Fun and Fascinating Differences in the Japanese Christmas Season
If you come from the United States, you probably imagine Christmas as a cozy family holiday filled with home-cooked meals, stockings over the fireplace, and children waiting for Santa. But when you experience Christmas in Japan, you may feel like you’ve entered a completely different world—one filled with KFC buckets, strawberry shortcake, romantic date nights, and sparkling illuminations.
Japan’s version of Christmas is charming, unique, and shaped by decades of pop culture rather than religious traditions. In this friendly guide, we’ll explore why Japan celebrates Christmas the way it does, why fried chicken became the national Christmas meal, and how these customs naturally differ from American Christmas traditions.
Christmas in Japan: A Romantic Winter Festival, Not a Religious Holiday
For most Japanese people, Christmas does not carry religious meaning. With less than 2% of the population identifying as Christian, the holiday evolved through media, advertising, and Western influence—slowly becoming a fun, romantic seasonal event rather than a religious one.
Japan’s Christmas feels more like Valentine’s Day
For couples, December 24th (Christmas Eve) is one of the most romantic nights of the year. Restaurants offer special “Christmas dinner courses,” hotels decorate their lobbies, and cities glow with winter illuminations.
By contrast, in the U.S., Christmas Eve is generally family night—a time for cozy gatherings at home.
Why Japan Eats KFC for Christmas: The Story Behind the Tradition
One of the most famous—and surprising—parts of Japanese Christmas culture is the tradition of eating Kentucky Fried Chicken. Every December, KFC stores receive so many preorders that customers must reserve weeks in advance.
So how did fried chicken become Japan’s official Christmas dinner?
It all started with a clever marketing campaign
In the 1970s, KFC Japan launched a campaign called “Kentucky for Christmas.”
The idea was simple: “If you can’t find turkey in Japan, eat chicken instead.”
The timing was perfect—Western-style Christmas imagery was becoming popular, and KFC was one of the few places offering “roast chicken” flavor.
The campaign didn’t just succeed—it became a cultural phenomenon
Today, families and couples across the country enjoy:
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KFC Party Barrels
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Special Christmas sets with cake and salad
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Limited-edition holiday packaging
For many Japanese people, Christmas just feels wrong without KFC.
It’s not trying to imitate the American turkey dinner—it has become a symbol of Japan’s modern holiday culture.
The Beloved Japanese Christmas Cake
Another iconic tradition is the Christmas Cake—a fluffy sponge cake decorated with whipped cream and fresh strawberries. Bakeries, department stores, and convenience stores all release beautifully decorated cakes each December.
Why strawberries and cream?
Because Christmas = celebration + red & white colors
Strawberries provide a bright festive color, and the cake feels light, cheerful, and perfect for couples and families.
Ordering a cake, picking it up, and sharing it on Christmas Eve is one of the most heartwarming Japanese traditions.
In contrast, American Christmas desserts lean toward:
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Apple pie
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Pumpkin pie
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Gingerbread cookies
But in Japan, the strawberry shortcake reigns as the king of Christmas sweets.
How Japanese People Spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Christmas Eve = Date Night
Unlike in the U.S., where Christmas Eve is spent with family, Japanese couples go out on romantic dates.
Many enjoy:
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Dinner courses
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Illuminations
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Gift exchanges
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Hotel stays
Popular restaurants and hotels often book out weeks in advance.
December 25th = Normal Workday
In Japan, Christmas is not a national holiday.
People go back to work or school the next day, so most celebrations happen on the 24th.
In the United States, on the other hand, December 25th is a major public holiday, and many businesses close.
Decorations: Japan Loves Sparkle, America Loves Homey Warmth
Japan is known for spectacular winter illuminations. Entire streets, parks, and shopping districts become glowing winter destinations—romantic and atmospheric.
Common Japanese Christmas visuals include:
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Shining LED displays
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Giant Christmas trees in shopping malls
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Cute character ornaments
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Festive music in department stores
But home decoration is usually minimal.
In the U.S., however, Christmas is famously home-centered. Families decorate everything:
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The walls
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The living room tree
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The roofline
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The front yard
Some neighborhoods even hold light-up competitions.
Japanese Christmas = public sparkle
American Christmas = home warmth
Gift-Giving: Small and Simple vs. Big and Family-Focused
Japan: Small gifts between couples or friends
Gift exchanges are typically modest:
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Jewelry
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Accessories
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Sweets
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Cute items
The focus is on romance or friendship.
USA: Large family gift traditions
American Christmas morning means:
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Big gifts under the tree
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Stockings
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Wrapped packages for every family member
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“Santa” gifts for kids
Japanese gift-giving is quiet and minimal; American gift-giving is central and elaborate.
Why These Differences Exist
Japan’s Christmas customs were not inherited from religious tradition—they were built gradually through:
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Western movies
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Pop culture
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Early advertising campaigns
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Department stores
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Japanese ideas of romance
Each new element—illuminations, cake, KFC, couple activities—added to the unique identity of “Japanese Christmas.”
Meanwhile, American Christmas preserved centuries of family and religious tradition.
The result: two completely different holidays with the same name.
Two Holidays, Two Personalities
Japanese Christmas is a joyful blend of creativity, romance, and seasonal charm.
Couples stroll through illuminations, families pick up KFC party barrels, and everyone enjoys Christmas cake together. It’s lighthearted, modern, and deeply connected to Japanese culture.
Meanwhile, Christmas in the U.S. remains a warm and nostalgic family holiday filled with religious meaning, home-cooked meals, and long-standing traditions.
Neither style is better—they simply reflect the values and history of each country.
So whether you’re enjoying a bucket of KFC in Tokyo or opening gifts around the fireplace in America, each celebration offers its own kind of holiday magic.