Labor Thanksgiving Day: Kinro Kansha no Hi

A national holiday on November 23 that lets Japan pause, say thank you and enjoy a long autumn weekend.

Published October 19, 2026 at 1:31 AM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Kinro Kansha no Hi, or Labor Thanksgiving Day, is a Japanese national holiday held every November 23. It honors labor, celebrates production and encourages people to express gratitude to one another. It was established in 1948 and replaced an older harvest festival date. Many families use the day for a short trip, a meal out or a thank-you gesture.

What the holiday celebrates

Kinro Kansha no Hi is usually translated as Labor Thanksgiving Day. The name combines three ideas: kinro, meaning labor or work; kansha, meaning gratitude; and hi, meaning day. The official purpose, written into the law that created it, is to respect labor, celebrate production and give thanks to one another. It is a gentle holiday, closer in spirit to a day of appreciation than to a protest or parade. Unlike Labor Day in many countries, which is tied to workers' rights movements, this holiday has a more general and harmonious tone.

It includes everyone who works, whether in an office, a farm, a shop or at home. In practice, the day is quiet, and the main effect for most people is a day off at a pleasant time of year. The holiday was created during the postwar reforms that shaped many of Japan's modern public holidays. Its wording reflects a wish to build a society in which people value effort and thank those whose work supports daily life. That hopeful, forward-looking message is one reason the holiday remains popular, even though few people think of its legal text.

The harvest festival behind it

The date, November 23, has older roots. Before 1948, this day was set aside for Niiname-sai, a ceremony in which the emperor offers the year's new rice to the deities and then tastes it. The practice is ancient, and the Imperial Household still performs the ritual on the same date each year. After the war, the holiday was redefined as a national day of thanks for work. This history explains the holiday's emphasis on gratitude for the harvest and for the results of effort.

Many shrines hold their own thanksgiving ceremonies around this day, with offerings of rice and local produce. If you visit a shrine on November 23, you may see farmers or neighborhood groups presenting freshly harvested crops, a quiet and attractive scene. The ritual itself takes place at the palace and is not open to the public, but the idea of thanking the land and the people who work on it is easy to feel in the way local communities mark the season.

How people spend the day

Many people use the long weekend for a short trip. Autumn leaves peak in late November in much of central and western Japan, so popular destinations such as Kyoto, Nikko and Hakone are busy. Families may visit relatives, go to a hot spring, or have a meal at a favorite restaurant. For others, it is simply a day to rest at home. Gratitude is expressed in small ways.

Children sometimes make cards or drawings for people who work in their community, such as police officers, firefighters and delivery workers. Companies and local governments may hold events to thank staff. In Tokyo and other cities, you will find markets, craft fairs and cultural events. Check local listings for what is on near you. Local governments and community groups often organize small events, such as fairs, concerts and volunteer activities. Check the notice boards at your station or the municipal website for what is on near you.

Events and activities around the date

Because the holiday falls near Shichi-Go-San on November 15, shrines are often busy with family visits in the same weeks. Light-ups of autumn foliage begin in Kyoto and Tokyo, offering evening views. Craft markets and food festivals take place in parks and station squares, often with an autumn theme of chestnuts, sweet potatoes and apples. Some places hold local harvest festivals at about the same time. These range from rice-harvest thanks at rural shrines to farmers' markets in towns.

If you are traveling, an early visit to a regional market can be a good way to see the season. Ask a local tourist office for upcoming events, and book transport ahead since the holiday weekend is busy. In some towns, the weekend also includes a tori-no-ichi or similar autumn fair, depending on the calendar, where visitors buy decorated rakes for good luck in the coming year. These fairs cluster in November and offer a lively street atmosphere, with food stalls and shopkeepers calling out in rhythm.

Travel and business notes

Labor Thanksgiving Day is a public holiday, so government offices, banks and schools are closed. Many companies close too, though shops, restaurants, department stores and tourist attractions are generally open and often busy. Trains run on a holiday schedule in some areas. If the date falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a substitute holiday. Because it often creates a three-day weekend, trains, highways and hotels are crowded in popular sightseeing areas.

Book accommodation and reserved seats early, and consider visiting less famous spots for a calmer experience. Check opening days for museums, as some close on Mondays, which can matter when the holiday shifts to that day. If you have business meetings, avoid scheduling them on this date, and remember that parcel deliveries and some services may follow a holiday schedule. Check carrier notices if you are expecting a delivery.

Autumn sights, food and seasonal pairings

The holiday pairs naturally with autumn scenery. Late November is a good time to see maple and ginkgo leaves in the Kanto and Kansai regions, and the weather is cool and clear. Parks, temples and gardens are lovely, and many extend their hours with evening lighting. Dress in layers, as mornings and evenings can be cold. Seasonal food includes new rice, chestnut sweets, persimmons, matsutake mushrooms and hot pot dishes.

A bowl of nabe with friends is a classic way to mark the season. Home cooks also enjoy sharing seasonal dishes with neighbors, which fits the theme of the day neatly. Convenience stores and bakeries offer limited-time autumn treats. If you are looking for a gift, a small box of local sweets or a pack of regional tea is a thoughtful way to say thanks.

How to join in as a visitor

You do not need to do anything special to take part, but small gestures fit the spirit of the day. Thank the staff at your hotel, a guide who helped you, or a shop worker. A simple "arigato gozaimasu" and a bow will be appreciated. If you are staying with a host family or friends, a small gift is a gracious touch.

Take time to notice the work behind everyday services, from the train that arrives on time to the meal on your table. Many visitors find that Japan's service culture is one of the country's strengths, and a day of gratitude is a good moment to reflect on it. Pair this with a stroll in an autumn garden, and the holiday becomes a pleasant ritual of its own.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Labor Thanksgiving Day?

It is held every year on November 23. If the date falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a substitute holiday. It is a national holiday, so government offices and schools are closed. Confirm the details closer to the date, as small changes are common.

What is the origin of the holiday?

It was established in 1948 to honor labor and celebrate production. The date was previously reserved for Niiname-sai, a harvest ritual in which the emperor offers new rice to the deities. That ritual is still performed. The idea is easy to appreciate even without background knowledge, and locals are usually happy to explain.

Are shops and attractions open on this day?

Most shops, restaurants and tourist sites remain open, and are often busy. Government offices, banks and schools are closed, and some companies take the day off. Check the opening days of museums, especially when the holiday adjoins a Monday. Staff on site can answer questions, and signs usually explain the process clearly.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Japan in November: Peak Autumn Foliage, The Emperor's Birthday: Japan's National Holiday Explained and Susuki: Pampas Grass and Autumn Moon Viewing.