Japan has its own way of celebrating Christmas

For several years, Japan has been experiencing a significant increase in foreign tourists. The phenomenon began some time ago: from 2011 and for the next eight years, the number of visitors grew steadily, then the increase stopped starting in 2020 due to restrictions imposed to address the pandemic. With 25 million visitors, 2023 was the year with the most tourists for Japan since 2019. One of the main reasons for the increase in visitors to the country is the fall of the yen, the local currency, which has made prices more advantageous and accessible. Most foreign tourists come from Asian countries such as China, Taiwan, and South Korea, although even the proportion of Western visitors has been growing for some time. Those visiting Japan during the Christmas holidays will notice that the holiday is celebrated in a rather unique way, different from the European or American tradition, but no less authentic for that reason. In Japan, Christmas «is seen as a commercial event rather than a religious one,» explains Shogo, a famous Japanese content creator who discusses his country’s culture with a primarily Anglo-Saxon audience on YouTube. Christmas is not recognized as a national holiday in Japan, and it is estimated that people who identify as Christian here make up about 1% of the population. Despite this, almost all Japanese celebrate Christmas, and many do so in ways that might seem peculiar to Westerners.

In Japan, Christmas is not seen as an occasion to spend time with relatives, unlike in much of the rest of the world. Instead, especially for younger people, it is a time to spend with a partner or finally ask their 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 family but with their friends, usually organizing a small party at home. Additionally, Japanese children receive only one gift at Christmas, unlike in the West, where – even among adults – it’s not uncommon for there to be numerous packages under the tree, especially from close relatives. In Japan, Christmas decorations are generally taken down the day after December 25th to make way for New Year’s decorations – a much more significant holiday. During this time, children receive additional, often more expensive, gifts, which is likely why – according to Shogo – Japanese children tend to receive only one gift on Christmas Day.

Where do Japanese people celebrate Christmas?

The most curious aspect of Japanese Christmas tradition is that people spend the holiday eating fried chicken, preferably fried chicken from KFC. On Christmas Eve, as well as December 23 and 25, KFC outlets in Japan are almost always packed, making it nearly impossible to find a spot without a reservation. Typically, reservations open several months in advance, and long lines outside the fast-food chain are not uncommon. For more than forty years, the Japanese have chosen to eat KFC fried chicken for Christmas, thanks to a marketing campaign launched in the 1970s by the company.

Having become one of the most effective campaigns in contemporary history, to the point of influencing the habits of an entire country, there are several legends about why Japanese people love spending Christmas at KFC. The most credited theory, reported by KFC itself, involves the United States: since eating turkey is a Christmas tradition there, an employee of the Japanese branch of the fast-food chain suggested leveraging the occasion for an advertising campaign, instead focusing 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 campaign’s success, the company began replicating it year after year until it became a true tradition. Today, during the Christmas season, KFC outlets in Japan continue to offer a special set that, for the equivalent of about 30 euros, includes a cake and champagne, in addition to the famous bucket of fried chicken. This tradition has become so widespread that it is no longer limited to the fast-food chain alone: many other restaurants and Japanese establishments, as well as supermarkets, focus on fried chicken for Christmas. So, if you’re a fan of Japan and fried chicken, don’t particularly care about spending Christmas with relatives, and want to declare your feelings to your crush, you know where to go next December.