Takako Tomura's Christmas party this week has all the festive trimmings. Children decorate a pine tree with tinsel and hand-made decorations, as adults toast mulled wine and everyone exchanges gifts.

Then the families sit down to enjoy the traditional Japanese Christmas meal — mounds of Kentucky Fried Chicken. 

As with other foreign celebrations, such as Halloween and Valentine's Day, Japan has embraced Christmas with gusto — although the religious elements are largely overlooked in a nation where only 1% of the population is Christian. 

Instead, Christmas Eve is considered one of the most romantic days of the year in Japan, and high-end restaurants and hotels are typically booked months in advance. And although coronavirus has put a damper on a romantic Christmas Eve this year, the windows of department stores are still full of gifts for significant others.