The origins of Japan’s Western-style Christmas foods often surprise visitors.
Unlike Western countries where families usually cook at home and gather around the table, in Japan, Christmas is more about buying food outside—often from fast food chains.
When Japanese people talk about Christmas, they usually mean December 24th (Christmas Eve). December 24th and 25th are not official holidays in Japan, so most celebrations happen on the evening of the 24th, after school or work.
For couples, Christmas Eve is considered a romantic date night, often ending with dinner and a visit to a special spot. Families with children, meanwhile, prefer to enjoy Western-style meals at home before opening presents.
Although Christmas is not as important as New Year in Japan, it has developed its own unique traditions—especially in food. So, what do Japanese people actually eat at Christmas?
Fried or Roasted Chicken
Since turkey is hard to find in Japan, fried or roasted chicken has become the main dish for Christmas. Many restaurants sell special chicken menus only during the holiday season.
One of the most popular places to buy Christmas chicken is KFC. Thanks to a clever advertising campaign in the 1970s, eating fried chicken on Christmas Eve has become a nationwide tradition.
Today, KFC outlets are so crowded on Christmas Eve that wait times can last for hours. One of the most popular sets includes eight pieces of traditional fried chicken, shrimp gratin, and tiramisu.
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Pizza
In recent years, many pizza chains in Japan have promoted pizza as a Christmas dinner alternative. Pizza Hut, Pizza-La, and Domino’s are now Christmas staples.
Some pizza shops even sell limited-edition chicken items to meet the seasonal demand. In 2006, Domino’s Japan even tried delivering pizzas in Hokkaido using reindeer—but since they were too hard to control, the idea failed. Instead, delivery staff wore reindeer costumes and rode scooters.
However, pizza in Japan is far from cheap. A large pizza can cost around $50 (1.1 million VND).
Christmas Cake
Perhaps the most iconic Christmas dessert in Japan is the strawberry shortcake. This fluffy sponge cake, topped with fresh cream and strawberries, is widely sold across the country.
On Christmas, the cake is often decorated with Santa Claus figurines or festive ornaments. The tradition dates back to post–World War II, and its red-and-white colors are considered lucky in Japanese culture.
Apart from strawberry shortcake, chocolate, cheesecake, and European-style cakes from Germany, Italy, and France are also popular during the season.
Interestingly, “Christmas cake” has also been used as a slang term to insult unmarried women over 25, comparing them to cakes left unsold after December 25—“expired and undesirable.”
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Chanmery
Chanmery is a fizzy non-alcoholic drink with a champagne-style cork, beloved by children during Christmas celebrations. The bottles often feature cartoon characters to appeal to young drinkers.
Surprisingly, Chanmery didn’t start as a children’s drink—it was first served in bars and hostess clubs, allowing hostesses to keep sober while still encouraging customers to spend money.
Over time, it became a family-friendly Christmas staple. Today, supermarkets dedicate large sections to different flavors of Chanmery during the holiday season, so even children and non-drinkers can join in the festive toast.
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In short, while Japan doesn’t celebrate Christmas in the same way as the West, its festive foods—fried chicken, pizza, strawberry cake, and sparkling Chanmery—have become beloved seasonal traditions, making the holiday uniquely Japanese.
