FamilyMart's Christmas trends for 2026

Christmas in Japan can look a little different from Christmas in my home country of Australia or other Western countries. Rather than a big family gathering around a roast dinner, many people opt for a smaller celebration at home, often with cake, fried chicken, and a few seasonal treats.

A new survey by FamilyMart involving 30,000 respondents has offered a look into how people are planning to celebrate Christmas in 2026. According to the results, 41.4% intend to enjoy Christmas dinner at home, while just 13.5% plan to eat out.

The convenience store chain is also getting into the festive spirit, announcing a lineup of 66 Christmas products in this year's range. The offerings include seasonal food and treats designed to make Christmas celebrations a little easier, especially for those of us who don't want to spend hours preparing a meal!

For expats who have spent a few Christmases in Japan, the emphasis on convenience store fried chicken and Christmas cakes might already be familiar. For any newcomers here on City-Cost, it's a fun intro into one of Japan's unique seasonal traditions.

It might not be quite the same as a traditional Christmas lunch that some of us might be used to, but there's something to be said for letting the convenience store take care of a little of the preparation!