Japanese Christmas: Why KFC and Christmas Cake Are Everywhere

Christmas is not a public holiday in Japan, and most people celebrate it as a secular event: couples go out on Christmas Eve, and families usually eat chicken and a strawberry-and-cream cake. The KFC habit goes back to the chain's first Christmas campaign in December 1974, and because December 24 is so busy, the chicken and the cake are usually reserved weeks ahead.

Is Christmas a holiday in Japan?

No. Japan's Cabinet Office lists 16 national holidays, and none of them falls in December. In 2026, December 24 is a Thursday and December 25 is a Friday, so both are ordinary working days.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) calls Christmas in Japan "more of a token event" and says couples go out for romantic dinners rather than spending time with family. Nippon.com (December 24, 2025) also explains that Christmas Eve is seen as romantic for couples, that most people enjoy Christmas as a largely secular celebration, and that Japanese families usually celebrate with chicken and a Christmas cake.

The family holiday that really closes shops and offices is oshogatsu, the New Year (JNTO gives the usual holiday period as December 29 to January 3). If your trip continues past Christmas, read what closes over the New Year.

Why KFC became a Christmas meal

According to KFC Japan's company history, its first restaurant opened in Nagoya (Aichi) in November 1970, and it held its first Christmas campaign in December 1974. Nippon.com says the chicken custom is believed to come from that 1974 campaign. Its best-known Christmas set, the Party Barrel (a bucket of chicken with Christmas extras), has been sold since 1985; KFC Japan's Christmas 2025 announcement marked its 40th year.

Several stories are told about how it began, such as foreign residents who could not find turkey, or a manager dressed as Santa Claus. Nippon.com presents these as stories, so treat them as part of the legend.

How to get KFC at Christmas as a visitor

Here is how KFC Japan's Christmas 2025 reservations worked, from its official announcement. Expect a similar pattern in 2026, but check the new dates when they are announced.

• Reservations opened on November 4, 2025, at KFC stores and on KFC Net Order (the chain's Japanese website and app). Some stores did not take online orders, and counter start dates differed by store.
• Reserved food was picked up from December 19 to December 25, 2025.
• Reserving a Party Barrel by December 12 cost ¥4,990 instead of ¥5,490.
• Reservations closed for an item once the planned quantity sold out.
• Online "off-peak" reservations covered pickups from December 19 to December 23, and on December 24 and 25 only before 13:00 or after 20:00, which suggests the middle of those 2 days is the busiest.
• KFC Japan warned that store counters would be very crowded for reservations on the weekend of December 6 and 7 and on December 12, the last day of the early discount.

KFC Net Order is in Japanese. If the online form asks for details you don't have, the simplest way is to reserve at the counter of a store near your hotel, using a translation app. Ask staff to write down your pickup date and time.

The Christmas cake: strawberries and cream

The Japanese Christmas cake is usually a round sponge cake covered in whipped cream and topped with strawberries. Nippon.com says this has been the most popular version since the 1960s. The confectioner Fujiya's company history shows that it sold a Christmas cake in December 1910 at its first shop in Yokohama (Kanagawa), and started selling shortcake in 1922.

Convenience stores, department stores and cake shops take cake orders in the autumn. One example with official dates is FamilyMart's Christmas 2026 range:

• Reservations opened at 10:01 on September 16, 2026, at about 16,100 stores and on the FamilyMart online shop (in Okinawa, from October 1, 2026).
• The range has 66 items, including 28 cakes, and some differ by area and store.
• The early-order discount on cakes ends at 9:00 on December 1, 2026.
• Pickup at the store is from December 20 to December 25, 2026. The order deadline depends on the item and the pickup date.

Most cakes must be kept cold, so pick a pickup time when you can go straight back to your room, and ask your hotel whether there is a fridge. For other seasonal treats at convenience stores, see convenience store sweets and coffee.

Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

In Japan, December 24 is the main night. Christmas Eve is when couples have special dates, and KFC Japan's off-peak rules suggest that the afternoon and evening of December 24 and 25 are its busiest times. If you want a nice dinner out on December 24, book the restaurant early, since JNTO notes that couples go out for romantic dinners at Christmas.

Christmas lights are another big part of the season. For dates, times and tickets for winter displays, read our guide to winter illuminations in Japan. If you are staying for the New Year, our guide to osechi, the New Year food explains the next food tradition.

What to do as a traveler

• Want KFC on December 24? Reserve early and pick a time before 13:00 or after 20:00 if you can.
• Want a Christmas cake? Order from a convenience store or department store before December, and check where you can keep it cold.
• Planning a dinner date? Book the restaurant early for December 24.
• No reservation? Christmas is an ordinary working day, so most shops keep their usual hours, but expect KFC stores to be busy.

Last reviewed: October 26, 2026. KFC Japan's Christmas 2026 dates were not yet announced; reservation dates, prices and menus change every year, so check each company's official page.