“Doyo (土用)” is the period of 18 days before the first day of spring according to the traditional lunisolar calendar (approx. Feb. 4), the first day of summer (approx. May. 6), the first day of autumn (approx. Aug. 8) and the first day of winter (approx. Nov. 8), and it is the change of seasons.

 

＊For more information about Doyo, please click here.

 

What is “Doyo-no Ushi-no Hi (土用丑の日)”

 

“Ushi-no Hi (丑の日)” is the day of the ox, and this day comes in a 12-day cycle.
“Doyo-no Ushi-no Hi (土用丑の日)” is the ox day during the Doyo(土用) period, and this Summer, July 19th (Sat) and July 31st (Thu) are the “Doyo-no Ushi-no Hi”.
Japanese people tend to associate the “Doyo-no Ushi-no Hi (土用の丑の日), especially in Summer with eating eels.

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Why Do Japanese People eat eels on this day?

 

 

Generally speaking, the Ox day during doyo indicates the summer occurrence. It is extremely hot around this time, so on this day, people eat eels to keep up their stamina.

This custom started in the middle of 18th century. Somebody (there are several opinions as to who it was, but Gennai Hiraga / 平賀源内, who was a doctor in the Samurai period, is the most likely) said that it is good to eat eels (unagi / うなぎ) on this day for the benefit of an unpopular eel shop. Then, people started to eat eels.
Now, all the supermarkets sell more eels than usual on this day.

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Not Only Eels for Food on This Day

Food Starting with “U”

 
Japanese annual events and eating something that has a letter related to the event or the date in its name is quite common.

People eat some food with a letter “n (ん)” such as “daikon (Japanese radish)”, “ninjin(carrot)”, “nankin another name for kabocha (pumpkin)” on the day of the winter solstice, because “n” is the last character in the hiragana alphabet order. Since it is “the end of hiragana”, people gave it the same meaning as the day of “touji (the winter solstice).

How does this apply to the day of “Doyo-no Ushi-no Hi”?

Since a long time ago, it is said that if you eat food starting with “U (う)” on this day, you don’t get sick.

Popular foods include Kyuri (cucumber), suika (watermelon), kabocha (pumpkin), and nigauri (bitter melon)…. They don’t start with “U”? No, they do not, but they are all categorized in the (Cucurbitaceae), gourd family, which is “Uri” in Japanese.

Also, umeboshi (pickled plum), and udon (udon noodles) are foods people eat on this day.

Eating food because of the name sounds like a joke, but this day is around the hottest period of the year, and these foods above are easy to eat when you have no appetite because of the heat. This is strand of ancient wisdom.

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Food Name with “Doyo”

 
“Doyo-mochi”, “Doyo-shijimi” and “Doyo-tamago”. These are the foods that have “doyo” in their names, and people say that they are good for your health during the doyo period.
 

DOYO-MOCHI (土用餅)

 
“DOYO-MOCHI” is mochi wrapped with sweet bean jam, eaten in the doyo period. They are eaten in Kansai and Hokuriku areas such as Kyoto, Kanazawa, Shiga, and Fukui.

A long time ago, in the imperial court, people used to eat miso soup with mochi at the beginning of the doyo period to prevent heat-stroke. This was made with broth of rough potato leaves.

In the middle of the Edo period, people started to eat mochi wrapped with sweet bean jam, and it became “DOYO-MOCHI”.

It is said that azuki beans, the main ingredient of sweet been jam, ward off bad spirits. Also, mochi has a high nutritive value. So, if you eat “DOYO-MOCHI”, you can prevent heat-stroke, and ward off bad spirits, and hopefully spend a healthy summer.
 

DOYO-SHIJIMI (土用しじみ)

 
“Shijimi” are freshwater mussels.
 
In the Edo period, the custom of eating freshwater mussels at the beginning of the doyo period was fixed among commoners.

It is the season right before the freshwater mussel, laying period, so it is delicious and nutritious. It has the effect of controlling intestinal function as well.

Eating freshwater mussels in this season was one of the ancestors’ wisdom to get through the Japanese intense summer heat.
 

