Celebrating Foreign Holidays in Japan: Finding Turkey, Trees, and More

Celebrating your favorite holidays while living abroad can be a challenge, but Japan offers surprising ways to keep traditions alive. From hunting down a whole turkey and finding the perfect Christmas tree to navigating local customs, here is your ultimate guide to festive survival in Japan.

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Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree in Japan

For many, the holiday season doesn’t officially start until the tree is up. In Western countries, you might be used to driving to a farm and strapping a six-foot Douglas Fir to the roof of your car. In Japan, the process requires a bit more strategy, especially given the compact size of most apartments.

Artificial Trees are King Due to space constraints and humidity, high-quality artificial trees are the standard here.

• Nitori: Often called the “IKEA of Japan,” Nitori sells affordable, compact trees that are designed to fit in Japanese living rooms. Their ornaments are also budget-friendly.
• Francfranc: If you want something stylish—think pink trees or chic, modern designs—this is the place.
• Costco Japan: If you have the space and want a massive, American-style tree, Costco is your best bet. Just make sure you measure your ceiling height (and your door frame!) before you buy.

The Hunt for Real Trees Real trees are rare and expensive, but they exist.

• IKEA Japan: historically, IKEA sold real fir trees, though stock varies by year and location. They usually sell out within the first week of December.
• National Azabu: This high-end international supermarket in Tokyo (Hiroo) creates a tree lot every year. It is pricey, but it smells like home.
• Home Centers: Large home centers like Cainz or Kohnan sometimes stock small potted fir trees in their gardening sections.

Read more about Housing in Japan: Decorating Small Spaces

The Great Turkey Chase: Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner

The centerpiece of many Western holidays is the roast turkey. In Japan, this bird is practically a mythical creature in standard supermarkets. You will almost never find a whole frozen turkey at your local “Life” or “Aeon” grocery store.

Where to Buy Whole Turkeys You have two main lifelines for whole birds:

1. The Meat Guy: This online retailer is legendary among the expat community. They deliver frozen turkeys, hams, and rare cuts of meat directly to your door. They even sell spice mixes and stuffing.
2. Costco: During the holiday season, Costco Japan stocks frozen turkeys. They are reasonably priced, but they are heavy, so plan your transport accordingly.
3. Hanamasa: This “pro” supermarket for restaurant owners sometimes carries frozen turkeys, though stock is inconsistent.

The Oven Dilemma Before you buy a 15-pound bird, look at your kitchen. Most Japanese apartments come with a “fish grill” and a microwave-convection oven combo. These are excellent machines, but they are small.

• Measure First: Check the internal dimensions of your oven.
• Spatchcocking: This is a technique where you remove the backbone of the bird so it lays flat. This cooks the turkey faster and helps it fit into shallow Japanese ovens.
• Roast Chicken: Many expats switch to roasting a whole chicken instead. It is easier to find, fits in the oven, and tastes just as festive with the right gravy.

Check out Shopping in Japan: Grocery Guides for Expats

Sourcing the Sides: Cranberries, Stuffing, and Spices

You have the meat, but what about the rest? Finding sage, canned pumpkin puree (not the Japanese kabocha squash, which is delicious but different), and cranberry sauce can be a treasure hunt.

Kaldi Coffee Farm This store is your best friend. Kaldi is a compact import store found in almost every shopping mall and station building.

• What to buy: Canned cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, gravy granules, festive chocolates, advent calendars, and holiday teas.
• Tip: The aisles are narrow and crowded. Go on a weekday morning if you can.

Seijo Ishii A slightly more upscale supermarket that carries a good selection of foreign cheeses, wines, and packaged goods. It is great for finding hors d’oeuvres for a holiday party.

Jupiter Similar to Kaldi, Jupiter is an import shop often found in train stations. They have an excellent selection of foreign spices, pastas, and sauces that regular supermarkets miss.

National Azabu and Nissin World Delicatessen If you are in Tokyo, these two stores are the “Holy Grail.” Located in expat-heavy areas, they stock nearly everything you would find in an American or European grocery store. You will pay a premium, but for a special holiday meal, it is worth it.

The Japanese Christmas: Fried Chicken and Strawberry Cake

If you want to take a break from cooking and embrace the local culture, you should try the “Japanese Style” Christmas. It is a fascinating example of successful marketing becoming a tradition.

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) In the 1970s, a marketing campaign convinced the nation that fried chicken is the traditional Western Christmas meal. Today, millions of Japanese families eat KFC on Christmas Eve.

• Pre-ordering is Essential: You cannot just walk in on December 24th. You must reserve your “Party Barrel” weeks in advance. It often comes with a commemorative plate and a cake.

Christmas Cake Forget fruitcake or yule logs. In Japan, “Christmas Cake” refers specifically to a light sponge cake covered in whipped cream and topped with perfect strawberries. It is sold everywhere, from 7-Eleven to luxury department stores. It is light, not too sweet, and absolutely delicious.

