Strawberry Day (Ichigo no Hi)

What Is Strawberry Day?

January 15th is "Strawberry Day" (Ichigo no Hi) in Japan, said to have been established by a national council for promoting strawberry consumption (details about the council are unclear, and some sources say it has since been dissolved) and named for the wordplay "ii (1) ichi (1) go (5)," which sounds like "ichigo" (strawberry). This falls right as strawberry harvesting hits its peak, when bright red, fully ripened berries begin filling store shelves. With their sweet-tart fragrance, strawberries on this day offer a chance to rediscover the appeal of a fruit that hints at the arrival of spring.

When Is Strawberry Season?

Field-grown strawberries are naturally a spring crop, but today most Japanese strawberries are grown in greenhouses and are widely available from around Christmas in December through spring. Mid-January, when Strawberry Day falls, is when harvesting and shipping get into full swing.

Different Varieties, Different Seasons

In recent years, breeding advances have produced a wide range of varieties, from early to late season. By staggering harvest times, producers ensure delicious strawberries can be enjoyed over a long stretch of the year.

Japanese Strawberry Varieties

In Japan, regions across the country compete to create new varieties, each with its own distinct characteristics — sweetness, acidity, aroma, and texture — giving consumers plenty to choose from based on personal taste.

• Amaou — Originating in Fukuoka Prefecture, large berries with an excellent balance of sweetness and acidity
• Tochiotome — Tochigi Prefecture's signature variety, with a moderate tartness that appeals to a wide range of palates
• Beni Hoppe — From Shizuoka Prefecture, known for its rich sweetness and aroma
• Saga Honoka — From Saga Prefecture, with a clean, refreshing sweetness that's easy to enjoy
• Skyberry — A newer Tochigi Prefecture variety, large and juicy

Strawberry Nutrition

Strawberries aren't just delicious — they also contain nutrients such as vitamin C.

A Fruit Rich in Vitamin C

Strawberries are relatively rich in vitamin C among fruits, said to contain more than mandarin oranges or grapefruit and about as much as kiwifruit. Depending on their size, eating about ten strawberries is said to provide the vitamin C needed for a day.

Other Nutrients

Strawberries are also rich in folate, dietary fiber, potassium, and anthocyanins. Folate is known as an important nutrient for people planning a pregnancy or in early pregnancy.

The "Seeds" Are Actually the Fruit

Botanically, the red flesh of a strawberry is an enlarged receptacle, and each tiny "seed" on its surface is an achene — the true fruit. Note that January 5th is also called "Ichigo no Hi" in Japan, but that day cheers on 15-year-old students facing high school entrance exams and has nothing to do with the fruit.

How to Choose Delicious Strawberries

• Look for a vivid green cap (calyx) that's perky and standing upright
• Choose berries with a uniform, deep red color all over
• Pick ones with a glossy surface and clearly visible seeds
• Go for berries with a strong, sweet aroma

Ways to Enjoy Strawberry Day

On Strawberry Day, why not fully enjoy strawberries while they're in season? Eating them as they are is great, but you could also go strawberry picking or try making your own strawberry desserts. Spend a sweet moment with family or friends, getting an early taste of spring.