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10-06-2007, 07:57 AM
I traveled in western Japan in winter and it was great. I had Christmas dinner at a Ramen stand in Hakata (a city on Kyushu famous for its pork ramen). Many places may be closed for New Years, but Christmas isn't as big over there as it is here. They generally hand some decorations, maybe give a few gifts, and eat a Christmas Cake.
One observation I had is this: In the US, Christmas is generally seen as a day to spend with family, and New Years is a time to celebrate with friends. In general, it's the opposite in Japan. Not a hard and fast rule, of course. New Years is typically seen as the more important and solemn holiday in Japan, instead of Christmas.
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