Hi everyone. Me and my partner are traveling to Japan in late November from the USA for our first ever trip to Japan.
I know that Thanksgiving is not a Japanese holiday, but in order to convince my partner to go to Japan over Thanksgiving, I said I would look into a fun, Thanksgiving-style experience on the date (Nov 23).
I suggested we get some KFC, which he said he would really enjoy. I understand there are KFC Buffets which is something we don’t have here. We really enjoy trying American brands abroad and getting regional-exclusive items.
But, I’d love to know if anyone else here has thoughts on a Thanksgiving-like experience for an American couple in Japan. Our itinerary is Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Any ideas near there would be great, def willing to consider some things that are a bit out of the way. Thanks for your thoughts 🙂
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How genuine do you want the Thanksgiving experience to be? Are you just after roughly the food or are you also after the awkward family drama?
For food it’s not quite right, but you could try one of the British style pubs that do roast dinners.
I’ve never seen anything american thanksgiving related in Japan. Funnily enough, I have seen Canadian thanksgiving in Japan. My friend took me to a small cafe that was celebrating Canadian thanksgiving. I think they were hosting a Canadian homestay student at the time or something.
Be prepared to stand in a long line at KFC. The Japanese see a long line and will jump in, just cause.
I’ve had proper thanksgiving dinners (including turkey!) with friends in Japan. And when I worked there, my Canadian and American friends and I would celebrate respective Thanksgivings with lunch at KFC. But beyond that, I’m not aware of anything that would come close. It’s not become a thing like Halloween or Christmas.
I’ve often traveled over Thanksgiving as it’s a great time to squeeze in an international trip if your family obligations allow it. What I do is arrange a really special meal for myself on Thursday that is NOT in any way an attempt to recreate Thanksgiving, but instead something special from the local cuisine. I enjoy my meal, complete with wine and dessert, and reflect on how grateful I am to have the privilege to travel and see other parts of the world.
I think trying to recreate Thanksgiving is just always going to be disappointing, but you can certainly have a special, extra-nice meal that fulfills the spirit of the holiday. So for Japan I’d book a top-quality kaiseki or omakase dinner, and just enjoy the hell out of it. Often when you make a reservation for these places, they ask if it’s any kind of special occasion for you, and you can explain that this is your Thanksgiving meal, a time when we enjoy special dishes in a spirit of gratitude. Bet anything they will over and above and do something special for you.
There’s a KFC buffet in Onohara (north of Osaka). Went there when I was a student and at the time I think it was the only branch with all you can eat, there might be more branches with buffet now.
Your partner needs convincing to go to Japan? And he’s willing to be bribed to go to Japan with turkey?
I would look at some of the big Western style hotels and see if they have any sort of buffet themed around thanksgiving or a more Western themed experience.
This Summer I just did a a buffet tea at the Osaka Conrad themed around chocolate, cherries and the US. There were US flags on display, a chocolate statue of liberty, and donuts and meringues themed in red, white and blue.
Conrad, Hyatt, Andaz, Hilton, Marriott, 4 Seasons, Intercontinental, Ritz heck, even some of the Japanese hotels like Otani might do something.
I’m going with a group during the same time and we’re planning to rent a house and do some sort of assembled dinner together. Yaki imo seem a good fit. A cranberry parallel seems doable.
I’m going to be in Japan during Thanksgiving week as well. As a previous expat that lived in northern Japan the chicken and Thanksgiving in Japan isn’t all that great. They celebrate and have more things for Halloween than Thanksgiving.
I’m just wondering why your partner is so hellbent on “celebrating” thanksgiving. Are you dating a pilgrim /j
There’s quite a few restaurants that do a thanksgiving menu in Tokyo. But I’m not sure how much of an experience that is – I think it’s more directed at Americans living in Tokyo who miss Thanksgiving.
The Oak Door at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo usually does a decent American-style Thanksgiving. I’ve been there a handful of times when my family was visiting during the holiday.
In 2017 my wife and I went to Japan over Thanksgiving. We stayed in a ryokan in Atami and requested a special dinner for us for Thanksgiving. They were amazing and made a multi-course meal for us to celebrate. It is a moment I will remember forever.
I am sure wherever you end up on Thanksgiving, a special meal could potentially be made to help you celebrate.
I will also be in Japan over thanksgiving. Tokyo. Love the idea of finding something festive!
Boy, do I have just the YouTube video for you: [BEST TOKYO Restaurants To Enjoy A FAMOUS American FEAST: THANKSGIVING!](https://youtu.be/rMKyIj-RXKI?si=Bj_vxqQRMIB26BKU)