When you think of Christmas dinner, you might picture roast turkey, ham, or maybe a cozy homemade feast. In Japan, however, Christmas dinner often comes in the form of a red-and-white bucket of fried chicken. Yes—KFC at Christmas is a big deal.
How Western Fast Food Took Off in Japan
After World War II, Japan went through a period of economic hardship in the 1940s and ’50s. As the economy rebounded and began booming in the decades that followed, Western culture—especially from the United States—held enormous appeal. American fashion, music, and food all became symbols of modernity and prosperity.
This cultural shift helped fuel a massive expansion of Japan’s fast-food industry, which grew by an astonishing 600% between 1970 and 1980. Kentucky Fried Chicken entered the market in 1970 with its first Japanese restaurant. The brand quickly found success: by 1983, there were 390 KFC outlets across Japan, generating nearly $300 million in annual sales. At the time, Japan was KFC’s largest foreign market.
Today, Japan remains one of KFC’s most important regions. With more than 1,200 locations nationwide, it is now the company’s third-largest market after China and the United States.
Christmas in Japan: A Blank Slate
Christmas in Japan is widely celebrated, but it’s not a national holiday and has little religious significance for most people. Instead, it’s treated as a seasonal and social event. In the late 1960s, confectionery companies began promoting cakes and sweets for children, encouraging families to host Christmas parties at home. This created a festive atmosphere—but there was still no established “traditional” Christmas meal.
That gap opened the door for an unexpected contender.
The Birth of “Kentucky for Christmas”
In 1970, the manager of Japan’s first KFC restaurant had a clever idea. According to popular legend, he overheard an expat remark that they missed eating turkey for Christmas and that chicken was the closest substitute. Inspired, the manager began promoting fried chicken “party barrels” as a Christmas meal.
That same year, KFC launched its first Christmas campaign with the now-famous tagline: “Kentucky for Christmas.”
The idea took off. In 1974, KFC expanded the promotion nationwide, offering buckets of fried chicken paired with a bottle of wine and positioning the meal as a sophisticated, grown-up way to celebrate Christmas. Early advertising leaned heavily into the idea of an elegant, authentic American holiday—even if that image wasn’t exactly true to life.
A Modern Christmas Staple
Fast forward to today, and eating KFC for Christmas has become a firmly established tradition in Japan. December 24 is KFC Japan’s busiest day of the year—about ten times busier than an average day. Sales around Christmas Eve alone account for nearly 5% of the company’s annual revenue.
The demand is so intense that many stores begin accepting reservations months in advance, often starting as early as late October.
What’s in the Christmas Party Bucket?
Each year, KFC Japan refreshes its iconic Christmas “party barrel.” The bucket design changes annually and includes different side dishes, plus a commemorative plate as a keepsake.
This year’s offerings include items like a strawberry vanilla mousse cake, a cheesy chicken-and-penne casserole, and premium options such as smoked chicken or a stuffed roasted chicken breast filled with rich cheese cream sauce featuring shrimp and mushrooms. A standard party barrel costs 4,990 yen when booked in advance—about $31.65.
From Buckets to Fine Dining
Since its debut in 1974, KFC Japan’s Christmas campaign has continued to evolve. One of the most recognizable sights during the season is the Colonel Sanders statue outside many locations—dressed head-to-toe in a Santa suit.
This year, the brand took things even further. For the first time, KFC opened a pop-up “KFC Christmas Restaurant” in Tokyo. The limited-time restaurant reimagines classic KFC ingredients into “restaurant-quality” dishes, including salads, pasta, and desserts, all paired with a specially curated wine menu.
A Truly Unique Holiday Tradition
What started as a clever marketing campaign has become one of the most fascinating Christmas traditions in the world. In Japan, celebrating Christmas with KFC isn’t just normal—it’s expected. And somehow, fried chicken, wine, and festive buckets have become as much a part of the season as lights, cakes, and Christmas music.