Crab Day (Kani no Hi)

What Is Crab Day?

June 22 is "Crab Day" (Kani no Hi) in Japan. The date was chosen because June 22 marks the start of the zodiac sign Cancer, which is written as "kani-za" (the crab sign) in Japanese. The crab restaurant chain Kani Doraku established this anniversary, playing on the link between the zodiac "crab" and the food "crab." It's a day to enjoy and celebrate the appeal of crab.

Background of the Anniversary

Kani Doraku created this day to spread awareness of crab's deliciousness and the culture surrounding it. June 22 marks the first day of the Cancer zodiac period, making it a symbolically fitting date for "crab."

• Start of Cancer season: The zodiac sign Cancer runs from June 22 to July 22.
• Established by Kani Doraku: Registered as an anniversary to promote the appeal of crab.
• Not a wordplay pun, but zodiac-based: A rare type of origin among Japanese food anniversaries, which are usually based on numeric wordplay.

Fun Facts About Crab

• Japan is a major crab-consuming nation: Snow crab, king crab, and hairy crab are all widely enjoyed.
• King crab is actually a hermit crab relative: Despite having "crab" in its name, it belongs to a different taxonomic group.
• Crab is mostly in season in winter: Although the anniversary falls in June, the best time to eat each variety varies by species.
• Regional brand crabs: Matsuba crab, Echizen crab, Kobako crab, and more — each region has its own specialty.

How to Spend Crab Day

• Enjoy crab dishes such as crab hot pot (kani-suki), crab sashimi, or grilled crab.
• Learn about different crab varieties and regions to appreciate the depth of crab cuisine.
• Look up your Cancer zodiac traits and have some fun with astrology.
• Visit Kani Doraku's famous giant moving crab signboard for a bit of sightseeing fun.

A Day to Savor the Charm of Crab as a New Zodiac Season Begins

"Crab Day" on June 22 is a unique anniversary that connects astrology with food culture. It's a day to enjoy the deliciousness and variety of crab while picking up some fun trivia along the way. Let this day be your invitation to dive into the world of crab.