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Japan is a land of festivals. No matter when tourists visit, they will enjoy the sight of people celebrating something, whether it's the changing of the seasons, flower viewing, or moon-gazing... And accompanying these festivals are unique Japanese dishes, reflecting the beauty of this nation's culture.
Hishimochi
In early March, there is the Hinamatsuri festival, which means the doll festival or the festival for girls. On this day, families with young daughters participate in praying for good luck and health, as well as a prosperous life and a happy marriage in the future for their children.
Hishimochi is the most classic food of the Hinamatsuri festival. It's a rice cake, shaped like a rhombus, with three layers in three different colors: white, green, and pink. The white represents the melting snow of winter, the green represents new growth, and the pink represents the early-blooming cherry blossoms of spring.
Sanshoku Dango
"Sanshoku" means "three colors," and this dango, true to its name, has three colors: white, blue, and pink, similar to hishimochi. The difference is that they are usually served on skewers, but the colors still carry the same meaning as hishimochi. These three colors are also the main colors for the Hinamatsuri festival.
Chirashizushi
Chirashizushi, meaning "messy sushi," is a plate of vinegared rice topped with various ingredients that appear to be haphazardly arranged, yet serve a decorative purpose. Because certain types of fish are considered lucky symbols in Japan, sashimi is often used to decorate chirashizushi.
At first glance, it might seem like the Japanese just casually "tossed" the ingredients together to create this dish. However, the colors of Chirashizushi are always carefully calculated to create a harmonious balance. It is also a popular dish in Hinamatsuri and spring festivals in general.
Sakura mochi
Cherry blossoms are the national flower of Japan, so sakura mochi holds a very special meaning for the Japanese people. This dish is often enjoyed in early spring, specifically at cherry blossom viewing festivals that take place throughout this period. Sakura mochi has a vibrant pink color, resembling cherry blossoms, with a sweet red bean paste filling inside and wrapped in a layer of salted cherry blossom leaves.
Hanami bento
"Hana" means flower and "mi" means to view. Hanami bento refers to lunch boxes prepared for flower-viewing picnics and spring outings. A hanami bento box contains various items depending on personal preferences, but they are all beautifully decorated.
Sometimes adorned with pink desserts, sometimes with items shaped like flower petals, and sometimes with a cherry blossom branch, hanami bento boxes always carry the refreshing essence of spring.
Botamochi
In Japan, there is also a Qingming Festival. On this occasion, people visit and clean the graves of their ancestors, then gather together and eat botamochi. "Bota" means peony, a flower that also blooms in spring. Botamochi is a rice cake rolled into a ball and filled with azuki red bean paste, then topped with kinako soybean powder or ground sesame seeds.
