Eng 
日本語 
Ahh, autumn. The leaves are changing into brilliant reds and yellows, the air is starting to get crisp with cold, and the fluffy scarves and coats of yesteryear are emerging. It’s times like these that we start to crave those warm and familiar autumn foods – maybe pumpkin pie, apple cider, or s’mores come to mind. There’s just something about these dishes that makes fall feel complete!
Japan is not excluded from these culinary desires; they even have a word for it – 食欲の秋 (shokuyoku no aki), which translates to “autumn appetite.” Some Japanese people believe that their appetite increases during this time simply because of the amount of good, hearty dishes available.3 And, given what autumn foods are popular in Japan, this makes a lot of sense!
So, sit down at the table, bring a healthy appetite, and ready your chopsticks; we have a mouth-watering and informative list of Japanese autumn foods to dish up!
Jump To:
Appetizer: Why are Seasonal Foods Popular?
Dessert: Finding Places to Try Japanese Autumn Foods
Appetizer: Why are Seasonal Foods Popular?
For many people, the main dish is the most important part of a meal, so we’ll keep this section short. There are a couple of reasons why foods like the ones below see a rise in popularity during autumn; one of these is that it’s tradition! Lots of Japanese families grow up eating a particular fall dish or having some sort of fun custom associated with the food – much like eating pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving in the United States! So, eating these same dishes every year is a great way to remember the past and fall into a sense of nostalgia!
Another reason is that some of these foods simply aren’t available at other times of the year. Many plants grow only during particular seasons, and some animals mature at specific times. So, you have limited time to enjoy them before they go bad or get too old. You could think of it as another reminder of how quickly the seasons change!
And, finally, enjoying seasonal foods is simply fun! It’s an easy chance to enjoy foods and flavors that you don’t usually have as well as to change up your regular routine. After all, what’s life without a little variety?
The Main Dishes
Alright – time for the main course! If you ask any Japanese person what their favorite autumn food is, they’ll most likely name one of the foods below. These dishes are eaten the most during the fall season, though there are a few others we’ll get to in a minute. But for now, it’s time to dig in!
Sweet Potatoes
Known asさつま芋 (さつまいも・satsumaimo), Japanese sweet potatoes are usually purple on the outside and orange on the inside. They’ve been a popular fall food ever since they were first introduced to Japan from the then-kingdom of Ryuukyuu (now Okinawa) in the 1600s.1 (However, sweet potatoes aren’t native to the area; they actually came from trade with the Philippines, who got actually them from China!1)
In fact, they are such a popular item that many towns have dedicated yaki-imo, or roasted sweet potato trucks, that run during the fall! These trucks are often found near train stations and parks, where people eat the tasty tots plain or with some salt, butter, or pepper.2 You could compare this phenomenon with the traditional ice cream truck of the West – but instead of hearing upbeat music, you hear someone calling “’iiiishi-yaaaaki imoooo!” (stoooone-rooooasted potatooooes!) on repeat!6
Aside from the yaki-imo trucks, you can also get roasted sweet potatoes from the popular chain Don Quixote2. You can also find plenty of sweet potato-flavored items in stores, such as mochi, yokan (a thick jelly paste with red beans), milk, ice cream, and even doughnuts from the chain Mister Doughnut! Candied sweet potatoes, or daigaku-imo, are also a popular choice. No matter what you like to eat – you can probably get it with sweet potatoes!
Sanma Fish (Pacific Saury)
While fish might seem like an odd choice of fall food for some readers, the sanma fish (literally written as 秋刀魚, or “autumn knife fish”), is a quintessential Japanese autumnal food. Slim and silver with a taste similar to sardines or herring, they are said to be at their tastiest during the fall (due to their high fat content). So, both supermarkets and traditional Japanese restaurants will stock up on this fish as soon as they’re caught off the coast of the Kanto area!2
In both places, the sanma fish usually has all of the guts included. This is because Japanese people love the bitter taste that these insides create. They are also quite nutritious, so if you also have the guts, they are worth a try!4 At any rate, these fish are typically broiled whole before being seasoned with a little salt, lemon or yuzu, and soy sauce. Many times, this dish is also served with a side of grated radish.3 You can also eat them grilled with salt, or shioyaki style!
Chestnuts
Of all the foods listed here, this one might hold the title of oldest Japanese fall food! 栗(kuri), but more commonly known by the French name マロン (marron), have been enjoyed in Japan since at least the Jomon Period (14,000 – 300 BC)1. People cultivated the treat as a good source of protein and used the trees they grew on as wood.1 Nowadays, if you see chestnut-filled rice balls appearing in stores, it’s a sign of autumn time!
