Biscuit Day

What Is Biscuit Day?

Every year on February 28th, Japan celebrates "Biscuit Day." It was established in 1980 by the All Japan Biscuit Association. The date commemorates a historical event: on February 28, 1855, Shibata Hoan, a doctor from the Mito domain, sent his lord a letter detailing the biscuit-making method he had learned in Nagasaki. The day is meant to spread awareness of how delicious and nutritious biscuits are.

The Birth of Japan's First "Biscuit Recipe"

In the late Edo period, the military needed long-lasting portable food. Shibata Hoan, who had been studying under a Dutch doctor in Nagasaki, became interested in biscuits as an excellent military ration -- they kept longer than bread. His "Biscuit Recipe" letter described a then-groundbreaking method of mixing sugar into wheat flour and baking it. February 28th marks the day this letter -- a blend of intellectual curiosity and practicality that pioneered Japan's Western confectionery culture -- was sent.

A Trusted Emergency Food for Disaster-Prone Japan

Today, biscuits have established themselves as an important "emergency stockpile food." With a long shelf life of several years and no cooking required, they're an easy way to get energy quickly, making them a top choice for household and municipal emergency supplies. So February 28th isn't just for enjoying a tasty snack -- it's also a chance to check your emergency stockpile and look at expiration dates, functioning as a kind of "disaster preparedness day."

Fun Facts About Biscuits

• Shibata Hoan: A Dutch-studies doctor from the Mito domain whose curiosity opened the door to biscuit-making in Japan.
• The difference from cookies: Under Japanese labeling rules, a product can optionally be called a "cookie" if its combined sugar and fat content is 40% or more.
• Kanpan's cousin: Japan's "kanpan" hardtack is actually classified as a type of biscuit.
• The holes in biscuits: These small holes let air escape during baking, preventing the biscuits from warping or puffing up too much.
• British "dunking": The tradition of dipping biscuits into a hot drink to soften their crisp, twice-baked texture.

One Crisp Bite, and a Smile Spreads

Biscuit Day is a day to appreciate a simple but timeless flavor that never gets old. A single small biscuit carries within it the passion of late-Edo reformers who looked toward the future, as well as the refined techniques of modern artisans. On February 28th, why not share some biscuits with family or friends and enjoy a gentle, sweet conversation along with that satisfying crunch?

Tips for Enjoying Biscuit Day

• Order a slightly higher-quality biscuit than usual, or try a few varieties side by side to find your favorite.
• Open up your emergency backpack and check the expiration date on any stockpiled biscuits, replacing them if needed.
• Follow in Shibata Hoan's footsteps and try baking simple homemade biscuits, filling your home with the smell of fresh baking.
• Pour yourself a hot drink in your favorite mug, add some biscuits, and treat yourself to a luxurious little break.

A Simple Biscuit, a Comforted Heart

February 28th falls at a quiet turning point of the season. After enduring winter's cold, your body welcomes the gentle sweetness of a biscuit. May today bring you a light, crisp step toward spring, and a deeply satisfying sense of contentment. Happiness, after all, can always be found in a single biscuit.