Japan Christmas Dinner: KFC, Cake & Everything You Need to Know

Key Takeaways

• KFC is the most popular Christmas dinner in Japan, with around 3.6 million families ordering it each year
• Christmas cake in Japan is a fluffy strawberry shortcake, completely different from traditional British Christmas cake
• Christmas Eve in Japan is primarily for romantic dates, while Christmas Day is more family-focused
• You need to order KFC weeks in advance, or face queuing for hours on the day
• Other popular Christmas foods include pizza, chirashi sushi, and German Christmas market treats

Right, let me tell you something absolutely bonkers that I only fully understood when we visited Japan back in the spring. Remember when I mentioned we went to Tokyo and had the most incredible time at DisneySea? Well, whilst we were there, I got chatting to some Japanese families about their Christmas traditions, and honestly, my mind was blown.

You know how we spend weeks planning our Christmas dinner here in the UK? Ordering the turkey from the butcher, prepping the roasties, making sure we’ve got enough Brussels sprouts that nobody will eat? Well, in Japan, millions of families simply ring up KFC.

Yes, you read that correctly. Kentucky Fried Chicken. For Christmas dinner!

I know it sounds absolutely mad, but there’s actually a brilliant story behind it, and once you understand the cultural context, it makes complete sense. Plus, having experienced Japanese food culture firsthand (hello, MiPig Cafe in Tokyo), I can tell you that the Japanese approach to celebrating is wonderfully different from ours.

What is a Traditional Japan Christmas Dinner?

Here’s the thing that surprised me most about Christmas in Japan: it’s not actually a national holiday. Nobody gets the day off work. There are no sprawling family gatherings that last from breakfast until you’re practically rolling home at midnight. Instead, the Japanese have created their own unique Christmas traditions that are completely different from what we’re used to here in Britain.

The most iconic Japan Christmas dinner centres around fried chicken, specifically from KFC. This isn’t just a casual meal choice, mind you. It’s a full-blown national phenomenon that started back in 1974 and has become so ingrained in Japanese culture that families book their Christmas chicken months in advance.

But it’s not just about the chicken. A proper Japanese Christmas dinner typically includes:

The main event: KFC fried chicken or other fried chicken dishes (karaage or teriyaki chicken)

The showstopper dessert: Japanese Christmas cake, which is a light, fluffy strawberry shortcake covered in whipped cream

The sides: Often includes coleslaw, potato salad, or cream stew

The drinks: Chanmery for the kids (a non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice) and possibly wine for the adults

Honestly, compared to the stress of cooking a traditional British Christmas dinner, the Japanese approach of ordering everything sounds rather appealing, doesn’t it?

The Fascinating Story Behind KFC Christmas in Japan

The story of how KFC became synonymous with Christmas in Japan is absolutely brilliant marketing meets cultural timing. Back in 1970, KFC opened its first store in Japan, in Nagoya. Just four years later, in 1974, they launched what would become one of the most successful marketing campaigns in history.

The man behind it all was Takeshi Okawara, the manager of Japan’s first KFC franchise. There are actually a few versions of how this tradition started. Some say Okawara overheard foreigners lamenting that they couldn’t find turkey for Christmas dinner in Japan and suggested chicken as an alternative. Others claim he dressed up as Santa Claus for a party and was inspired by how much the children loved it.

Whatever the true origin story, Okawara came up with the genius idea of a “party barrel” filled with fried chicken, sold at an attractive price with the slogan “Kentucky for Christmas!” The campaign struck gold.

Think about it from a Japanese perspective: turkey isn’t readily available in Japan, and many homes don’t have ovens large enough to cook one anyway. Christmas wasn’t a traditional holiday, so there were no established customs to compete with. And here comes Colonel Sanders, who with his white beard and red suit, looks suspiciously like Santa Claus. Brilliant, really.

The campaign showed families gathering together to enjoy a luxurious feast of golden fried chicken, positioning it as an authentic Western Christmas tradition. The fact that this wasn’t entirely accurate didn’t matter. It caught on spectacularly.

Today, KFC makes about a third of its annual sales in Japan during the Christmas period, selling around 800,000 Christmas packs and 300,000 party barrels between December 23rd and 25th. That’s seriously impressive.

What’s in a Japanese KFC Christmas Meal?

