Japan
日本
While most Japanese residents are not Christian, the majority of people still celebrate Christmas just for the fun of it. Unsurprisingly, the rituals are slightly different than those we are used to. Because KFC has marketed the idea that fried chicken is the traditional meal for the holidays, the restaurants are so busy on Christmas Day that reservations are required.
盡管大多數日本人都不是基督徒,但絕大多數人都圖個好玩兒來慶祝圣誕節。儀式跟我們所熟知的稍有不同,這不足為奇。由于肯德基已經推廣了“炸雞是圣誕傳統小吃”這一概念,節日當天肯德基餐館業務太繁忙,顧客需要預訂才能買到炸雞。
Most of the holiday celebrations revolve around romantic love more than family relationships and bakeries even sell cakes for sweethearts.
節日慶祝活動大多以浪漫愛情為主題,而非家庭親情。面包店甚至會給甜食控們提供蛋糕。
Children still have a Santa figure though, only in this case, he is a traditional Japanese god who is known for his generosity. Hoteiosho is a heavy-set Buddhist priest who carries a large sack of presents. Children know they have to be good because Hoteiosho has eyes in the back of his head.
但是孩子們還是有一個圣誕老人形象(Hoteiosho)的。他是傳統的日本神,以慷慨著稱。他的形象是一個身材魁梧的佛教徒,背著一大麻袋禮物。孩子們都知道自己得好好表現,因為圣誕老人后腦勺上長了眼睛。