혹시 일본의 크리스마스 문화에 대해 아시나요? 일본만의 형태로 변화해온 흥미로운 크리스마스 문화, 이번 포스팅에서 소개드리고자 합니다.
프라이드 치킨과 크리스마스 케이크
누구와 함께
25일 밤이 지나면
프라이드 치킨과 크리스마스 케이크
미국등에서는 크리스마스 저녁식사라 하면 칠면조나 햄 등의 통구이로 알려져있지만, 일본에서 크리스마스에 가장 사랑받는 요리는 프라이드 치킨이라해도 과언이 아니랍니다. 칠면조를 쉽게 구할 수 없었던 일본에서 칠면조를 대체한 것이 바로 이 치킨인데요. 일본의 크리스마스 시즌엔 프라이드치킨 수요가 급증하여, 켄터키 프라이드 치킨 등 패스트푸드나 음식점에서는 12월이 시작됨과 동시에 예약 접수를 시작한다고 해요. 편의점이나 슈퍼에서도 프라이드 치킨이나 로스트 치킨이 빽빽히 진열되어 있어 독특한 크리스마스 분위기를 엿볼 수 있답니다.
크리스마스 케이크를 먹는 것은 한국과 비슷하게 일본에서도 기본이라 여겨진답니다. 크리스마스 분위기를 연출하기 위해 산타 데코레이션 등 화려한 장식의 케이크를 보실 수 있습니다.( 참고로! 25일 저녁이 되면 크리스마스 케이크의 재고처리를 위해 반값 세일도 열리니, 그 시간대를 노려 싸게 구매하는 것도 절약의 팁이라면 팁입니다.)
일본에서 먹는 크리스마스 케이크의 발상은 1922년 양과자 메이커 “후지야”의 캐치프레이즈로 거슬러 올라갑니다. “크리스마스엔 케이크를 먹자”라는 캐치프레이즈와 함께, 생크림으로 데코된 케이크를 발매한 후지야. 당시, 케이크는 고급음식으로 일반 서민들은 접근하기 힘든 음식이었는데요. 1970년대 이후에는 서민들이 크리스마스 케이크를 먹는 것이 보편화 되었답니다. 현재 크리스마스 케이크로 가장 많이 볼 수 있는 것은 생크림 딸기 케이크지만, 그 외에도 다양한 맛과 데코의 케이크를 보실 수 있습니다.
누구와 함께
크리스마스가 되면, 일본에서는 가족보다 연인과 데이트하며 로맨틱한 분위기로 보내는 경우가 많습니다. 일본인들에게 크리스마스와 발렌타인데이는 연인들을 위한 2대 이벤트로 자리잡고 있답니다. 아이들에게는 산타클로스가 착한 아이에게 선물을 가져다 준다는 날로 알려져있는게 일본에서도 같다고 하네요.
25일 밤이 지나면
즐거웠던 크리스마스는 12월25일의 밤이 지나면 언제 그랬냐는 듯 끝나버립니다. 가게의 진열과 크리스마스 장식품들은 25일의 폐점을 끝으로 일제히 모습을 감추고, 26일에는 바로 새해모드로 들어갑니다. 집에서도 물론, 장식된 크리스마스 트리가 정리되고 새해 문앞에 새우는 일본의 소나무 장식 ‘카도마츠‘로 꾸며진답니다.
끝내며
기존 크리스마스 문화에 일본 전통적 관습을 도입해나가면서 독자적인 문화를 진화 시켜온 일본의 크리스마스. 이젠 일본의 독자적인 크리스마스 문화로 정착된 것 같네요. 12월이 되면 서양의 크리스마스 캐롤 뿐만아니라, 일본만의 크리스마스 캐롤이 들려오고, 방송에서도 크리스마스를 테마로 한 에피소드를 방영하는 것 등을 보면 말이죠.
