You may be surprised to hear Japan has its holiday for both Labor Day and Thanksgiving. In fact, they are actually celebrated on the same day, on November 23. Known as Labor Thanksgiving Day or 勤労感謝の日 (Kinrou Kansha no hi), it is used to commemorate people’s hard work and was established by the Japanese government shortly after World War II. But how is this holiday actually celebrated in Japan, and why are they on the same day? Is the holiday celebrated compared to the United States?
If you are wondering what you can do on Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan, what foods are popular to eat, continue reading to find out everything you need to know.
What is Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan?
Labor Thanksgiving Day is celebrated as a way to show thanks to all the workers who constantly contribute to the nation and its society. The current name of the holiday almost literally translates to its English equivalent, Labor Thanksgiving Day:
- 勤労(kinrou): Labor
- 感謝(kansha): Appreciation, gratitude, or thankfulness
- 日(hi): Day
It’s a public holiday observed on November 23, marking the expansion of workers’ rights, the guarantee of fundamental human rights, and also the protection of the environment. While Labor Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday, the original niiname sai (Harvest Festival) is still observed as a private event within the Imperial Family of Japan.
When is Labor Thanksgiving Day?
Labor Thanksgiving Day always takes place on November 23. However, the day it’s actually observed can depend on whether or not the holiday falls on a weekend. Generally, if it falls on Saturday or Sunday, the holiday is observed on the following Monday.
Please refer below for the actual observed dates of Labor Thanksgiving Day:
| Year | Date | Weekday | Observation Details |
| 2025 | November 23 | Sunday | Holiday observed on Monday, Nov 24 |
| 2025 (Observed) | November 24 | Monday | Substitute holiday (振替休日) |
| 2026 | November 23 | Monday | Regular observation |
| 2027 | November 23 | Tuesday | Regular observation |
| 2028 | November 23 | Thursday | Regular observation |
| 2029 | November 23 | Friday | Regular observation |
Origins of Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan
Officially, Labor Thanksgiving Day was established after Japan’s postwar constitution, around 1948, making it seem like a pretty recent holiday. However, the true origins of this holiday stem from an ancient ritual: the Harvest Festival, known in Japanese as 新嘗祭 (Niiname Sai).
Niiname Sai has possibly been around for as long as rice cultivation has existed, almost 2000 years. However, the earliest proven record of this holiday can only be found in the Chronicle of Japan, which states that Niiname Sai took place in 678 AD. Either way, this proves the holiday goes back centuries and was a central holiday in Japanese culture, being deeply connected to rice cultivation, Japan’s staple food for survival.
It was only after WWII that Niiname Sai acquired a new name, 勤労感謝の日 (Labor Thanksgiving Day), and expanded its purposes. Beyond commemorating the positive changes that the post-war legislation created for human rights and workers, it has become a day to honour and give thanks to workers. Hence, it is no longer dedicated solely to production, but also to the countless workers who support Japan and the economy.
American vs Japanese Thanksgiving
By now, you might have realized that American Thanksgiving and Japanese Thanksgiving are two very different holidays. American Thanksgiving centers on family, food, and historical tradition, while Japanese Thanksgiving is a civic holiday focused on gratitude for work and societal contributions.
In the United States, Thanksgiving dates back to 1621, when Pilgrims celebrated a successful harvest with the help of Native Americans. It has since become a major family-centered holiday, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November with large meals featuring roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Parades, football games, and travel to visit relatives are common traditions, and the holiday emphasizes gratitude and family togetherness.
In contrast, Japanese Thanksgiving, celebrated on November 23, is less about family gatherings and traditional foods and more about civic appreciation for workers and social contribution. The holiday’s focus is on honoring labor, productivity, and societal effort, often observed through ceremonies at schools, workplaces, or local government offices rather than large festive meals.
How is Labor Thanksgiving Day Celebrated in Japan
| Feature | Thanksgiving in the United States | Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan |
| Date | Fourth Thursday of November | November 23 |
| Origins | Harvest Festival was celebrated by Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1621 | Ancient harvest festivals and the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912) |
| Focus | Giving thanks for blessings in life | Honoring the hard work and dedication of workers |
| Food | Traditional Thanksgiving meal featuring turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie | Lighter meal featuring sashimi, tempura, sushi, udon, and mochi |
| Activities | Large family gatherings, football games, and parades | Large family gatherings, football games, and parades |
There are a plethora of events that are held across Tokyo and Japan, with one of the biggest observed festivals taking place in Nagano, featuring a fireworks festival sponsored by local labor organizations. However, usually, the Labor Thanksgiving Day is spent as a regular holiday with little to no ceremonial activities. At most, families might celebrate the holiday as a humble occasion where they have a simple meal with friends and family. But also don’t expect a huge feast, especially one featuring a turkey (they are actually hard to find in Japan).
Perhaps the most common activity is schools having students write “thank you” cards or make handcrafted gifts to give to local public workers, such as law enforcement, health care workers, and construction workers, among many others. It’s also common for families to go on trips to see some greenery, especially over the longer weekend, which may (or may not) have to do with the holiday’s connection to environmentalism as well.
Since it’s a national holiday, for the most part, workers get a day off to relax and then spend the holiday as they wish. It’s, after all, a day for workers to be appreciated and get a well-deserved break from work.
What Can You Actually Do on Thanksgiving?
While the holiday doesn’t have any strict universal rituals, there are events you can join on the holiday, such as the aforementioned Nagano Festival. So, from formal events to things to do on your own, here are some ideas to spend the Labor Thanksgiving Holiday.
