Sushi Day

What Is Sushi Day?

November 1st is "Sushi Day" in Japan. The date falls during new rice harvest season, when seafood and mountain ingredients used as sushi toppings are also at their best. It was established in 1961 by the National Federation of Sushi Business Associations (now known in Japanese as the Zenkoku Sushi-sho Seikatsu Eisei Dogyo Kumiai Rengokai). It is said to have begun when the federation, meeting in November of that year, resolved to make November 1st "National Sushi Day" as a day of thanks for the autumn harvest and rice.

Japan's Iconic Dish, Enjoyed During New Rice Season

Sushi, combining vinegared rice with a variety of toppings, is a traditional Japanese dish renowned around the world.

• Origin: autumn is new rice harvest season, when the rice used for sushi rice is at its most delicious
• Purpose: to spread the appeal of sushi culture and promote the growth of the industry as a whole
• Seasonal connection: autumn is also when seafood grows richer in fat, reaching peak season as a sushi topping

New Rice and Seasonal Toppings Create the Perfect Bite

The deliciousness of sushi comes down to the balance between the vinegared rice and its toppings. The stickiness and sweetness unique to new rice bring out the flavor of seasonal seafood even more.

"Yasuke the Sushi Maker" from Kabuki

One theory links the date to "Yasuke of the sushi shop," a character in the kabuki play "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura." In the play, Taira no Koremori, fleeing the capital after defeat, hides in a sushi shop and takes the name Yasuke, and the day he changes his name is said to be November 1st. The federation writes the name of the day in hiragana, "Sushi no Hi," matching its own name.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Enjoy seasonal toppings at your favorite sushi restaurant
• Make hand-rolled sushi at home using new rice
• Look into the history of sushi and its regional styles
• Learn about the origins and varieties of new rice

The Bounty of New Rice, Packed Into Every Bite

Sushi made with rice freshly harvested that year offers a luxurious taste unique to autumn. November 1st is a day to savor the season's harvest through sushi.