An explanation of the traditional Japanese event "Mid-Autumn Festival (Jugoya)"! From its origin, meaning, how to enjoy it, to Tsukimi Dango

The 15th night of the month is a traditional Japanese autumn event that celebrates the harvest moon.

This event has a long history dating back to the Heian period and has primarily been held as a prayer for good harvests.

The culture of viewing the full moon was introduced from China and developed independently in Japan.

The full moon at this time is said to be particularly beautiful , and it is customary to view the moon with family and friends.

On the night of the full moon (the fifteenth night of the month), people offer silver grass and rice dumplings to give thanks for the blessings of nature .

This event also represents a prayer for the health of family members , and quiet time spent gazing at the moon is considered important.

Tsukimi dango is a Japanese sweet that is essential when celebrating the harvest moon (the full moon of the 15th night) .

These dumplings, made from rice flour and water, are easy to make and can be enjoyed at home.

To achieve a smooth texture , it is important to knead the dough while adding water little by little .

When preparing the dough, wet your hands with water and roll it into a ball to get a nice shape.

The dumplings are boiled, cooled, and offered together with silver grass.

After the offering, the family can eat together and enjoy the atmosphere of the Full Moon Festival .

Enjoy the traditional taste of Tsukimi Dango with your family with this easy to make recipe.

The reason for decorating the full moon with silver grass is that it is used in place of ears of rice and is a prayer for a good harvest .

It is also believed that silver grass has warding powers , and its sharp leaves are said to ward off evil spirits .

The correct way to display susuki is to place it in a place where the moon can be seen and offer it together with rice dumplings .

There is also a custom of hanging silver grass at the entrance or eaves of one's house to pray for the health and longevity of one's family.

In this way, silver grass is not just a decoration but also plays an important role in protecting the home .

On the night of the full moon, let's decorate with Japanese pampas grass properly and cherish traditions.

Both the 15th night and the 13th night are traditional events for admiring the moon , but they have different meanings.

The fifteenth night of the month is known as the "Harvest Moon Festival" and is held to celebrate a good autumn harvest .

On the other hand, the Thirteenth Night is a custom unique to Japan and is an event enjoyed as the "later moon."

It is customary to offer chestnuts and beans on the 13th night of the 13th month, which allows one to avoid "one-sided moon viewing" and bring good luck.

Celebrating both events allows you to fully experience the Japanese autumn atmosphere and pray for good fortune at home.

By understanding these events and enjoying both, you will be able to experience a deeper sense of the seasons.

As in previous years, many events will be held across the country for the 2024 Full Moon Festival .

Dates vary by region, so it's important to check early.

Particularly famous locations hold large-scale moon-viewing events and traditional festivals that you can enjoy with family and friends.

Additionally, some shrines and temples may hold special prayer ceremonies .

These events are designed to make use of the local characteristics and are popular with tourists.

To make the most of the 2025 Full Moon Festival, it's important to gather information and make plans in advance.

Each region in Japan has its own unique customs for the fifteenth night of the lunar month .

For example, in the Kansai region , Tsukimi Dango has a unique shape and you can enjoy different flavors in each region .

Additionally, in the Kanto region , there is a custom known as "Imo Meigetsu," in which taro and chestnuts are offered along with silver grass, and this is a popular event celebrating the autumn harvest .

Traditional festivals held all over the country are also held during the fifteenth night of the lunar month, making it a spot not to be missed by tourists.

By experiencing these unique local customs and festivals, you will be able to experience autumn in Japan more deeply.

The Full Moon Festival is a fun and easy event for children to understand.

When teaching your children about the meaning of this event, use the term "Otsukimi" and emphasize the importance of expressing gratitude while gazing at the moon.

You can also make Tsukimi Dango together as a family, which is a fun way to learn about the tradition.

Through the process of making dango , children can experience Japanese culture and also strengthen family bonds.

Also, by setting aside time to observe the moon on the night of the full moon, you can develop an appreciation for nature as well as an interest in science.

In this way, spending the Full Moon Festival while having fun and learning will become a special memory for children.

Traditional cuisine for the Harvest Moon festival (the 15th night of the month) focuses on special dishes to celebrate the autumn harvest.

For example, tsukimi dango, chestnut rice, and roasted sweet potatoes are some of the dishes enjoyed during this time of year.

Sake and moon-viewing sake are also important elements that add color to the night of the Full Moon, and chilled sake in particular is perfect for sipping while gazing at the moon.

Along with traditional cuisine , you can also enjoy dishes made with seasonal ingredients , allowing you to fully experience the feeling of the season.

Spending time admiring the moon slowly while enjoying delicious food and drinks with family and friends is a luxurious way to spend autumn in Japan .

Viewing the harvest moon (the full moon of the full moon) is also a great subject for photography enthusiasts.

To capture beautiful images of the moon, it is important to adjust the amount of light and set the exposure .

In particular, the soft light illuminates the moon beautifully just after it rises or just before it sets , making for some fantastical photos.

You can also use a tripod to stabilize your camera and get clear, blur-free images.

Even with a smartphone camera , you can easily take beautiful photos of the moon by using the exposure adjustment function.

Furthermore, by taking a photo with the scenery , you can create a work that evokes the changing of the seasons.

Use these professional techniques to capture the full moon night in a more beautiful way.

The Mid-Autumn Festival events at schools are a great opportunity to learn about traditional culture in an educational setting.

For example, there are plenty of ideas for children to learn through experiences, such as workshops for making Tsukimi Dango and activities for decorating Japanese pampas grass .

You can also use picture books to introduce the origins of the Full Moon Festival to children, making it easy for them to understand.

One example of a successful event is one that links with traditional local events and incorporates a program to actually participate in local festivals.

In addition, holding moon observation meetings can stimulate interest in natural sciences.

Use these ideas to make your school's Jugoya event a success.

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Kyoto is a special experience in a traditional atmosphere.

Among the must-see shrines are Heian Shrine and Yasaka Shrine , both of which hold special festivals for the fifteenth night of the lunar month.

At these shrines, you can enjoy the moon along with beautiful gardens and historical buildings , and fully experience the autumn atmosphere of Kyoto .

Additionally, in Gion and Arashiyama , moon-viewing events are held where locals and tourists can enjoy themselves together, and at night, the illuminated temples and shrines create a particularly fantastical atmosphere.

By participating in these events, you will be able to fully enjoy the Full Moon Festival in Kyoto.

Our complete guide to enjoying the Harvest Moon (Jugoya) covers everything from the background to the traditional event to modern ways to celebrate it.

First, you can experience the ancient custom by making Tsukimi Dango , and then you can enjoy a modern Full Moon Festival by visiting some of the latest moon-viewing spots .

We also encourage you to learn about the different local customs for the fifteenth night of the month and enjoy the fifteenth night of the month all over Japan through travel and participation in events.

In addition, there are more and more new ways to enjoy the festival in line with the digital age, such as online events and live moon-viewing broadcasts , so you can fully enjoy the Full Moon Festival from the comfort of your own home.

Use this guide to make the most of your Mid-Autumn Festival this year.

This year's harvest moon (the 15th night of the month) is a great opportunity to enjoy some tradition with family and friends.

The time spent making Tsukimi Dango , preparing to decorate the Japanese pampas grass, and spending a quiet evening admiring the moon are all special experiences that are different from everyday life.

Additionally, by participating in local customs and festivals , you can gain a deeper understanding of and share the local culture.

Finally, by taking advantage of online events and digital content , we can enjoy the Full Moon Festival in a modern way, allowing even more people to join in on this wonderful event.

This is the definitive guide to making the most of this year's Full Moon Festival.