Every December brings the season to celebrate Christmas around the world, and Japan is no exception. Christmas in Japan has many unique characteristics as part of Japan’s culture. This time we would like to introduce to you how Japanese people celebrate Christmas.
Fried chicken and Christmas cake
Who to celebrate with
Ending the 25th night
Fried Chicken and Christmas Cake
In the United States and elsewhere, Christmas dinner is a roast turkey or ham, but the dish most associated with Christmas in Japan is fried chicken. Since turkey is difficult to find in Japan, it was replaced with chicken instead. Demand for fried chicken in Christmas season in Japan is very high, with fast food chains such as Kentucky Fried Chicken and butcher shops accepting reservation as soon as December 1st. As Christmas draws nearer, fried chicken and roast chicken will be sold at convenience and grocery stores, so you will be able to see the unique Christmas atmosphere.
It is said that eating cake at Christmas is a staple for Japanese people. To produce a sense of Christmas, it is a common practice to arrange fruits and decorate it with Santa and other motifs. Incidentally, on the night of December 25, many cake shops will be selling their goods for half-price, so if you want to enjoy a more cost-effective Christmas, please time your shopping as such!
The origin of Christmas cake in Japan began with a campaign in 1922 when cake manufacturer Fujiya started selling a cake decorated with cream with the catch phrase “Let’s eat cake at Christmas!” At that time, cake was a luxury good, and ordinary people could not easily buy one, but around the 1970s, the custom to eat Christmas cake spread through every home in Japan. Whipped cream and strawberry Christmas cakes are the most popular in Japan today, but there are a variety of other flavors and decorated cakes.
Who to celebrate with
At Christmas time, Japanese people often spend more time with their romantic partner than with their families. So, for Japanese people, Christmas and Valentine’s Day are the two big romantic holidays for lovers.
By the way, it’s the same for children in Japan that Santa Claus brings Christmas presents to good children.
Ending on the 25th night
A happy Christmas will be finished at night on December 25th. The shop displays and Christmas decorations are changed immediately after closing on the 25th, and on the 26th we will enter 100% New Years mode. Of course, the Christmas tree will be put away and the traditional New Years kadomatsu (bamboo decoration) will be brought out.
Summary While incorporating Japanese customs, Christmas has evolved from the original for many years and Japan’s unique Christmas is now fully established. In December, Christmas songs playing throughout the town are not only Western traditional songs and pop music, but also Japanese original Christmas songs. Also in this season, TV and anime will also be broadcasting their Christmas episodes.
If you visit Japan in winter, why not enjoy a unique “Merry Christmas” in Japan?
In December, streets around the world will light up the city for the holidays and hold various illuminations. The town starts to be colored with various lights and fascinates the people walking by. Every year illuminations with various features are held all over Japan. We will introduce the most popular illumination events held this year.
Blue Cave SHIBUYA Yoyogi Park will be lit up for a total length of 800 meters and the magnificent Blue Cave represented by the blue-colored light colors the Shibuya winter streets. Several kinds of illumination with special effects effect will also appear.
Blue Cave SHIBUYA
Event Period: November 30-December 31, 2018 17:00～22:00 （The lighting time may depend on the day.）※Please confirm the latest event details with the event organizer or on the official website.
Venue: Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Udagawacho, Shibuya Park Street-Yoyogi Park area
Website: http://shibuya-aonodokutsu.jp/
2. Germany Christmas Market Osaka 2018 This winter, a 27-meter high Christmas tree brightens the Wonder Square of Shin Umeda City. In Germany Christmas Market, you can enjoy German-style Christmas festivities in Japan, including German-style ornaments and candles, sausages and mulled wine. Also, a wooden merry-go-round with about 120 years of history will also be available. During the event, the whole Umeda Sky Building is full of the Christmas spirit.
Germany Christmas Market 2018
Event Period: November 16-December 25, 2018 17: 00 ~ 22: 30 ※Market is open from 12:00-21:00 (Friday ~ 22:00, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 11:00-22:00)※Please confirm the latest event details with the event organizer or on the official website.