If you’re planning to experience Christmas in Japan or you’re just curious about what the fuss is about, here’s what you can expect from a KFC Christmas meal.

The standard party box includes eight pieces of chicken (you can usually choose between legs, tenders, and breast pieces), plus special sides that you wouldn’t normally find on the KFC menu. We’re talking shrimp gratin, coleslaw, and sometimes even a chocolate cake or triple berry tiramisu.

The premium party barrels can include a whole roast chicken, which is about as close to a traditional Western Christmas dinner as you’ll get in Japan.

Everything comes in festively designed buckets with Christmas decorations, along with paper party plates to make it feel more special than just regular takeaway.

Here’s the crucial bit: you absolutely must order in advance. Like, weeks in advance. About 40% of all KFC Christmas orders in Japan are made ahead of time, starting around six weeks before Christmas. If you don’t pre-order, you’ll be joining the massive queues that form outside KFC restaurants on Christmas Day, with wait times stretching up to two hours.

When we were planning what to do in Tokyo at New Year as a family, I looked into whether we could try the KFC Christmas experience, but we’d missed the ordering window. The Japanese take their Christmas chicken very seriously indeed.

Japanese Christmas Cake: A Sweet Surprise

Now, when I first heard about “Christmas cake” in Japan, my brain immediately went to the traditional British version, you know, that dense fruitcake soaked in brandy that seems to last until Easter. Japanese Christmas cake couldn’t be more different.

The typical Japanese Christmas cake is essentially a strawberry shortcake. Picture a light, fluffy sponge cake layered with fresh whipped cream and topped with bright red strawberries and Christmas decorations. It’s sweet, it’s pretty, and it looks more like what we’d serve at a birthday party than Christmas.

The tradition actually started way back in 1910 when Fujiya department store began selling Christmas cakes, initially targeting foreigners living in the Yokohama area. After World War II, as Japan experienced economic growth and Western influences spread, the Christmas cake became a symbol of prosperity and celebration.

There’s something rather lovely about the colour scheme too. Some people say the red strawberries and white cream represent the colours of the Japanese flag, though I suspect it’s more about creating something visually festive and delicious.

You can find Christmas cakes everywhere during the holiday season in Japan: convenience stores, department stores, bakeries. Even 7-Eleven (my fave!) sells special “ohitorisama” Christmas cakes designed for single people, which I think is rather thoughtful. Nobody should miss out on cake, after all.

Just like with KFC, if you want a proper Christmas cake from a good bakery, you’ll need to order it in advance. They’re incredibly popular and sell out quickly.

What Else Do Japanese People Eat at Christmas?

Whilst KFC and Christmas cake dominate the headlines, there are actually quite a few other foods that have become associated with Christmas in Japan. Some are traditional Japanese dishes that get a festive makeover, whilst others are more recent additions trying to muscle in on KFC’s territory.

Pizza: The New Contender

Pizza companies like Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and Pizza-La have been working hard to position pizza as an alternative Christmas dinner option. It makes sense, really. Pizza is seen as party food in Japan, it’s easy to share, and nobody has to cook.

These pizza chains go all out with special Christmas menus featuring toppings like roast chicken (of course), roast beef, camembert cheese, and even truffles. They’ve introduced “quattro” pizzas where each quarter has different toppings, and many include seasonal chicken dishes to appeal to Japanese Christmas preferences.

Traditional Japanese Dishes with a Festive Twist

Chirashi sushi is a popular party food that sometimes appears at Christmas gatherings. It’s basically a colorful bowl of sushi rice topped with various ingredients like cooked prawns, vegetables, and pickles. The name means “scattered sushi” and it’s typically served at celebrations.

Cream stew (or “white stew”) is a beloved comfort food in Japan, especially during winter. It’s made with chicken or pork and vegetables like onion, carrot, potato, and cabbage, all cooked in a thick white roux. Perfect for a cold December evening.

Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) shows up at many Christmas parties. It’s similar to what you’d get at KFC but homemade, with chicken pieces marinated in soy sauce, sake, and ginger before being fried until crispy.

Potato salad is another Christmas dinner staple in Japan, possibly influenced by German traditions (about 40% of Germans eat potato salad on Christmas Eve, apparently).

German Christmas Market Influences

When we were researching things to do in Tokyo, I was fascinated to learn about the German Christmas markets that pop up in major Japanese cities. These markets, whilst smaller than their European counterparts, have introduced foods like German sausages, pretzels, mulled wine, and stollen (a sweet German bread filled with nuts and dried fruit) to the Japanese Christmas repertoire.

