September marks the transition from summer to autumn in Japan. It’s the perfect time to enjoy seasonal ingredients that highlight the country’s unique food culture. Here, we introduce three symbols of autumn — Sanma (Pacific Saury), chestnuts & sweet potatoes, and seasonal fruits — along with events and places where you can savor them. 🍴

🐟 Sanma (Pacific Saury)

Sanma is a quintessential autumn fish in Japan, often enjoyed grilled with a sprinkle of salt. Its rich, oily flavor makes it one of the season’s most beloved dishes.

• How to enjoy: Grilled with salt, canned (soy-simmered or kabayaki style), or cooked with rice

• Where & events:

  • Meguro Sanma Festival (Tokyo) — Held every September, this popular event offers freshly grilled Sanma from Kesennuma, served for free.

  • The Sanriku region (Iwate, Miyagi) and Nemuro in Hokkaido are also famous Sanma-producing areas.

🌰 Chestnuts and Sweet Potatoes

These comforting, naturally sweet ingredients are staples of Japanese autumn cuisine. Chestnut rice and roasted sweet potatoes are traditional seasonal delights.

• How to enjoy:

  • Chestnuts → Chestnut rice, candied chestnuts, Japanese sweets, or Mont Blanc desserts

  • Sweet potatoes → Roasted, tempura, candied (daigaku-imo), or desserts

• Where & events:

  • Obuse (Nagano Prefecture) — Known as the “Town of Chestnuts,” offering chestnut rice and traditional sweets.

  • Kawagoe (Saitama Prefecture) — Famous as the “Sweet Potato Town,” with a wide variety of sweet potato-based confections.

  • Harvest activities like chestnut picking and sweet potato digging are held across the country, popular with families.

🍇 Seasonal Fruits (Grapes, Pears, Persimmons)

Autumn is the best season for fruits in Japan. Known for their sweetness and high quality, Japanese fruits are gaining worldwide attention.

• How to enjoy:

  • Grapes (Kyoho, Shine Muscat) → Fresh or as wine

  • Nashi Pear → Refreshing and juicy

  • Persimmons → Eaten fresh, dried, or as sweets

• Where & events:

  • Katsunuma (Yamanashi Prefecture) — A famous wine region offering grape picking and winery tours.

  • Tottori Prefecture — Renowned for its 20th Century Pears, with many orchards open for pear picking.

  • Nara & Wakayama Prefectures — Known for persimmons, with breathtaking autumn orchards.

💡 Pair Seasonal Foods with Local Events

• Beyond eating, visiting production areas or participating in seasonal festivals and harvest experiences lets you appreciate Japan’s autumn more deeply.

• For overseas audiences, highlighting not just the taste but also the cultural experience of the harvest season provides a fuller picture of Japan’s traditions.

September brings together the flavors of Sanma, chestnuts & sweet potatoes, and seasonal fruits. By combining these ingredients with events and local experiences, you can enjoy Japan’s autumn with all five senses. Share these seasonal delights to showcase the true charm of Japanese autumn! 🍂