Friendsgiving in Japan? Could Thanksgiving Be the Next Big Trend?

In Japan, seasonal events and imported holidays have a way of taking root in unique and sometimes surprising forms. We’ve seen Halloween blossom here from a novelty into a full-blown festivity, celebrated with costume parades and store displays each October. With Black Friday deals now spreading through retailers nationwide, it’s natural to wonder: could Thanksgiving itself be the next American holiday to find a place in Japanese culture?

Black Friday’s Growing Popularity in Japan

A few years ago, Black Friday was just another date on the American shopping calendar. But today, Japan’s retailers eagerly promote Black Friday sales in late November, drawing shoppers with major discounts and special offers. The allure of a shopping holiday has resonated here, especially as it comes just ahead of Japan’s own New Year’s sale season. Retailers found it easy to borrow the concept, and shoppers have embraced it as a way to get ahead of holiday gift-buying.

With this in mind, it’s tempting to imagine Thanksgiving might be next in line for adoption. After all, both Halloween and Christmas — two other Western holidays without direct ties to Japanese culture — have become popular celebrations here.

Thanksgiving Food: Turkey and Cranberry Sauce in Japan?

A central part of Thanksgiving in the U.S. is, of course, the food: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, among other dishes. This spread has a strong cultural association with the American holiday, which could make it a bit harder to transfer. Turkey, for instance, is not widely available in Japan, and the flavors of cranberry sauce or stuffing may seem unfamiliar to Japanese palates.

In recent years, though, Japanese stores have begun stocking seasonal foods like pumpkin pie during the fall, and some restaurants offer “Thanksgiving-inspired” dishes aimed at American expatriates or adventurous eaters. While turkey might be a reach, it’s not impossible that certain foods — like mashed potatoes with gravy or even some kind of cranberry-flavored dessert — could sneak into restaurant menus or seasonal offerings.

Friendsgiving: Japan’s Twist on Thanksgiving?

Since Thanksgiving has such deep family and historical roots, it might feel like a stretch to incorporate it as a traditional Japanese holiday. However, an appealing alternative could be the concept of Friendsgiving, inspired by the Friends episodes where the gang gathers each year to celebrate together, adding their own quirks to the meal. A Friendsgiving in Japan would shift the focus away from family reunions and historical roots, making it more about casual gatherings with friends, cozy atmospheres, and a little time to reflect and enjoy the season together.

Picture this: cozy cafes and restaurants offering “Friendsgiving” platters in November, where groups can gather to enjoy comforting seasonal foods. Cranberry sauce might still be a question mark, but mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and savory pies could become popular favorites. And just as Halloween has evolved with Japanese twists, a Friendsgiving celebration might incorporate smaller gift exchanges, drawing from traditions around Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

Friendsgiving could even fit well with Japan’s culture of small get-togethers with friends for Christmas, adding a warm, seasonal holiday to enjoy earlier in the fall. Japan’s younger people and urban dwellers, especially, might find this casual “Thanks for Being a Friend” celebration perfectly suited to their tastes and lifestyles.

Could Thanksgiving Be Japan’s Next Celebrated Holiday?

So, will Thanksgiving become Japan’s next celebrated holiday? It’s unlikely that Japan will adopt the holiday in its entirety, as the cultural significance tied to American history may not fully resonate here. However, Thanksgiving-inspired elements like seasonal foods and gratitude-centered gatherings could take hold in a uniquely Japanese style, especially with the influence of social media and food trends.

In the end, Thanksgiving might end up a bit like Valentine’s Day here — inspired by the original but with a Japanese twist. And while Black Friday deals are here to stay, a Friendsgiving gathering, inspired by Friends, may be the way people start to bring a piece of Thanksgiving into Japan: cozy dinners with friends, maybe even with a side of mashed potatoes and, who knows, a hint of cranberry sauce.

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