Osaka Prefecture

As we approach autumn, citizens of many countries are starting to plan for Thanksgiving, including Japan. However, Japanese Thanksgiving is slightly different from what you may be used to. Japan celebrates Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha No Hi) to honor workers. This public holiday can trace its roots back around 2,000 years, although it was only officially established after World War II. Another key difference between Thanksgiving in Japan and in countries such as the United States is that Labor Thanksgiving Day is on 23rd of November (or 24th of November, if the 23rd is on a Sunday). This means that expats in Japan can celebrate Thanksgiving twice if they wish! Commemorate the occasion in traditional style with a meal such as fish, rice, and Japanese tea. Then, for the American-style turkey dinner with all the trimmings, either head to a place where you can go for a meal or source your own supplies. Blarney Stone Blarney Stone is a popular Irish pub with two venues in Osaka. In recent years, its Shinsaibashi branch has offered a themed Thanksgiving menu over the festive period. This began when the Democrats Abroad in Japan Kansai (DAJK) started hosting their Thanksgiving parties at…