Description

Rice is not only a staple food for Japanese people but also the base ingredient for a variety of foods and seasonings, including mochi, sweets, miso, and vinegar. 
In autumn, festivals celebrating the rice harvest are held across Japan. During the rice planting season in spring, songs and dances are performed to pray for a bountiful harvest. At Shinto shrines, newly harvested rice, along with rice-based offerings such as mochi and sake, are dedicated to the gods. Additionally, throughout the year, rice-related foods and drinks are always offered during various traditional events. For example, during the New Year, families eat 'zoni,' a soup with mochi, and enjoy traditional New Year's dishes called 'osechi' while sharing sake. In 2013, 'Washoku: Traditional Dietary Cultures of the Japanese' was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, partly due to the deep connection between these communal celebrations and the Washoku tradition.