\/em><\/p>\n

This has a similar meaning to \u30cf\u30c3\u30d4\u30fc\u30db\u30ea\u30c7\u30fc\u30ba <\/strong>above, but it uses Japanese rather than the English loan words.<\/p>\n

\u660e\u3051\u307e\u3057\u3066\u304a\u3081\u3067\u3068\u3046\u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059 \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0Happy New Year!<\/h3>\n

Romaji: <\/strong>Akemashite omedet\u014d gozaimasu<\/em><\/p>\n

With New Year following right after Christmas, this greeting will come in handy too. You can add \u3054\u3056\u3044\u307e\u3059 to this phrase depending on the person you’re talking to in order to express politeness.<\/p>\n

\u3042\u3051\u304a\u3081 \u2014 Happy New Year! (informal)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Romaji:<\/strong> Ake ome<\/em><\/p>\n

This is especially popular among younger people and in text messages or social media<\/a> because it’s more casual.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u3042\u3051\u304a\u30e1\u30af\u30ea \u2014 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!<\/h3>\n

Romaji: <\/strong>Ake o mekuri<\/em><\/p>\n

Express all of your holiday greetings with this simple phrase!<\/p>\n

Phrases for Giving and Receiving Gifts<\/h2>\n

\"gifts<\/p>\n

As with most places, Christmas in Japan is a time for gift-giving.<\/p>\n

Etiquette is important in Japan, so this may be a good time to go over some basic polite language<\/a> too.<\/p>\n

Here are some phrases you can use:<\/p>\n

\u8d08\u308a\u7269<\/strong>\uff08\u304a\u304f\u308a\u3082\u306e\uff09
\ngift<\/p>\n

\u3053\u308c\u3001\u597d\u304d\u304b\u306a\u3068\u601d\u3063\u3066\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3053\u308c\u3001\u3059\u304d\u304b\u306a\u3068\u304a\u3082\u3063\u3066\uff09
\nI thought you might like this so…<\/p>\n

\u8a70\u307e\u3089\u306a\u3044\u7269\u3067\u3059\u304c<\/strong>\uff08\u3064\u307e\u3089\u306a\u3044\u3082\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304c\uff09
\nThis isn’t much but…<\/p>\n

\u6c17\u306b\u5165\u3063\u3066\u3082\u3089\u3048\u308b\u3068\u3044\u3044\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304c<\/strong>\uff08\u304d\u306b\u3044\u3063\u3066\u3082\u3089\u3048\u308b\u3068\u3044\u3044\u306e\u3067\u3059\u304c\uff09
\nI hope you like it…<\/p>\n

\u304a\u795d\u3044\u306e\u3057\u308b\u3057\u3067\u3059\u3002\uff08\u304a\u3044\u308f\u3044\u306e\u3057\u308b\u3057\u3067\u3059\uff09<\/strong>
\nIn the spirit of Christmas (here’s a gift for you).<\/p>\n

\u5fc3\u3070\u304b\u308a\u306e\u54c1\u3067\u3059\u304c\u3001\u3069\u3046\u305e\u304a\u53d7\u3051\u53d6\u308a\u4e0b\u3055\u3044\u3002<\/strong> (\u3053\u3053\u308d\u3070\u304b\u308a\u306e\u3057\u306a\u3067\u3059\u304c\u3001\u3069\u3046\u305e\u304a\u3046\u3051\u3068\u308a\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\uff09
\nPlease accept this small token of gratitude.<\/p>\n

Essential Phrases for Shopping<\/h2>\n

\"girl<\/p>\n

What are the holidays without\u00a0shopping<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Here are some phrases you can use when trying to purchase something:<\/p>\n

\u3053\u308c\u306f\u3044\u304f\u3089\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/strong>
\nHow much is this?<\/p>\n

\u30af\u30ec\u30b8\u30c3\u30c8\u30ab\u30fc\u30c9\u3067\u6255\u3048\u307e\u3059\u304b?\uff08\u304f\u308c\u3058\u3063\u3068\u304b\u30fc\u3069\u3067\u306f\u3089\u3048\u307e\u3059\u304b?\uff09
\n<\/strong>Can I pay with a credit card?<\/p>\n