Venue: Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, Kita-ku, Oyodonaka Shin Umeda City Wonder Square
Website: https://www.kuchu-teien.com/en/
3. Ebisu Garden Place Christmas illumination At Ebisu Garden Place, an illumination event is held entitled “Baccarat ETERNAL LIGHTS – Form of Joy.” The world’s largest baccarat chandelier of about 5 meters in height, about 3 meters in width, more than 8000 crystals, and more than 250 lights in total. It also features large Christmas trees on Clock Square, set in the city, lit up with a total of about 100,000 lights. You can enjoy a Christmas unique to Ebisu Garden Place.
Ebisu Garden Place Christmas Illumination
Event Period: November 3, 2018~January 14, 2019 Chandelier is lit from 11:00~24:00, Christmas illumination is 16:00~24:00 * Open throughout the day※Please confirm the latest event details with the event organizer or on the official website.
Venue: Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Ebisu Garden Place Center Square
Website: https://gardenplace.jp.e.adx.hp.transer.com/
4. Marunouchi Illumination 2018 This year is the 17th anniversary for the Marunouchi Illumination. The illumination covers about 1.2 kilometers of the streets with 1 million original Marunouchi “Champagne Gold” LED lights. This year, the Nijubashi Square has also been added in to the illumination area, and the “Gate of Light” will be open again this year in the Yurakucho area.
Marunouchi Illuminaton 2018 Event Period: November 8, 2018-17 February 2019 17: 30-23: 00 (17: 00-24: 00 during December)※Please confirm the latest event details with the event organizer or on the official website.
Venue: Tokyo-to, Chiyoda-ku Marunouchi Naka-dori, Tokyo Station Area, Otemachi area, etc.
Website: https://www.marunouchi.com/
5. Yomiuri Land Jewellumination (R) ~ Shining Light Pier~
Jewellumination is produced by lighting designer Mikiko Ishii. This season we renewed the whole area with the theme of Light Pier as the ideal village of light, the gemstone illumination of 6 million lights. One of the highlights is the 25-meter high Jewelry Mountain. The slopes spread over the mountainside and you can enjoy sledding. In addition to the fountain show using 216 fountains with a width of 60 m and a height of 15 m, you can also enjoy ‘Starlight Bandet’ and ice skating, which runs like a shooting star across the night sky.
Yomiuri Land Jewellumination (R) ~ Shining Light Pier~
Event Period: October 11, 2018 – February 17, 2019 16:00 ~ 20:30 (※ From December 15th to 25th ~ 21: 00)
* Closed January 15-17 and 21-24, 2019※Please confirm the latest event details with the event organizer or on the official website.
Venue: Tokyo-to, Inagi-shi, Yanokuchi 4015-1 Yomiuri Land
Website: http://yomiuriland.com/
OSAKA Renaissance of Light 2018 The main feature of the Osaka Light Symposium 2018 in which the lights are integrated from the city hall around Nakanoshima Park. At the Osaka Municipal Central Public Hall, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening this year. Also in the west side of the Nakanoshima Park Rose Garden, about 1000 lanterns will be put up to celebrate Taiwan’s Lunar New Year (Gen Shosetsu). Nakanoshima Illuminations Street of Zelkova trees with a total length of about 150 meters is synchronized with music and colorful lights.
OSAKA Renaissance of Light 2018
Event Period: December 14-25, 2018 17:00~22:00 (Some programs are from 16:00~)※Please confirm the latest event details with the event organizer or on the official website.
Venue: Osaka Prefecture Osaka-shi Kita-ku Osaka City Hall/Nakanoshima Park
Website: http://www.hikari-kyoen.com/
24th Annual Kobe Luminarie Kobe, famous for its night view, remembers victims of the Great Kobe Earthquake and entrusts dreams and hopes for the revival and revitalization of the city since 1995. Since then, it has been supported by many people as an event symbolizing Kobe. The theme is changed every year, and LED light bulbs are used for all works including large works of Luminarie street. Furthermore, in order to continue Kobe Luminarie, please consider to cooperate with the venue donation (100 yen per person).
