Japan in December is like if a Christmas tree had a cyberpunk cousin who only wore designer LED lights. The illuminations are insane—whole streets turn into cascades of blue and white lights that make you wonder if you’ve accidentally walked into a Tron audition. And it’s not even a religious thing; it’s aesthetic.
20 of the Best Places To Visit in December | Wanderlust
The weirdest part? You can eat KFC for Christmas dinner. Yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken is the traditional holiday meal here, thanks to a marketing campaign from the 1970s that never died. People pre-order their “Christmas Chicken” weeks in advance, and you might see a queue of salarymen in suits holding a bucket like it’s a holy relic. It’s both hilarious and deeply confusing.
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Visit a public bathhouse (onsen) where you soak in volcanic hot springs while snow falls on your head. Your brain will short-circuit from the contrast. Just remember: no tattoos (or hide them, we won’t tell). And whatever you do, don’t drop your towel—Japan is polite, but your dignity is not covered by insurance.