1. Stay Productive and Learn Japanese
One of the best ways to make this national holiday in Japan a bit more productive is to stay on top of your Japanese-learning progress! While many language schools are closed on holidays, there are schools like Coto Academy that offer part-time Japanese lessons on weekends and — even better — on national holidays.
For example, you can attend a morning or afternoon class and still enjoy the rest of your day exploring the city. This is a great option because classes at Coto Academy focus on conversation and practical skills, meaning whatever you learn can be immediately applied in real life!
2. Explore Local Festivals or Community Events
Nagano’s “Shinshu Labor Festival” is held across different cities in the prefecture, focusing on celebrating workers, local industries, and community service. The event often features booths selling regional produce (such as apples, soba, and miso), live performances from local groups, exhibitions about workplace safety, and thank-you ceremonies for local workers.
If Nagano is outside your area, no worries! There are a variety of farming and labor appreciation events, as well as agricultural festivals, that you can find in the suburbs and rural areas across Japan. They often feature mochi-pounding, freshly harvested vegetables, and traditional performances. Some popular events include:
- “Labor Thanks Day Harvest Market” in Tokyo, or 勤労感謝の日収穫マルシェ (kinrou kansha no hi shuukaku marushe)
- Kyoto Farming & Craft Appreciation Events, or 農業感謝祭・手作り市 (Nougyou kansha sai / tezukuri shi)
3. Visit Parks, Gardens, and Seasonal Spots
Late November is when the autumn season is at its peak in many parts of Japan. You will likely be able to enjoy the momiji, or the beautiful red, orange, and yellow foliage from the maple and gingko trees. It’s one of the best times of the year to enjoy a picnic, date, or just a day out in the park with your friends. Here are some of our top park recommendations:
- Shinjuku Gyoen (Tokyo)
- Rikugien Gardens (Tokyo)
- Arashiyama (Kyoto)
- Korankei Gorge (Aichi)
4. Treat Someone With a “Thank You” Gift
While it’s not a formal tradition, giving a small gesture of appreciation feels fitting. One of the best ways to show someone appreciation is to treat them to dinner, especially if it’s a close colleague or just a friend. But showing appreciation doesn’t necessarily have to be grand (or expensive). Just small gifts such as snacks or sweets, a handwritten thank-you note, coffee or tea, or small omiyage (souvenirs) can go a long way to communicate your appreciation.
You’ll occasionally see workers gifting small items within companies, but it’s not always required.
5. Take a Trip and Enjoy the Autumn Foliage
When the public holiday is observed on a Monday, allowing for an extra-long weekend, it’s quite popular to go on a trip outside the big city. Autumn is the perfect season to enjoy the beauty of nature, with the foliage painting the natural landscape a plethora of vibrant colors. Here are some popular places where you can enjoy the fall views:
- Kamakura
- Nikko
- Hakone
- Nara
- Kobe
Common Food and Treats on Labor Thanksgiving Day
What do people actually eat on Labor Thanksgiving Day? Well, there actually aren’t any strict rituals regarding food on Thanksgiving. Most of the time, people will consume simple meals consisting of rice, fish, and tea.
While the imperial family still privately celebrates the local harvest by offering the season’s first harvested rice and sake to the gods, the general Japanese public shifted towards commemorating labor overall, focusing on appreciating workers and celebrating their rights. So, the extra time off is meant to be a day for workers to relax and spend it as they wish, which includes the food.
With American culture becoming more popular and widespread in Japan, there are now a variety of restaurants that serve American-style Thanksgiving dinners, especially in Tokyo. They sometimes include turkey, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pies, and other Thanksgiving favorites.
If you really need that home-cooked turkey on Thanksgiving, check out our guide on Where to Buy Turkey in Japan!
Conclusion: Spend the Labor Thanksgiving Holiday as You Wish
The labor Thanksgiving holiday is meant to be a time for all of us to appreciate everyone who actively contributes to society and reflect on the importance of worker rights, human rights, and environmentalism. So, we all get a day off to rest and spend as we please, but there are also events you can catch and enjoy.
This holiday is a great time to appreciate local farmers, travel to rural areas to enjoy fresh produce, and get a chance to meet the people who put food on our table. However, in these areas, English is not nearly as widely spoken. So in order to get the most out of travels and navigate comfortably, learning Japanese will be essential.
We highly recommend taking Japanese courses at Coto with our professional teachers who are experienced in helping students gain practical Japanese speaking skills. We are a top Japanese language school based in Japan, and we offer intensive courses as well as part-time options, so whether you want to immerse yourself fully or fit lessons into a busy schedule, there’s something for you. Start your journey to speaking Japanese confidently today!
FAQ
What is Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan?
Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan is a national and public holiday, falling on November 23, that is dedicated to showing gratitude towards workers. It celebrates the post-war constitution’s protections of worker rights, human rights, and the environment.
How are the American Thanksgiving Day and the Japanese Labor Thanksgiving day different?
They are both meant to celebrate gratitude towards others; however, they have different focuses. The Japanese Labor Thanksgiving Day celebrates and shows appreciation towards workers, whereas the American Thanksgiving is more about showing gratitude overall for not just people but food as well. They also have vastly different histories.
Are most places closed on Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan?
While most corporate offices and many public services are closed on Labor Thanksgiving Day, most restaurants are still open, so you can still enjoy a meal out on Labor Thanksgiving Day.
How is Labor Thanksgiving Day celebrated in Japan?
Labor Thanksgiving Day doesn’t have any specific rituals; however, it’s common for schools to have children write letters or make crafts to give to local service workers. Also, many shrines and certain cities host festivals that are related to the holiday, which are often sponsored by local labor organizations.