Nowadays, it’s widely known that Japan celebrates Christmas with KFC, originating with a near-genius marketing campaign.
Takeshi Okawara, enterprising manager of the first KFC in Japan, started the tradition as a one-store campaign in the 70’s, and it just stuck.
And can we blame people? KFC is “finger lickin’ good” for a reason.
Plus, it’s an easily fulfillable tradition, just pre-order your meal and KFC Christmas is set. As a couple’s holiday, it also makes more sense to go simple on the dinner front.
So, for our *second-ever Christmas in Japan, we had to go for KFC– or Kentucky (ケンタッキー) as it’s typically called here. Here’s how it went!
How to get your Mitts on KFC for Christmas
We started our foray into ordering KFC on their Japanese website. They make the process quick and easy-ish.
Just remember to order a couple of weeks in advance if you want the best prices. They have early bird deals in November that we missed in 2024!
This year, 2025, the early bird deals (早割 hayawari) go until December 12th. You can save a couple of bucks if you know what you want.
KFC has really updated its ordering system since 2023. It’s been simplified and streamlined big time! The system from 2024 to 2025 is almost the same, in fact.
1. Click on the large and rather obvious Christmas-Order Banner
Surprisingly, you can order starting as early as the first week of November. You may need to scroll down to find this banner if you’re ordering really early.
With my web browser’s built-in translate feature, it’s easier, but some of the banners and food explanations are images that can’t be machine-translated.
On this particular banner「今すぐ予約」means “Order Now”. Click this, and an order pop-up will immediately appear.
You can also click the green button present on some pages called 「ネットで予約」 “Web Orders” or literally, “Reserve by Internet”.
You’ll be taken to their Christmas menu, and presented with a store-select pop-up. In 2025, you can choose from December 19th to 25th for your KFC dinner pickup.
2. Open the KFC Christmas Menu
From party barrels to Christmas packs, KFC’s Christmas menu has options for any situation.
Whether you’re a couple or an entire family, they have an offering for you. Man, I wish this were sponsored.
KFC also has some cool stuff like premium roast chicken and stuffed chicken breasts, which aren’t on the regular menu.
You can also open the Christmas menu in a new tab so you can see it side-by-side with the order page.
This way, you can see their list of Christmas buckets, packs, sides, and special items.
3. Select your Store
2023’s system had me a little vexed, but now their system is much simpler.
In the ordering tab, type your address or area into the store locator. You can type in English, and it will still pop up.
If you need to select your event, be sure to pick “Christmas Orders” aka 「クリスマスのご予約」(kurisumasu no goyoyaku).
Once you pick your store, choose your time and date of pickup. For example, I used the Taito ward area. (Don’t worry, it’s not my actual store.)
4. Pick your Christmas Set
Now you can simply click 「追加する」aka “Add” to add your choices to the cart. Pick your desired set and don’t forget the sides!
5. Register a KFC account
Once you’ve added the set and sides you want to your cart, register an account and proceed to payment.
I recommend making an account so you can verify that your order went through! This way, you can access your order information in the future.
6. Save the email/confirmation number for your pickup.
Star it, flag it, or put it in your calendar app. However you want to remember it is fine, but be sure to show this confirmation when you go to pick up your order.
The KFC Christmas Experience (How’d it Taste?)
Christmas 2024
For Christmas in 2024, we upped our game and ordered a party barrel to share, since we were celebrating with another person.
In fact, we ordered the Early Bird Party Barrel, replete with side dishes, dessert, and even a commemorative plate!
I was not expecting the plate. It’s quite sweet, and I can use it as Christmas decor going forward. Unfortunately, they are discontinuing the commemorative plates after 2024.
The staff also included a handwritten note, thanking us for our order… that’s not something you see every day, especially from a fast-food chain. I was pretty impressed.
As for the food itself, KFC is KFC, but the chicken was delicious as usual, and the side of “lobster lasagna” was an interesting pairing.
