Taste of June in Japan: Seasonal Foods & Limited-Time Delights

Japan in June is known for its rainy season, called tsuyu (梅雨), when the skies are often cloudy and the air feels damp. While it might not seem like the best time for sightseeing, it's actually a hidden gem of a season—especially when it comes to seasonal Japanese food.

If you're visiting Japan in June, here are some special dishes and sweets you won’t want to miss. These treats reflect Japan’s appreciation for the changing seasons and are available only for a short time.

1. Matcha Sweets – Rich Green Tea Flavor of the Season

June marks the peak of matcha-flavored sweets, made from finely ground green tea. Many cafés and dessert shops across Japan—especially in Kyoto and Uji—feature special matcha menus.

Try These:

Matcha Parfait: A layered dessert with matcha ice cream, mochi, sweet beans, and jelly.
Matcha Roll Cake: A soft sponge roll filled with rich matcha cream.
Matcha Latte: Creamy and bitter-sweet; many coffee chains offer seasonal versions.

Where to Find:

Popular cafés like Nana’s Green Tea, Tsujiri, and Starbucks Japan (limited-time flavors)

2. Plum-Flavored Dishes – Refreshing Taste for the Rainy Season

June is plum season in Japan. Locals often prepare umeboshi (pickled plums) or umeshu (plum wine) at home—a tradition known as ume-shigoto (梅仕事). Plum’s sourness is refreshing and helps fight fatigue caused by humidity.

Try These:

Cold Udon with Plum & Shiso: Light, cold noodles with tangy plum paste and fragrant herbs.
Chicken Simmered with Umeboshi: Tender and healthy dish perfect with rice.
Ochazuke with Umeboshi: Warm rice soup poured over pickled plum—great for a rainy day!

Where to Find:

Izakaya (Japanese pubs), local diners (teishoku-ya), or department store food halls (depachika)

3. Cold Noodles – “Hiyashi Chuka Has Begun!”

When summer approaches, restaurants and even convenience stores begin serving Hiyashi Chuka, cold Chinese-style noodles. It’s a beloved dish in Japan that signals summer is near.

What’s in it:

Cold noodles topped with ham, egg strips, cucumber, and ginger
Served with soy-based or sesame-based chilled sauce

Where to Find:

Convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart

Family restaurants and ramen shops

Look for signs that say: 冷やし中華始めました (Hiyashi Chuka Hajimemashita) = “Cold noodles have started!”

4. Hydrangea-Themed Wagashi – Beauty You Can Eat

June is hydrangea season in Japan. Traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi) often reflect seasonal flowers, and this month’s creations are true edible art.

Try These:

Nerikiri: Sweet bean paste shaped into delicate hydrangea flowers
Kanten Jelly: Translucent hydrangea-inspired jelly, often with beautiful gradients

Where to Find:

Traditional sweet shops (wagashi-ya) such as Toraya or Tsuruya Yoshinobu
Department store dessert sections in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka

These sweets are highly Instagrammable!

5. Kakigori – Shaved Ice to Cool Down Early

Toward the end of June, Japan starts to roll out kakigori, or shaved ice desserts. Once only a summer festival treat, they’ve evolved into sophisticated sweets with gourmet toppings.

Popular Flavors:

Matcha & red bean
Mango cream cheese
Seasonal specials like cherry blossom (if available late)

Where to Find:

Specialty shops like Himitsudo (Tokyo), Kakigori Cafe (Kyoto)
Even cafés like Komeda Coffee or Starbucks may offer seasonal ice desserts

Don’t Let the Rain Stop You: Enjoy the Flavors of the Season

Even if it rains during your stay, you can still enjoy your trip through the delicious and unique tastes that only June in Japan can offer. In Japanese culture, eating with the seasons—called "shun" (旬)—is an important tradition, and food is a way to connect with nature.

Travel Tips for Foodies:

Visit depachika (department store basements) for seasonal bento and sweets
Convenience stores are full of seasonal limited items—great for quick meals
If the menu is only in Japanese, just ask:
“Seasonal menu, please?” or “Do you have any limited-time items?”

Let Your Taste Buds Travel Too

Don’t just see Japan—taste it. The seasonal dishes and sweets of June will give you a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and maybe even make you love rainy days a little more.