I agree with the above also. Christmas in Japan is not the same holiday as in western cultures. There is zero religious connection, zero family connection, and they even go so far as to concoct this abomination of a strawberry short cake and coin it the Christmas Cake.

Giving presents gives way to parents giving the kids a pass on pre-marital sex. Restaurants call it a lovers holiday. A huge disappointment if you hold Christmas to be special in your heart.

The lights that are put up are very beautiful and reflect the Japanese ability with presentation. Lovely to walk around th city looking at the various displays.

As far as it being in anyway shape or form a holiday as you may imagine Christmas to be, fugeddaboutit.