〜 'Tanabata' 七夕〜
'Tanabata’ is an annual event related to the stars, that is held in Japan on July 7th every year. It originated from the legend of two stars called Orihime (Cow herder) and Hikoboshi (Weaving Princess).
The legend is that Orihime and Hikoboshi fell in love and they could not focus on their work. As a result, the heavenly god got angry and separated Orihime and Hikoboshi into the different sides of the Milky Way (Ama-no-gawa in Japanese). However, the heavenly gods felt sorry for them and allowed them to meet each other at the shores of the Milky way once a year on the night of July 7th. On this day, many people pray for nice weather. Because if it rains, Orihime and Hikoboshi will not be able to meet up due to the rising water levels of Ama-no-Gawa. It is believed that our wishes will come true if we write them on a piece of paper and hang it on bamboo branches during Tanabata. Vertical Divider
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〜 'Eel' うなぎ〜The Midsummer Day of the Ox is the day that the Japanese people eat eel. The Midsummer Day of the Ox occurs around July 20. It is believed that people can regain energy and stamina, and overcome the summer heat by eating eel on the Midsummer Day of the Ox.
There are various theories regarding the origin of this custom of eating eel. However, the best-known theory is that Gennai Hiraga, a well-known scholar in the Edo-period related to this custom. He suggested to an owner of an eel restaurant to post a sign saying, "Today is the Midsummer Day of the Ox” in front of the restaurant because the restaurant’s sales had been declining during summer. After that, the other eel restaurants followed that, and this custom of eating eel in summer spread out nationwide. Nowadays, many Japanese enjoy eating eel and hope to stay healthy during the summer. 
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〜 ‘Koromogae’ 衣替え 〜
Koromogae
‘Koromogae’ is a traditional custom in Japan. Japan has four seasons. ‘Koromogae’ means that Japanese people change their wardrobe. The history of ‘Koromogae’ is old, and this custom began from the imperial court events in the Heian period (794-1185).
Until the beginning of the Showa period (1926-1989), the Japanese used to wear kimono everyday. In June, people hung all winter kimonos on hangers, dried them, and put them in a chest of drawers. And people took out summer kimonos and put them on. This custom of changing the wardrobe remains even now. Usually, Japanese people change their wardrobe in June and October. Thus, June 1st is traditionally the day when Japanese people change into summer clothes. Vertical Divider
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〜 ‘Umeboshi’ 梅干し 〜‘Umeboshi’ is salted Japanese plums and are known as one of the most popular Japanese pickles in Japan.
June is a suitable month to make 'Umeboshi' because the ripe plums necessary for making umeboshi are available only for a short period from mid-June to early July. ‘Umeboshi’ are dried in the sun after being preserved in salt and then pickled with the red shiso herb.Thus, 'Umeboshi' tastes very salty and sour. It stimulates the appetite and is commonly eaten in small quantities with rice or rice balls for boxed lunches. Umeboshi are also renowned as health foods. If you dislike salty and sour 'Umeboshi', we recommend trying to eat sweet 'Umeboshi' which are marinated with honey. 
Umeboshi
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〜 ‘Tango no Sekku’ 端午の節句 〜
Tango no Sekku
In Japan, May 5th is a national holiday and it is called Children’s Day. The day was originally celebrated as the Iris festival, called ‘Tango no Sekku’ in Japanese in order to wish the healthy growth of the boys in the family. Thus, ‘Tango no Sekku’ refers to the Boy's Festival.
Today, families that have boys raise carp-shaped streamers called ‘Koi-nobori’ outside the house to wish their boys successful lives. They also display ornamental helmets called ‘Kabuto’ or samurai dolls in armor inside the house. These items are believed to be symbols of strength and vitality. On children’s day, it is common to invite the boy's grandparents and have a huge celebration or to go out together . For children, the day is one of their favorite holidays in Japan. Vertical Divider
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〜 ‘Kashiwa-mochi’ 柏餅 〜Children’s Day, on May 5th, children eat traditional food ‘Kashiwa-mochi’. ‘Kashiwa-mochi’ is a rice cake wrapped in a Kashiwa Oak leaf stuffed with sweet red bean paste inside.
The day originally called 'Tango no Sekku' or Boy’s Festival and the culture of offering Kashiwa-mochi for the festival began in the Edo period (around 18th century). Kashiwa-mochi is believed to bring prosperity for the descendants of the family. A Kashiwa Oak leaf gives a nice fragrance to the rice cake as well as the protection from bacteria. It also keeps the moist of the rice cake. However, the leaf is hard and not to suitable to eat, thus, please be sure to peel off the leaf when you eat this rice cake. 
