Japan’s Christmas: Weird and Wonderful

What are the quirky, delicious, and romantic things about Christmas in Japan?

December is the start of winter in Japan, and it gets so cold that even the Japanese snow monkeys want to bathe in hot springs. As Christmas gets closer, snowflakes fall from the sky like confetti, and shopping centers turn into dazzling wonderlands of lights and glitter. The scene looks like something out of a Western fairy tale, but don’t be fooled – the Japanese celebrate Christmas in a very different way than the rest of the world.

A Bizarre Christmas Dinner

Did you know that the traditional Christmas dinner in Japan is fried chicken from KFC? Yes, you heard that right. The Colonel has become the Santa Claus of Japan, and millions of people flock to his restaurants every year to get their buckets of finger licking good chicken. Some even order weeks in advance to avoid the long lines.

But why fried chicken, of all things? 

Well, it’s all thanks to a clever marketing stunt by KFC Japan, who convinced the public that nothing says Christmas like a bucket of crispy chicken. KFC had an advantage over other fast-food chains, because their chicken has a crunchy batter that resembles Japanese tempura, and the meat is white and high in protein, which suits the dietary preferences of the Japanese. Thanks to their successful campaign, KFC became the ultimate Christmas treat for Japanese families on Christmas Eve.

The origin story of KFC’s Christmas campaign is shrouded in mystery and legend. KFC Japan claims that it all started when a nearby kindergarten ordered fried chicken for their Christmas party, and the KFC director decided to play Santa and deliver it himself. He was so impressed by the kids’ enthusiasm for his chicken and Santa clothes that he thought, “Why not make this a thing?” And so he did. His name is Takeshi Okawara, who later became the General Director of KFC Japan.

But in 2020, KFC’s website revealed a different version of the story. They said that the inspiration came from a lonely foreigner who wandered into KFC Tokyo on Christmas day, looking for a substitute for the traditional turkey. He was so happy with his chicken that he shouted, “This is the best Christmas ever!” And so it was.

Anyway, KFC has been so successful that every Christmas they run out of chicken faster than you can say “ho ho ho”. Now not only KFC but also other supermarkets and fast food stores join the fried chicken frenzy during Christmas. Colonel Sanders would probably ditch his homeland and spend Christmas in Japan if he were still alive today. He would love to see his white-bearded face on every bucket of chicken and hear people say “Merii Kurisumasu, Colonel-san!”

A Berry Merry Christmas Cake

If the French have a Bûche De Noël that looks like a log with white meringue mushrooms on top, the British have a fruitcake loaf that looks like a brick with candied fruits and nuts, then the Japanese have their own Christmas cake: a strawberry cream cake that is as light and fluffy as a cloud.

The history of the strawberry cake for Christmas goes way back, even before KFC became a thing. In 1910, Fujiya bakery in Yokohama introduced the first Christmas cake in Japan. It was a Western-style cake, stuffed with candied fruit and rum. 

But after World War II, the Japanese decided to simplify the cake and make it more patriotic. They replaced the candied fruit with fresh strawberries and added white cream, the same colors as their flag. This cake symbolized the rebirth and growth of Japan after the war. And it also tasted much healthier. 

Christmas Eve: The Japanese Valentine’s Day

Another thing you should know is that Christmas Eve is a big deal in Japan, not Christmas Day. It’s Valentine’s Day to the max. Couples go out on fancy dates, exchange expensive gifts, and soak up the festive mood. Some even propose to their partners under the sparkling Christmas trees. 

It’s a very sweet and lovely tradition, unless you’re single. Then it’s a nightmare. You have to endure the sight of all the happy couples around you, while you curl up on your couch alone, munching on your KFC and sobbing into your cake. No wonder some people call it the “lonely death day”.

This “Christmas for love” trend has been going strong since 1983, when Tatsuro Yamashita crooned the song “Christmas Eve” about finding romance on the night before Christmas. The song was a hit and became a staple of every Japanese playlist during the holiday season. It also made Tatsuro Yamashita the unofficial cupid of Japan, as millions of people hoped to meet their soulmates under the Christmas tree.

So, as you can see, Christmas in Japan is quite different from Europe and America. It has its own charm and quirks, but also some pitfalls and challenges. But no matter how you celebrate it, remember that the most important thing is to have fun and be happy. And if you ever visit Japan during Christmas, don’t forget to say “Merii Kurisumasu!” to everyone you meet. That’s Japanese for “Merry Christmas!”. 

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