〜 '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 3rd is the day of ‘Setsubun’.
Setsubun literally means “division of seasons” 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, July 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 Ehomaki 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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