24th Annual Kobe Luminarie
Event Period: December 7-6, 2018 (※For details, please refer to the official website)※Please confirm the latest event details with the event organizer or on the official website.
Venue: Hyogo-ken, Kobe City, Chuo-ku
Website: http://kobe-luminarie.jp/
National Showa Memorial Park Winter Vista Illumination 2018 An oasis of llumination at the National Showa Showa Memorial Park in Tokyo. From the Tachikawa area to the plaza, it is wrapped in light. The theme of the illumination changes every year, directing different expressions respectively. Lighting up the large fountain with the symbolic existence of the champagne glass tower using the approximately 15,000 glasses and the symbolic existence of the park, with the canal in the center, the illuminating world where trees and the water surface shine can enjoy the fantastic world.
National Showa Memorial Park Winter Vista Illumination 2018
Event Period: December 8-25, 2018 17:00~21:00 (Admission to ~20:50 ※From 16:00 onwards you can only enter from the Tachikawa gate)※Please confirm the latest event details with the event organizer or on the official website.
Venue: Tachikawa-shi, Tokyo Midoricho 3173 National Showa Memorial Park Tachikawa entrance – Fureai Hiroba
Website: http://www.showakinen-koen.jp/
Shonan’s Jewels 2018 ~ Light and Color Celebration Enoshima ~
Enoshima Sea Candle (Enoshima Observatory Lighthouse), which is popular as a symbol of Shonan, is focused on various parts of Enoshima Island as illumination. The main venue glows with colorful crystal beads. From the middle of December, you can enjoy 20,000 winter tulips and illumination competitions
Shonan’s Jewels 2018 ~ Light and Color Celebration Enoshima ~
Event Period: November 23, 2018 to February 17, 2019, 17:00 to 20:00※Please confirm the latest event details with the event organizer or on the official website.
Venue: Kanagawa Prefecture Fujisawa City Enoshima, Enoshima Sea Candle, Nakatsu Palace Square, etc.
Website: https://enoshima-seacandle.com/
2018 Sendai Light Pageant Sendai ‘s winter scenes that counts the 33rd time this year. With the theme “Lights on everyone, the light of the heart” with about 600 thousand star-like lights. During the period, there are also booths and ice rinks at Gotokudai Park and Citizen Square. Also, from November 1 to the next February 20 entitled “2018 SENDAI Light Pageant in Izumi Park Town,” the main street in the center area of Izumi Parktown will be colored as the pageant of light.
2018 Sendai Light Pageant
Event Period: December 14-31, 2018 17:30-22:00 (※ Fridays, Saturdays and December 23-24 are ~23:00, and December 31 is ~24:00)※Please confirm the latest event details with the event organizer or on the official website.
Venue: Miyagi-ken Sendai City Aoba-ku Jozenji-tsu
Website: http://www.sendaihikape.jp/
Due to the typhoon damage that occurred on September 4, 2018, Osaka’s Kansai International Airport has been temporarily closed. Additionally, New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido has also been put under restrictions due to the damage caused by the earthquake that occurred on September 6, 2018. There are also many rental car outlets which are closed temporarily. If you are preparing to travel soon, please be careful and check the details.
Closed until 10/6. Reopens for business at 8:00 AM on 10/7.
2018/10/5
2. New Chitose Airport Status Note: If you already have a reservation during the following closure dates, your rental car reservation will be carried out as usual.
3. Information for those considering cancelling their travel plans
※If you cancel your trip, please cancel your rental car reservation as well.
Cancellation form → https://www2.tocoo.jp/en/member/login
If you can’t cancel your reservation from the website, please contact ToCoo!
【Contact】 rc-cs@coocom.co.jp
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