Christmas isn't universally celebrated in Japan — only about 1% of the population identifies as Christian, though many celebrate it as a secular festive season.

Japan’s most-followed religion is Shintoism, with less than 1% of its population being Christian. And yet, the nation celebrates Christmas in full spirit, with an extra helping of romance.

Japan’s most-followed religion is Shintoism, with less than 1% of its population being Christian. And yet, the nation celebrates Christmas in full spirit, with an extra helping of romance.

As Japan Times reported earlier this month, the average price of whole Christmas cakes in Japan this year is up 7.8%, or about $2.20, from a year earlier, reflecting surging costs of almost all ...

Whatever the case, Okawara's venture came to set the tone for Christmas in Japan for decades to come, especially after the winter of 1974. Photo: KFC Japan.

It's Christmas, but not as you know it. Since World War II, Japan has embraced the typically Western holiday and made it its own. There's Santa, trees, and presents, but on the Christmas lunch ...

Lines outside the restaurants start on Dec. 23, with Christmas Eve being KFC Japan’s busiest day when the chain usually sells about five to 10 times more than typical days.

Next on the Christmas to-do list in Japan, after you’ve put in your KFC order, is to reserve your Christmas cake. Japanese Christmas cake (always strawberry shortcake, with perhaps some ...

Christmas in Japan is simply "associated with having a happy time", Dr Akagawa said. "It was really my parents wanting their children to have a happy childhood. " ...

Japan’s most-followed religion is Shintoism, with less than 1% of its population being Christian. And yet, the nation celebrates Christmas in full spirit, with an extra helping of romance.

It's Christmas, but not as you know it. Since World War II, Japan has embraced the typically Western holiday and made it its own. There's Santa, trees, and presents, but on the Christmas lunch ...