The Roppongi Christmas Market is one of the bigger ones in Tokyo and definitely worth a visit if you’re in Japan during the holiday season.

Yuzu: The Winter Citrus

Yuzu is a citrus fruit that’s in season from November to January in Japan. During the Christmas period, you’ll find yuzu-flavored everything: KitKats, tea, desserts, you name it.

One of my favorite Japanese traditions involves yuzu baths. People place whole yuzu fruits in hot bathwater to release their gorgeous citrus aroma. It’s believed to prevent winter illnesses and purify the body during the cold months. After our experience with the deer in Nara and all the walking we did, I would have killed for a yuzu bath.

Chanmery: The Kids’ Celebration Drink

This is such a clever product. Chanmery is essentially sparkling grape juice packaged to look like champagne, allowing children to join in the celebration without alcohol. The name combines “champagne” and “Merry Christmas,” and the bottle makes that satisfying pop when opened (but safely, without actual corks flying about).

Christmas in Japan: More Than Just Dinner

Having spent time in Japan, I can tell you that the Christmas experience there is completely different from what we’re used to in the UK. And I mean that in the best possible way.

Christmas Eve: The Most Romantic Night of the Year

Here’s something that really surprised me: in Japan, Christmas Eve is essentially Valentine’s Day. It’s the most romantic night of the year, when couples go out for fancy dinners, exchange gifts, and spend quality time together.

Restaurants get booked up weeks in advance. The streets are decorated beautifully with lights (the Japanese absolutely nail illuminations, by the way). It’s all very romantic and lovely, but if you’re single on Christmas Eve in Japan, you might want to stay home and watch telly.

This is quite different from the UK, where Christmas Eve is often about last-minute shopping panic and getting the kids to bed early so you can assemble that trampoline at midnight.

Christmas Day: Family Time (Sort Of)

Christmas Day in Japan is still a regular working day, remember. So whilst some families might gather for dinner in the evening after work, it’s nothing like the all-day British Christmas extravaganza we’re used to.

The big family holiday in Japan is actually New Year, which is when everyone travels home, visits temples, and spends proper time together. Think of it like Christmas and New Year being flipped around.

The Lights, Oh The Lights

If there’s one thing the Japanese do better than anyone at Christmas, it’s illuminations. Honestly, it’s spectacular. Shopping malls, parks, streets, and famous landmarks all get dressed up in the most incredible light displays.

These displays run from mid-November right through to Valentine’s Day in some places, creating months of magical winter evenings. When we visited Tokyo, the illuminations were absolutely stunning, even though it wasn’t Christmas time.

Planning a Japan Christmas Dinner: Practical Tips

Right, so you’re convinced you want to experience a proper Japanese Christmas. Here’s what you need to know to pull it off, whether you’re in Japan or trying to recreate it at home.

If You’re Actually in Japan

Book everything early: Seriously, I cannot stress this enough. KFC orders open about two months before Christmas and slots fill up fast. Same goes for restaurants if you’re planning a romantic Christmas Eve dinner.

Consider alternatives to KFC: If you miss the booking window, other fried chicken restaurants and even convenience stores sell Christmas chicken. It might not be the authentic KFC experience, but it’ll still be delicious.

Visit the Christmas markets: The German Christmas markets in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Yokohama are brilliant fun and add another dimension to the experience.

Check out the illuminations: Make time to see the spectacular light displays. Some of the best are at Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown, and Shibuya.

Don’t expect Christmas Day to feel like Christmas: Remember, it’s a working day. Everything operates as normal. The magic happens on Christmas Eve.

If You’re Recreating It at Home in the UK

Get your KFC: Ring up your local KFC and place a big order. Get the bucket, get the sides, make it feel special.

Make a Japanese Christmas cake: You can find loads of strawberry shortcake recipes online. It’s actually not that difficult, just sponge, cream, and strawberries. The kids would love decorating it.

Add Japanese touches: Serve it with Japanese drinks (ramune for the kids, sake or Japanese beer for the adults), play some J-pop music, maybe watch some anime Christmas specials.

Make it fun: The point of the Japanese Christmas is that it’s low-stress and enjoyable. No hours spent in the kitchen, no massive cleanup. Just good food and quality time together.

