pumpkin
Watch these large, furry rodents indulge in a Halloween treat during this spooky time of the year.
Summer isn’t quite over yet, but the ice cream maker is looking ahead to two of Japan’s fall favorites.
Kabocha, one of Japans favorite fall foods, arrives just as we enter the month of Halloween.
Hot potato chips covered in pumpkin and chocolate sauce? According to our taste test, it’s like a delicious McDonald’s pumpkin pie!
With Halloween just around the corner, we seem to be virtually surrounded by pumpkins here in Japan. Not surprisingly, in addition to the usual pumpkin ornaments and decorations on display, we’re seeing a sudden increase in pumpkin flavored foods and sweets as well.
Japan has gotten into the Halloween spirit to such an extent this year that you can buy limited edition pumpkin-flavored tea in a bottle at supermarkets and convenience stores. And when a beverage involves not only pumpkin but tea from Lipton and a cute Halloween label to boot, well, let’s just say it gives us a lot to be happy about!
As we’ve discussed earlier, Japan has been really getting into the Halloween spirit as the years go on. However, there are still a few Halloween traditions that aren’t easy to carry out. While Japan loves any excuse to cosplay, you still won’t find many, if any, children going door-to-door in their neighborhood begging for candy come October 31. You can, of course, find good ole orange pumpkins in Japan for some Japanese-style Jack o’ lantern carving, but they aren’t available everywhere and can be quite expensive. Japanese pumpkins (kabocha), on the other hand, are too meaty and tough to elegantly cut designs out of. So what’s a Halloween-loving resident of Japan to do? Decorate persimmons, of course!
Inspired by a recent re-watching of the classic Studio Ghibli film Kiki’s Delivery Service, we decided to try our hand at making grandma’s signature dish, herring and pumpkin pot pie. Why? Because the movie made it look so tasty!
We don’t care what that the old woman’s granddaughter had to say, Kiki worked hard to help make that pie and deliver it in pouring rain, and… all right, so perhaps some of our desire to cook actually came from a need to understand how the young lady in the movie could possibly hate her sweet, sweet grandmother’s homemade birthday present. It took a bit of research, but we think we may have found the perfect recipe!
We’ve already shared with you recently on our site the tasty ice cream treats in Halloween flavors available this month from Baskin Robins Japan. Not to be outdone by the ice cream chain in getting into the Halloween spirit, one of our reporters at Pouch decided to make her own special Halloween sweets – an excellent idea if you want to celebrate Halloween without the hassle of putting up and taking down decorations, and also storing the ornaments, which can take up valuable space.
Our reporter shares with you below how you can make adorable, bite-sized Jack O’ Lantern dumpling cakes using actual pumpkins. Not only are they cute to look at, they’re super easy to make, requiring the use of only a microwave and simple toaster oven. Read More
MOST POPULAR
Now
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Our reporter is willing to die on the pseudo-Italian restaurant Olive Hill
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Satisfy your sweet tooth with cheesecake and more all-you-can-eat sweets at Cheese Garden
When is the right time for a love confession in Japan?
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan super budget dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at McDonald’s?
Weekly
- Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff- Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
- Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary- New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
- Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Monthly
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima- Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
- Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Yearly
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- Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
When is the right time for a love confession in Japan?
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Japan super budget dining – What’s the best way to spend 1,000 yen at McDonald’s?
Bath noodles — Do you know about this strange Japanese bathing custom?
Kagoshima conveyor belt sushi chain Mekkemon rises above the rest with its special secret weapon
Japan has omurice chocolate, and the weirdest thing isn’t how it tastes
Park in Japan offers special love confession plans with 6 million lights
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Are 100-yen shop Daiso’s gel nail polish strips a good dupe for salon quality nails? Let’s find out
A spotlight on Japanese singles figure skating: Jumping into the 2026 Olympics【Pt. II】
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Which of McDonald’s new “Beef Burgers of the World” is the best? We find out【Taste Test】
-
