Christmas
in Japan is different from Christmas in western countries like the USA
or Australia. It was first celebrated in Japan in the 16th century when
the first Europeans arrived, but it is more popular nowadays because
Japanese are great lovers of festivals and celebrations. Christmas is
not a national holiday there but more and more people decorate their
homes and eat a special meal. Illuminations and lights are apopular
attraction in cities.
Parents
give presents to their children, but children do not give presents to
parents. Children know that only Santa brings presents, so when they are
older and stop believing in Santa presents are not given to them. Gifts
are also exchanged between people who are in love with each other. The
presents are very sweet, for example they include teddy bears, flowers,
scarves, hats, rings
and other jewellery. Christmas cards are given to close friends.
The most
happy about Christmas are shop owners because they earn more money than
during the whole year. Shops are decorated with Christmas trees,
mistletoes and other decorations a few weeks before Christmas. The
Japanese celebrate Christmas Eve by eating a special ’Christmas Cake’
made of strawberries and cream, which the father of the family buys on
his way home from work. The cake is the traditional Japanese Christmas
food and it is amust on that day.
BASED ON: HTTP://WWW.JAPANESELIFESTYLE.COM.AU
HTTP://WWW.JAPAN-GUIDE.COM
HTTP://WWW.TANUTECH.COM
1. Children do not get a present for Christmas when they
A. do not give gifts to their parents.
B. do not have close friends.
C. do not believe in Santa any more.
2. Which of these are NOT Christmas gifts in Japan?
A. soft toys.
B. sweets.
C. clothes.
3.At Christmas time in Japan
A. shops have a lot of customers.
B. cities are not decorated.
C. people do not go to work.
4. The text tells the reader
A. how Christmas is celebrated in western countries.
B. about Japanese Christmas traditions.
C. the history of Christmas around the world.
