In Japan, couples often celebrate Christmas as a sort of alternate Valentine's Day.
In Japan, couples often celebrate Christmas as a sort of alternate Valentine's Day.
The day started with the pair capturing moments at TeamLab, an engrossing and highly Instagrammable digital art exhibition. Afterward, they made their way to Shibuya Sky, an observation terrace situated 751 feet above the ground, to enjoy the broad vista of the Japanese capital.
A university student narrates, "It was our first month together, so we were still apprehensive. But I had an amazing time exploring these places with him for the first time."
Another student, Takao Akao, aged 19, spent the previous Christmas with his girlfriend checking out mesmerizing light displays and visiting a Christmas market. They then sat down and enjoyed a warming cup of hot chocolate.
He reminiscenced, "I had an incredible experience."
In Western culture, Christmas is typically the time for families to gather, exchange lavish gifts, and share tales over eggnog, while some attend church.
However, in Japan, the festive season is often associated with a romantic twist. It's widely regarded as another "Valentine's Day."
Couples go on special dates on Christmas Eve, admiring festive decorations, savoring at gourmet restaurants, and checking into luxury hotels.
The sense of love fills the air, from Tokyo, where the luminous streets of Roppongi and Ginza are filled with couples strolling hand in hand under twinkling trees, to Hokkaido, where the promise of a white Christmas is in the air.
For those who wish to indulge, luxury hotel rooms with breathtaking views, costing up to $2,000 per night, are available, if not already booked.
In Japan, young adults often live with their parents, so spending the night together outside the home is considered a special treat.
This year, Ritz-Carlton Tokyo offers a "romantic escape," including credits for an elegant dinner and an ice-skating experience, while Grand Hyatt Tokyo promises a "romantic evening," with rooms offering panoramic views of the festive lights.
Restaurants and shops utilize this opportunity, offering special dinner sets and discounts on a variety of gifts, from chocolates to jewelry.
"It's all about mood and atmosphere," remarks Roy Starrs, an associate professor specializing in Japanese studies at the University of Otago in New Zealand.
"Young couples go out together on dates once it gets dark, to appreciate the vibrant displays of colorful lights, which is considered a very romantic atmosphere conducive to young love."
Japan, with a population of 124 million, has Shintoism as its most-followed religion, with less than 1% of the population being Christian. Yet, Christmas is celebrated with enthusiasm.
According to Starrs, Christianity first arrived in Japan in the mid-16th century, but it was largely suppressed during the Tokugawa era. However, after World War II, American culture, including Christmas, started to flourish in Japan.
Christmas is primarily viewed as a pop-cultural spectacle, says Starrs, filled with cheerful lights, Santa Claus dolls, Christmas markets, beautifully wrapped gifts, and Christmas cakes.
Japan is a society that values aesthetics incredibly, which is why these festive displays, often accompanied by snow, make for a perfect romantic scenario for a white Christmas.
"The couple may also exchange gifts, visit an elegant German-style Christmas market, and end the evening in a chic French or Italian restaurant. And after all that, the mood might just be right for a marriage proposal!" says Starrs.
The romantic aura of Christmas might well be the best present the Japanese government could hope for, as they strive to boost marriages and births.
Its fertility rate dropped to 1.20 last year, reaching a record low, even lower than the 2.1 required to sustain a stable population in the country.
For the elderly generation in what was once the world's second-largest economy, extravagance was the norm, the grander, the better. Apart from expensive hotels, men often put on a show of wealth by popping champagne and renting limousines.
However, after years of stagnation, Japan's economic reputation has waned, slipping to the fourth position earlier this year. With the cost of living on the rise, young couples are opting for more affordable ways to celebrate.
Inoue Shogo, a university student, aged 23, mentions, "Since the Western food becomes more expensive, as everyone seeks a Christmas dinner, we prefer a cheaper alternative, usually Japanese cuisine."
Practices like having a Christmas cake, staying home for a private party, and a leisurely stroll to admire the Christmas lights have become popular among the younger generation, according to a recent survey by marketing company MERU.
Yuhi Hasegawa, aged 19, spent the previous Christmas with his girlfriend at Enoshima, enjoying the festive lights and beautiful views.
Enoshima, a small island located an hour's train ride south of Tokyo, is known for its picturesque beaches and laid-back atmosphere.
"We should cherish the time with our partner. Instead of splurging on expensive restaurants or luxury cosmetics, staying home, watching 'First Love' (a Netflix love series) and finding true love might be the best solution," says Hasegawa.
Couples often utilize the festive season as an opportunity for travel, with many visiting romantic spots like Enoshima on Christmas Eve. Yuhi Hasegawa, for example, spent the previous Christmas with his girlfriend at Enoshima, enjoying the festive lights and stunning views.
Despite the economic constraints, young Japanese couples are finding creative ways to celebrate Christmas, opting for more affordable alternatives like Japanese cuisine and leisurely strolls to admire the Christmas lights, as Inoue Shogo, a university student, has noted.