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If you're living and working in Japan, one national holiday that feels especially meaningful for workers is :

勤労感謝の日（きんろうかんしゃのひ / Kinrō Kansha no Hi）

Labor Thanksgiving Day

It is celebrated every year on :

November 23

In 2026, Labor Thanksgiving Day falls on Monday, November 23, which may create a three-day weekend for people who normally have Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays off. Japan officially describes the holiday as a day to respect labor, celebrate production, and express gratitude to one another.

For OFWs, this is a nice opportunity to understand how Japan recognizes the value of work—and also to reflect on your own hard work while living far from home.

1. What Is Labor Thanksgiving Day?

勤労感謝の日（Kinrō Kansha no Hi） is one of Japan's official national holidays.

It is celebrated every :

November 23

The official purpose is to :

• Respect labor

• Celebrate production

• Express gratitude to one another

So although the English name includes the word “Thanksgiving,” it is not the same as Thanksgiving celebrations in countries such as the United States.

Japan's version focuses more broadly on work, production, and mutual appreciation.

2. What Does “Kinrō Kansha no Hi” Mean?

Let's break down the Japanese :

勤労（Kinrō） – Labor / work

感謝（Kansha） – Gratitude / appreciation

日（Hi） – Day

So :

勤労感謝の日

literally means something like :

“A day to appreciate labor and work.”

For OFWs, medyo madaling maka-relate dito.

Whether you're working in :

• Caregiving

• Factories

• Restaurants

• Offices

• Hotels

• Construction

• Retail

• IT

• Logistics

• Healthcare

your work contributes to the people and communities around you.

3. Why Is Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23?

Before Japan's current national holiday system was introduced, November 23 was associated with :

新嘗祭（にいなめさい / Niinamesai）

Niinamesai is an ancient harvest-related observance involving gratitude for the year's new crops.

When Japan's National Holidays Act was established in 1948, November 23 became Labor Thanksgiving Day.

The modern holiday kept the idea of gratitude while broadening it beyond agriculture to include all kinds of work and production.

4. Is It the Same as American Thanksgiving?

No.

Although both holidays involve gratitude, they have different histories and traditions.

Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan

Focuses on :

• Labor

• Production

• Appreciation

• Mutual gratitude

Thanksgiving in the United States

Has its own historical and cultural traditions and is often associated with :

• Family gatherings

• Thanksgiving meals

• Turkey

• Harvest traditions

In Japan, there is no nationwide tradition of eating a specific “Labor Thanksgiving Day meal.”

So don't expect every supermarket to suddenly become a turkey headquarters.

5. Is It Like Labor Day?

Not exactly.

You might also compare it to :

May 1 – International Workers' Day / May Day

But Labor Thanksgiving Day is different.

The official Japanese holiday isn't focused specifically on labor movements or workers' political history.

Instead, its legal meaning emphasizes :

respecting labor, celebrating production, and being thankful to one another.

6. What Do People Do on Labor Thanksgiving Day?

There isn't one specific activity that everyone in Japan performs.

For many people, it's simply a national holiday and a day off.

People may :

• Spend time with family

• Relax at home

• Go shopping

• Take a short trip

• Visit parks

• Enjoy autumn scenery

• Attend local events

Some schools or communities may also have activities encouraging children to appreciate workers and people who help the community.

7. A Good Day to Appreciate Everyday Workers

The holiday is also a nice reminder that many jobs we rely on every day often go unnoticed.

Think about :

• Train staff

• Delivery drivers

• Healthcare workers

• Care workers

• Convenience-store staff

• Restaurant workers

• Cleaners

• Construction workers

• Emergency workers

• Logistics staff

• Factory workers

Modern life works because many people do their jobs every day.

That's very much in the spirit of Kinrō Kansha no Hi.

8. A Meaningful Holiday for OFWs

For Filipino workers, Labor Thanksgiving Day can feel especially relevant.

Many OFWs in Japan :

• Work long hours

• Support family in the Philippines

• Adjust to a different language and culture

• Manage bills in Japan

• Send money home

• Build a future while living abroad

So while the holiday is Japanese, the idea behind it is universal :

Work has value, and people deserve appreciation for their contributions.

Sometimes it's also worth giving yourself a little credit.

9. Does Labor Thanksgiving Day Mean No Work?

Not necessarily.

Even though it is a national holiday, not every employee automatically gets the day off.

Your schedule depends on your :

• Employment contract

• Company calendar

• Shift

• Industry

• Workplace rules

People working in :

• Hospitals

• Elderly-care facilities

• Hotels

• Restaurants

• Convenience stores

• Retail

• Transportation

• Logistics

may still be scheduled to work.

Always check your work schedule.

10. Does Working on November 23 Automatically Mean Extra Pay?

Not automatically.

A Japanese national holiday is not necessarily the same as your legally designated :

法定休日（Hōtei Kyūjitsu）

Statutory holiday

Whether additional holiday premium pay applies depends on :

• Your work schedule

• Your designated statutory holiday

• Your employment contract

• Company rules

• Actual hours worked

So don't automatically apply Philippine holiday-pay rules to Japan.

