what's the deal with Japanese Christmas?
Dec 16, 2025 3:16 am
Happy Holidays from the Japan Switch Team!
This isn't the best way to start, but... Have you ever heard the Japanese slang term kuribocchi?
It’s a blend of kurisumasu (Christmas) and bocchi (being alone), and it refers specifically to spending Christmas alone in Japan (which carries a very different weight than it does in the West).
Because Christmas Eve in Japan functions more like Valentine’s Day than a family holiday, with couples booking restaurants, hotels, and posting romantic photos, being alone that night can feel a little more lonely than any other night of the year.
But, hey. Being single isn't the end of the world, and being single today doesn't mean you'll be single this time next week or next month.
So, let's get into Japanese Christmas and some other goodies!
Ultimate Guide to Japanese Christmas
Think Christmas is the same everywhere? Japan would like a word. Here, the lights are bigger, the cake is strawberry shortcake, and Christmas Eve is less family dinner and more full-on date night. If that surprised you, the rest probably will too. Dive in to see how Japan really does Christmas!
Ultimate Guide to Snow Monkey Onsen
Yes, the monkeys really sit in hot springs. No, it’s not a zoo trick or a once-a-day photo op. In winter, this is just what they do, and it’s equal parts strange and completely normal once you’re there. We've got the down low on when to go, what’s actually worth expecting, and how not to mess it up. Read on for more!
Top 40 Japanese Slang to Know
Yabai! If you learned Japanese from textbooks, this is where things can start to fall apart. People don’t talk like your teacher, your app, or your exam audio. They talk in shortcuts, slang, and half-finished phrases that change the vibe of a sentence instantly. Here's the stuff you actually hear once you leave the classroom!
Side note: If you're serious about visiting or living in Japan, check out Japan Switch's affordable online and offline Japanese lessons and make sure you're ready to make the most of your time here!
For more information or other updates and tips on life in Japan, be sure to check out our blog here.
Your Friends,
The Japan Switch Team
