Japan

Christmas was introduced to Japan in the 16th century by Europeans. Christmas in Japan is a much simpler affair involving friends and family sharing a special Christmas cake. The Christmas cake tradition most probably originated with the French [|Bûche de Noël], a cake shaped like a log to represent the Yule Log burned at the fireplace during Christmas celebrations. From its original log shape, the cake morphed into the more ubiquitous circle cake, with strawberries being the favored garnish. Christmas cakes themselves gave rise to more uniquely Japanese quirks: the Christmas cake sale and Christmas cake ladies. After the mad rush for cakes on Christmas Eve, on the 25th of December cake shops get rid of their stock of Christmas cakes by dropping their prices drastically.

This little Japanese Christmas tradition is an illustrious example of the triumph of advertising. Years ago, Kentucky Fried Chicken started a campaign that led the Japanese public to believe that fried chicken was the centerpiece of the Christmas feast, instead of roast turkey or baked ham as in traditionally Christian countries. Today, Japanese families celebrate by picking up a bucket of KFC from the nearest store, alongside their Christmas cake and presents.