- Introduction: Welcome to September, the Best Month to Savor Japan’s “Shun”
- A Modern Autumn Tradition: The “Tsukimi Burger” Festival Craze
- The Symbol of Autumn in Japan: Fatty “Sanma” (Pacific Saury)
- 【Seasonal Finds at the Supermarket】Other September Flavors
- Ken’s Final Advice: To Savor the “Shun” is to Savor the Culture
Introduction: Welcome to September, the Best Month to Savor Japan’s “Shun”
Hi! I’m Ken, the editor-in-chief of Tokyo Insider Guide.
The true joy of traveling is, without a doubt, encountering things you can only taste at that specific time and place, right?
September in Japan is a wonderfully comfortable season when the summer heat subsides and you can feel the signs of autumn. And in the world of food, it’s the best season when the flavors of “Shun” (旬), a concept deeply rooted in Japanese culture, appear one after another.
By reading this article, you can experience the best flavors Japan has to offer in September without missing out, from national fast-food events to traditional tastes loved by Japanese families. Let’s start a delicious trip to Japan!
A Modern Autumn Tradition: The “Tsukimi Burger” Festival Craze
The first thing I want to introduce is McDonald’s “Tsukimi Burger,” which can be called a September tradition in Japan. This isn’t just a limited-time product; it’s a national festival that announces the arrival of autumn.
Originally, Japan has a long-standing custom called “Otsukimi,” or moon-viewing, to appreciate the beautiful autumn moon. This burger began by sandwiching a plump egg in a hamburger, resembling the “tsukimi dango” (moon-viewing dumplings) that are offered during this custom.
The combination of the special sweet and savory aurora sauce, a beef patty, and a full-moon-like egg has an unforgettable taste. Every year, a “Tsukimi Family” of products appears, including burgers with cheese or new flavors, as well as limited-edition pies and shakes, and the whole country gets excited, wondering, “What kind of Tsukimi will it be this year?”
The Symbol of Autumn in Japan: Fatty “Sanma” (Pacific Saury)
If there’s a king of autumn flavors in Japan, it’s undoubtedly the “Sanma” (Pacific Saury). The kanji characters for its name, meaning “Autumn Sword Fish,” perfectly describe its beautiful, silvery appearance. Sanma at this time of year is incredibly fatty and truly delicious.
The best way to eat it is, without a doubt, “Shioyaki” (salt-grilled). It’s simply salted and grilled, but it’s exquisite. When you break the crispy grilled skin with your chopsticks, the pure white flesh and glistening fat spill out. The classic Japanese way to eat it is to squeeze a bit of citrus like sudachi over the flesh and add a little grated daikon radish.
Ken’s Insider Point: If you want to eat delicious salt-grilled sanma easily and reliably, I recommend the Teishoku (set meal) restaurant chains “Ootoya” and “Yayoiken” which have branches all over the country. The quality is consistent, the menus have pictures and are easy to understand, and travelers can enter without hesitation.
【Seasonal Finds at the Supermarket】Other September Flavors
Japanese supermarkets are like theme parks of seasonal delicacies. Just by stopping by for a little while during your trip, you can experience Japan’s “shun” firsthand.
The Queens of Fruit
The stars of the fruit section in September are “Nashi” (pears) and “Budou” (grapes). Unlike Western pears, Japanese pears are characterized by their crisp texture and abundant juice. For grapes, the large and richly sweet “Kyoho” and the premium “Shine Muscat” variety, which can be eaten with the skin on, are in season. Both are surprisingly sweet and juicy.
Ken’s Insider Point: The quality at Japanese supermarkets is incredibly high. Especially at high-quality supermarkets like “Seijo Ishii“ and “Kinokuniya,” you can get truly delicious, gift-level fruit at reasonable prices. Just taking them back to your hotel to eat makes for the best dessert.
If you want a special “experience,” enjoying an artistic fruit parfait at places like “Shinjuku Takano Fruit Parlour,” “Nihombashi Sembikiya,” or “Kajitsuen Riberu” is also a great option.
The Stars of Autumn Sweets
In September, the world of sweets also takes on an autumnal feel. The main players are “Kuri” (chestnuts) and “Satsumaimo” (sweet potatoes). “Mont Blanc” cakes start appearing in cake shop display cases, and cafes and convenience stores release limited-time sweets using chestnuts and sweet potatoes one after another. Their gentle sweetness makes you feel the arrival of autumn.
Ken’s Final Advice: To Savor the “Shun” is to Savor the Culture
Did you get a little sense of how much the Japanese value the “shun”?
Whether it’s fast food, traditional grilled fish, or supermarket fruit, seeking out and savoring the tastes of the season is one of the deepest and most delicious ways to understand Japanese culture.
I hope your September trip to Japan is filled with delicious memories. Please, enjoy the “shun” of Japan to the fullest!
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