Christmas in Japan Unit Study

In this free unit, your child will learn how Christmas is celebrated in Japan. In addition, they’ll learn about the geography of Japan, as well as a little related history and language arts. Unlike other “free” unit studies, you won’t have to buy or search for a bunch of required books. Everything you need, except the ingredients for a recipe, is available for free online.

This unit study is designed to last five days and can be used with a wide range of ages, making it a fun activity for the entire family to do together. With younger children, read the assignments aloud to them and skip the written work if they aren’t ready for it. Older students can read their assignments independently. If you have teenagers, you may want to have them research Japan and its Christmas traditions further, either at the library or online. Then, they could present what they’ve learned to the rest of the family.

Day 1: Introduction to Japan and its Geography

Read National Geographic Kids: Japan and click through the picture slideshow.

Watch Japan for Kids.

Have your children find Japan on a world map or globe. Have your older children play this map quiz game to learn the nine regions of Japan.

Day 2: Christmas in Japan Part 1

Read about Christmas in Japan at WhyChristmas.com.

Then watch The Full History and 4 Unique Characteristics of Christmas in Japan. Please note: The clickbait title and stock image in the thumbnail do not reflect the video’s content.

Next, watch Cinematic Christmas Lights, Tokyo Japan, to see Christmas lights around Tokyo Train Station.

Day 3: Christmas in Japan Part 2

Watch How KFC Became a Christmas Tradition in Japan.

Then watch Ode to Joy: 10,000 Japanese Sing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, which was mentioned in Day 2’s WhyChristmas.com article.

Next, watch Christmas Lights in Japan to see the light display in the Southeast Botanical Gardens located in Okinawa.

Listen to We Wish You a Merry Christmas in Japanese.

Day 4: Christmas in Japan Part 3

Watch the Tree of Cranes book read aloud.

Follow this tutorial to make origami paper cranes with your kids.

Christians make up a small percentage of Japan’s population, so as your kids have probably noticed, most Japanese view Christmas as a fun commercial holiday without religious significance. New Year is celebrated more widely and has more cultural significance in Japan. If your family would like to learn more, watch  All You Need to Know About the Traditions of New Year in Japan.

Have your children draw or write about what they have learned about Christmas and/or New Year in Japan. They can use downloadable notebooking pages or regular paper.

Day 5: Christmas in Japan Recipes

Bake a Japanese Christmas Cake (strawberry shortcake), make fried chicken, or pick up a bucket of chicken from your local KFC.

More Christmas Around the World Unit Studies

If you enjoyed this unit study, don’t miss our other Christmas Around the World units. We have several countries to choose from!

Note: This post was originally published on September 23, 2023, and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.