{"id":3854,"date":"2025-11-28T11:34:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T02:34:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrcjapan.com\/christmas-in-japan\/"},"modified":"2025-11-28T11:34:06","modified_gmt":"2025-11-28T02:34:06","slug":"christmas-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcjapan.com\/ja\/christmas-in-japan\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"

While only around 1% of Japan\u2019s population identifies themselves as Christian, many Japanese families still enjoy Christmas festivities in their own distinctly Japanese way. Encouraged by businesses and the global entertainment industry, people in Japan largely celebrate a non-secular version of Christmas, complete with lights and Christmas trees (though neither at home!). This version of Christmas is interesting, if less spiritual.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Christmas Cake<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Families celebrate Christmas in Japan by eating \u201cChristmas Cake\u201d on Christmas Eve. Japanese Christmas cakes are different than traditional fruitcake styles popular in western Christmas celebrations. These are usually simple sponge cakes, frosted with whipped cream and often decorated with strawberries, Christmas chocolates, and other seasonal fruits. Christmas Cakes can be found basically everywhere during the holiday season, even convenience stores<\/a>!<\/p>\n

The father traditionally purchases the cakes on their way home from work. Some buy at expensive department stores, but many come from folding tables set up at stations and sold like bento lunches. The average price for a Christmas cake is around 4,000 yen, but you can find cheaper and more expensive ones if you want. You can see some sample Christmas cakes here, at Amazon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Some family and friends will exchange presents, but this is a little unusual, except between boyfriends and girlfriends.<\/p>\n

KFC Fried Chicken<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the most distinctive parts of Christmas in Japan is fried chicken. Thanks to an incredibly successful marketing campaign launched by KFC in the mid-seventies (Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii<\/em>), this simplified traditional Christmas Dinner has become synonymous with holiday dining here.<\/p>\n

Officially KFC states that a Christian kindergarten in Japan had the idea to order KFC for its kids\u2019 Christmas party and upped the ante by asking the KFC shop manager to dress up as Santa Claus for the party. He agreed, appearing at the party in full Santa gear and delighting the children. It caught on, and gradually, more and more schools ordered KFC for their holiday parties. In 1974, KFC held its first special Christmas meal campaign, and the rest is history.<\/p>\n

Decades on, KFC\u2019s Christmas has become an annual mainstay, with people growing up eating the fried chicken during the holidays and naturally associating it with Christmas.<\/p>\n

From KFC to grocery and convenience stores, it is awe-inspiring how well KFC\u2019s marketing department has captured the season with fried chicken fever!<\/p>\n

Find more info here, at Why Japan is Obsessed with Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Romantic Christmas<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At its heart, Christmas in Japan is a romantic holiday, sometimes referred to as the \u201c3rd Valentine\u2019s Day\u201d (after the actual Valentine\u2019s Day and White Day<\/a>). Christmas Eve is traditionally reserved for spending time with one\u2019s significant other in a romantic setting.<\/p>\n

Here are 5 great places to visit<\/a> if you\u2019re looking to spend a romantic Christmas in Japan.<\/p>\n

Winter Illumination<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One popular holiday experience is strolling through \u201cillumination.\u201d Illumination is roughly equivalent to the western tradition of putting up Christmas lights. Except that rather than putting lights up on their own houses, cities or businesses will set them up, and the people come to view them.\u00a0This is a very popular event for couples, and many illumination displays are set up and run from November right through until late January or early February.<\/p>\n