All TopicsNewsCultureJapanese Snacks & CandyFood & DrinkTravelEntertainmentMember Spotlight
TokyoTreat Japanese Snacks BlogJapanese Candy For Christmas? How About KFC?!

Japanese Candy For Christmas? How About KFC?!

Nic ThibodeauNic Thibodeau
Published Time
Posted on 
December 13, 2017
Modified Time
Updated last 
June 21, 2022

If you visit Japan during the holiday season, you may think, "Alright! Where I can find the Japanese candy?" and search for some awesome holiday themed Japanese candy. However, you might be surprised by what other food is celebrated in Japan during the holiday season! KFC! Yes, the Kentucky Fried Chicken. It might seem like an odd tradition, but while we love snacking on Japanese snacks while listening to music, we also have come to enjoy doing so with KFC and Christmas tunes!

Christmas is celebrated in many ways in Japan, but the KFC Christmas Chicken is one tradition that is thought of as odd by many. Why did it start, you wonder? Well, lets discuss that below!

Many people in Japan don't think of Japanese candy when they imagine the holiday season. What does come to mind however is Christmas Chicken! Every year Japanese billboards, TVs, newspapers, and more are filled to the brim with ads informing people that Christmas Chicken reservations have begun! Spots usually are completely full with a few weeks. This has been a tradition for years, but when did this start?

It all started with a marketing campaign in 1974 when some foreigners visiting Japan couldn't find turkey and opted to use KFC instead for a holiday meal!

The exotic feeling of American chicken and the simple message, "Christmas = Kentucky", all alongside a major commercial ad campaign, pushed this Christmas Chicken tradition to the height it is at today!

Ever since the Christmas Chicken campaign started in 1974, major celebrities and other influential figures have chowed down on the ever popular drum stick to celebrate this Christmas chicken!

Other food chains in Japan also take part in the Christmas Chicken celebrations as well. For example, Japanese hamburger chain MOS Burger also has many Christmas chicken sets or buckets just for the holiday season! The Colonel's Christmas present for Japan is chicken for all!

So, we hope this shed a little bit of light as to why Christmas=Kentucky and not Japanese candy for many people in Japan! While we can't stick a bucket of chicken into your Japanese snack box, you can always head out to your closest KFC on Christmas day to snag a bucket of chicken to join the chicken festivities!

To keep up to date on other fun Japan news, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! If you are looking to chow down on Japanese candy straight from a monthly Japan box, be sure to subscribe now!

TokyoTreat

Enjoy Delicious Japanese Candy And Snacks Every Month!

Starting from $32.50 USD

Get TokyoTreat

Author avatar
Nic Thibodeau

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Enjoy Delicious Japanese Candy And Snacks Every Month!

Starting from $32.50 USD

Get TokyoTreat

Related Articles

Tokyo Skyline: Best Places to See It!

March 11, 2023

Tokyo is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in the world. With expansive skylines that reach the horizon. Get ready to explore these five must-see places for the best views of Tokyo’s skyline!

Cherry Blossom in Japanese Snacks: The Best Fruit Flavors!

March 09, 2023

The cherry blossom in Japanese snacks is very popular in the spring! There are plenty of delicious pink sakura snacks for this upcoming Japanese cherry blossom season! But how do they taste?

Spy x Family Characters: The Best Snacks!

March 07, 2023

The manga series Spy x Family, written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo, is having its moment in the spotlight. The series is gaining admirers in Japan and worldwide. After a long wait, new series episodes are airing, and collaborations are starting to show up!

Japanese Supermarket: The Best Surprises!

March 07, 2023

Japanese supermarkets offer a unique and surprising shopping experience that is worth exploring. There is something for everyone to discover!

How Many Days Until St. Patricks Day- In Tokyo? 

February 25, 2023

You’ve heard of Saint Patrick’s Day, right? What if we told you that traveling to Japan didn’t have to mean missing those age-old celebrations?

Sumo Wrestling in Tokyo: Fun Facts and History!

February 24, 2023

A considerable mystique surrounds Japan’s national sport, sumo wrestling. What is it that attracts so many people to the traditional sport? We’ll look at sumo and see why the sport is popular today.

TokyoTreat
Subscription
PricingBeginner’s Guide to TokyoTreatPast boxesUpcoming Box
Support & Information
FAQContactHelp CenterBlog

Be a TokyoTreat Insider!

Join our newsletter and receive tasty news and deals!



Anbrand.
Copyright © 2023 TokyoTreat™. All Rights Reserved.
Accepted Payments
Visa payment availableMastercard payment availableAmerican Express payment availableDiscover payment availablePayPal payment available