Japan has its own way of celebrating Christmas Although it is late to plan for the holidays, here is a travel idea for 2026

For several years now, Japan has been recording a significant increase in foreign tourists. The phenomenon began some time ago: from 2011 and for the following eight years, the number of visitors grew steadily, then the increase was interrupted starting in 2020 due to the restrictions imposed to deal with the pandemic. With 25 million visitors, 2023 was the year with the most tourists for Japan since 2019. Among the main reasons for the increase in visitors to the country is the collapse of the yen, the local currency, which has made prices more advantageous and accessible.

The majority of foreign tourists come from Asian countries such as China, Taiwan, and South Korea, although even the share of Western visitors has been growing for some time. Anyone going to Japan during the Christmas holidays will notice that the holiday is celebrated in a rather particular way in the country, different from the European or American tradition but no less authentic for it.

In Japan, Christmas «is seen as a commercial event rather than a religious one,» explains Shogo, a famous Japanese content creator who talks about his country's culture to a primarily English-speaking audience on YouTube. Christmas is not recognized as a national holiday in Japan, and it is estimated that the people who define themselves as Christians here are about 1% of the population. Despite this, almost all Japanese people celebrate Christmas, and many do so in ways that might seem bizarre to Westerners.

Is Christmas in Japan a bit like Valentine's Day?

In Japan, Christmas is not seen as an occasion to be with one's relatives, unlike what happens in almost the rest of the world: on the contrary, and especially for the younger ones, it is a time to spend time with one's partner or to finally ask one's crush out. «In Japan, we don't say 'Will you be my Valentine?', but 'Will you be my Christmas?'», Shogo emphasizes.

Even for children, Christmas is not spent with the family, but together with their friends, usually by organizing a small party at home. Furthermore, in Japan, children receive only one gift for Christmas and no more, while in the West – even among adults – it is not uncommon for the packages under the tree to be quite numerous, especially considering those coming from close relatives.

Additionally, in the country, Christmas decorations are generally taken down exactly the day after December 25th to make room for New Year's – a much more deeply felt holiday. On this occasion, children receive other gifts, usually more expensive ones, and it is probably for this reason – as Shogo himself argues – that in Japan people tend to give children only one thing on Christmas Day.

Where do Japanese people celebrate Christmas?

The most curious aspect of Japanese Christmas tradition is that people spend this holiday eating fried chicken. And preferably KFC fried chicken. On Christmas Eve, as well as on December 23rd and 25th, KFC outlets in the country are practically all full, so much so that it is almost impossible for those who haven't reserved a table to find a seat. Usually, reservations open several months in advance, and it is not uncommon to see long lines outside the fast-food chain. If for more than forty years Japanese people have chosen to go and eat KFC fried chicken at Christmas, the credit goes to a marketing campaign launched in the 1970s by the company.

Having effectively become one of the most successful in contemporary history, to the point of influencing the habits of an entire country, there are several legends regarding the reasons why Japanese people love spending Christmas at KFC. The most widely accepted theory, reported by KFC itself, has to do with the United States: since it is customary there to eat turkey for Christmas, an employee of the Japanese division of the fast-food chain suggested the company exploit the occasion for an advertising campaign, falling back instead on fried chicken. Thus, in 1974, KFC proposed in Japan – with the slogan Kentucky For Christmas – a limited edition and very affordable menu consisting of wine and fried chicken. Given the success of the initiative, the company began replicating the campaign year after year until it became a true tradition.

Today, at KFCs in Japan during the Christmas period, a special formula continues to be present, which at the cost of the equivalent of about 30 euros also includes a cake and some champagne, in addition to the famous bucket of fried chicken. But this tradition has become so common that it is no longer limited to the fast-food chain alone: many other Japanese restaurants and venues, as well as supermarkets themselves, bet everything on fried chicken for Christmas. In short, if you are a fan of Japan and chicken, if you don't particularly care about spending Christmas with relatives and you want to confess your feelings to your crush, you know where to go next December.