We also ordered a side box of fries and biscuits. In the future, I don’t think we’ll need to get the party barrel, but it did feel special with all the extras.
The tiramisu cake tasted delicious, and overall, we had a fun time unboxing and eating it together.
Plus, the staff members at our local store always do a good job of packing everything correctly and having it ready on time.
Christmas 2023
We decided on the Christmas “S” Pack, and a Biscuit/Potato side box (the very cutely named “bispote”ビスポテ box). The “S” Pack included 4 original chicken pieces, 3 tenders, and 10 nuggets.
We walked to our local KFC for pickup (conveniently a 10-minute walk away lol), and since our time was 7:30 pm, there was no line.
We showed the clerk our confirmation number, and they immediately produced the boxes. They were clearly prepared.
The boxes were packed neatly with paper to absorb the oil and keep things separate. The chicken came in one box, with paper bags containing 5 nuggets each, and another sachet with ketchup, honey-maple drizzle, and napkins.
I’m not someone who eats lots of chicken nuggets, but the KFC nuggets were some of the best chicken nuggets I think I’ve had.
The tenders were also an interesting experience:
The crust reminds me of the crust you’d get on a spicy chicken burger at other fast food restaurants– minus the spicy spice. Although the inside was the same consistency as the nuggets.
The original chicken was, well, KFC.
The quality was no more amazing than your typical KFC run, but the pomp and circumstance of ordering and devouring it on Christmas Eve was insanely fun.
In the end, it was plenty of food, and we had KFC leftovers for breakfast the next day. Plus there were no dishes or stress, which is a nice change of pace for the holidays.
I can definitely see us getting KFC for Christmas in the future. Would you get KFC for Christmas?
2023’s Offerings and Ordering System
While pondering my Christmas order this year (2024), I found myself realizing how much has changed in a year’s time.
KFC’s website has changed quite a bit when it comes to ordering. They streamlined it and made it way easier to add your items to your cart.
It just makes an easy, stress-free holiday dinner that much easier. And I’m here for it.
But for funsies, below are 2023’s ordering screens.
Click to enlarge images
*When we studied abroad in 2017, neither of us had KFC for Christmas that year. But that’s another blog. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Hi Kat! Are you able to eat the KFC “Christmas Dinner” in the KFC store or is this intended to be takeaway (and eat at home)? Thanks!
Hi, thanks for your question! It’s intended to be eaten at home, which I would also recommend.
Although your KFC store may allow eating in the store, many stores will not be open for eating-in according to this blog in Japanese: ! If you can, I recommend asking in person at your nearby store for more information!
Very helpful blog. Thankyou! Question: can you pick up any other day in the month of December or does it have to be the 25th? Also will the website accept hotel addresses?
Hey, thanks for your question, Jon!
You can absolutely pick up on a day other than the 25th. I believe you can reserve for pickup between 12/20 and 12/25.
To my knowledge, the website will accept hotel addresses, but some stores don’t deliver. I recommend picking up your reserved meal directly. When holiday orders open for 2025, you can locate the KFC closest to your hotel on the website.
Hope this helps!
Hello, I’m trying to order for 2025 but when I go to select the pick-up date and time it says “受付終了”, am I too late to order?
Hi Paul, that does seem strange. 受付終了 does mean they are not accepting that order. However the pre-orders for KFC Christmas just started, so here are a couple of things to try:
What date and time are you looking at, and is it on a popular day? I would try refreshing and trying again. It’s possible that since the Christmas specials just started this year, the system might be a little buggy.
Also check to make sure that under Events 「イベント」you have selected Christmas Orders 「クリスマスのご予約」.
Otherwise, you could try ordering a different item or set. Currently there is only a limited amount of Early Bird Party Barrels 「早割パーティバーレル（バラエティ）」 available, so it’s possible they are sold out.
In any case, I’ll update my blog soon with 2025 info.