Japanese cuture and food

In previous editions of Yokosuka 1chiban's Monthly Feature Story, we introduced Children’s Day in May 2017 and the traditional sweet kashiwa mochi in May 2024. This month, we’d like to highlight another special treat enjoyed on Children’s Day—chimaki.

When you hear the word chimaki, you might picture the savory Chinese-style version: sticky rice mixed with pork, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms, wrapped in bamboo leaves and shaped into a triangle. But the chimaki eaten on Children’s Day in Japan is quite different.

This Japanese chimaki is a sweet treat made mainly from glutinous rice, shaped into a long cylinder, and wrapped in fragrant bamboo leaves. It has a soft, chewy texture and a subtle sweetness that makes it feel more like a traditional Japanese dessert.

Chimaki has its origins in ancient China, where it symbolized loyalty and was believed to protect against misfortune and illness. In Japan, it became associated with Children’s Day and has been eaten in the hope that children will grow up to be both loyal and healthy.

While kashiwa mochi is the more common Children’s Day sweet in eastern Japan, including the Yokosuka area, chimaki is especially popular in the Kansai region (western Japan), where the tradition of eating it on May 5th remains strong. Because of this regional difference, you may not see chimaki as often around Yokosuka, but some traditional Japanese sweet shops may carry it during this season.

If you spot chimaki at a local shop, give it a try! Its unique shape, aroma, and connection to Japanese culture make it a tasty way to experience a seasonal tradition.