Travel Tips

Labor Thanksgiving Day is celebrated as a national holiday in Japan.

Every year on 23rd November, Japan spends a day reflecting on the work done throughout the previous year by celebrating Labor Thanksgiving Day. If you’re visiting Japan on this day it’s important to know that this day is a national holiday and so many banks and government offices will be closed.

History of Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan

Taking place annually on November 23, Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan is celebrated as an occasion for commemorating labor and production and giving one another thanks. The festival has been celebrated for several centuries as the Rice Harvest Festival or Niiname-Sai as it’s known in Japanese. The festival can be traced all the way back to the year 678, which is the earliest recorded instance of Niiname-Sai. It is the tradition for the emperor to offer some of the new harvest to the Gods on this day.

The date was fixed during the Meiji Era (around the turn of the 20th century). Ever since it has been celebrated on November 23rd. And while the public celebrates this day as a national holiday, the Emperor and his family still maintain the tradition – albeit behind closed doors!

Japan travel tip:

Travelling to Japan? Avoid flying on national holidays and you’ll save hassle and airfares. Plan your trip with our international date planner – the only one to include all dates of international holidays in a convenient monthly calendar. We also offer international planner at our site aglobalworld.com

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