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How Japan Celebrates Christmas (Hint: It’s Finger Lickin’ Good)
How KFC became Japan's Christmas tradition.
OutBean
November 30, 2024
Did you know Christmas is celebrated differently in Japan?
Unlike in the U.S. or Europe, it’s not a religious holiday.
Japan isn’t a Christian country, so Christmas doesn’t have the same meaning.
In fact, it’s more about twinkling lights, romantic vibes, and spending time with loved ones.
Christmas Eve feels more like Valentine’s Day, with couples out on special dates.
And while you’ll spot dazzling holiday displays in big cities like Tokyo, December 25th is just another workday for most.
But one tradition stands out: eating KFC for Christmas dinner.
Colonel Sanders has never been more festive than now.
🐔 Why Do Japanese People Eat KFC for Christmas?
The story begins in the 1970s, when Takeshi Okawara, manager of Japan’s first KFC, had a big idea.
He wanted to bring Christmas spirit to Japan.
Photo of Takeshi Okawara, who served as the CEO of KFC Japan from 1984 to 2002
Some say it started when a foreign customer couldn’t find a turkey for Christmas and bought KFC chicken instead. Others say Okawara dressed up as Santa at a party, saw how much people loved it, and thought, “What if KFC could be a part of Christmas?”
Whatever the inspiration, KFC’s marketing team ran with it.
They launched the now-iconic “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii” (Kentucky for Christmas) campaign.
The ads featured smiling families enjoying buckets of KFC together during the holidays.
They even dressed Colonel Sanders—the company’s mascot—in a Santa suit. In Japan, elders are highly respected, and the Colonel quickly became a beloved holiday figure.
By presenting fried chicken as a fancy, festive treat, KFC created something entirely new.
Colonel Sanders found a welcoming place in Japan, a culture deeply rooted in respect for elders.
🍗 A Tradition That Grew
Joonas Rokka, a marketing professor at Emlyon Business School, calls KFC’s Christmas campaign in Japan a model example of marketing success. As he explained:
“The party barrel campaign filled a void. There was no tradition of Christmas in Japan, and KFC came in and said, this is what you should do on Christmas.”
Okawara noticed that Japanese families didn’t have set traditions for Christmas.
He pointed out that gap and offered a simple, affordable solution: “At Christmas, you eat chicken.”
Until the 1960s, chicken was considered a luxury in Japan, which made KFC's affordable chicken a major selling point by the 1970s.
The idea took off, and today, KFC is synonymous with Christmas in Japan.
The chain has more than 1,200 stores nationwide, with sales doubling every December.
Christmas dinner at KFC Japan
Families pre-order their festive buckets months in advance to avoid waiting hours in line. A typical “KFC Christmas Dinner” might cost $40 and include chicken, wine, and even cake.
Other stores have tried to copy KFC’s success, but KFC is still the most popular choice for Christmas dinner in Japan.
🌏 Holiday Marketing Takeaways
The real-life Harland Sanders didn’t establish KFC until his 60s, a testament to entrepreneurial perseverance that inspired a young Okawara to launch Japan’s first KFC.
So, what can marketers learn from KFC’s success in Japan?
Cultural Adaptation is Key: KFC reimagined Christmas traditions for a market where the holiday wasn’t widely celebrated.
Create an Experience: By positioning their product as a special treat, KFC transformed fried chicken into a festive special treat.
Consistency Builds Tradition: Decades of marketing campaigns cemented the association between KFC and Christmas.
In today’s globalized world, reinterpreting foreign ideas for local tastes can open up entirely new opportunities.
That’s it for this edition of The Beanstalk! If you’re inspired by KFC’s story, think about how you can creatively adapt your product for different markets.
As always, stay curious and keep growing.
📚 Related Highlights
1989 Japanese KFC Christmas Commercial
Few Japanese Christmas Traditions
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