A Little Guide to Autumn in Japan, 2023
Autumn, or aki 秋, has arrived! The temperature starts to slow down while rainy days are getting more common. We began to see sweet potato, chestnut, and pumpkin treats everywhere, and persimmons or kaki 柿 will soon be part of the scene.
Autumn is one of the best seasons in Japan, not only because the weather gets more bearable but also because the color-changing trees’ landscapes are amazing. Whether you are planning a visit soon or are already here, we want to explore some ways to enjoy the Autumn in Japan to help you make the most of this incredible season.
Tsukimi 月見
Tsukimi, which literally means “moon-viewing,” refers to the day to see the first autumn full moon of the season, which will be celebrated this year on September 29. For the Japanese people, the moon’s craters have the shape of a rabbit making mochi in the traditional way. During this festivity, they prepare and eat Tsukimi Dango 月見団子, a sweet rice dumpling that resembles the shape of the autumn full moon, made with rice flour. This is also a festival to express gratitude to nature for a great rice harvest because the rice harvest season takes place in the middle of September.
Momiji 紅葉 and Kōyō 紅葉
The same set of kanjis can have different readings; that is the case with these two different ways of talking about a natural event during the Autumn. While Momiji 紅葉 refers specifically to the maple tree leaves turning red, Kōyō 紅葉 is more general and can describe any color-changing tree leaves.
One of the most popular activities during Autumn in Japan is watching the Momiji called Momijigari 紅葉狩り, or catching the Autumn leaves, when the color of the tree leaves are changing from yellow to red before falling down. These landscapes can be enjoyed in all the territory, but there are some famous places to see them, with predictions of possible dates to enjoy Momoji, like the ones for the Hanami 花見 during the Spring.
Here you can find the 2023 Momijigari predictions by region and specific places to visit:
Autumn Festivals 秋祭り
Every prefecture has its own unique festivals, but the ones that attract more visitors are:
– Jidai Matsuri 時代祭, “The Festival of the Ages,” at the Heian Jinja in Kyoto, on October 22 from 12:00 to 17:00. Celebrates the foundation of Kyoto with a vast parade where more than 2,000 participants dress in historical typical costumes representing 1100 years of Kioto’s history.
– Shichi-Go-San 七五三, celebrated across Japan on November 15. It is a celebration for the kids aged 7, 5, and 3, considered lucky numbers. On this day, kids visit shrines with their parents to express gratitude and receive blessings for the future, dressed in traditional hakama for the boys and kimonos for the girls.
– Tori-no-Ichi Festival 酉の市祭, a nationwide annual celebration carry on in November during the “rooster days,” according to the Japanese zodiac. This year, it will be held at midnight on the 11 and 23 of November. It started in Asakusa, Tokyo, during the Edo period where Ōtori Shrine is located nowadays. This festival is celebrated to wish businesses good luck, that is why many business owners attend. The stands sell nicely decorated bamboo rakes or kumade 熊手, believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
Autumn Food 秋の食べ物
As we already said, sweet potato is the queen of Autumn. Be prepared to find sweet potato lattes and puddings along with the classic yakiimo 焼き芋, or baked sweet potato. Another delicious ingredient of the Autumn is chestnut or kuri 栗 with many different sweets made with this unique flavored nut, but also savory dishes like the iconic kuri gohan 栗ご飯, which is plain rice with chestnut. Pumpkin or kabocha かぼちゃalso has a main role, specialy before Halloween, also celebrated in Japan with local costume events in Western style, autumn food and, sometimes, fireworks.
Another dish you will find in Autumn is Oden おでん, a Japanese fish cake stew made with different simmered ingredients like fish cake, eggs, daikon radish, konnyaku, deep-fried tofu served in a hot broth, more common in colder days. Still, you can see it as the weather starts changing. Another delicious food to try at the beginning of this season is shinmai 新米 or first rice harvest, the freshest rice with its unique aroma and flavor, offered until December.
All these experiences are available during the Autumn season, so pay attention and be amused by these unique seasonal activities and foods in Japan.
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