Crab Day (Kani no Hi)

What Is Crab Day?

June 22 is "Crab Day" (Kani no Hi) in Japan. It was established in 1990 by Kani Doraku Co., Ltd., an Osaka-based company that runs crab restaurants. The date was chosen because June 22 is the first day of the zodiac sign Cancer, called "kani-za" (the crab sign) in Japanese, and because in the Japanese syllabary order, "ka" is the 6th character and "ni" is the 22nd. The aim is to spread the appeal of crab cuisine.

Background of the Anniversary

Kani Doraku created this day to spread awareness of crab's deliciousness and the culture surrounding it. June 22 is the first day of the Cancer zodiac period, and in syllabary order it also spells "ka (6th) - ni (22nd)," making it a perfect date for "kani" (crab).

• Start of Cancer season: The zodiac sign Cancer runs from June 22 to July 22.
• "Ka" and "ni" in syllabary order: Counting "a, i, u, e, o, ka, ki, ku, ke, ko..." puts "ka" 6th and "ni" 22nd.
• A nod from Kanikama Day: The 22nd of every month is "Kanikama (imitation crab) Day," except in June, out of respect for real crab.

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 and the Japanese syllabary 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.