Travel Tips

Inside Japan’s unique Christmas traditions — including the KFC phenomenon

Wondering how Japan celebrates the festive season? From romantic Christmas Eve dates to the KFC holiday buckets and strawberry shortcakes, Japan’s Christmas traditions are truly one-of-a-kind.

Christmas in Japan looks nothing like the festive holiday you’re used to, but that’s exactly what makes it so fascinating.

While Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan, it still has plenty of unique traditions that will make you see the festive season in a whole new light.

Instead of carol singing and opening presents around the tree, you’ll find dazzling illuminations, romantic date nights, and one unexpected star of the season: KFC.

Whether you’re planning a festive trip or simply interested in the country’s quirky culture, read on for a deep dive into Japan’s Christmas traditions. You’ll discover why KFC became iconic and how Japanese families and couples actually spend Christmas!

In this article

What Christmas Eve & Christmas Day look like in Japan

While in many Western countries the world may come to a stop on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, in Japan, it’s business as usual. Most people still go to work, but they find time to celebrate in a low-key way.

Christmas Eve: Romantic couples’ night

Source: Shutterstock, Christmas illumination in Tokyo

In Japan, Christmas Eve is very similar to Valentine’s Day. One of the biggest Japanese Christmas traditions is to go out for a romantic dinner with a partner or date. It’s such a popular night for couples that reservations at the best restaurants book out weeks in advance.

Like Valentine’s Day elsewhere, there is a lot of pressure for people to have a date on Christmas Eve. So much so that the term ‘kuribocchi’ (which translates to spending Christmas alone) trends online every year!

Interestingly, the younger generation is starting to push back on this tradition and opting to stay at home with cakes and movies instead. Alternatively, many young people choose to go out with friends on Christmas Eve, showing that celebrating Christmas alone is far from sad.

Aside from Christmas-themed dates, many Japanese cities have illuminations and light displays, and couples stop by to admire these after dinner.

Another unique tradition on Christmas Eve is to pick up a KFC “Party Barrel” (more on this later), and so you’ll see massive lines spilling out of every KFC.

Christmas Day: A low-key event

Source: Shutterstock, Some people are still getting gift/card for friends/family!

December 25th is a typical work/school day, so there is no public holiday atmosphere; in fact, the 24th is generally the last day of the Christmas festivities. On the 25th, businesses have already shifted their focus to New Year’s (a much bigger holiday in Japan).

That being said, families might enjoy a small meal together on Christmas Day, or tuck into some Japanese Christmas cake. Moreover, those who worked the previous evening will use this day for their celebratory meal.

Gift-giving is not a big tradition in Japan. There is no expectation to buy presents for all your family and friends, but it’s not uncommon for parents to buy a present for their children, or for couples to exchange romantic gifts.

What is one of the biggest Christmas traditions in Japan, though, is Christmas J-pop. Modern pop culture still shapes Christmas in Japan, and you’ll hear endless J-pop winter songs playing during the Christmas period.

Christmas food, desserts, and drinks in Japan

While there aren’t tons of Christmas traditions in Japan, there are a few foods that people here flock to get on Christmas Eve, and some of them might surprise you.

1. KFC Christmas (The phenomenon)

Source: Shutterstock, Getting KFC for Christmas food in Japan, quirky but fun!

KFC is definitely one of the most unexpected Japanese Christmas traditions. As Christmas approaches, KFC commercials start playing on TV, advertising their delicious Christmas buckets. Locals place their orders weeks in advance and then go to the store on Christmas Eve to pick up their buckets.

KFC became a phenomenon because there was no Western-style “Christmas dinner.” Expats and tourists in Japan would go to KFC, as it was the closest thing to Turkey they could find. The company caught onto this and smartly launched its “Kentucky for Christmas” marketing campaign in 1974.

KFC’s marketing campaign centers on family-style sharing buckets available for a limited time. They typically include fried chicken, sides, and Christmas cake.

2. Christmas cake (Ichigo Shortcake)

The second most popular festive food in Japan is Christmas Cake. However, it’s nothing like the famous spiced fruit cake you might be thinking of. Japanese Christmas cake (Ichigo Shortcake) is a fluffy sponge cake with fresh cream and strawberries.

Ichigo Shortcake is a symbol of modern prosperity, and it’s so popular that bakeries sell out days before Christmas Eve. Supermarkets and convenience stores also create their own limited-edition versions.

3. Other Christmas dinner trends

If they’re not tucking into KFC buckets, Japanese families and couples might get a roast chicken, commonly sold in supermarkets at Christmas.

Many luxury hotels in Japanese cities also put on full-course Christmas dinners, marketing to couples rather than families. These are either buffet-style or set-course, with a variety of dishes on offer, from roasted meats to fresh seafood.

Travel tip: If you’re going out for Christmas Eve dinner, you should know that one of the biggest things NOT to do in Japan is to leave a tip. While it may seem like a normal, kind thing to do at Christmas, tipping can actually be seen as rude in Japan.

4. Additional festive snacks and drinks

Starbucks is huge in Japan, and like elsewhere around the world, the company unveils a holiday menu each year. In 2025, the Starbucks festive menu includes S’mores Frappuccino and Hot Apple Cider.

Hot chocolate is an ongoing festive favorite in Japan, and many cafés make it with a twist by adding matcha.

Meanwhile, shops and bakeries have many limited-edition holiday pastries and

puddings, such as Mont Blanc (a type of chestnut cake) and matcha snow cakes.

Christmas decorations, symbols, and traditions in Japan

Despite not being a national holiday, there are tons of festive things happening all over the major Japanese cities, which is why winter is one of the best times to visit Japan. Here’s what you’ll find:

Illuminations are the biggest festive attraction with massive winter light displays found in Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, and other cities.
Christmas trees are usually present in malls, hotels, and entertainment venues like amusement parks. Christmas trees in Japan are highly aesthetic, LED-heavy, and Instagram-friendly!
Santa Claus does visit children in Japan, but he usually gives each child one modest present. They also don’t leave out stocking; gifts are given on the bed or table instead.
Christmas markets are a growing festive trend. Several of the best cities to visit in Japan, including Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka, all have European-style Christmas markets. Here you’ll find German-style snacks, mulled wine, and traditional Christmas ornaments.
Japanese holiday symbols include snow imagery, angels, cute mascots, and the most popular — kawaii characters in Santa outfits. Convenience stores push seasonal packaging and collectible Christmas-themed items.
Christmas parades take place at theme parks like Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios. They run throughout the festive season and have a specific theme each year.

Stay connected while exploring Japan’s Christmas Traditions

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You’ll get unlimited data, reliable nationwide coverage, and instant activation—perfect for navigating illumination routes, sharing your KFC Christmas feast, or finding the best cafés for strawberry shortcake.

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