Comparing British and Japanese Christmas Dinner Traditions

As a British mum living in London, I find the contrast between our Christmas traditions and Japanese ones absolutely fascinating. Here in the UK, we’re all about the home-cooked feast. We spend days shopping, prepping, cooking, and then cleaning up. It’s lovely but exhausting.

The Japanese approach is wonderfully pragmatic. Why stress about cooking when you can order delicious food and focus on enjoying time with loved ones? There’s something quite liberating about that.

That said, I don’t think I could give up my roast potatoes and pigs in blankets. Maybe the answer is doing a Japanese-style Christmas one year as a fun change, then going back to our traditional dinner the next.

What I do love about the Japanese tradition is how it’s evolved naturally based on what works for their culture. They didn’t have a Christmas dinner tradition, so they created one that suits their lifestyle: food that’s easy to obtain, delicious, and brings people together. Isn’t that what Christmas is really about?

Frequently Asked Questions About Japan Christmas Dinner

Is KFC really that popular at Christmas in Japan?

Absolutely yes. Around 3.6 million Japanese families order KFC for Christmas each year, and it accounts for about a third of KFC Japan’s annual sales. People genuinely do order weeks in advance and queue for hours if they haven’t pre-booked. It’s a proper cultural phenomenon.

Can you get turkey for Christmas dinner in Japan?

Turkey is quite difficult to find in Japan and not widely available in regular supermarkets. Some international supermarkets and high-end hotels might offer turkey dinners, but they’re expensive and not the norm. The lack of readily available turkey is actually one reason why the KFC tradition took off so successfully.

What does Japanese Christmas cake taste like?

Japanese Christmas cake is a light, fluffy sponge cake with fresh whipped cream and strawberries. It’s sweet but not overly so, quite refreshing actually. Think more along the lines of a birthday cake rather than a dense, boozy British Christmas cake. My kids would absolutely love it.

Do Japanese people exchange gifts at Christmas?

Yes, but it’s typically on a smaller scale than in Western countries. Children receive gifts (often from “Santa-san”), and couples exchange romantic gifts on Christmas Eve. There’s also a tradition called “oseibo” where people exchange gifts with coworkers around the New Year period, which is more significant than Christmas gift-giving.

Is Christmas Day a holiday in Japan?

No, Christmas Day is not a national holiday in Japan. Schools and businesses operate as normal on December 25th. The main celebrations happen on Christmas Eve, and the big winter holiday is actually New Year, when most people get several days off work.

What’s the difference between Christmas and New Year in Japan?

Christmas in Japan is primarily a commercial holiday focused on couples and fun celebrations. New Year (Oshogatsu) is the most important holiday of the year, when families gather together, visit temples, eat traditional foods like osechi ryori, and celebrate properly with time off work. It’s basically the equivalent of our Christmas in terms of significance.

Final Thoughts: Embracing Different Christmas Traditions

You know what I love most about learning about Japan Christmas dinner traditions? It reminds me that there’s no single “right” way to celebrate holidays. The Japanese have taken Christmas, adapted it to suit their culture and lifestyle, and created something unique and special.

Whether you’re tucking into KFC in Tokyo, roasting a turkey in London, or doing something completely different, what matters is spending time with people you care about and creating happy memories. That’s universal, isn’t it?

If you’re planning a trip to Japan (and honestly, after our spring visit, I cannot recommend it highly enough), experiencing Christmas there would be fascinating. Even if you’re not there during December, understanding these traditions gives you insight into how creative and adaptable Japanese culture can be.

And who knows? Maybe this year, instead of spending hours in the kitchen getting stressed over timing the Brussels sprouts, I’ll convince my husband we should do a Japanese-style Christmas. Order some KFC, make a strawberry shortcake, let the kids drink Chanmery (or just sparkling grape juice), and actually enjoy Christmas Eve without the cooking stress.

Though I suspect he’ll put his foot down when I suggest we treat Christmas as date night instead of family time. Some British traditions are sacred, after all.

Have you experienced Christmas in Japan or tried any Japanese Christmas foods? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below! And if you’re planning a trip to Japan, check out my other posts about Japan, about visiting DisneySea, meeting the deer in Nara, and the adorable MiPig Cafe in Tokyo.

Pin this post for later, and don’t forget to share it with anyone planning a Japan adventure!