\u3007\u3007\u7528\u306e\u30af\u30ea\u30b9\u30de\u30b9\u30d7\u30ec\u30bc\u30f3\u30c8\u306e\u304a\u52e7\u3081\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f <\/strong>(\u3007\u3007\u3088\u3046\u306e\u304f\u308a\u3059\u307e\u3059\u3077\u308c\u305c\u3093\u3068\u306e\u304a\u3059\u3059\u3081\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff09
\nDo you recommend any gifts for XX?<\/p>\n

You can replace the circles with \u5f7c\u5973<\/strong>\uff08\u304b\u306e\u3058\u3087\uff09\u2014 girlfriend, \u5f7c\u6c0f<\/strong>\uff08\u304b\u308c\u3057\uff09\u2014 boyfriend, \u5bb6\u65cf<\/strong>\uff08\u304b\u305e\u304f\uff09\u2014 family, \u53cb\u9054<\/strong>\uff08\u3068\u3082\u3060\u3061 \uff09\u2014 friend and so on.<\/p>\n

\u3053\u308c\u306e\u8272\u9055\u3044\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3053\u308c\u306e\u3044\u308d\u3061\u304c\u3044\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff09
\nDo you have this in a different color?<\/p>\n

\u5225\u306e\u30b5\u30a4\u30ba\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3079\u3064\u306e\u3055\u3044\u305a\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff09
\nDo you have this in another size?<\/p>\n

Or, if you need to return something, use:<\/p>\n

\u30ec\u30b7\u30fc\u30c8\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u308c\u3057\u30fc\u3068\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\uff09
\nI have a receipt.<\/p>\n

\u8fd4\u91d1\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3078\u3093\u304d\u3093\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff09
\nCan I have a refund?<\/p>\n

\u3053\u306e\u5546\u54c1\u3092\u4ea4\u63db\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059\u304b\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3053\u306e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3072\u3093\u3092\u3053\u3046\u304b\u3093\u3067\u304d\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff09
\nCan I exchange this item?<\/p>\n

\u3053\u306e\u5546\u54c1\u306b\u306f\u50b7\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3053\u306e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3072\u3093\u306b\u306f\u304d\u305a\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\uff09
\nThis product is damaged (has damages).<\/p>\n

\u3053\u306e\u5546\u54c1\u306f\u58ca\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3053\u306e\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3072\u3093\u306f\u3053\u308f\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\uff09
\nThis product is broken.<\/p>\n

\u30b5\u30a4\u30ba\u304c\u9055\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u30b5\u30a4\u30ba\u304c\u3061\u304c\u3044\u307e\u3059\uff09
\nThis is the wrong size.<\/p>\n

\u3053\u3053\u306b\u6c5a\u308c\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u30fb\u6c5a\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3053\u3053\u306b\u3088\u3054\u308c\u304c\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u30fb\u3088\u3054\u308c\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\uff09
\nThere’s a stain here.<\/p>\n

Japanese Christmas Traditions<\/h2>\n

\"christmas<\/p>\n

Japanese Christmas is a secular holiday. December 25th isn’t recognized as a national holiday<\/strong> like it is in the United States and other parts of the world. People still go to work and school as usual.<\/p>\n

Shopping centers will put up elaborate decorations and eye-catching lights, though. People also spend Christmas more with friends or partners, with family reunions and traditional customs mostly reserved for New Year.<\/p>\n

While Japan has its own unique customs for Christmas, there are still some areas of overlap with other countries:<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

\u30b5\u30f3\u30bf\u30af\u30ed\u30fc\u30b9<\/strong> \uff08\u3055\u3093\u305f\u304f\u308d\u30fc\u3059\uff09
\nSanta Claus<\/p>\n

No one’s leaving out milk and cookies for Old Saint Nick. It’s more common to see people dressing up as him for Christmas parties. Santa also appears on most holiday merchandise and promotional material.<\/p>\n

