Thanksgiving in Tokyo

Oct 12, 2022

Thanksgiving in Tokyo

Let’s face it: Thanksgiving is purely a North American holiday, meaning we shouldn’t expect much fanfare here in Tokyo on the third Thursday of November. In most parts of Japan, you may only have one choice if you want to indulge in a holiday feast — do it yourself… minus the turkey, cranberry sauce, and other side dishes, of course, because there aren’t many places that sell them here. However, with so many expats from the USA in the Tokyo area, there are plenty of places to find a traditional Turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Here’s a shortlist we’ve compiled of our favorites.

Please note that most require reservations and that some of the establishments below are still in the process of deciding their menu; it is recommended that you contact them to confirm details.

Soul Food House

The Thanksgiving tradition at this Azabu-Juban restaurant is older than the eatery itself; proprietors David and LaTonya Whitaker opened up their home to almost anyone in the community every Thanksgiving to enjoy the American tradition years before they decided to open up their full-service Soul Food establishment. This is as close as you will get to sitting next to an actual family if you wind up here, trust me!

Where: Minato City, Azabujuban, 2 Chome−8−10 Patio 6F (map)
Website: soulfoodhouse.com

Midtown BBQ

Midtown BBQ, perhaps Japan’s finest barbecue establishment, is so popular that they have expanded into Tokyo and Yokohama and launched their line of BBQ sauces available in Costco returns with their ‘Smoked Thanksgiving’ event. They will serve their famous Smoked Turkey Plate, cooked over a real fire, with just a little smoke to complement the flavors.

• Where: Locations in Tokyo and Yokohama
• Website: midtown-bbq.com

Bistro Vino

Since 2001 (previously under the name of Roti Roppongi), Bistro Vino, a casual yet sophisticated wine bar & brasserie in the heart of Tokyo’s entertainment district, has been highly rated on Tokyo’s culinary map for its consistently high-quality food and service. The Thanksgiving dinners live up to the restaurant’s reputation, including perfectly roasted premium American Turkey. Reservations required.

Where: Minato City, Roppongi, 6 Chome-6-9 Piramide 1F 6 (map)
Website: bistrovino.com
Menu: BV thanks Giving 2022 copy (bistrovino.jp)

T.Y.Harbor Brewery

T.Y.Harbor is a restaurant and brewery located in a renovated warehouse along the canals in Shinagawa. It serves freshly made craft beers and modern American cuisine with a waterside terrace that can be used even in winter.

Where: 2 Chome-1-３ Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa City (map)
Website: tysons.jp/tyharbor
Menu: Not announced

The Oak Door Steakhouse

Enjoy perfectly cooked dishes paired with New World wines in this elegant steakhouse with a vibrant open kitchen, intimate booth and outdoor terrace seating, a lively bar, and a luxurious private dining room in the Tokyo Grand Hyatt Hotel. For Thanksgiving, they are pulling out all the stops.

Where: Minato City, Roppongi, 6 Chome-10-3 Grand Hyatt Tokyo 6th floor (map)
Website: tokyo.grand.hyatt.co.jp/en/restaurants/oak-door-restaurant
Dinner page: tokyo.grand.hyatt.co.jp/en/restaurants/recommended/oak-door-thanksgiving-dinner/

Do it Yourself

If you don’t feel like heading out into the cold winter air or prefer a more traditional route, making Thanksgiving dinner right in your own home is possible.

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: Pink Sherbet Photography from USA [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons