Thanksgiving in Nagoya

Oct 13, 2022

Thanksgiving in Nagoya

With Thanksgiving being a North American holiday, we aren’t really within our rights to expect Nagoya to celebrate the fourth Thursday of November the same way it would in the US. However, like other international traditions such as Christmas, Hallowe’en, or Valentine’s Day, there is a distinct feeling that Thanksgiving is growing in stature.

Of course, Thanksgiving is not celebrated with the same enthusiasm as the holidays above, but there are still a few places dotted around the city that put on a Thanksgiving spread. Here’s a short list we’ve compiled of our favorites. Please note that most require reservations, and any prices quoted may be subject to tax.

Midtown BBQ

Midtown BBQ, perhaps Japan’s finest barbecue establishment, returns with their ‘Smoked Thanksgiving’ event. They will serve their Special Thanksgiving Course which will consist of a welcome drink (their craft beers are always welcome for me), harvest salad, roast turkey with fixings and will be topped off with a pumpkin pie adorned with whip cream. Consider calling for a reservation as the special offer only runs while supplies last from November 28th until the 30th.

• Where: Nakamura Ward, Meieki, 5 Chome−24−3 Midtown BBQ (map)
• Website: midtown-bbq.com
• Contact: contact@midtown-bbq.com / 052-898-5080

Coat of Arms

Coat of Arms regularly holds international events, and their Canadian Thanksgiving in October went down a storm. For Nagoya’s American community they are putting on no less of a top-notch spread with a special turkey dinner from November 25th to December 1st.

You can choose from roasted turkey, smoked ham, or half and half, accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes, steamed veggies, sweetcorn, green beans, homemade stuffing, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, and a homemade dinner roll. Do keep in mind the carrot cake exists and that it is a separate order to the main plate. To-go offerings are available, but the restaurant asks that you make them at least 5 days in advance.

• Where: 2 Chome-6-12 Nishiki, Naka-ku (map)
• Website: en.coatofarms.jp
• Contact: (052) 228 – 6155

Shooters

 

Shooters Sports bar is so American that, should you cut it, it would bleed apple pie. But that pie takes on more of a pumpkin flavor at this time of year.

This year’s Thanksgiving dinner will include turkey with cranberry sauce and gravy, country stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and a dinner roll. There will, of course, be a dessert and it will, of course, be pumpkin pie, but you will, of course, need to order that separately.

Shooters will serve their Thanksgiving dinner from November 27th to December 1st. They also cater for full roast dinners (including turkey, of course) with sides for taking out to host your own Thanksgiving dinner in your home with family and friends.

Should there be 29 other people ready to partake in the day of thankfulness, Shooters will happily prepare your meal buffet style.

• Where: Naka-Ku, Sakae 2-9-26, Polar Building 2F (map)
• Website: www.shooters-nagoya.com
• Contact: 052-202-7077

Do it Yourself

If you don’t feel like heading out into the cold winter air or prefer to go down a more traditional route, you can have Thanksgiving dinner right in your home.

The best places include:

Horizon Farms: “Good farms, better food is what we stand for.”

The Meat Guy: supplies all the festive meats plus a selection of vegetables and fruit
Costco: wholesale store with a variety of food and drinks
Seijo Ishii: great for some of the sides, such as cranberry sauce
The Flying Pig: online importer supplying Costco products

 

Image: By The Vault DFW via flickr.com [CC BY 2.0] – (modified)
Image: By Linda, Fortuna future via flickr.com [CC BY 2.0] – (modified)