Hanamaru Udon Day

What Is Hanamaru Udon Day?

August 7th is "Hanamaru Udon Day" in Japan, established by Hanamaru Co., Ltd., which runs the self-service Sanuki udon chain "Hanamaru Udon," founded in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture. The date comes from a pun on "ha (8) na (7) maru." The day was certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association in 2017.

What Is "Hanamaru Udon"?

Hanamaru Udon was founded in 2000 in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, the heartland of Sanuki udon.

• Its distinctive style: popularized the self-service model nationwide, where customers order udon and then choose their own tempura and other toppings
• Its reach: starting in its birthplace of Kagawa, the chain has expanded across Japan and even overseas
• Its purpose: to help more people discover the deliciousness of Sanuki udon and the unique fun of a self-service udon shop

Why Did the Self-Service Style Spread?

The self-service style, where customers handle everything from ordering to pickup themselves, traces its roots to the traditional udon shops long beloved in Kagawa Prefecture. Its convenience, reasonable prices, and the freedom to customize your bowl exactly how you like it all contributed to its nationwide popularity.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Visit Hanamaru Udon or another self-service udon shop
• Learn about the history and characteristics of Sanuki udon
• Discover your favorite combination of toppings
• Boil some udon at home and enjoy a simple self-service-style meal

The Joy of Udon, Finished Exactly to Your Taste

The appeal of a self-service udon shop lies in being able to freely customize your chewy, springy Sanuki udon exactly to your liking. Let August 7th be a chance to try a topping you wouldn't usually pick, and rediscover the deep pleasure udon has to offer.