The nuts themselves taste nutty (surprise, surprise!), toasty, and slightly sweet. Traditionally, they are eaten roasted, though they aren’t very common in cities anymore. You are more likely to find roasted chestnuts in markets, tourist spots, in the country, or near hiking trails!2 A lot of people also eat them boiled with salt, soy sauce, or cooking wine.3 Alternatively, you can pair them with rice in the dish kuri-gohan; this dish steams the rice and chestnuts together, and when done, it’s topped with black sesame seeds.
Sounds a little too savory for you? There are also lots of sweet options as well! Aside from chestnut-flavored ice cream, kit-kats, and drinks, you can also try chestnut manju or yokan. However, the most popular sweet would have to be the Mont Blanc, a French chestnut dessert that looks like a pile of spaghetti! It’s incredibly popular in Japan, and in the fall, you can buy a lot of different variations (all including chestnut of course)!
Matsutake Mushrooms
Sometimes called the “King of Autumn Foods” due to their high price tag and rich meaty taste, 松茸 (matsutake) mushrooms are definitely something you should try if you can!1 This fungus is a great example of food that is seasonal just because of its growing conditions; it can only grow at the base of pine trees during the autumn season (which also gives the fungi a pine-like smell). Because of this and the resulting high demand, one mushroom can sell for over $100!1
Due to their prestige, some restaurants make a whole special menu just for the matsutake. One popular way to eat them is in the dish dobin mushi, a type of mushroom soup. It has “bonito stock, vegetables, chicken or shrimp, and of course, matsutake mushrooms,” which are the reason for the dish’s “smokey, earthy taste1.” It is then served in a type of Japanese teapot called the dobin. The broth (which cooks everything) is poured out the spout into bowls; from there, you simply individually pick whatever else you would like to eat directly from the dobin.1
On another note, the matsutake is said to symbolize autumn’s blessings and abundance… which is kind of ironic, considering their current cost and rarity!
Persimmons
Known in Japanese as 柿 (kaki), persimmons are a popular fruit that can be eaten starting in mid-September. They are a light red color, soft, and taste slightly of honey1. They look really pretty when hanging, so going to see strung persimmons is a common fall sight-seeing activity!
Persimmons are usually eaten in one of two ways – raw or dried. The raw ones, usually the sweeter variety called fuyu, are commonly sold in boxes in the countryside. The dried ones, usually made from the more sour variety of hachiya, go through a process called hoshigaki. In this, the persimmons are peeled and strung up to dry; this allows the persimmon to shrivel and produce a natural sugar coating.1 Either way, the result is delicious!
Following Japanese’s tendency to have very specific words, there is a lot of fun vocabulary associated with persimmons! 樽柿 (tarugaki) refers to persimmons soaking in a sake bottle, 串柿 (kushigaki) refers to dried persimmons on a skewer, and 醂す (sawasu) means to make sour persimmons more sweet!
Apples
Finally, apples (林檎, ringo) is a popular autumn food in Japan! However, apples are fairly new to the country; they didn’t appear until 1865 when the United States brought them over for the first time.1 Since then, they have skyrocketed in popularity, with over 2,000 different varieties being grown throughout the country! Most of these are grown in either the Aomori or Nagano prefectures – both of which are known for their apple-raising skills.
Like in many places, picking apples at an apple orchard is a popular Japanese weekend activity (from October to December). You can also pick up all sorts of apple-flavored goods from stores, such as jams, pies, Kit-Kats, wine, and even vinegar!
Fun fact, the world-famous variety of Fuji apples doesn’t actually refer to Mt. Fuji, though apples are grown near there; the name actually comes from the town of Fujisaki, where the apples originally came from!1
Side Dishes
While the previous autumn foods are the main ones, there are also some additional dishes that are associated with fall. These ones may not be as popular or well-established, but they are still worth a taste!
Pumpkins
Well, it’s really no surprise that pumpkins would show up on a list of popular fall foods! However, pumpkins, or南瓜 (kabocha), are only mildly popular in Japan. Pumpkin spice isn’t on the menu at every coffee shop, and you can’t buy pumpkin bread at many bakeries. Don’t despair though – pumpkin-flavored drinks are starting to become more popular, but they are still a long way from being mainstream.2 For now, though, pumpkins can be found in soups, pies, fried up in tempura, or in a special fall curry!
Black Sesame Seeds
Black sesame seeds, or黒ごま (kuro goma), is a popular flavor year-round, but interest in it tends to pick up during the fall. This is when the seeds are traditionally harvested, and its nutty flavor goes well with other autumnal foods.2 By itself, black sesame seeds are used in sesame-flavored ice cream and parfaits, which then get the added bonus of turning a spooky black or grey color!
