Chicken Day
Food DaysWhat Is Chicken Day?
The 28th of every month is "Niwatori no Hi," or Chicken Day, in Japan. It was established in June 1978 by the Japan Poultry Association and others in the poultry industry. The date is a pun reading 2 as "ni" and 8 as "wa," which with "tori" spells niwatori, the Japanese word for chicken. The aim is to expand consumption of chicken meat and eggs.
Reading 2 and 8 as "Niwa"
It is a pun with an extra step: 28 becomes "niwa," and "tori" is added on. The same idea gives February 8 a claim to the name as well.
- Established by: the Japan Poultry Association and others in the industry
- When: June 1978
- Origin of the date: the pun "ni (2) wa (8) tori"
- Purpose: to expand consumption of chicken meat and eggs
Retail Promotions Have Grown Up Around the 28th
Restaurant chains and retailers sometimes run chicken packs or discounts to coincide with the 28th. It is a case of a commemorative day becoming familiar enough to shoppers to serve as a marker for end-of-month buying. Nearly half a century on, an industry campaign has settled into a habit of the shop floor.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Add a chicken dish to dinner
- See what the chicken shops are offering on the 28th
- Check how many eggs you have and their dates
- Think of a chicken dish you could serve New Year visitors
One More Option for the Year-End Table
Christmas may be over, but gatherings continue through the New Year. Chicken is easy to work with and steady in price, which helps when planning meals in this stretch. The 28th is a day to look again at chicken and eggs.