tsukimi

Tsukimi, also called otsukimi, is a traditional Japanese festival of moon-viewing dedicated to the autumn moon. The name literally means “moon viewing,” and the celebration centers on admiring the bright, full moon and giving thanks for the harvest. The date traditionally falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, which corresponds to September or October in the Gregorian calendar, though observance can vary by region and year.

The festival has its roots in Heian-period court culture, where poetry and moon appreciation were highly valued. Over time, tsukimi incorporated Shinto and agricultural elements and spread from elite circles to towns and villages, evolving into a family and community observance that honors the seasonal transition and agricultural bounty.

A central custom is presenting offerings to the moon during the viewing. Common offerings include tsukimi-dango, rice dumplings, arranged on a stand, often in a circular or pyramidal shape. Other seasonal foods such as taro, chestnuts, and fruits may accompany the dango. Pampas grass (susuki) is frequently displayed as part of the arrangement, and sake or other drinks may be offered. Some households also recite poetry or sing songs to accompany the moon-viewing.

Today tsukimi is observed across Japan with regional variations and is not a national holiday. Many families still prepare tsukimi-dango and susuki displays, while local communities may host events or displays. The festival is part of a broader East Asian autumn tradition of honoring the harvest and the moon, alongside similar celebrations in other cultures.