Thanksgiving Week in Tokyo: A Sushi Class

Some travellers from the United States plan a long trip around Thanksgiving week, and late November is a good time to be in Tokyo: the weather is usually cool and dry, and the city's trees turn gold and red. If you are planning a trip for that week, it helps to know that Japan has a holiday of its own in the same week, and that it is not about turkey.

This guide explains how Thanksgiving week 2026 lines up with the Japanese calendar, what that means for sightseeing and booking, and how a sushi class can become your group's shared meal for the week.

Two holidays in the same week

In 2026 the dates fall like this:

• Monday 23 November: Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha no Hi), a national holiday in Japan. Because it falls on a Monday, Saturday 21 to Monday 23 November becomes a three-day weekend for people in Japan.
• Thursday 26 November: US Thanksgiving. It is an ordinary working day in Japan.
• Friday 27 November: the day after Thanksgiving. Also an ordinary working day in Japan, although you will see "Black Friday" sales in some Tokyo shops.

Labor Thanksgiving Day has its roots in Niinamesai, a traditional harvest rite in which the new rice is offered in thanks. After the Second World War it became a public holiday for honouring work and giving thanks to one another. There is no national feast, no turkey and no parade. For most people it is simply a day off.

What the three-day weekend means for your plans

A Japanese three-day weekend brings more domestic travellers to popular places. Expect busier trains, longer queues and fuller restaurants around Asakusa, Senso-ji and other well-known sights from 21 to 23 November, especially in the afternoon. Late November is also a popular time for viewing autumn leaves, so parks and gardens can be crowded at the same time.

The quieter part of the week is usually Tuesday 24 to Friday 27 November, when Japan is back at work. If your dates are flexible, that is a good window for the activities you most want to enjoy without crowds.

Class times we checked

Our signature sushi and matcha class runs for 90 minutes in our studio near Asakusa Station. When we checked the booking calendar on 5 November 2026, sessions were listed on every day from 21 to 29 November, including Labor Thanksgiving Day and US Thanksgiving Day, at 10:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 18:00, with an extra 14:00 session on 27 November.

Schedules and availability change, so treat this as a snapshot, not a guarantee. The booking page shows the live sessions and the number of seats you can reserve. Our guide to booking in advance or on the same day explains how far ahead to book for busy dates.

A Thanksgiving meal you make together

A sushi class will not replace a turkey dinner, and we do not offer a Thanksgiving menu. What it does offer is a hands-on meal that your group makes and shares at one table, which fits easily into a Thanksgiving-week itinerary.

In the class you prepare sushi rice, shape nigiri and roll maki under the guidance of an English-speaking instructor, then sit down and eat everything you made. It is a real meal, not a tasting. The class opens with a sake toast, with refills of sake during the class, and you finish by whisking your own bowl of matcha. Water or Japanese green tea is available for anyone who does not drink alcohol.

Late morning and midday sessions work well as lunch. If you want a traditional Thanksgiving dinner as well, some hotels and restaurants in Tokyo advertise special menus for the holiday. Book those separately and early, because they are limited.

Booking for a family or a group

Thanksgiving trips often bring together several generations or a group of friends. A few points help:

• Shared class: the signature class has a maximum of 20 guests. Book everyone into the same session, ideally in one booking, and mention it in your booking notes if sitting together matters to you.
• Private option for families: the family private sushi class reserves the studio for your party. It is for 4 to 8 participants, costs ¥25,000 per person and runs 90 to 120 minutes. It is booked by request, so wait for our confirmation before you build the rest of the day around it.
• Children: children aged 4 and above can take part in the regular class. Younger children can come along and share with a parent.
• Grandparents: our guide to a sushi class with grandparents covers pace, seating and food questions for older members of the group.
• Friends travelling together: our guide to booking a sushi class for a group of friends covers who books, what to collect from everyone and what to do if someone drops out.

Please list every dietary need or allergy when you book. Vegetarian, vegan and other alternatives can be prepared on request, and gluten-free soy sauce is available. For severe allergies, contact us before booking.

Practical points for the week

• Payment: the class is paid by card at the time of booking, so there is nothing to settle in cash on the day.
• Arrival: please arrive 10 minutes before the start to store your bags and wash your hands. On the three-day weekend, allow extra time for crowded trains.
• Changes: you can cancel free of charge or move your booking to another date if you tell us at least 24 hours before the class. Cancellations within 24 hours are charged in full, and no-shows are not refunded. Our guide to cancelling or rescheduling explains the details.
• Weather: late November in Tokyo is usually cool. Bring a warm layer for travelling, and wear sleeves you can roll up for the class.

A simple Thanksgiving-week plan in Asakusa

1. Morning: visit Senso-ji before the crowds build. The temple is about five minutes on foot from our studio.
2. 10:00 or 12:00: make and eat sushi together, then whisk matcha.
3. Afternoon: walk along the Sumida River, or head to a park to see the autumn leaves.
4. Evening: keep it light, or enjoy the Thanksgiving dinner you booked elsewhere.

Wherever you are from, a meal you make with your own hands is a good way to give thanks far from home. Pick your date on the class page and we look forward to welcoming your group.