Hamburger Day (Hanbāgā no Hi)

What is Hamburger Day?

Every year on July 20th, Japan celebrates "Hamburger Day." On July 20, 1971 (Shōwa 46), McDonald's Japan opened its first restaurant on the ground floor of the Mitsukoshi department store in Ginza, Tokyo. McDonald's Japan established this day in 1996, the store's 25th anniversary. It is a day to look back on an event that changed Japan's dining-out culture.

Hamburger History That Began in Ginza

The spread of the hamburger in Japan came from a new eating habit meeting urban culture.

• Pedestrian zones and "eating while walking": At the time, eating while walking was considered bad manners in Japan. Young people who bought hamburgers at the Ginza store and ate them in the Ginza pedestrian zone, which had started the previous year, became a talked-about new city style.
• Starting at 80 yen: When the first store opened, a hamburger cost 80 yen. The taste of American fast food was a novelty, and long lines are said to have formed from the very first day.
• Hamburgers before McDonald's: Even before McDonald's arrived, hamburgers are said to have been sold around U.S. military bases, such as in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, from around 1950 — the roots of today's "Sasebo burger."

The Cooking Behind the Flavor

A hamburger's appeal comes from some sensible cooking principles.

• Savory browning: When meat is cooked at high heat, amino acids and sugars react in the "Maillard reaction," creating a savory aroma and a browned surface.
• Combining umami: Pairing inosinic acid from meat with glutamic acid from tomatoes and cheese is known to make umami taste stronger (the umami synergy effect).
• Contrasting textures: A soft bun, a juicy patty, crisp lettuce and pickles — enjoying different textures in one bite is part of the appeal.

Interesting Facts About Hamburgers

• The name: "Hamburg" steak is said to take its name from the German port city of Hamburg. Serving it inside bread is said to have spread in America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• The Big Mac Index: Since 1986, the British magazine The Economist has published the "Big Mac Index," which compares Big Mac prices across countries to gauge currency purchasing power — a rare case of one product becoming an economic yardstick.
• Local burgers: Starting with the Sasebo burger, "local burgers" made with regional ingredients have appeared across Japan and are used to promote tourism.
• The role of pickles: Tangy pickles cut through the richness of the meat and add contrast to the flavor.

Tips for Enjoying Hamburger Day

• Enjoy your favorite burger and imagine the streets of Ginza in 1971.
• "Take apart" your burger and look at how the bun, patty, sauce and vegetables work together.
• Try a local specialty burger or one from an independent shop and compare.
• Talk with family or coworkers about your "ideal burger."

A Familiar Meal That Began with One Store in Ginza

July 20th is a day to remember when a new style of eating arrived on Japan's streets. The hamburger, which started at 80 yen, has become a familiar food for everyone. Whether it's a quick lunch on a busy day or a weekend treat, why not take a moment today to really taste that familiar bite?