Hojicha
Hojicha (ほうじ茶), or roasted green tea, is a flavor that is also available year-round but picks up popularity in the fall; this is due to its nutty and smoky flavors. Like its close cousin matcha, hojicha can be added to a variety of foods – such as cakes, lattes, candies, and more! (If you’d like to learn more about different types of Japanese tea, you can check out our article about that exact topic here.)
Gingko Nuts
Anything with a nutty flavor is fair game during the fall! Gingko nuts (銀杏, ginnan), while not as popular as other autumn foods in Japan, is still a favorite for many. Harvested when the gingko trees start to turn golden (September to November), they are usually eaten simply roasted with salt or steamed with a serving of rice.2 Since gingko nuts have a sweet and nutty flavor similar to chestnuts, many people also like to put them in chawanmushi (egg custard), soups, and other combos! But, don’t try to eat these straight off the tree – they are toxic when raw! Plus, they smell pretty bad beforehand, which might ruin your appetite for the rest of the day!4
Shinmai Rice
Who knew rice could also be seasonal? 新米, or shinmai rice, refers to the newest crop of rice for the year. This special type is softer and juicer than other kinds of rice, but you have to act quickly; shinmai rice is only available from September to November. This is because the grains have to be processed, shipped, and consumed all within the same year to preserve its unique taste.4 While maybe not as exciting as other food choices, shinmai rice would go well with some of the other seasonal flavors we discussed!
Dessert: Finding Places to Try Japanese Autumn Foods
Well, now that we’ve tempted you with all of these delectable food descriptions, it wouldn’t be right to end without telling you how you can try some of these flavors for yourself!
If you’re in Japan, then it’s pretty easy to find these foods; simply go to your local grocery store or Conbini, and you are sure to find seasonal foods galore! Plenty of food chains, such as Krispy Kreme or Starbucks, also have seasonal menus that include many of the flavors we discussed above. You can find many of the more traditional offerings at places like izakayas and special festival stalls. If you’re up for some travel, you can also go to areas known for specific foods – such as Aomori Prefecture for apples or Obuse City for chestnuts!
If you’re not in Japan, it’s still not too hard to try these flavors! For one thing, many of the foods we mentioned (sweet potatoes, apples, chestnuts) are available all over the world; you can simply check at your local supermarket to see if you can get them there. This would be a fun way to try the flavors while also making some Japanese recipes! Alternatively, you can always check online at sites such as Amazon to see if there are any seasonal Japanese snacks available!
Conclusion
After every filling meal comes a time of contentment. Your stomach is warm, your taste buds are happy, and you’re left with the memory of a good time. Hopefully, our list of tasty Japanese autumn foods was enough to satisfy any hunger you came here with.
Or not! Maybe now you have a new hunger – to keep exploring all the wonderful fall dishes that Japan has to offer! There’s always something new to discover about Japanese cuisine, and seasonal foods are no exception.
So, zip up your coat, put your scarf on, and head out the door; there’s too much to love about autumnal foods to wait any longer!
FAQ
What are the biggest autumnal foods in Japan?
A: The most popular foods would be Sweet Potatoes, the Sanma Fish, Chestnuts, Matsutake Mushrooms, Persimmons, and Apples! Of course, these are just a few of the many foods enjoyed in Japan during this time.
How popular is pumpkin spice in Japan?
A: Actually, it’s not popular at all! While it is gaining some fans, pumpkin spice and pumpkin flavoring isn’t widespread in Japan. You are most likely to find pumpkin added to curries, and stews, and fried in tempura instead!
References
1. Ellis, Marissa. “The Best Traditional Autumn Flavors of Japan.” Sakuraco, 26 Oct. 2022, sakura.co/blog/the-best-traditional-autumn-flavors-of-japan/.
2. Petkoska, Zoria. “Fall Flavors in Japan: 8 Foods You Need To Eat.” Tokyo Night Owl, tokyonightowl.com/fall-flavors-in-japan-8-foods-you-must-try/.
3. Fukuda, Shiori. “7 Best Autumn Foods in Japan.” Bokksu, 3 Oct. 2016, www.bokksu.com/blogs/news/7-best-autumn-foods-in-japan.
4. Fujii, Misty. “10 Best Autumn Foods in Japan.” Japan Wonder Travel Blog, 28 Sept. 2023, blog.japanwondertravel.com/best-autumn-foods-in-japan-53442.
5. Crossley-Baxter, Lily. “Eating With the Seasons: 10 Fall Foods to Try in Japan.” Tokyo Cheapo, 26 Sept. 2023, tokyocheapo.com/food-and-drink/japanese-fall-foods/.
6. Japankuru. “Japan’s Flavors of Fall: How to Enjoy the Season the Japanese Way.” HyperJapan, 4 Nov. 2022, hyperjapan.co.uk/traditional-culture/japans-flavors-of-fall-how-to-enjoy-the-season-the-japanese-way/.
