A marketing campaign in 1974 gave rise to the Japanese tradition of eating KFC’s fried chicken on Christmas Eve. It’s such a success that buckets of chicken have to be reserved days in advance.
If in most countries, the Christmas Eve meal is a traditional dish, in Japan, Christmas dinner often has an unexpected protagonist: a bucket of fried chicken from Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).
What began as an innovative marketing campaign in the 70s has turned into a cultural phenomenon and an essential part of Japanese festivities, as is the case with Naomi’s family, a resident of Hokkaido, who enjoys the “party barrel” filled with fried chicken, salad and cake.
“In Japan, it is costume eat frango in Natal”, reveals Naomi to . Her family orders KFC’s “Bary Barrel” every year, drawn by the delicious food and the collectible plate included as a gift.
This affection for KFC is widely shared. During the holiday season, the American fast food chain records a drastic increase in sales. In 2018, KFC Japan made an impressive 6.9 billion yen (around 43 million euros) between December 20th and 25th, with queues starting to form as early as the 23rd. Christmas Eve is particularly busy, with KFC restaurants selling up to 10 times more than on a normal day.
“For many, reserving a bucket is essential”, explains Naomi. “If you don’t book, you end up waiting in line for hours.”
After the post-war economic boom, Japan enthusiastically embraced Western culture. As globalization gained momentum, foreign restaurant chains such as Baskin-Robbins, Mister Donut, and KFC began to flourish. KFC opened its first Japanese restaurant in Nagoya in 1970.
Despite its American roots, Christmas in Japan has little religious significance, as less than 1% of the population identifies as Christian. In the 70s, the date was more about secular celebrationsbut family traditions were still forming.
Sensing an opportunity, KFC launched its marketing campaign “Kentucky for Christmas” in 1974. The festive buckets quickly gained popularity, filling the void for those looking for an easy, festive meal.
According to reports, the campaign was inspired by a client who lamented the lack of turkey in Japansaying he would celebrate Christmas with fried chicken. Another version of the story credits Takeshi Okawara, manager of the first KFC in Japan, who allegedly dressed up as Santa Claus at a Christmas party, with inspiring the idea. Regardless of the exact origin, the campaign was a resounding success.
Marketing played a crucial role in associate KFC with Christmas. Ads from the 70s and 80s showed warm scenes of families enjoying KFC, accompanied by the nostalgic song “My Old Kentucky Home.” These campaigns presented fried chicken as an elegant, American-style way to celebrate the holiday season.
Ted Bestor, a professor at Harvard University who has studied Japanese food culture for 50 years, highlights that KFC’s taste was another key factor in its success. Similar to karaagea popular Japanese fried meat dish, KFC offered a familiar flavor that didn’t require adapting to local palates.
“Sharing food is an important social practice in Japan,” explains Bestor. “A bucket of fried chicken fits perfectly into this tradition, allowing families and friends to enjoy a community dining experience.”
While KFC remains a seasonal favorite, some Japanese families have diversified their Christmas celebrations over the years. Shuho Inazumi, a librarian on the island of Honshu, remembers how limited options in the past made KFC “cool.” Today, however, he prefers to try roast meat recipes or attend festive hotel buffets.
For Naomi, however, KFC is a tradition she plans to keep. “I don’t have children yet,” he says, “but this is a tradition that my family looks forward to continue not future.”