Kashiwa-mochi
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〜'Hanami' 花見 〜
Hanami
Spring in Japan is known for the blooming of cherry blossoms.
The peak bloom period depends on the place and climate. Cherry blossoms bloom between late March and April, in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Japanese people call cherry blossom viewing “Hanami” in Japanese, and Hanami is a traditional Japanese celebration of this beautiful sight. Hanami is enjoying the cherry blossoms and having outdoor parties. We enjoy eating and drinking with family, friends or colleagues under the fully bloomed cherry blossoms. People enjoy “Yozakura”, the illuminated cherry blossom at night. People can also enjoy the tulips and rape flowers in this season. Vertical Divider
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〜'Hanami Dango' 花見団子〜Hanami means ‘flower viewing’ and it is thought that Hanami is not complete without ‘Hanami Dango’ (sweet rice dumplings). In Japan, ‘Dango’(dumplings) are enjoyed throughout the year, but are especially popular at Hanami, cherry blossom viewing parties in Spring.
Normally, Hanami Dango consists of three dumplings, each one in a different color, and they are skewered together. There is one pink dumpling, one green dumpling, and one non-colored white dumpling. The origin of this sweet rice dumpling comes from a big Hanami viewing party held in Kyoto in 1598. After that, Hanami Dango spread nationwide. Thus, it is a traditional Japanese dessert. The old Japanese proverb “Hana yori Dango” (Dumplings rather than flowers) has its origins in the eating of dumplings at Hanami parties.It means that people are actually more interested in taking the practical (enjoy eating dumplings) rather than the aesthetic (cherry blossom viewing). It makes fun of people’s tendency to choose a more tangible substance over the abstract act. 
Hanami Dango
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〜 'Hina-matsuri' 雛祭り 〜
Hina-ningyo
Hina-matsuri, the Festival of Dolls, is held on March 3rd.
It is an occasion to pray for the health, growth, and happiness of young girls. Most families with young girls display special dolls called Hina-ningyo from mid-February until the day of the festival. Hina-ningyo dolls represent the Emperor, Empress, their servants and so on. The dolls depict the imperial court and each doll wears a Heian period (from 794 to 1185) court costume. It is said that Hina-ningyo takes away the bad luck of girls who own them. Hina-matsuri is an annual event that has been familiar to Japanese people for hundreds of years. Vertical Divider
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〜 'Hina-matsuri Dishes' 雛祭りの食べ物 〜Mordern families in Japan celebrate Hina-matsuri by eating traditional dishes. They are chirashi-zushi (a kind of sushi), clear clam soup, sweet white sake called Shirozake, rice cakes called Hishimochi and rice crackers called Hina-arare.
Chirashi-zushi is a kind of sushi with many toppings such as shrimps, salmon roe, lotus roots on vinegared rice. Hishimochi are three-tiered diamond-shaped rice cakes colored in pink, white and green. The colors on each layer have special meanings. Pink is for chasing evil spirits away, white is for purity and green is for health. Hina-arare are sweet bite-sized rice crackers. They have four colors, pink, green, yellow and white. Each color represents spring, summer, autumn and winter. Hishimochi and Hina-arare are displayed together with Hina-Ningyo dolls, then people eat the rice cakes and snacks on the day of Hinamatsuri. 
Hina-arare
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〜'Setsubun' 節分〜
Roasted soy beans for Mame-maki
In Japan, February 3 is the day of ‘Setsubun.’
Setsubun literally means 'division of season' and it signifies the ending of winter and the beginning of spring. On Setsubun day, Japanese people normally do a custom called 'Mame-maki (豆まき).' ‘Mame-maki’ is to throw away roasted soy beans inside and outside our houses while saying, “Goblins, get out! Happiness, come in!” In Japanese, we say “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi.” After throwing the beans, people eat the number of beans relative to their age and pray for happiness and a healthy life throughout the year. Vertical Divider
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〜'Ehoumaki' 恵方巻〜Japanese people eat a seasonal thick sushi roll called ‘Ehoumaki’ on the night of Setsubun, February 3. Ehomaki is believed to bring good luck.