If you're unsure, ask HR or payroll.

11. Government Offices Are Generally Closed

Because Labor Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday, many :

• City Halls

• Ward Offices

• Bank branches

• Government counters

are generally closed.

If you need to process :

• Residence certificates

• Tax documents

• My Number-related procedures

• Address-related paperwork

• Other government transactions

plan to do them before or after the holiday.

12. Check Your Banking Schedule

ATMs and online banking may still be available, but some services can operate differently on national holidays.

Check :

• Bank operating hours

• ATM availability

• Transfer processing schedules

• Maintenance periods

• Applicable fees

If you're making an important payment, avoid assuming it will be processed exactly like a regular weekday.

13. Plan Your Remittance Ahead

For OFWs, this is especially practical.

If your family in the Philippines needs money around November 23, check your remittance schedule ahead of time.

Consider :

• Japanese bank holidays

• Philippine banking schedules

• Remittance processing time

• Payout availability

• Beneficiary's deadline

Especially if the money is for :

• Medicine

• Tuition

• Rent

• Bills

• Groceries

• Emergencies

don't wait until the last minute.

14. November Is Also Autumn Season

Labor Thanksgiving Day falls during late autumn in many parts of Japan.

Depending on the region, this can be a beautiful time to enjoy :

• Autumn leaves

• Temples and shrines

• Parks

• Hiking

• Onsen

• Seasonal scenery

If you're lucky enough to have the day off, a simple autumn outing can be a nice way to recharge before winter.

15. A Chance to Rest Without Feeling Guilty

Sometimes OFW life becomes :

Work → commute → chores → padala → sleep → repeat.

If you have the holiday off, remember that rest is useful too.

You don't need to spend the entire day doing errands.

Take a walk. Sleep a little longer. Call your family. Eat something you enjoy.

Appreciating labor also means recognizing that workers need proper rest.

16. Say Thank You to the People Around You

You don't need a formal celebration.

A simple :

いつもありがとうございます。

Itsumo arigatō gozaimasu.

“Thank you for everything you always do.”

can be a nice expression of appreciation.

You might say it to :

• Coworkers

• Supervisors

• Teachers

• Care workers

• Delivery workers

• Family members

• People who regularly support you

Small expressions of gratitude fit the spirit of the holiday well.

Useful Japanese Words

勤労感謝の日（Kinrō Kansha no Hi） – Labor Thanksgiving Day

勤労（Kinrō） – Labor / work

感謝（Kansha） – Gratitude

仕事（Shigoto） – Work / job

働く（Hataraku） – To work

労働（Rōdō） – Labor

生産（Seisan） – Production

新嘗祭（Niinamesai） – Traditional harvest observance

祝日（Shukujitsu） – National holiday

休日（Kyūjitsu） – Holiday / day off

Labor Thanksgiving Day Checklist for OFWs

• Remember that Labor Thanksgiving Day is every November 23.

• In 2026, it falls on Monday, November 23.

• Check your work schedule.

• Don't assume a national holiday automatically means no work.

• Check your company's holiday-pay rules if you're scheduled to work.

• Plan government-office visits ahead.

• Check bank schedules.

• Plan important remittances early.

• Use the day to rest if you're off.

• Take a moment to appreciate the people whose work helps you every day.

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

If you remember only three things :

1. Labor Thanksgiving Day is every November 23.

It is one of Japan's official national holidays.

2. It's about more than simply “having a day off.”

Its official meaning is to respect labor, celebrate production, and express gratitude to one another.

3. It has roots connected to harvest gratitude.

Before the current holiday system, November 23 was associated with Niinamesai, an observance connected with gratitude for the new harvest.

For OFWs, that's a pretty fitting reminder :

Appreciate the work you do, appreciate the people you work with, and don't forget the people you're working hard for back home.

Labor Thanksgiving Day（勤労感謝の日 / Kinrō Kansha no Hi） is celebrated every November 23 as a day to respect labor, celebrate production, and express gratitude to one another.

For Filipino OFWs, the meaning can hit close to home.

Working abroad often means sacrifice—adjusting to a different culture, dealing with homesickness, working hard, managing expenses, and supporting loved ones thousands of kilometers away.

So whether you're working on November 23 or enjoying a well-earned day off, take a moment to appreciate your own effort too.

And maybe send a quick message to someone whose hard work makes your life a little easier :

“Salamat sa lahat ng ginagawa mo.”

Sa PhilMoney, nais naming suportahan ang mga OFW sa Japan hindi lamang sa remittance, kundi pati na rin sa pagbibigay ng practical information tungkol sa Japanese holidays, work, culture, at everyday life para mas maging informed, prepared, at confident habang naninirahan sa Japan.

Note : This article is intended for general information only. Regulations and procedures in Japan and the Philippines may change. Please verify the latest information with the appropriate government agency or official institution before taking action.