While you’re preparing for Thanksgiving, something fascinating is happening in Japan: they’ve just celebrated their THIRD three-day weekend of the fall. And if your future visit to Japan happens in the autumn, I need to warn you about something important…
Why Japan Has Three "Thanksgiving" Weekends
Japan doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving in the sense of turkey, football, and family, but there’s something wonderful that happens each autumn: three separate three-day weekends, all dedicated to appreciating community and the year’s bounty.
September brings Respect for the Aged Day, November opens with Culture Day, and then on November 23rd comes Kinrō Kansha no Hi (勤労感謝の日 – Labor Thanksgiving Day), which might surprise you how closely it aligns with the spirit of the American holiday.
Labor Thanksgiving Day is a time to thank one another for the “labor” we contribute to the community and nation. Where the US holiday focuses on harvest and family, the Japanese equivalent centers on the community’s collective effort, the shared work that makes society function.
This strikes a chord with me this week: I’m not just thankful for a harvest; I’m thankful for how you consistently give your time to read these travel insights. You are truly the reason I write every single week.
The Crucial Travel Advice
Now, as your friend and guide, here’s what you need to know: These long weekends are the most crowded travel days during the fall in Japan.
Imagine every major city resident trying to escape for 72 hours simultaneously. Train tickets disappear, hotels triple in price, and those charming small towns you’ve been dreaming about get absolutely swamped.
The best advice I can give you? Avoid traveling during the actual holiday dates entirely.
But does that mean you skip the beautiful scenery? Absolutely not.
Smart Timing: A Real Example
Let me show you what this looks like in practice. Last summer when I visited Shirahama, I went to places outside of the holidays and primarily during the week. The seaside ryokan had availability, prices were normal, and I had that outdoor ocean-view onsen practically to myself. Picture leaving the noise of the city behind and soaking in natural hot spring water while watching fishing boats return at sunset.
What about during Golden Week in the spring? That same ryokan was fully booked at nearly double the price, and the town was packed.
Same destination. Completely different experience. All because of timing.
This is true whether you’re visiting Shirahama, Takayama, Kanazawa, or any of Japan’s beautiful regional towns. The when matters as much as the where. Plan your visits for Tuesday-Thursday of a non-holiday week, and you’ll experience Japan the way it’s meant to be experienced.