Last updated: March 14, 2026
Christmas is celebrated in Japan, although it is not a traditional Japanese holiday, and because of this there are certain types of Japanese Christmas food that you’ll see being enjoyed there during the festive season.
The celebration of Christmas in Japan is more of a cultural event and has been heavily influenced by western customs, particularly American traditions.
Christmas decorations, lights, and festive displays can be seen throughout Japan, especially in urban areas and commercial districts. Many shopping centers, restaurants, and streets are also adorned with Christmas lights and decorations, so there is a really cheerful and festive atmosphere over the Christmas holiday.
In fact, even Tokyo Disneyland transforms into a winter wonderland during the Christmas season, creating a magical atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.
While Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan, it is widely celebrated, and people exchange gifts and spend time with family and friends during this time of year. The holiday has become a significant event in Japanese culture and provides an opportunity for people to come together and enjoy the festive spirit.
Because of the western influence, Japanese Christmas food often incorporates both traditional Japanese dishes and Western-inspired treats.
Here are the most well-known Japanese Christmas food and meals eaten in the country over the holidays.
Fried Chicken (KFC):
One of the most well-known Christmas traditions in Japan is the custom of eating fried chicken, particularly from KFC, on Christmas Eve.
This tradition originated from a successful marketing campaign by fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken in the 1970s, which portrayed eating KFC as a trendy and fashionable way to celebrate the holiday. The tradition is called Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii, or Kentucky for Christmas.
It’s so popular now that you often have to order your meal from KFC weeks in advance in Japan to avoid missing out.
Kurisumasu keki
A Japanese Christmas cake, kurisumasu keki is typically a sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries on top. It is often decorated with Christmas-themed ornaments, such as Santa Claus, reindeer, and snowmen.
Of course this is a little different from the traditional Christmas cake stuffed with raisins and sultanas, and soaked in alcohol, that many of us know. A Christmas cake in Japan is much lighter and airier.
These cakes are a popular treat in Japan during the holiday season. Families often enjoy these cakes on Christmas Eve.
Kagami mochi
A traditional Japanese New Year’s dish, kagami mochi is also often served in the period straight after Christmas in Japan.
The dish consists of two round rice cakes stacked on top of each other, with a mandarin orange in the center. The rice cakes represent the sun and the moon, and the mandarin orange represents prosperity.
The Kagami mochi is considered an offering to the deities and ancestral spirits, and it is believed to bring good luck, health, and prosperity to the household throughout the coming year.
Fugu
Fugu is a type of pufferfish that is considered a delicacy in Japan. However, it is also very poisonous, so it must be prepared by a trained chef.
It’s a seasonal delicacy in Japan, with peak season starting in December. Because of this, Fugu is often served over the Christmas season in Japan as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Cream stew
This dish is thought to stem from western countries so Japanese families observing the Christmas period often serve this over Christmas time.
Cream stew is made with meat, vegetables, and cream. It’s a comforting food so it’s often found on the dinner table in Japan throughout winter.
Potato salad
Potato salad is a dish that originated in Europe and is commonly served in Western countries. Over time, it has become a part of Japanese cuisine, especially during festive occasions like Christmas.
It’s served as a side dish alongside the main Christmas meal.
Pizza
Again, pizza is not a traditional Japanese food, but it has become increasingly popular in Japan in recent years.
It’s seen as a party food so is naturally associated with fun traditions and holidays like Christmas parties.
Chains like Pizza Hut and Dominos are becoming increasingly popular in Japan because of this and they usually sell a huge amount of their pizzas at this time of the year.
Wagashi
Wagashi refers to traditional Japanese sweets made from natural and seasonal ingredients, such as rice flour, sweet bean paste, and agar-agar.
These delicate and artistic confections come in various shapes and flavors, reflecting the changing seasons and are often enjoyed with tea during Japanese tea ceremonies.
Chanmery
A play on the words ‘champagne’ and ‘Merry Christmas’ has made ‘chanmery.’
It’s a non-alcoholic carbonated drink that’s mostly aimed at children, and is used to celebrate special days like birthdays, Christmas, New Year and any other special occasions for children, their family and friends.
Chanmery comes in a bottle with a cork that pops so it closely resembles a bottle of sparkling wine or champagne.
Chirashi Sushi
This type of sushi is a popular Japanese dish that translates to “scattered sushi” in English. The meal consists of a bed of sushi rice topped with a colorful assortment of various ingredients, such as fresh sashimi (raw fish), cooked seafood, vegetables, and garnishes.
The dish is called “chirashi” because the ingredients are scattered or spread over the sushi rice, rather than being tightly rolled into sushi rolls like other types of sushi.
Chirashi Sushi allows for a more casual and artistic presentation, and it’s a favorite for festive occasions or special meals at home so you’ll often find this dish being served at a Christmas party or for Christmas dinner in Japan.
German Christmas Market food
Christmas markets are extremely common in Germany and other parts of Europe and this tradition has made its way to Japan.
There are now lots of these markets during November and December in Japan, showcasing and selling German-style food traditions like bratwurst, mulled wine, stollen, currywurst and lebkuchen.
Yule Log
The Japanese Yule Log typically consists of a rolled sponge cake that is filled and frosted with various flavors, such as whipped cream, chocolate, or fruit-flavored cream. The cake is then decorated to resemble a log, complete with textured bark patterns made of chocolate or icing.
Some Yule Logs in Japan may also feature festive decorations like miniature Christmas figurines or holly leaves made from sugar or marzipan.
Like many other Christmas treats in Japan, Yule Logs are beautifully presented and thoughtfully designed to add to the holiday spirit. They can be found in bakeries, patisseries, and department stores throughout the Christmas season, making them a delightful and sought-after dessert for festive celebrations and gatherings.
This traditional Japanese Christmas food has evolved over decades as Christmas has become a more popular time of year in the country.
The food served in Japan on or around December 25th is very varied. However you’ll most often find that the main course in any Christmas celebration is influenced by western culture but has a distinctive Japanese touch.
It’s important to note that Japanese Christmas celebrations can vary from region to region and from household to household, so the exact dishes might differ slightly depending on personal preferences and traditions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Christmas in Japan called?
In Japan, Christmas is called “クリスマス” (kurisumasu), which is a direct transliteration of the English word “Christmas” into katakana, one of the Japanese writing systems used for foreign words and names. Since Christmas is not a traditional Japanese holiday, the term “kurisumasu” has become the standard way to refer to the celebration.
What is the main Christmas meal in Japan?
Chicken is the most popular dish served in Japan at Christmas, because it is hard to find turkey. In fact many Japanese households eat KFC for their Christmas meal. If not, they will often just have roast chicken.
Why do Japanese eat KFC on Christmas Day?
In 1974, Takeshi Okawara, the manager of the first KFC restaurant in Japan located in the Aoyama district of Tokyo, came up with the concept of promoting KFC as a special meal for Christmas. Okawara noticed that many foreigners living in Japan were looking for a familiar Christmas meal, particularly roast turkey, which was not easily available in Japan at the time. Inspired by this observation and wanting to create a new holiday tradition, he devised a marketing campaign to position KFC as a substitute for the traditional Western Christmas meal.
What cake do Japanese people eat on Christmas?
On Christmas, one of the most popular cakes that Japanese people traditionally eat is the Christmas Cake or kurisumasu kēki. The Christmas Cake has become an iconic symbol of the holiday season in Japan and is a widely enjoyed dessert during Christmas celebrations. It’s typically a sponge cake adorned with whipped cream and topped with fresh red strawberries.
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