If you happened to be in Japan this week, you may have noticed rather a lot of rabbit-themed goods, particularly sweets. Not to worry, the Japanese haven’t gotten their dates for Easter spectacularly wrong, these lapine lovelies are part of otsukimi, a tradition celebrating the harvest moon.
In the traditional Japanese calendar, the full moon on the 15th day of the eighth month is said to be the most beautiful full moon of the year and, much like for the cherry blossoms in spring, moon viewing parties are held with their own special foods and rituals. Japanese pampas grass and autumn flowers are used for decorations and little moon-like balls of white mochi called tsukimi dango are eaten, along with seasonal produce like sweet potatoes and chestnuts.
So what’s with the rabbits?
In addition to the traditional autumn foods of otsukimi, sweets featuring rabbits are also very popular because the moon is inhabited by a mochi-making rabbit, at least according to a Japanese folk tale. And you thought there was nothing up there but cheese!
These rabbity sweets are almost too cute to eat, but not quite, since they are also very tasty. We’ve collected a few of our favorites for your viewing and salivating pleasure. Enjoy!
▼ An egg tart complete with moon, rabbits and pampas grass
▼ This roll cake has chestnut yokan (bean-paste jelly) at its center for the rare double moon!
▼ USE ALL THE AUTUMN IMAGES!!!
▼These ones actually look fluffy
▼ Somebody needs to lay off the carrots…
▼ Wafer and bean paste sandwiches, yum.
▼ With this dorayaki sweet pancake, simpler is better
▼ This one makes the list on strength of packaging design
▼ Nice use of strawberries and cream on this pudding, but that rabbit on the right looks a little scared.
▼ Oh, you fancy, huh?
▼ Wait, that’s actually a boiled egg.
Did you get to enjoy any otsukimi treats this year? What’s your favorite? Let us know the comments!
Top image: Wagashi Tsukuru yo
Images: Natsu Miyazawa, Budoonoki, Amarantine, Tamachi Baigetsu, Daidokoro no Mado kara, Kitsune no Mori, Akanean, Blog na Net Seikatsu, Okashi na Niko, Ginza Gourmet Therapy, Cookpad
Kyoto store makes embroidered badges, tests our knowledge of traditional Japanese sweets
7-Eleven Japan’s new moon-viewing Ghibli-style “Laputa bread” has anime fans buzzing and chomping
Pizza Hut releases Tsukimi Moon-Viewing pizzas for 2025, with industry-first “shadow picture box”
McDonald’s releases new Sukiyaki Tsukimi Burger in Japan for moon viewing season 2022
Starbucks Mooncakes: a beautiful and delicious take on a traditional product
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Poké Ball cakes here for limited but long time to celebrate Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Fewer ramen restaurants declare bankruptcy in Japan for first time in several years
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
Hokkaido has an Ice Festival that’s less famous than the Snow one, but beautiful in its own way
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Six new Sailor Moon cafes to be open simultaneously in Japan this fall!【Photos】
Leave a Reply