As Japan Times reported earlier this month, the average price of whole Christmas cakes in Japan this year is up 7.8%, or about $2.20, from a year earlier, reflecting surging costs of almost all ...

Japan’s most-followed religion is Shintoism, with less than 1% of its population being Christian. And yet, the nation celebrates Christmas in full spirit, with an extra helping of romance.

Japan’s most-followed religion is Shintoism, with less than 1% of its population being Christian. And yet, the nation celebrates Christmas in full spirit, with an extra helping of romance.

For most Japanese, Christmas Eve is an even bigger deal than Christmas Day. Over here, Christmas Eve is the most romantic day of the year (yes, outstripping Valentine’s Day, which they also do).

It's Christmas, but not as you know it. Since World War II, Japan has embraced the typically Western holiday and made it its own. There's Santa, trees, and presents, but on the Christmas lunch ...

It's Christmas, but not as you know it. Since World War II, Japan has embraced the typically Western holiday and made it its own. There's Santa, trees, and presents, but on the Christmas lunch ...

Whatever the case, Okawara's venture came to set the tone for Christmas in Japan for decades to come, especially after the winter of 1974. Photo: KFC Japan.

Japan’s most-followed religion is Shintoism, with less than 1% of its population being Christian. And yet, the nation celebrates Christmas in full spirit, with an extra helping of romance.

It's Christmas, but not as you know it. Since World War II, Japan has embraced the typically Western holiday and made it its own. There's Santa, trees, and presents, but on the Christmas lunch ...

It's Christmas, but not as you know it. Since World War II, Japan has embraced the typically Western holiday and made it its own. There's Santa, trees, and presents, but on the Christmas lunch ...

Japan’s most-followed religion is Shintoism, with less than 1% of its population being Christian. And yet, the nation celebrates Christmas in full spirit, with an extra helping of romance.