It is said that this custom originally started in Osaka in the late Edo era (1603-1868) and recently the custom has gained popularity. People eat Ehoumaki silently, wishing for health and praying for prosperity of business, facing the direction of best luck (‘eho’ in Japanese) specified for each year. It is also said to be good luck to use seven ingredients such as cucumber, shiitake mushrooms, seasoned omelet etc. to prepare for Ehoumaki. 
Ehoumaki
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〜What is 'Hatsumoude' 初詣？〜
Hatsumoude
Many Japanese people visit a Shinto shrine or temple during the first three days of January to make traditional New Year’s wishes for health and happiness.
This is called 'Hatsumoude'. ‘Hatsumoude’ is a culture unique to Japan. People wish for good health and happiness for the new year, and then draw a paper fortune（called ‘Omikuji’), buy good luck charms(called ‘Omamori’) and sacred arrows (called ‘Hamaya’). These items are believed to invite good fortune and ward off evil. If you have a chance to come to Japan, why don't you go to ‘Hatsumoude’? We believe you will feel refreshed afterward! Vertical Divider
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〜'Ozoni' お雑煮〜Japanese people eat 'Ozoni' with their family to celebrate the New Year. 'Ozoni' is one of the most popular New Year dishes in Japan.
‘Ozoni’ is a soup eaten with very elastic rice cake called ‘omochi’. The soup of ‘Ozoni’ varies according to regions. For example, some are seasoned with soy sauce in the Kanto area, and some with miso in Kansai. What is more, the ingredients put into the soup also have a wide variety. Also, the shape of the rice cake put into the soup varies such as rectangler or round depending on the region. 
Ozoni
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～ 'Joya no kane' 除夜の鐘 ～
A huge bell in a Japanese temple
'Joya no kane' in Japanese literally means 'the New Year's Eve bell'.
At Buddhist temples in Japan, huge bells are rung a total of 108 times around 12:00 am of the last day of the year. In Buddhism, it is said that people have 108 earthly desires (called ‘Bonno’ in Japanese) by birth and Buddhism teaches people to try to let go of our worldly desires. There’re said that our earthly desires can be gotten rid of by ringing the bell 108 times. Japanese people hear the bell-ringing and we can welcome the New Year in refreshed feeling. In some temples, not only Buddhist monks but also ordinary people can take part in ringing the bells. Vertical Divider
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～ 'Toshikoshi-Soba' 年越し蕎麦～New Year’s Eve (December 31st) is called ‘Oomisoka’ in Japanese. Japanese people eat ‘Toshikoshi-Soba’, brownish Buckwheat Noodles, on New Year's Eve for good luck.
Eating ‘Toshikoshi-Soba’at the end of a year is a popular custom in Japan. We eat them to wish for longevity (a long-lasting life) because Soba noodles are long. It is said that the origin of ‘Toshikoshi-Soba’ is the wish for a ‘slim but long and healthy life’ like buckwheat noodles. 
Toshikoshi-Soba
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〜'Shichi-go-san' 七五三 〜
Shichi-go-san
“Shichi-go-san” is an annual Japanese traditional event to celebrate the growth of children. It takes place on or around November 15. The event is for boys aged three and five, and girls aged three and seven. That’s why it is called Shichi-go-san(seven-five-three).
It was originally a custom for families of samurai and aristocrats. Following the Edo period(1603-1867), ordinary families began to follow this tradition. Nowadays, many families go to shrines to pray for the healthy growth and well-being of their children. At the shrine, a priest prays for each child’s healthy growth. The children are dressed in traditional kimono, dresses, or suits. After they visit a shrine, they have commemorative photos taken. Every year on November 15 and during the weekends around that date, shrines become crowded with people visiting for Shichi-go-san. Vertical Divider
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〜'Chitose ame' 千歳飴 〜Chitose-ame is a long stick of red and white candy sold in Shichi-go-san event. Chitose means one-thousand years and its long shape and colors symbolize healthy growth and longevity for children. Ame means candy. Japanese consider red and white as auspicious colors.
When people visit a shrine for Shichi-go-san, children may receive chitose-ame. There is also the custom of giving chitose-ame away to relatives and neighborhoods as Fukuwake (lucky share) by putting the same number of candies as a child’s age into a bag. Chitose-ame is put in a paper bag on which lucky items such as cranes, turtles, pine, bamboos, and plums are pictured. All of these are known as bringing good fortune to people. Children look forward to receiving chitose-ame very much. You can also buy chitose-ame during the Shichi-go-san term at supermarkets and department stores in Japan. 
