December is one of the best months to sell Japan to markets on school holidays, and Christmas is part of the appeal — just not in the form most clients expect. In Japan, Christmas is a commercial and romantic season rather than a family holiday or a day off. Offices stay open on 25 December, the cities are lit up for weeks, and the real national holiday arrives a week later with New Year. Planning around that shape is what keeps a December programme running smoothly.
What Christmas looks like in Japan
- It is not a public holiday. Shops, sights and transport run normally on 24 and 25 December.
- Christmas Eve is a date night. Couples book restaurants weeks ahead, and many restaurants offer only special set menus at higher prices. A group dinner on 24 December needs to be booked early and priced accordingly.
- Fried chicken and strawberry cake. A Christmas meal of fried chicken is a well-known Japanese habit, traced to a 1970s advertising campaign, and a strawberry shortcake is the classic Christmas cake. Both make good talking points for a guide.
- Illuminations everywhere. City districts, gardens and theme parks light up from November into the new year. Our winter illuminations guide covers the major displays.
- Christmas markets. German-style markets have been held in recent years in Tokyo, at the Red Brick Warehouse in Yokohama and in Odori Park in Sapporo, typically from late November to Christmas. Dates change each year, so we confirm them before we build them into a programme.
The switch to New Year
On 26 December the decorations come down and the country prepares for New Year, the most important holiday of the year. Many businesses, restaurants and some attractions close for several days around the turn of the year, and domestic travel peaks. Groups travelling from Christmas into early January need an itinerary built around those closures. Our New Year (Oshogatsu) guide sets out what opens and what does not.
How to sell a December programme
- Pair the cities with snow. Markets from Southeast Asia and Australia often want a white Christmas. Hokkaido, the Japan Alps and the ski regions deliver it; see our winter tours guide.
- Book the 24th and the 31st first. They are the two nights when restaurants and hotels fill fastest in the cities.
- Price the late-December peak honestly. Hotel rates in many cities climb over the last ten days of December, and ski resorts peak over the holidays.
- Keep the 25th light. It is a normal working day, which makes it a good day for sightseeing while the city is at work.
FAQ
Is Christmas a holiday in Japan? No. It is a commercial and romantic season, and 24 and 25 December are normal working days. The national holiday period is New Year, from the end of December into early January.
Are there Christmas markets in Japan? Yes. German-style Christmas markets have been held in recent years in Tokyo, Yokohama and Sapporo, usually from late November to 25 December. Dates change each year, so we confirm them before booking.
Is December a good month for groups in Japan? Yes, particularly for markets on school holidays. The illuminations, snow in the north and the run-up to New Year are strong selling points, but the last ten days of December carry peak rates and some closures around New Year.
Want a December programme in Japan? Write to b2b@explera.jp, message the trade desk on WhatsApp at +66 93 656 8090, or register on the B2B portal. Proposals within 24 hours. IATA TIDS 96215733, ASTA member 900408341.
