Comprehensive Table of Dishes and Foods in Japan for Each Festival and Special Occasion

Comprehensive Table of Dishes and Foods in Japan for Each Festival and Special Occasion

Food Name	Festival/Special Occasion	Month	Date
Osechi Ryori	New Year (Shōgatsu)	January	1st – 3rd
Zōni	New Year (Shōgatsu)	January	1st – 3rd
Toshikoshi Soba	New Year’s Eve	December	31st
Chirashizushi	Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day)	March	3rd
Hishimochi	Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Day)	March	3rd
Hanami Dango	Hanami (Cherry Blossom Viewing)	March – April	Throughout season
Soumen	Tanabata (Star Festival)	July	7th
Botamochi/Ohagi	Obon Festival	August	Varies by region
Tsukimi Dango	Tsukimi (Moon Viewing)	September	15th (approx.)
Seasonal Vegetables	Tsukimi (Moon Viewing)	September	15th (approx.)
Christmas Cake	Christmas	December	24th – 25th
Karaage	Christmas	December	24th – 25th
Sekihan	Weddings, Birthdays, Coming of Age Day	Varies	Varies
Sakura Mochi	Graduation Ceremonies	March	Varies
Ika Meshi	Aomori Nebuta Matsuri	August	Varies
Yatsuhashi	Gion Matsuri (Kyoto)	July	Throughout month

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Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing and Cooking Each Food Item

Osechi Ryori (New Year)

Ingredients:

• Kazunoko (herring roe)
• Kuromame (sweet black beans)
• Datemaki (sweet rolled omelet)
• Vegetables (lotus root, carrots, burdock root)

Steps:

1. Prepare Kazunoko:
   • Soak herring roe in water overnight to remove salt.
   • Marinate in a mixture of soy sauce, dashi, and mirin for a few hours.
2. Cook Kuromame:
   • Soak black beans overnight.
   • Simmer in water with sugar, soy sauce, and a pinch of salt until tender.
3. Make Datemaki:
   • Blend eggs with fish paste and season with sugar and mirin.
   • Bake in a rectangular pan until set, then roll while warm.
4. Assemble:
   • Arrange all items in lacquered boxes, layering for visual appeal.

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Zōni (New Year Soup)

Ingredients:

• Mochi (rice cakes)
• Chicken or fish (optional)
• Vegetables (carrots, daikon, spinach)
• Dashi broth

Steps:

1. Prepare Broth:
   • Simmer dashi with soy sauce and mirin.
2. Cook Ingredients:
   • Boil vegetables and chicken until tender.
   • Toast mochi until slightly puffed.
3. Assemble:
   • Place mochi in a bowl, add broth, and arrange vegetables on top.

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Toshikoshi Soba (New Year’s Eve)

Ingredients:

• Buckwheat noodles
• Soy sauce
• Dashi
• Mirin
• Green onions

Steps:

1. Cook Noodles:
   • Boil soba noodles until al dente, rinse with cold water.
2. Prepare Soup:
   • Simmer dashi with soy sauce and mirin.
3. Serve:
   • Pour soup over noodles and garnish with green onions.

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Chirashizushi (Girls’ Day)

Ingredients:

• Sushi rice
• Sashimi (salmon, tuna)
• Egg (for thin omelets)
• Vegetables (carrots, cucumber)
• Rice vinegar, sugar, salt

Steps:

1. Prepare Sushi Rice:
   • Mix cooked rice with vinegar, sugar, and salt.
2. Cook Egg:
   • Make a thin omelet, slice into strips.
3. Assemble:
   • Spread rice in a large dish, layer sashimi, vegetables, and egg on top.

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Hanami Dango (Cherry Blossom Viewing)

Ingredients:

• Rice flour
• Sugar
• Food coloring (pink, green)

Steps:

1. Mix Dough:
   • Combine rice flour with water and sugar to form a smooth dough.
2. Color Dough:
   • Divide dough into three parts and color one pink and another green.
3. Shape and Cook:
   • Roll into balls, boil until they float, then skewer.

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Soumen (Star Festival)

Ingredients:

• Thin wheat noodles
• Dipping sauce (soy sauce, dashi, mirin)
• Garnishes (green onions, grated ginger)

Steps:

1. Cook Noodles:
   • Boil soumen until tender, rinse with cold water.
2. Prepare Sauce:
   • Mix soy sauce, dashi, and mirin.
3. Serve:
   • Place noodles in a bowl with dipping sauce and garnishes.

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Tsukimi Dango (Moon Viewing)

Ingredients:

• Rice flour
• Sugar
• Water

Steps:

1. Mix Dough:
   • Combine rice flour, sugar, and water to form a smooth dough.
2. Shape and Steam:
   • Roll into balls, steam until cooked through.
3. Serve:
   • Arrange in a pyramid shape as an offering to the moon.

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This comprehensive guide helps you prepare traditional Japanese dishes for festivals and special occasions, ensuring an authentic cultural experience.