DOYO-TAMAGO (土用卵)

 
“DOYO-TAMAGO” are the eggs laid during the doyo period.
Eat nutritious eggs at the change of season and keep healthy!

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Have A Cheery Summer!

 
Eating food starting with “u” and “doyo” sounds like a superstition, but it is the ancestors’ wisdom for staying healthy in the hot summer.

Use their wisdom and eat good food to get through the severe heat!

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Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter
– Foods to Eat During “Doyo”

 
When people hear “Doyo,” they often think of “Doyo no Ushi no Hi” in summer, when eating eel (unagi) is a well-known tradition. However, each season—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—has its own recommended foods to eat during the Doyo period, and the specific dates vary as well.

Please take a look for reference!
 

 

 

Spring: “Doyo Inu-no-Hi”
– Foods Starting with ‘I’ and White Foods

 

2025 Spring Doyo: April 17 (Thu) – May 4 (Sun)
2025 Doyo Inu no Hi: April 23 (Wed)

 
In Chinese mythology, the White Tiger (Byakko) is depicted as a long-bodied white tiger. Byakko governs the west, and its associated color is white. The direction of Inu (Dog) is west-northwest, which likely connects it to the white color of Byakko.

So, in spring, it is said that foods starting with the first letter “I” of “Inu” (dog) are good to eat. Strawberries (ichigo) are in season, making them a perfect choice. Additionally, foods like sweet potatoes (imo), and seafood such as sardines (iwashi) and squid (ika) can be used in a variety of dishes. Rock seaweed (iwa-nori) is also great for topping rice.

Furthermore, many white vegetables are available in spring, such as bean sprouts (moyashi), turnips (kabu), daikon radish, and cauliflower. Yogurt is also a good option.

 

Autumn: “Doyo Tatsu-no-Hi”
– Foods Starting with ‘Ta’ and Blue/Green Foods

 

2025 Autumn Doyo: October 20 (Mon) – November 6 (Thu)
2025 Doyo Tatsu no Hi: October 26 (Sun)

 
In Chinese mythology, the Azure Dragon (Seiryu) is depicted as a dragon with a long tongue. Seiryu governs the east, and its associated color is green/blue. The direction of Tatsu (Dragon) is east-southeast, which connects it to Seiryu’s blue color.

For blue-colored foods, Pacific saury (sanma) is highly recommended, as it reaches peak flavor in autumn. It is also known for reducing bad cholesterol.

Among foods that start with ‘Ta’of ‘tatsu’, onions (tamanegi) are a great choice due to their blood-thinning properties. Many blue and ‘ta’ foods provide excellent health benefits.

 

 

Winter: “Doyo Hitsuji-no-Hi”
– Foods Starting with ‘Hi’ and Red Foods

 

2026 Winter Doyo: January 17 (Sat) – February 4 (Wed)
2026 Doyo Hitsuji no Hi: January 21 (Wed) & February 2 (Mon)

 
In Chinese mythology, the Vermilion Bird (Suzaku) is depicted as a phoenix-like creature with outstretched wings. Suzaku governs the south, and its associated color is red. The direction of Hitsuji (Sheep) is south-southwest, which connects it to Suzaku’s red color.

For Doyo Hitsuji no Hi, flounder (hirame) is a great choice. Its peak season is from November to February, when it is flavorful and reasonably priced. Other recommended foods include hiratake mushrooms and chickpeas (hiyoko-mame).

For red foods, tomatoes, red bell peppers, and apples are great seasonal choices.

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A Tradition Rooted in Seasonal Eating

 

Looking at these food traditions, we see that they align with seasonal produce and nutritious choices. In ancient times, people lived by the calendar, using it to plan farming, harvesting, and meals suited to each season. This tradition reflects a deep connection between nature, food, and well-being.

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Category : 24 Divisions of The Solar Year , Japanese Culture , text @en

Tag : 24 divisions of the solar year , 24sekki , corona virus , COVID-19 , COVID19 , Emergency , Japanese culture , season , tanabata , The coronavirus , 日本の文化