Ramune Day (Ramune no Hi)

What Is Ramune Day?

Every year on May 4th is "Ramune Day" in Japan. It is said to commemorate the day -- May 4 of the 5th year of Meiji (1872) on the old lunar calendar -- when Tokyo businessman Chiba Katsugoro obtained permission to manufacture and sell ramune. The name "ramune" comes from a Japanese corruption of the English word "lemonade." From the early Meiji era to today, it has remained a beloved, refreshing carbonated drink that evokes early summer.

Ramune and the History of Japan's Westernization

Ramune was a symbol of the stylish, "high-collar" Western culture arriving in Japan.

• Perry and ramune: One theory holds that ramune first arrived in Japan when Commodore Perry, who came to Japan aboard the "Black Ships" in 1853, served carbonated lemonade to shogunate officials on board his ship. According to an anecdote, the loud "pop!" of the cork startled the officials so much that they reached for their swords. However, it is also said that such drinks were already being imported and enjoyed in Nagasaki before then.
• The start of domestic ramune: One theory says the first Japanese person to make and sell ramune was Fujise Hanbei of Nagasaki in 1865. Chiba Katsugoro is said to have learned the manufacturing method from a Chinese technician living in Yokohama. At first, the drink reportedly wasn't very popular, because it made people burp.

How the Marble-Sealed "Codd Bottle" Works

The marble stopper -- ramune's most distinctive feature -- is a clever use of simple materials.

• A seal made by gas pressure: Ramune bottles have no crown cap or screw cap. After the bottle is filled with the carbonated drink and quickly turned upside down, the pressure of the carbon dioxide presses the marble against a rubber ring in the neck, sealing it. This bottle is based on a design patented in 1872 by Hiram Codd of Britain, and is called a "Codd-neck bottle" in English.
• How the marble gets inside: For traditional glass bottles, the marble is put in while the mouth is still wide enough, and then the mouth is heated and narrowed.

Interesting Facts About Ramune

• How it differs from "cider": Both were originally lemon-flavored carbonated drinks, and today they are generally distinguished by their containers. If it comes in a marble-sealed bottle, it's ramune; if it comes in a bottle with a crown or screw cap, or a can, it's called "cider" in Japan.
• Where the word "biidama" (marble) comes from: One theory says substandard marbles that couldn't be used as stoppers were called "B-dama" (B-grade balls), while another says the word comes from "biidoro," an old word for glass.
• Ramune candy is named after the drink: The tablet-shaped candy called "ramune" was named with the flavor and mouthfeel of the drink in mind.
• A bottle that vanished from its birthplace: The Codd bottle was born in Britain, but it has already disappeared from store shelves there. In some parts of India, drinks sold in similar bottles are still available.
• How to open it neatly: After pushing the marble down, keep pressing for a few seconds instead of letting go right away -- this helps keep the drink from spraying out.

Tips for Spending Ramune Day

• Buy a well-chilled bottle of ramune. Enjoy the "pop" of pushing down the marble and the fizzing bubbles as you welcome the start of early summer.
• Try comparing ramune and cider. It's fun to see how the impression of the taste changes just because of the container.
• Gaze at "the sparkle of the marble." Looking at the glass ball trapped in the bottle may bring back summer memories from your childhood.
• Sort your ramune bottle correctly. Following your local rules helps keep glass bottles in circulation for the future.

Fizzing Bubbles and That Familiar "Pop" Help Refresh Your Mood

May 4th is a day to regain a fresh outlook along with the "pop!" that once surprised people in the Meiji era. Just as the marble rattles inside a ramune bottle, daily life is full of stimulation and change. Even if you've been feeling a little stuck a month into the new fiscal year, switching gears -- like popping open a bottle -- can let a refreshing breeze through again. Enjoy the nostalgic yet crisp taste of ramune, and spend the new season in high spirits.