Comparison of Import Food Stores

To help you plan your shopping trip, here is a quick breakdown of where to go for your holiday essentials.

Store Name	Best For	Price Range	Locations
Kaldi Coffee Farm	Snacks, sauces, cheese, wine	Affordable	Nationwide (Everywhere)
Costco	Whole turkeys, bulk ham, large pies	Affordable (Bulk)	Suburbs (Need car)
The Meat Guy	Turkeys, specific meat cuts, sausages	Mid-High	Online Delivery
National Azabu	Everything (US/EU brands)	High	Tokyo (Hiroo)
Seijo Ishii	Appetizers, wine, imported sweets	Mid-High	Major Stations
Gyomu Super	Frozen halal meats, tortillas, bulk spice	Very Cheap	Nationwide

Halloween: The Street Party

Moving back in the calendar slightly, Halloween in Japan has exploded in the last decade. However, it is less about “Trick or Treating” and more about “Cosplay.”

Shibuya Crossing You have likely seen the footage. Tens of thousands of people in costume converge on Shibuya Crossing. It is chaotic, loud, and intense. If you love parties, it is a bucket-list event. If you prefer a quiet night, stay far away from Shibuya on October 31st.

For Kids Trick or treating is not a standard custom in Japanese neighborhoods. Do not send your kids to knock on neighbors’ doors; it will cause confusion. Instead, look for organized events by:

• Local Shotengai (shopping streets) often host candy walks.
• English conversation schools (Eikaiwa) often hold parties.
• Theme parks like Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan go all out with decorations and parades.

New Year’s Eve: The Quiet Transition

One of the biggest culture shocks for expats is New Year’s Eve ( Omisoka ) and New Year’s Day ( Oshogatsu ).

In the West, New Year’s Eve is for fireworks, champagne, and loud counting down. New Year’s Day is for sleeping in. In Japan, it is the opposite.

• December 31st: A quiet time for family. People eat Toshikoshi Soba (noodles to cross over the year) and watch the Kohaku Uta Gassen song contest on TV.
• January 1st: This is the most important holiday of the year. Families visit shrines ( Hatsumode ) to pray for luck. It is solemn, peaceful, and beautiful.

Osechi Ryori Instead of a hot roast, the traditional New Year food is Osechi —elaborate boxes of cold, preserved foods, each with a symbolic meaning (eg, shrimp for long life, sweet chestnuts for wealth). It is an acquired taste for some, but worth trying once.

Celebrating Hanukkah, Diwali, and Eid

Japan’s international community is diverse, and resources for other holidays are growing.

Halal Food For Eid, finding Halal meat is easier than ever. “Gyomu Super” is a discount supermarket chain that stocks a surprising amount of Halal-certified frozen chicken and mutton. Areas like Shin-Okubo in Tokyo have extensive spice shops and Halal butchers.

Diwali The Nishi-Kasai area in Tokyo is known as “Little India.” During Diwali, the local community holds vibrant events, and the grocery stores there are stocked with every lentil, spice, and sweet you need.

Hanukkah The Jewish Community of Japan (JCJ) in Tokyo is a hub for events. You can find candles and kosher goods through their network. For general supplies like latke ingredients (potatoes and onions), any local supermarket works perfectly.

Gift Giving and Delivery

If you are sending gifts back home, or to friends in Japan, be aware of the shipping deadlines. Japan Post is reliable, but December is their busiest month.

Oseibo Japan has its own winter gift-giving tradition called Oseibo . This is usually for bosses, clients, or teachers to thank them for the year. It is different from Christmas presents. If you are working in a Japanese company, ask a colleague if you are expected to participate.

Department Store Wrapping If you buy a gift at a department store (Depato) like Isetan or Takashimaya, utilize their wrapping service. It is often free and incredibly beautiful. In Japan, the presentation of the gift is just as important as the gift itself.

Bringing the Community to You

Ultimately, the best way to celebrate foreign holidays in Japan is to share them. Japanese people are often very curious about Western traditions.

Host a Potluck Since ovens are small, a potluck is the most practical way to host a dinner. Ask one friend to bring a salad, another to bring wine, and another to bring a dessert.

Invite Your Neighbors Inviting your Japanese friends or neighbors to a Thanksgiving dinner or a Christmas party is a wonderful way to build bridges. They will love the novelty of the food, and you will love having a full house. Just remember to explain the food—cranberry sauce on meat can be a shocking concept if you have never seen it before!

Conclusion

Spending the holidays away from home can be tough. It is natural to miss the ease and familiarity of your home country. But Japan offers a unique opportunity to strip these holidays down to their core: connection, gratitude, and good food.

Whether you are eating KFC with chopsticks, squeezing a chicken into a microwave oven, or finding a community of fellow expats to share a drink with, these “Japan-style” holidays often become the fondest memories you will have of your time abroad.

So go to Kaldi, grab that expensive jar of cranberry sauce, and celebrate. You are building a new tradition, right here in your new home.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.