
Majority say a guy just has to do one thing, and no, it’s not “be handsome.”
Even more so than putting presents in stockings or goodwill towards men in your heart, Christmas in Japan is primarily about putting a romantic date in your schedule. Christmas Eve, in particular, is the country’s biggest date night, with couples heading out to admire the seasonal decorations, dine at fancy restaurants, and eat strawberry-topped cakes.
So once December rolls around, many single Japanese start sifting through their romantic prospects in search of someone to spend December 24 with. With this in mind, Japanese romance Internet portal Aikatsu posed a question to its single female users, asking them what criteria a man would have to meet for them to accept a Christmas Eve date invitation from him.
Replies from the 589 respondents were divided into five categories, with five percent of the women polled saying they’d only go out with their ideal Prince Charming, and another 15 percent who are only interested in spending Christmas Eve with a guy they feel they could have a serious relationship with.
Moving towards less stringent requirements, 10 percent of the women said they’d accept the invitation from a guy whose looks (specifically his facial appearance) and personality match their preferences. Even less picky were the 13 percent who said they’d go out with a guy as long as they didn’t feel an instinctive revulsion to him.
But even after all those votes were tallied, the majority, 55 percent, of the replies were left over for the group that said they’d accept a Christmas Eve date invitation from any guy.
Now, it’s worth remembering that the survey was done through a website that focusses on relationship topics and advice, and as such the participants are likely a bit more proactive in perusing romantic opportunities than the public at large. Still, it’s a reminder that a guy doesn’t always have to be perfect in order to get a date, but he probably does have to be confident enough to ask for one.

40 percent of Japanese women in survey say they’d be OK with a “Christmas Eve-only” boyfriend
More than half of Japanese men in survey spent Christmas alone, women more likely to be OK solo
Less than one in four surveyed Japanese men has a girlfriend, over one in three women has a beau
Japan’s Christmas plans are pretty chill this year, survey shows
Roughly 40 percent of single Japanese men in their 20s have never been on a date, survey says
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Yoshinoya and Dragon Quest slaying scalpers with shift to made-to-order collaboration merch
Climbing season officially opens for Japan’s Mt. Hiyoriyama, the shortest mountain in the country
Tochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Raw chicken dishes to be regulated by Japanese government
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japanese women reveal how far they’ve gone in “stalking” a guy they like in survey
30-minute protest march held in downtown Tokyo by dateless men opposing Christmas Eve dates
Is it OK to split the bill on a date in Japan? Survey asks what women and men of different ages think
Survey asks Japanese women if they could date a man who earns less money than they do
11 ways to have a great Christmas date…when your date is a bowl of instant noodles
What are the most and least attractive hobbies for Japanese men and women? Survey investigates
Survey asks Japanese women if they’d rather date a guy who’s experienced with women or not
Nearly half of young Japanese men in survey have never had a girlfriend, zero-boyfriend women rise too
Japanese college women pick between men who’re short and handsome or tall and plain in survey
How much do Japanese men and women pay on dates? Survey finds large gap
Man selling ring intended for girlfriend who dumped him gets no sympathy from potential buyer
Survey asks Japanese women if they could marry a man who’s rich but ugly
Tokyo Cancel Christmas protest march cancelled by Revolutionary Alliance of Unpopular Men
Japanese Valentine’s Day surveys: women likely to succeed at confessing, men split on chocolate
How do Japanese women feel about going Dutch on a date? Survey investigates, finds gap
Japanese men and woman both have the same top requirement for a spouse in konkatsu poll