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 since it’s our *second ever Christmas in Japan, we had to go for KFC– or Kentucky (ケンタッキー) as it’s commonly called here. Here’s how it went!
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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 weeks in advance if you want the best prices. They have early bird deals in November that we missed!
This year, 2024, 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 their ordering system from last year (2023). It’s been simplified and streamlined big time!
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 Google Chrome’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 popup 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 store-select page, and from there presented with a million different options and times.
2. Open the KFC Christmas Menu
Click an image to enlarge
From party barrels to Christmas packs, KFC’s Christmas menu has many differing options for any situation.
Whether you’re a couple or entire family, they have an offering for you. Man I wish this was sponsored.
I recommend opening it in a new tab so you can see it side-by-side the ordering popup.
This way you can see their list of Christmas buckets, packs, sides, and special items.
KFC also has some cool stuff like premium roast chicken and stuffed chicken breast which aren’t on the regular menu.
3. Select your Store
Last year this had me a little vexed, but now the 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.
Once you pick your store, choose your time and date of pickup. For an example, I used the Taito ward area.
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 the account so you can verify that your order went through!
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?)
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 7:30pm, 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!