Family, friends, or first loves for Japan teens at Christmas?

If you're like me and raising kids in Japan, moments like Christmas can spark a bit of curiosity. What does the holiday actually look like for Japanese teenagers today? Do they spend it glued to their phones, out with friends, or still firmly at home with family? A recent nationwide survey by Wakamono Research asked high school students across Japan who they plan to spend Christmas with, and the results provide a little snapshot into teen life here.

The biggest takeaway is that Christmas is still very much a family affair for many. About one third of respondents said they'd spend the day with family, often describing it as something they do every year. Eating cake and fried chicken, exchanging small gifts, and simply being together were commonly mentioned. For expat parents, this might be reassuring, since despite the image of Christmas as a "romantic" event in Japan, plenty of teens still see it as an opportunity for some quality family time.

Almost the same number of students said they would be spending Christmas with friends. Club activities play a big role here, with some students heading straight from practice to karaoke, illuminations, or casual Christmas parties. For kids growing up in Japan, school clubs clearly shape not just weekdays but holidays too.

Spending Christmas with a boyfriend or girlfriend came next, at just under 20%. I did feel that the survey hinted at the social pressure around having a partner, with some students admitting they chose spending time with family or friends simply because they didn't have a significant other. A smaller group planned to spend Christmas alone, most commonly due to exam prep, while others expected to work part-time jobs during the busy season.

I think this was a good window into what my own kids will likely experience as they head towards their teen years here...a useful reference point, if you will!