JAPAN IN
ONE MINUTE 
~”Tsukimi” Festival in Japan: Dumplings, the Harvest Moon, and a Rabbit on the Moon~
Hey Issy, I’ve heard a lot of people saying “tsukimi” in commercials and ads recently.
What does it mean?
In Japan, we have a tradition called “tsukimi” or “jūgoya”.
It’s a festival where people admire the full moon in autumn, usually in September or October.
By the way, this year it falls on October 6th.
Wow! Looking at the moon sounds romantic!
“Tsukimi” is also known as the Harvest Moon Festival.
People enjoy the beauty of the moon, give thanks for a good harvest, and pray for health and happiness.
That reminds me of harvest festivals in Sweden, but the focus on the moon feels very unique to Japan.
During “tsukimi“, families prepare special offerings.
The most famous are tsukimi dango, round rice dumplings that look like the moon.
Pampas grass, called susuki, is also displayed as decoration and protection against evil.
Susuki? This is the first time I’ve seen this plant!
Ideally, people would offer rice ears as a symbol of the harvest, but since the rice is not yet harvested at this time,
it is said that pampas grass, which resembles rice ears, came to be used instead.
Round dumplings and fluffy grass? I want to try tsukimi dango!
Seasonal foods like sweet potatoes and chestnuts are also offered.
Families usually place these by a window or in the garden and then enjoy eating them together while gazing at the moon.
I love that it combines nature, food, and family time. It feels so peaceful.
These days, “tsukimi” has a modern twist too.
Many restaurants and convenience stores sell “tsukimi burgers” or desserts with eggs or round shapes that resemble the moon.
A burger that celebrates the moon?! That must be delicious!
In short, “Tsukimi” is Japan’s Moon Viewing Festival,
where people celebrate the autumn full moon with dumplings, decorations, and seasonal foods.
Also, people say the moon looks like a rabbit making rice cakes in Japan.
But in other countries, some see a crab or even a woman’s face instead. Can you all find the rabbit on the moon?
You’re right! It really does look like a rabbit!
Hmm… but I think it kind of looks like a cat pounding rice cakes too!
Summary
“Tsukimi“, or the Moon Viewing Festival, is a Japanese tradition where people admire the autumn full moon, give thanks for the harvest, and enjoy foods like rice dumplings and seasonal treats. In Japan, people say they can see a rabbit making rice cakes on the moon.