\u30de\u30b9\u30b3\u30c3\u30c8<\/strong>\uff08\u307e\u3059\u3053\u3063\u3068\uff09
\nmascot<\/p>\n

Instead of Santa Claus, a prefecture’s mascot<\/a> is the one that gears up in holiday swagger and visits everyone!<\/p>\n

Christmas Sight-seeing<\/h3>\n

\"christmas<\/p>\n

Christmas is a great time to visit Japan because of the many holiday-themed attractions offered.<\/p>\n

Here are some phrases related to holiday traditions in Japan:<\/p>\n

\u30a4\u30eb\u30df\u30cd\u30fc\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3<\/strong>\uff08\u3044\u308b\u307f\u306d\u30fc\u3057\u3087\u3093\uff09
\nChristmas light decorations<\/p>\n

These dazzling lights<\/a> fill many streets and corners of Japan. One of the most recognizable decorations is Osaka Castle<\/a>. It’s mesmerizing to see in person if you ever get the chance.<\/p>\n

\u5e74\u672b\u8a63\u3067<\/strong>\uff08\u306d\u3093\u307e\u3064\u3082\u3046\u3067\uff09
\n“Year-end visit” to a temple or shrine<\/p>\n

Temples and shrines play a huge part in Japanese culture. Around the end of the year, many individuals and businesses flock to Japan’s historical locales to seek good fortune going into the New Year.<\/p>\n

Some common practices for people visiting temples include wishing for luck, blessing their homes and families and purifying bad thoughts and habits.<\/p>\n

Japanese Christmas Food Traditions<\/h3>\n

\"fried<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Forget the turkey and candy canes, Japan adopted Kentucky Fried Chicken<\/a> as part of its Christmas traditions.<\/p>\n

\n

\u30b1\u30f3\u30bf\u30c3\u30ad\u30fc<\/strong>\uff08\u3051\u3093\u305f\u3063\u304d\u30fc\uff09
\nKentucky Fried Chicken<\/p>\n

This crispy choice originated in 1974, when Takeshi Okawara, a KFC employee, started the slogan:<\/p>\n

\u30af\u30ea\u30b9\u30de\u30b9\u306f\u30b1\u30f3\u30bf\u30c3\u30ad\u30fc<\/strong> (\u304f\u308a\u3059\u307e\u3059\u306f\u3051\u3093\u305f\u3063\u304d\u30fc\uff09
\n“Kentucky Fried Chicken For Christmas!”<\/p>\n

From there, the phrase became the ho! ho! ho!<\/em> of Christmas in Japan.<\/p>\n

If fried food isn’t your thing, try something sweet. Around this time of year, Japan has got plenty\u00a0<\/em>of sweets to satisfy your sweet tooth!<\/p>\n

Cakes are very common during the holidays, especially sponge cakes.<\/p>\n

\u30b1\u30fc\u30ad<\/strong>\uff08\u3051\u30fc\u304d\uff09
\ncake<\/p>\n

\u30b9\u30dd\u30f3\u30b8\u30b1\u30fc\u30ad<\/strong>\uff08\u3059\u307d\u3093\u3058\u3051\u30fc\u304d\uff09
\nsponge cake<\/p>\n

Japan also has a knack for making its delicacies stand out as part of its \u53ef\u611b\u3044\u6587\u5316<\/strong>\uff08\u304b\u308f\u3044\u3044\u3076\u3093\u304b\uff09\u2014 cute culture so you can’t pass a window without seeing some mouth-watering food<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Be warned, though: many of these are actually \u30b5\u30f3\u30d7\u30eb<\/strong>\uff08\u3055\u3093\u3077\u308b\uff09\u2014 samples or fake food<\/a> meant to draw in customers.<\/p>\n

Words of Love and Affection<\/h3>\n

\"couple<\/p>\n

Christmas is all<\/em> about love<\/a> in Japan. It’s like another Valentine’s Day.<\/p>\n

