Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha no Hi)

What Is Labor Thanksgiving Day?

Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha no Hi) on November 23 is a national holiday meant to "respect labor, celebrate production, and let the people give thanks to one another." It was set by the Act on National Holidays, promulgated on July 20, 1948 (Showa 23). It was originally the day of Niinamesai, a rite in which the Emperor offers the year's new grain to the gods, gives thanks, and eats it himself. Niinamesai continues today as a ceremony at the Imperial Court. In the Reiwa era, Labor Thanksgiving Day is the last national holiday of the year (in the Heisei era, the Emperor's Birthday on December 23 was the last).

From Niinamesai to Labor Thanksgiving Day

Niinamesai was originally held on the second "day of the hare" in the 11th month of the lunar calendar until 1872 (Meiji 5). When the solar calendar was introduced in 1873, the lunar date would have fallen in January of the next year, which was inconvenient, so it was held on November 23, the second day of the hare of that November. That year a holiday with the same name as the rite was formally set, and from 1874 the date was fixed on November 23 even when the day of the hare shifted. Because the Emperor's accession rite (Daijosai) was held on the second day of the hare in November, November 23 was not a holiday in 1915 and 1928. After the war, under GHQ guidance, the policy was to remove the coloring of State Shinto from holidays.

• Debate over the name: at the second Diet session in 1947, the House of Representatives considered "Shinkokusai" (New Grain Festival) and "Day of Thanks for Production" as replacements for Niinamesai, and "Day of Thanks" became the leading idea
• How it was decided: in a joint committee of both houses, some said "Day of Thanks" did not make clear what was being thanked, leaving two proposals, "Kinro Kansha no Hi" and "Rodo Kansha no Hi" (both meaning roughly Labor Thanksgiving Day)
• Proposer: the "Kinro Kansha no Hi" proposal came from a motion by House of Councillors member Goro Hani, and it was adopted
• Date: November 23 was carried over from the day of Niinamesai

How It Differs From May Day

May 1, May Day (Workers' Day), has its background in the history of the movement for workers' rights. Labor Thanksgiving Day, by contrast, comes from a harvest festival rooted in farming culture. It is an example of a Japanese holiday that started as a harvest rite and grew into thanks for all who work.

Niinamesai Is Still Held on November 23

At the Imperial Court, Niinamesai is still held on November 23. According to the Imperial Household Agency, it is a rite in which the Emperor offers new grain to the imperial ancestors and other deities in the Shinkaden hall, gives thanks, and then partakes of it himself; it is considered the most important of the regular court rites. Grain that the Emperor has grown himself is also offered. Niinamesai is also held at Ise Grand Shrine in November.

How It Differs From American Thanksgiving

Kinro Kansha no Hi is called "Labor Thanksgiving Day" in English. American Thanksgiving, which has a similar name, falls on the fourth Thursday of November, so its date changes every year. Japan's Labor Thanksgiving Day is fixed on November 23.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Tell family or coworkers "thank you" in words or a note. For people who quietly support you behind the scenes, even a sticky note is enough
• Take children to a job-experience facility or a farm-experience event. Explaining your own job to them is a good chance too
• Gather around the table with domestic new rice and seasonal vegetables and enjoy the harvest
• Give yourself time to rest, as the counterpart to working

Gifts and Ways to Say Thank You

• For family: children can give a letter or a portrait drawing. Adults can take over the housework that usually falls to someone else for a day
• At work: hand out small snacks with a note saying "Thank you for all you do"
• For workers around you: say a word of thanks to the people who support daily life, such as delivery and cleaning staff
• For yourself: reward a year of work with a favorite meal or some time to rest

In 2026, Labor Thanksgiving Day falls on a Monday, giving a three-day weekend from Saturday, November 21.

Gratitude, Starting With Those Close to You

A holiday that began as thanks for a harvest has become a day of thanks for everyone who works. November 23 is a day to look at the work of the people around you. In the postwar Diet as well, the word "labor" was chosen to make clear what the thanks were for. At work, why not say a word of thanks for a coworker's job that you usually take for granted?