In Japan Santa is known as サンタさん、サンタクロース / Santa-san (Mr Santa) or サンタクロース / Santa-Kurosu (Santa Claus). (Another Japanese gift bringer is Hoteiosho, a Japanese god of good fortune from Buddhism. But he is NOT related to Christmas.)
In Japan they call him 'Santa-San', which is Mr Santa. In Japan Christmas is known as a time to spread happiness rather than a religious celebration.
Even in countries where Christmas is not universally celebrated, he is pretty much known by everyone - for example in Japan, where Christmas is not a recognised holiday, he is called Santa-Kurosu or just Santa-san.
Christmas Eve and Santa Claus in Japan
Gift-giving has certainly become popular over the Christmas period in Japan. サンタさん (Santa San or Mr. Santa) brings gifts and can be found in shopping malls and kids' parties throughout Japan.
Do Japanese children believe in Santa Claus? In general, yes. Japanese kids generally believe that Santa Claus will bring them presents if they are good and are asleep when he comes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas In Australia
What is Santa Claus called in Australia? These days most Australians call Atnas (his real name) “Santa”.
The holiday season in Japan seems to be celebrated the exact opposite way as it is in western countries. In Japan, Christmas is the time for friends and couples to have parties, make plans to meet up for dinner and celebrate as much as they can.
The campaign started in the 70s to tempt tourists and expats with chicken on Christmas Day when they couldn't find turkey to eat, and was the the brainchild of Takeshi Okawara, the manager of the first KFC in the country, according to the BBC.
The same customs are upheld during Christmas, when the Japanese like giving presents to one another. They do not place them under the Christmas tree, however, even though they can be found in the streets of Japanese cities as well as in Japanese homes. Instead, Santa Claus puts presents in socks.
Santa is known as 'Sheng dan Lao ren' in Mandarin, which translates as 'Christmas Old Man', and he is seen as a non-religious figure who lives in a fairytale Arctic Christmas Village in China's North Pole.
In Japan Santa is known as サンタさん、サンタクロース / Santa-san (Mr Santa) or サンタクロース / Santa-Kurosu (Santa Claus). (Another Japanese gift bringer is Hoteiosho, a Japanese god of good fortune from Buddhism. But he is NOT related to Christmas.)
Japan. Christmas is considered a romantic holiday by the Japanese. Santa-san gets no particular treats, but if he's lucky he might get to sample some of the food and drink that the Japanese like to celebrate Christmas with – KFC and a special edition version of Pepsi that tastes of strawberry cake.
When telephones began to be used in Japan, telephone operators were at work. When those who made calls wanted to make sure if their voices were reaching the operators, they said MÔSU, MÔSU. This is said to be the origin of MOSHIMOSHI.
Nicholas: The Real Santa Claus. The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas. It is believed that Nicholas was born sometime around A.D. 280 in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey.
Saying "Merii Kurisumasu" (Merry Christmas)
Because the holiday is not native to Japan, there is no Japanese phrase for "Merry Christmas." Instead, people in Japan use the English phrase, pronounced with a Japanese inflection: Merii Kurisumasu.
Workplaces will often have a “Secret Santa” style gift exchange amongst co-workers, known as oseibo.
Australia. Australian children set out cookies for Santa, but instead of milk, they leave him an ice-cold glass of beer. After all, December is summer in the land Down Under.
According to NORAD, Santa usually visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia. After that, he goes up to Japan, over to Asia, across to Africa, then onto Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and South America.
In Japan, women had traditionally been expected to marry at a young age, and those who were unmarried after the age of 25 were metaphorically referred to as (unsold) Christmas cakes (クリスマスケーキ) in reference to items which are still unsold after the 25th.
Since Christmas isn't a national holiday, big crowds and packed hotels are scarce. This is a fun time to travel to Japan to see the gorgeous “illuminations” and markets all over the country. Though Japan does not view Christmas as a religious holiday, it is still celebrated as a way to reunite families.
Shinto and Buddhism are Japan's two major religions. Shinto is as old as the Japanese culture, while Buddhism was imported from the mainland in the 6th century. Since then, the two religions have been co-existing relatively harmoniously and have even complemented each other to a certain degree.
? The celebration of December 24 and 25 in Japan
The custom of offering gifts to children is not a rooted tradition yet, but tends to spread, with more Japanese children waiting for Santa-san (Santa / サンタ). However, Christmas in Japan is still associated with love.