In addition to celebrating Valentine’s Day on February 14th, Japan also celebrates its own version of Valentine’s Day, known as \u30db\u30ef\u30a4\u30c8\u30c7\u30fc<\/strong>\uff08\u307b\u308f\u3044\u3068\u3067\u30fc\uff09\u2014 White Day on March 14th.<\/p>\n

But when it comes to romance, Christmas takes the cake!<\/p>\n

This is because Japan sees Christmas as the symbol of romance, as shown in this retro Japanese Christmas commercial compilation<\/a> by Japanese Railway (JR) Lines.<\/p>\n

Christmas is the perfect time for expressing affection. If you want to get sweet on that special someone, you might as well do it in Japanese:<\/p>\n

\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304c\u3044\u308b\u3060\u3051\u3067\u3001\u30af\u30ea\u30b9\u30de\u30b9\u304c\u697d\u3057\u3044\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3042\u306a\u305f\u304c\u3044\u308b\u3060\u3051\u3067\u3001\u304f\u308a\u3059\u307e\u3059\u304c\u305f\u306e\u3057\u3044\uff09
\nJust being here with you makes Christmas fun!<\/p>\n

\u305a\u3063\u3068\u4e00\u7dd2\u306b\u3044\u305f\u3044\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u305a\u3063\u3068\u3044\u3063\u3057\u3087\u306b\u3044\u305f\u3044\uff09
\nI want to be with you always!<\/p>\n

\u4e00\u7dd2\u306b\u3044\u3066\u3082\u3001\u96e2\u308c\u3066\u3044\u3066\u3082\u3001\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3092\u60f3\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3044\u3063\u3057\u3087\u306b\u3044\u3066\u3082\u3001\u306f\u306a\u308c\u3066\u3044\u3066\u3082\u3001\u3042\u306a\u305f\u306e\u3053\u3068\u3092\u304a\u3082\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\uff09
\nWhether we’re together or apart, I’m always thinking of you.<\/p>\n

\u79c1\u9054\u306e\u611b\u3053\u305d\u304c\u5b8c\u74a7\u306a\u30af\u30ea\u30b9\u30de\u30b9\u30d7\u30ec\u30bc\u30f3\u30c8\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u308f\u305f\u3057\u305f\u3061\u306e\u3042\u3044\u3053\u305d\u304c\u304b\u3093\u307a\u304d\u306a\u304f\u308a\u3059\u307e\u3059\u3077\u308c\u305c\u3093\u3068\uff09
\nOur love is the perfect Christmas present.<\/p>\n

\u611b\u4ee5\u4e0a\u306b\u7d20\u6674\u3089\u3057\u3044\u30af\u30ea\u30b9\u30de\u30b9\u30d7\u30ec\u30bc\u30f3\u30c8\u306f\u306a\u3044\u3088\u306d\u3002<\/strong>\uff08\u3042\u3044\u3058\u3087\u3046\u306b\u3059\u3070\u3089\u3057\u3044\u304f\u308a\u3059\u307e\u3059\u3077\u308c\u305c\u3093\u3068\u306f\u306a\u3044\u3088\u306d\uff09
\nThere’s no gift greater than love.<\/p>\n

And if you’ll be going out a lot, maybe Santa can give you enough confidence to ask someone out<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Japanese Christmas Media and Pop Culture<\/h2>\n

\"red<\/p>\n

Experiencing the Holidays on TV<\/h3>\n

If you’re not interested in going out (or if you’re not in Japan), stay inside and watch some TV<\/a>! Japan has got plenty of holiday specials that they broadcast in the spirit of Christmas.<\/p>\n

\u7d05\u767d\u6b4c\u5408\u6226<\/strong>\uff08\u3053\u3046\u306f\u304f\u3046\u305f\u304c\u3063\u305b\u3093\uff09
\nRed and White Singing Competition<\/p>\n

The NWK hosts this competition for the New Year. The colors almost remind me of Christmas but the focus is on celebrating the New Year with song. It’s worth watching online<\/a> if you have access! For some bonus learning assistance, you can find clips from holiday programming on FluentU<\/a>, along with many other native Japanese videos.<\/p>\n

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

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You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

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