Ramune Day (Ramune no Hi)

What Is Ramune Day?

Every year on May 4th is "Ramune Day." It commemorates the historical fact that on May 4th, 1872 (Meiji 5), Tokyo businessman Katsugoro Chiba obtained the first license in Japan to manufacture and sell ramune. The name "ramune" comes from a Japanese pronunciation of "lemonade," which was brought over from Britain. From the early Meiji era to today, ramune has remained the iconic refreshing carbonated drink that signals the arrival of early summer.

The Historical Facts of Civilization and Ramune

Ramune was a symbol of the fashionable Western culture that arrived with the waves of modernization.

• Commodore Perry and ramune: It's said that when Commodore Perry arrived with his "black ships" in 1853, he served the shogunate officials lemonade -- Japan's first encounter with ramune. The "pop!" sound of the bottle opening reportedly startled the officials so much that some readied their swords -- a memorable first impression.
• The spread of domestic ramune: After Katsugoro Chiba began selling it, ramune also gained attention as a "healthy drink." By 1885 it had become a huge hit and established itself as a summer festival staple.

The Science of the Marble-Stoppered Bottle

Ramune's most distinctive feature -- the marble -- represents physics-based ingenuity from before the age of electricity.

• Sealing with internal pressure: Ramune bottles have no crown cap or screw cap. Instead, the pressure of the carbonation pushes the marble against a rubber ring from inside, preventing the contents from spilling out. This is called a "Codd-neck bottle," a packaging technology invented in 1872 by Englishman Hiram Codd.
• The origin of "bī-dama" (marble): The glass balls used in the bottles had to meet a very high standard of roundness. Balls that passed the standard were called "A-balls," while imperfect ones unsuitable for bottles were sold as toys -- and these became known as "B-balls" (bī-dama), a theory widely believed to be the origin of the Japanese word for "marble."

Interesting Facts About Ramune

• The difference from "cider" (Japanese-style soda): Both are often lemon-flavored carbonated drinks, but if the container is a marble-stoppered bottle it's called "ramune," while if it's a crown-cap bottle or can it's called "saidā" (cider).
• A trick for removing the marble: The plastic cap on a ramune bottle often has reverse threading (turning clockwise loosens it) -- a safety feature to prevent children from accidentally opening it.
• The "glucose" in ramune candy: Ramune-flavored candy is made to recreate the taste of the drink. Its main ingredient, glucose, is absorbed quickly as fuel for the brain, making it a popular "efficient energy boost" for students and busy professionals.
• The Codd bottle that vanished from the world: Although the marble-stoppered bottle originated in England, Japan and India are among the very few places where it's still actively produced and sold today -- a uniquely preserved cultural treasure as a Japanese "symbol of summer."
• How to avoid a fizzy explosion: Shaking the bottle before opening is counterproductive. The smart way is to chill it well to minimize vibration, push the marble down and hold it for a few seconds to let gas escape, then release.

Tips for Enjoying Ramune Day

• On May 4th, pick up an ice-cold bottle of ramune. Enjoy the "pop" sound and the fizzy vibration in your fingers as you push down the marble, celebrating the arrival of early summer with all five senses.
• Keep ramune candy at your desk. With fatigue from the new fiscal year setting in, glucose can give your brain a quick refresh -- a great companion for work.
• Take a moment to admire the "sparkle of the marble." Like the blue glass ball trapped inside the bottle, rediscover the "pure curiosity" and "sparkling dreams" inside your own heart, and try to keep that clarity even amid a busy day.
• Recycle your ramune bottle. By sorting your trash properly, you help carry on a glass bottle culture that's lasted over 100 years -- a small, earth-friendly action that continues the spirit of "gratitude for the environment" from Earth Day.

Fizzing Bubbles and a Clear Sound That Sweep Away Your Worries

May 4th is a day to recapture that fresh feeling, alongside the "pop!" sound that so surprised people in the Meiji era. Just as the marble rattles and sparkles inside a ramune bottle, your life too is full of exciting "fizz" (challenges). A month into the new fiscal year, even if things feel a bit stagnant, once you pop the cap, all that's left is a refreshing breeze. Let your worries pop and dissolve, just like the bubbles in ramune. That nostalgic yet refreshing taste can quench the dryness in your heart and turn into the perfect energy to carry you through the new season.