Chitose-ame
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〜'Matsuri' 祭り〜
All over Japan there are many festivals throughout the year called “Matsuri.”
The main purpose of Matsuri is to celebrate gods(deities) and to pray for prosperity and a good harvest. Thus, most of today’s Matsuri are held by shrines or temples. Especially, two major events in shrines are the spring festival and the fall festival. In the fall, the people give thanks for an ample harvest. At the festivals, you can see “Mikoshi” paraded through the streets. Mikoshi is a special carriage for the gods. People believed that Mikoshi was an image of gods or their vehicle, so gods could hear the wishes of people and give blessings when the Mikoshi paraded down the street. Each festival has its own style and showcases the local culture and characteristics of the people and area which makes each matsuri unique and attractive. Vertical Divider
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〜 'Shinmai' 新米 〜As you may know, the main diet in Japan is rice. October is the season of “shinmai,” fresh rice in Japan. Shinmai is harvested from around the end of August to October and then milled and packaged for sale by December 31.
Rice planting is undertaken from May to June and it takes about four months for the rice to grow for harvesting in the autumn.After the rice harvest season, we can eat delicious fresh rice. Shinmai is appreciated more than rice harvested in previous years. Shinmai is very plump and moist, and its soft but the heavy texture makes it especially delicious. The new crop of shiny rice taste great and warms the heart during the autumn time. Oh, the wonderful season has come! 
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〜 'Moon viewing' お月見 〜
One of the most popular events in autumn is ‘Otsukimi’ in Japan. Otsukimi means “viewing the full moon”. The purpose of moon-viewing is to show gratitude to the moon for a good harvest. When viewing the moon, people display with silver grasses (Susuki) and offer rice dumplings (Dango) and taros called Satoimo to the moon.
Otsukimi is also known as Jugoya (the 15th night); however, the actual date changes every year because it is determined by the traditional Japanese calendar. The full moon falls on or around Sept 15th. Traditionally it has been held during the harvest season and has become the autumn thanksgiving event. Round white Dango balls symbolize the full moon. It is believed that people can obtain happiness and health by eating Dango. Let’s enjoy the view of the beautiful full moon on the long autumn night! Vertical Divider
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〜 'Steamed chestnuts rice' 栗ご飯 〜In Japan, autumn is September, October, and November. Japanese people say that autumn is the best season for eating. One reason is because autumn is the season for harvesting crops. People can savor freshly harvested rice. It is also a popular gourmet season for many Japanese people who also call it “the season for appetite.”
In Japan, chestnuts are known as an autumn delicacy. Chestnuts can be eaten in regular meal dishes. One of the well-known dishes is ‘Kuri Gohan’ which is steamed rice cooked with chestnuts. ‘Kuri Gohan’ recipe combines the fragrant nuttiness of chestnuts with the sweeter flavors of seasoned rice. There are many great seasonal foods like mushrooms, sweet potato, and saury in the autumn. Grab your chopsticks and let’s dive in Japanese autumnal favorites when visiting Japan. 
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〜 'Obon' お盆 〜
What is Obon? Obon is a traditional Japanese event that people welcome the spirits of their ancestors. Obon is observed from August 13th to 16th in most areas in Japan.
It is said that ancestral spirits and descendants come back to the family during Obon. People welcome their ancestor's spirit on August 13th and send them back on August 15th or 16th. During the Obon period, the Japanese usually get a few days of vacation to go back to their hometown and visit the family grave. Thus, this is a very important family gathering season. It is also a time when many schools have a holiday and most Japanese companies close. People wear ’Yukata’(summer kimono) and go to their neighborhood festivals to enjoy ’Bon Odori’ (a traditional Japanese dance). Vertical Divider
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〜 'Somen' そうめん 〜Japanese people often eat 'Somen' in the summer. Somen are very thin white Japanese noodles made from wheat flour. It is usually served cold as a refreshing summer dish in Japan.
It is said that the production of somen noodles started during the late Edo period(1603-1868). Also, most production areas of somen noodles all over Japan have originated from Miwa, Nara prefecture. Thus, it is said that the Miwa area is the birthplace of somen noodles. Somen noodles are usually served in a large glass bowl of icy water. Japanese people eat somen noodles after dipping in a special sauce made from soy sauce and bonito stock. You can add some condiments in the sauce, such as chopped leeks, grated ginger, sesame, and so on. For Japanese people, somen noodles are refreshing and good to eat even if they don't have an appetite in the hot summer. 
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