What Does Japan Call Thanksgiving?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Just one day after most Americans gather with friends and family to enjoy the traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie, another nation also celebrates a day of thanks. Today's in Japan is called

“Kinrokansha,” or “Thanksgiving Labor Day

.”

Does the Japanese celebrate Thanksgiving?

Labor Thanksgiving Day Observed by Japan Type National, public

Does Japan have a holiday like Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving in Japanese is called ‘Kinro Kansha no Hi', which formally means Labor Thanksgiving Day. … Also unlike the American celebration,

Japanese Thanksgiving is not a religious-based holiday

. Instead, it is a public national holiday that honors the hard work of laborers, more akin to US Labor Day.

Does Japan have any special holidays?

The major holidays and celebrations in Japan include

Ganjitsu, New Year's Day; Kenkoku Kinen no Hi, National Foundation Day; Hina Matsuri, Girls' Festival

. Celebrating these Japanese festivals is a great way to deepen your understanding of the language.

What holiday in Japan is most similar to Thanksgiving in the United States?

The Japanese Thanksgiving has its roots in the fall harvest festival Niinamesai(新嘗祭), celebrating hard work, so it is similar to the American Thanksgiving which comes from Pilgrims celebrating a good harvest.

Is KFC Big in Japan?

A stand-alone KFC drive-through unit in Hachinohe, Japan Traded as TYO: 9873 Industry Fast food Founded July 4, 1970 Headquarters Ebisuminami, Shibuya , Tokyo

What is the most famous holiday in Japan?


New Year's Day

marks the beginning of Japan's most important holiday season, the New Year season (正月, Shōgatsu), which generally refers to the first one, three or seven days of the year.

What religion is Japan?

The Japanese religious tradition is made up of several major components, including

Shinto

, Japan's earliest religion, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Christianity has been only a minor movement in Japan.

What is the biggest national holiday in Japan?

Likewise, a day sandwiched between two national holidays is turned into a holiday. Please consult our event calendar for exact dates.

New Year (shogatsu):

This is the most important holiday in Japan.

Is Thanksgiving a religious holiday?


Thanksgiving is definitely a religious holiday rooted in the Christian tradition of our country

. … Hence, America's first Thanksgiving was about prayer and thanksgiving to God.

Does any other country celebrate Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States,

Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Liberia

. … Similarly named festival holidays occur in Germany and Japan.

What are three other countries that celebrate Thanksgiving?

  • Liberia: Liberia brought the Thanksgiving tradition directly from America, owing to its beginnings as a resettlement colony for freed black Americans. …
  • Canada. (Shutterstock) …
  • Australia. …
  • Japan. …
  • United Kingdom. …
  • Germany. …
  • India. …
  • The Philippines.

Is Christmas a big deal in Japan?

Even though only about 1 percent of the Japanese population are Christian,

Christmas is still a pretty big deal over here

(as you may have noticed with the plethora of Christmas markets and stunning illuminations dotting every corner of Tokyo).

What is Santa Claus called in Japan?

In Japan Santa is known as

サンタさん、サンタクロース santa-san (Mr Santa)

. Another Japanese gift bringer is Hoteiosho, a Japanese god of good fortune from Buddhism and not really related to Christmas. The Japanese New Year (called ‘o shogatsu') is more like a traditional Western Christmas.

What is a traditional Christmas dinner in Japan?

And in Japan, Christmas means KFC. On December 25th every year, you'll find millions of Japanese people sitting down to a hearty meal of

KFC fried chicken

, with orders placed with the restaurant months in advance. It's all thanks to a very effective marketing campaign that began in the 70s.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.