Saturday, November 23, 2024

Labor Day Holiday

Today is a national holiday to honor the hard work of laborers and give thanks. Maybe be thankful to have a job? Labor day was previously a harvest festival. 


This year, the holiday falls on a Saturday, so it doesn’t feel like a holiday. People who don’t work on Saturday don’t even get a day off from work. I’m not complaining; there are 16 national holidays in Japan, with a day off from work, plus many special observance days that aren’t national holidays.


I like that the Emperor’s birthday is a holiday in Japan. I love birthdays!


Emperor Naruhito, with wife and daughter



Do you have a favorite holiday?


3 comments:

Queeniepatch said...

I am also thankful that there are so many National holidays in Japan, as it is difficult to take a longer holiday. When I tell my students that in Sweden, people can easily be off work for a month in summer and two weeks in winter, they don't believe me. Here in Japan, it's hard to take five consecutive days off, so the off days of national holidays are very nice.
My favourite holiday is Culture Day, November 3rd. Alas, I often have to work...

Jeanie said...

You do have a lot of holidays. Interesting about the Saturdays, but I suppose with so many, maybe that makes sense.

Leonore Winterer said...

We also have a day of labour or work, but it's more about workers' rights. It's a day off so you can go to protests if you want to, but I've never done that.