Because Thanksgiving, a uniquely American holiday is not celebrated in Japan, means that I am able to spend time reflecting on my feelings of thanksgiving for family and friends and to count my blessings for so many things.

I have such warm and wonderful memories of the holiday centered around food and family!  Images of the Macy Thanksgiving Parade in New York City still brings a smile and tears of joy.

I will miss again the aroma and experience of preparing a turkey.  The traditional meal is available only at a few specialty stores and some restaurants. The absence places more significance on the strength of my emotional dependence on family and friends.

To all, my gratitude for your friendship, support and love.  Thank you.

“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”

            ­­–– Charles Dickens

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Although Thanksgiving is not an official Japanese holiday, Japanese retailers have started embracing Black Friday — the day after U.S. Thanksgiving that marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

This coming Friday is the start of this year’s Black Friday sales period and major brands and retailers across the country are once again launching sales campaigns to lure customers to their stores and websites.  This year the nation’s retailers are expecting customers to go on a shopping spree following last year’s weak sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another interesting practice is the decoration of streets and buildings with Christmas lights, or winter illuminations.