Oct 24, 2022
Thanksgiving in Hiroshima
Thanksgiving is a well-known celebration in countries such as the United States, where families traditionally gather to have a turkey feast followed by a slice of pumpkin pie. Japan has its own Thanksgiving traditions — also in November, but the Japanese version is a Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha No Hi). Furthermore, Japan celebrates on November 23 rather than the fourth Thursday of the month.
With a growing number of Western expats in many Japanese cities — including Hiroshima — the American-style Thanksgiving celebrations have become a bigger thing. Many families combine the two celebrations or even have two Thanksgiving days.
A local tradition in Hiroshima has developed where many people will spend a couple of hours earlier in the day visiting the city’s peace memorials commemorating the World War II atomic bombings. They follow this in the evening with a family feast. If you’re looking to find a restaurant in Hiroshima that will be serving up a good old festive dinner or would like to source the necessary ingredients to make your own, the following is all the information you need.
Without a doubt the go-to place for expats looking for a traditional Thanksgiving feast over the years has been Molly Malone’s. It’s a vibrant Irish bar in downtown Hiroshima that opened in the early 2000s. There’s almost always live music playing or parties taking place. Molly Malone’s usually has its Thanksgiving offer for two to three nights during late November. Book a table to feast on turkey, ham, mashed or roast potatoes, and a mix of vegetables covered in delicious gravy followed by a mouth-watering slice of pumpkin or pecan pie. The meal costs around 1,800 yen per person. The popularity of the offer means early booking is advisable.
Website: https://www.mollymalones.jp/
Mozaik
For a fine dining experience, book up a table at the Mozaik — one of four restaurants at Hiroshima’s classy Hilton Hotel. This restaurant serves up quality western dining, including a Thanksgiving turkey buffet for four days only, running from November 28 to December 1 in 2024. Guests can choose between the stylist interior décor and sitting outside on the open terrace overlooking the mountains. Prices are 5,800 yen for adults and 2,900 yen for children.
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/hijshhi-hilton-hiroshima/dining/
3Tree
Located in the central Naka ward, 3Tree has a menu that includes a mix of American, Italian, Mexican, and Hawaiian cuisine. Although it doesn’t currently have a specific Thanksgiving menu, it does make for a great night out for homesick expats at this important time of year. There’s no turkey, but you’ll be able to fill up on American-style roast chicken or pork rib American steak. Prices are reasonable, too — less than 1,500 yen per dish.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/3TREEtakanobashi/
KFC
KFC has become something of a culinary hub for expats across Japan when festive occasions roll around. Renowned for its seasonal Christmas and Halloween menus, it’s also proving to be a popular choice for those who want something simple, convenient, and inexpensive at Thanksgiving. If you don’t mind swapping roast turkey for fried chicken, you’ll be able to take advantage of some great family meal deals, including with cookies and cheesecake for dessert to remind you of Uncle Sam.
Website: https://www.kfc.co.jp/ (in Japanese)
Thanksgiving Supplies
Is a home-cooked family meal more your style? Try the following to source all the essentials you need for the perfect festive feast.
Amazon Japan
A surprisingly useful source for all your Thanksgiving needs is Amazon. Find everything from meat (including that ever-difficult-to-find turkey) to products that supermarkets in Hiroshima rarely sell, such as stuffing mix, beef gravy, and macaroni and cheese.
Website: https://www.amazon.co.jp
The Meat Guy
If you want to have a Thanksgiving with vegetarians, it may be difficult to find options in restaurants. However, you can prepare dishes at home with ingredients from The Meat Guy. Although the name may suggest otherwise, this store actually offers several meat alternatives, including plant-based pork, cheese, and even tuna.
Website: https://www.themeatguy.jp/en
Bonjour Fête
If you want to go all out for Thanksgiving — such as to feel like you’re back home or to show your Japanese friends what American Thanksgiving looks like — you may want some decorations. Whereas these will be difficult to find in stores around Hiroshima, online stores that ship internationally will be able to provide you with everything you need. Bonjour Fête is one such option, offering home decor, party decorations, games, baking supplies, and more.
Website: https://www.bonjourfete.com/pages/thanksgiving
Deb Nystrom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Without a doubt the go-to place for expats looking for a traditional Thanksgiving feast over the years has been Molly Malone’s. It’s a vibrant Irish bar in downtown Hiroshima that opened in the early 2000s. There’s almost always live music playing or parties taking place. Molly Malone’s usually has its Thanksgiving offer for two to three nights during late November. Book a table to feast on turkey, ham, mashed or roast potatoes, and a mix of vegetables covered in delicious gravy followed by a mouth-watering slice of pumpkin or pecan pie. The meal costs around 1,800 yen per person. The popularity of the offer means early booking is advisable.
Website: https://www.mollymalones.jp/
Mozaik
For a fine dining experience, book up a table at the Mozaik — one of four restaurants at Hiroshima’s classy Hilton Hotel. This restaurant serves up quality western dining, including a Thanksgiving turkey buffet for four days only, running from November 28 to December 1 in 2024. Guests can choose between the stylist interior décor and sitting outside on the open terrace overlooking the mountains. Prices are 5,800 yen for adults and 2,900 yen for children.
Website: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/hijshhi-hilton-hiroshima/dining/
3Tree
Located in the central Naka ward, 3Tree has a menu that includes a mix of American, Italian, Mexican, and Hawaiian cuisine. Although it doesn’t currently have a specific Thanksgiving menu, it does make for a great night out for homesick expats at this important time of year. There’s no turkey, but you’ll be able to fill up on American-style roast chicken or pork rib American steak. Prices are reasonable, too — less than 1,500 yen per dish.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/3TREEtakanobashi/
KFC
KFC has become something of a culinary hub for expats across Japan when festive occasions roll around. Renowned for its seasonal Christmas and Halloween menus, it’s also proving to be a popular choice for those who want something simple, convenient, and inexpensive at Thanksgiving. If you don’t mind swapping roast turkey for fried chicken, you’ll be able to take advantage of some great family meal deals, including with cookies and cheesecake for dessert to remind you of Uncle Sam.
Website: https://www.kfc.co.jp/ (in Japanese)
Thanksgiving Supplies
Is a home-cooked family meal more your style? Try the following to source all the essentials you need for the perfect festive feast.
Amazon Japan
A surprisingly useful source for all your Thanksgiving needs is Amazon. Find everything from meat (including that ever-difficult-to-find turkey) to products that supermarkets in Hiroshima rarely sell, such as stuffing mix, beef gravy, and macaroni and cheese.
Website: https://www.amazon.co.jp
The Meat Guy
If you want to have a Thanksgiving with vegetarians, it may be difficult to find options in restaurants. However, you can prepare dishes at home with ingredients from The Meat Guy. Although the name may suggest otherwise, this store actually offers several meat alternatives, including plant-based pork, cheese, and even tuna.
Website: https://www.themeatguy.jp/en
Bonjour Fête
If you want to go all out for Thanksgiving — such as to feel like you’re back home or to show your Japanese friends what American Thanksgiving looks like — you may want some decorations. Whereas these will be difficult to find in stores around Hiroshima, online stores that ship internationally will be able to provide you with everything you need. Bonjour Fête is one such option, offering home decor, party decorations, games, baking supplies, and more.
Website: https://www.bonjourfete.com/pages/thanksgiving
Deb Nystrom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Justin Hanus editor
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