The season of Thanksgiving is just around the corner, especially in North America. Many people are looking forward to this cherished event where families and friends come together.
 
Interestingly, Japan also has a holiday similar to Thanksgiving, known as "Kinro Kansha no Hi" (Labor Thanksgiving Day). In this article, we will explore this Japanese-style Thanksgiving, its significance, and how it's celebrated. We will also introduce Japanese sweets that you can enjoy during Thanksgiving celebrations around the world. So, let's dive in and discover these delightful treats!

What is the Japanese-style Thanksgiving? What do people do?

First, let's learn about the Japanese-style Thanksgiving known as "Kinro Kansha no Hi." Although today, Labor Thanksgiving Day is recognized as a day to express gratitude for labor and work itself, its origins can be traced back to an ancient court ceremony called "Shinjo-sai."
 
Shinjo-sai, an age-old tradition in Japan, involved offering newly harvested grains to the deities and express gratitude for the crops. Over time, this practice evolved into “Labor Thanksgiving Day." It was established as a national holiday in 1948, to “honor labor, celebrate production, and express mutual gratitude among the citizens.”
 
In the U.S., there is also a holiday called “Labor Day," honoring the contributions of workers. Japan's Labor Thanksgiving Day is a holiday encompassing the meanings of both Labor Day and Thanksgiving Day. 

How Japanese Labor Thanksgiving is Celebrated

In Japan, Labor Thanksgiving Day is generally observed as a day to express gratitude for everyday labor and to appreciate the efforts of workers. November 23rd, designated as Labor Thanksgiving Day, is when many schools and companies are closed, allowing people to rest and recuperate from their regular work routines.
 
Unlike Thanksgiving in North America, there are no special events involving elaborate meals with family and friends. However, many take this opportunity to express gratitude to family members who work diligently, spend quality time with their loved ones, and unwind from their daily work stress.

Enjoy Delicious Sweets on this Joyous Holiday!

Labor Thanksgiving Day is the perfect occasion to relax and indulge in snacks with your family and friends. In this section, we will introduce some Japanese sweets and snacks that you would want to savor during this enjoyable holiday with your loved ones.

1) Corn Potage Snack, Cheese Snack

When it comes to snacks enjoyed by the whole family, nothing beats convenient, large-sized snacks that you can easily munch on. Zelico's “Corn Potage Snack" and “Cheese Snack" are corn snacks with a light and crispy texture, boasting rich flavors of corn potage and cheese. They are the ideal companions for a holiday spent watching television with your family.

2) Milk Wafers

For families with little ones, we recommend "Milk Wafers" that all family members can enjoy together. These wafers have a light airy texture and are filled with rich milk cream, loved by both children and adults. It is also conveniently bite-sized, making it easy to enjoy.

3) Shrimp Sembei (Japanese Flavor and Cheese Flavor)

Our recommended gift for hardworking dads is the “Shrimp Senbei." This set includes six different flavors of shrimp senbei, each carefully crafted with selected seafood ingredients. Seafood-flavored snacks pair exceptionally well with alcohol. For those who enjoy drinking, we encourage you to try them as a perfect accompaniment to your favorite beverage.

What is Thanksgiving Like in North America?

Now that we've learned about the Japanese-style Thanksgiving, let's take a look at Thanksgiving in North America.
 
Thanksgiving is a traditional American event where families gather around a feast, expressing gratitude for the blessings of food. It is believed to have originated from the Pilgrims, who migrated from England to America, giving thanks to God for their first bountiful harvest in the new land.
 
Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of November, and it typically extends for a four-day period, including  the following day and weekend. As Thanksgiving approaches, cities come alive with a festive atmosphere, and on the day itself, many cities and towns host parades to celebrate the occasion.

How Thanksgiving is Celebrated in North America

During Thanksgiving, it's common for families and friends to gather and enjoy traditional dishes like roasted turkey. Many companies and schools also have an extended holiday, and family members living away from home would often make a trip back to spend time with their families during this period."
 
In addition to feasting, people also participate in a variety of activities, including watching American football games on TV, enjoying festive parades, and going shopping to celebrate the holiday.
 

Thanksgiving Food in North America

When it comes to traditional Thanksgiving dishes, a prominent one is a large de-gibletted turkey with stuffing ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, bread cubes, rice, and then roasted to perfection in the oven. The cooked turkey is sliced for easy serving and often enjoyed with cranberry sauce and gravy.
 
In addition to the turkey, side dishes vary by region but commonly include mashed potatoes, casseroles, stuffing, and cornbread. For desserts, pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes are a must.

Summary

In this blog post, we've talked about Labor Thanksgiving Day, which is the Japanese-style Thanksgiving, and introduced our recommended sweets and snacks for Thanksgiving celebrations around the world. Both the Thanksgiving in North America and Japan's Labor Thanksgiving Day are important holidays that allow families to spend quality time together.
 
Let’s try some delicious sweets and snacks from Zelico for your family gatherings this year!